When Love Is a Lie

Chapter 198 I Want You Now

Whitney felt the soft brush of his lips against her cheek, and for a fleeting moment, Damian’s eyes lit up. When he turned to look at her, he was momentarily dazed, caught off guard by the tendemess in her gaze. It reminded him of a time when the girl who used to love him unconditionally would steal kisses when he wasn’t paying attention. Back then, her affection meant little to him. Now, he wished with all his heart that her kiss was real untainted by deceit.

“pamian, any wrists really hurt,” Whitney’s voice broke through his thoughts.

He blinked, pulled back into reality, and carefully untied the ropes from her wrists and ankles, flood flowed freely again, and Whitney gently flexed her stiff limbs

to restore circulation

“Come with me,” he said, extending a hand toward het.

Whitney hesitated for past a second before placing her hand in his. He led her out of the decrepit factory, where fresh air wrapped around her like a long–forgotten

embrace

quietly, she surveyed her surroundings. The factor appeared to be tocloed in the midst of a mountainous countryside. Holling hills stretched into the distance, shrouded in a hazy gray. Nearby, nin–down shacks with moss–covered walls lined the area, their broken windows revealing glimpses of decay within.

Through one of those shattered windows, Whitney caught sight of Amy and Rachel. Amy was slumped against the wall, her clothes tom, exposing far too much of uch of her battered body. Beside her, Rachel lay curled on the ground, unmoving, her frail frame exuding an eerie stillness that suggested the worst

“They__“Whiney’s voice faltered as shockovertook her

line of sight. “People who don’t follow orders have no reason

surprise her, but Amy?

face. His tone was casual, almost dismissive. “Liking someone thate is the same as opposing me.”

Noel. Was that all it took? Just the mere act of loving someone Damian despised was enough to

afraid.

fixed unwaveringly on hers. “As long as you don’t

The tendemess in his voice was laced with a

with traditional courtyards, inoon gates, and a shadow wall. A massive, ancient pagoda tree stood as its center, surrounded by brightly blooming flowers in meticulously arranged pots. The serene beauty of the courtyard sharply contrasted with the squalor of the abandoned

Whitney seized the moment. “If you have something to handle, go ahead. I’ll be fine on

gestured toward an intricately

troom. Go

he followed Billy into another part of the house, leaving Whitney alone. Even so, she knew escape was

shower, letting the hot water wash away the grime and tension. Draped in a bathrobe, she stepped out of the bathroom only to

replied with a smile, rising

droplets of water from her damp hair fell onto the role, her faintly floral

nice,” Damian remarked, lowering his head as if to kiss

know this was

closed. “Why bother? Everyone here knows you’re