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

“People who don’t follow orders have no reason to stick around,” he said coldly.

Amy? Why her?” Whitney stammered. Rachel’s fate didn’t surprise her, but Amy? Amy had worked for Damian. Why would she

as he reached out to brush a strand of hair from Whitney’s face. His tone was casual, almost dismissive. “Liking someone

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

be afraid.

softly, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on hers. “As long as you don’t betray me, you have nothing to

The tendemess in his voice was laced with a threat that made her blood

pagoda tree stood as its center, surrounded by brightly blooming flowers in meticulously arranged pots. The serene beauty of the courtyard sharply

quickly and whispered something in Damian’s ear. Whitney seized the moment. “If you have something to handle, go ahead. I’ll be fine on my own,” she

gestured toward an intricately carved

troom. Go

word, he followed Billy into another part of the house, leaving Whitney alone. Even so, she knew escape was impossible. Guards and henchmen patrolled every comer of the property. For now, all she could do was wait.

avoided her injured wrist while taking a shower, letting the hot water wash away the grime and tension. Draped in a bathrobe, she stepped out of the bathroom only to find Damian sitting casually on a wooden couch

room,” Damian replied with

froze as droplets of water from her damp hair fell onto the role,

his head as if to

instinctively stepped back. “I didn’t know this was your mom. Can you arrange another for

“Why bother? Everyone