Chapter 45

"Wondering why you can't move?" Luna White's smile sent chills down Frank Harris's spine. What was this woman planning?

"Mmph... mmph..." Frank strained to speak, but only managed muffled groans.

Outside, Maya White smirked at the commotion. Go ahead, Luna. See how you'll make it to university now.

University? She scoffed. More like ruined goods.

Maya lounged under the tree, waiting for Frank's signal. She and Fiona had plotted this perfectly—once Frank succeeded, Fiona would fake an emergency, calling for help. One loud accusation, and Luna's reputation would be shredded.

Let’s see her rise above me then.

Jack White had taken Ethan and the others next door, keeping his hands clean. When the time came, they'd claim Luna seduced Frank. Who would doubt it?

Frank wasn’t stupid enough to admit assault. Luna would be his wife, whether she liked it or not.

Maya giggled, shaking with glee. Luna would never outshine her again.

——————

Frank trembled—or at least, he thought he did. In reality, he was frozen like a statue, one knee braced against the bedframe, his hand suspended midair.

Luna twirled a silver needle before his eyes.

A soft, mocking laugh made his pulse thunder. He wanted to scream, to strike her—but not a single finger obeyed.

"Frank Harris," Luna murmured, pressing the needle to his temple, "if I wanted you dead... the police would only find a brain hemorrhage. Quick. Painless."

Frank's eyes bulged. I don’t want to die! He blinked desperately, all lust replaced by raw terror.

"A worthless gambler and womanizer like you?" Her voice was silk. "Who’d question it? So... should I kill you? Or kill you?"

For a moment, she meant it. In her past life, this brute had beaten her bloody, caused three miscarriages. His parents had branded her a barren failure.

But death was too kind.

"Oh? Did you wet yourself?" Luna wrinkled her nose. "Pathetic."

A dark stain spread across Frank’s pants.

"Changed my mind. I won’t kill you—yet." She withdrew the needle. "I’ll free you, but if you scream or run..." The metal glinted. "Blink twice if you understand."

Frank’s eyelids fluttered like frantic butterflies.

The needle lifted. Frank collapsed onto the bed, muscles screaming from prolonged rigidity.

"Hel—" His cry died as the needle flickered.

"Memory problems?" Luna whispered in his ear. "Let me help you remember."

Agony exploded from his bones. Frank felt himself writhing, howling—but his body stayed rigid. Every fiber convulsed in torment, worse than death.

Outside, Maya tapped her foot. What’s taking so long?

Luna’s finished.

"Ready to behave?" Luna pulled the needle free. "Scream again, and this pain returns every two hours—until it kills you."

Frank blinked wildly. That death was unthinkable!

"Call Maya in. I’ll knock her out. The rest..." Luna smirked. "You’ll figure it out."

Frank nodded like a desperate dog.

"Try anything funny..." Luna chuckled. "After we marry, I’ll play with needles daily. Like I said—I have a short temper."

Frank shuddered. The thought of sharing a bed with this viper... Death would be kinder.

He nodded again, obedient as a whipped cur.