Chapter 51:
Makenna’s POV:
The sinister gleam in Bryan’s eyes sent a shiver down my spine.
But when I glimpsed Alice’s despair, something inside me snapped. I steeled myself and asked, “What do you want from me?”
“Well…” Bryan raised an eyebrow, his smile dripping with malice. “I haven’t quite decided yet.”
I pressed my lips together, a knot of unease tightening in my stomach.
I knew Bryan would seize this opportunity to torment me as he pleased. The real question was whether I was willing to endure such cruelty for a woman who had done nothing but make my life difficult.
I glanced at Alice, trembling like a leaf in a storm. Despair clung to her like a shadow. If I refused, no one else would step forward to help her.
As I hesitated, Bryan’s sneer sliced through the air, and he gestured to his soldiers.
They rushed forward, grabbing Alice to drag her away.
“No! Let me go!” Alice’s scream pierced the air, raw with fear.
Her desperate eyes locked onto mine, and my heart twisted with a sharp pang. I grabbed her back, my teeth grinding together. “Fine. I accept your terms.”
No matter how much it pained me, my conscience wouldn’t allow me to stand by and do nothing.
“Is that so?”
Bryan’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. He gave me a slow, scrutinizing look. Then, without warning, he erupted into laughter, pleased with my submission.
“Very well.” He waved his hand dismissively. “Release her.”
Bryan acted as though he were granting some great favor, and it made my blood boil.
I clenched my fists, struggling to suppress the anger and resentment that surged within me.
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“Stay calm. Control yourself. Don’t lose your composure,” I reminded myself under my breath.
Alice was released and collapsed to the ground, her hands covering her face as she sobbed uncontrollably.
Feeling a pang of sympathy, I moved to help her up, but Bryan stepped in my way, gripping my chin between his fingers.
His cold blue eyes bored into mine, a mocking smile playing on his lips. “Do you know what price you’ve agreed to pay?”
Pain shot through my chin, but I forced myself to meet his gaze without flinching. “No matter the cost, I’ve given my word. Alice shouldn’t have to face any more humiliation.”
“Of course.” Bryan nodded, his chuckle sending a chill down my spine. “I’ll keep my end of the bargain.”
I couldn’t shake the unease creeping over me. What was he really after?
Trying to maintain my composure, I asked, “In that case, can we leave now?”
I did not want to face that awful man. I still had training today.
“Give it your all, girl.” Bryan tapped my cheek in a patronizing manner. “You’ve piqued my interest today. Let’s see if you’ll be begging for mercy soon.”
With that, he laughed and turned on his heel, walking away.
As soon as Bryan was out of sight, the others dispersed, and I finally allowed myself to relax, nearly collapsing from the release of tension.
I sucked in deep breaths, realizing I had been holding my breath the entire time Bryan was near, overwhelmed by his oppressive presence.
Regret quickly followed. I had been too hasty, agreeing to his demands without thinking things through. I knew Bryan was anything but kind.
Rubbing my temples, I tried to regain my composure. What was done was done, and there was no use in dwelling on it. I would just have to deal with whatever came next.
After all, I had saved a life today, and that had to count for something.
Sighing, I glanced at Alice, who was still sitting on the ground, lost in her world of shock. With a resigned shake of my head, I said, “Get up. Clean yourself up and get to the training room. If you don’t, Hayley will make sure you regret it.”
Just as I was about to head to the training room, Alice called out to me.
“Makenna.” Her voice was shaky and thick with tears. “Thank you… for today…”
