Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 96404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
“But Sebastian was there! He was only six years old.”
“And he was supposed to die, too, but we used him to milk ransom money from his rich grandparents. Now, I’m thinking that wasn’t a very good idea. Don’t you agree, Mori-san?”
“No, probably not. We wouldn’t have been in this predicament if he’d died at that time. But then again, it wouldn’t be this much fun either.”
Fun.
Does he really think all of this is fun?
I’ll show him what fun is like.
“Are you going to get in line, Naomi?” my father asks in a calm tone. “Or should I finish off the life I spared?”
“I’ll do as you want. Let him go.” My voice is apathetic, but it’s not defeated. Sheer determination like I’ve never felt before pulses in my veins and flows through my raging bloodstream.
This time, it won’t go as they dictate.
“No. Not until Akira signs the contract he’s here for and you go back to Japan. And we make sure you’re not keeping in touch with him.”
“But that could take weeks!”
“So be it.” He raises his teacup to Akira, who returns the gesture.
I glare at them both, then turn around and leave.
As soon as I close the door behind me, I’m tempted to slide to the ground and weep.
That’s what I did seven years ago.
The day of my wedding, I locked myself in a closet and cried for hours.
But that didn’t bring me a solution. That didn’t let me live in peace or bring me back what I’d lost.
Action does. And it’s time I take it.
I stare at Ren and he stares right back, though warily. He touches his pierced ear, then the tattoos on his neck.
“What do you want, Ojou-sama?” he asks in a mocking tone, even though he’s clearly wary of me.
“A truce.”
“Ha. A truce? You just threatened me.”
“Which is why I’m asking for a truce.”
“And what makes you think I want it?”
“You have as much to lose in this as I do. Akira has the upper hand in your relationship, doesn’t he?”
His jaw clenches. “Are you sure this is you asking for a truce?”
“Yes. Because I understand what he can be like. He must’ve gathered all your weaknesses in a neat file that he uses to threaten you with whenever he thinks you’ve crossed a line. He’s controlling you and playing with you, and you hate it. After all, you’re a free spirit not meant to be shackled, caged, or controlled.”
Ren’s lips purse.
I step closer, softening my voice. “He doesn’t feel, Ren. Take it from me. I’ve lived with him for seven years. So when the fun he’s having with you is over, he’ll just toss you aside as if you never existed. By that time, he’ll make sure to break both your dignity and spirit so you have nothing left. And just like that, he’ll move on to his next pastime.”
Though Akira is capable of all of those things and more, he wouldn’t do that to Ren. I know it’s different with him—I can sense it—but I need to rile Ren up so he’s on my side. Besides, I was right about how much Ren hates Akira’s controlling nature. He was always a rebellious soul and my soon-to-be ex-husband is killing that part of him.
My father’s guard clenches and unclenches his fists before he releases a long sigh. “What do you want?”
“I’m glad you asked.”
I lean over to whisper the plan in his ear. After this, I have to pay a visit to the only people who will help Sebastian.
Even if it means throwing my dignity out the window for it.
41
Akira
Dear Yuki-Onna,
For the first time, you’ll receive this as a series of text messages instead of a letter in a black envelope.
You must be wondering how I got your number, but it’s already saved under my name in capital letters.
I’ve rummaged through it and saw what you call me between you and yourself, my little minx.
At this point, you must’ve stopped whatever you were doing and are questioning why I started my text with the opening you received in letters for damn years.
The answer is simple, but not really.
See, Naomi. You’ve been living a lie fed to you by that fucker husband of yours whose murder I’m plotting as we speak.
He told you he was me, Akira, your pen pal that you wrote to ever since we were eighteen. But he’s only a pervert who read the letters we wrote to each other and then used them to keep us apart and worm himself into your life.
The day I saw you crying then smiling, I fucking had to get close to you, but I didn’t want to get too close because I get bored easily.
I didn’t want to get bored of you.
The idea of Akira came when I overheard you telling Lucy that you’ll one day marry a Japanese.