Chapter 5

Matthew's steps halted.

She said she stabbed Daniel?

How could such a thing be true? She had such strong affection for that male that she would endanger her own existence for his benefit—what way would she be able to tolerate causing him pain?

This must be a lie she made up just to stay.

Matthew closed his eyes, suppressing that absurd flutter in his chest.

"I see you won't give up until you hit rock bottom."

He shot a cold glance at John beside him.

"What are you standing there for? Want to lose your job?"

John jolted and quickly waved at the bodyguards. "Get her out of here!"

A pair of security personnel moved quickly ahead once more, using force to separate Elizabeth's digits from their grip and pulling her in the direction of the exit.

"If you throw me out today, I'll kill myself right in front of you!"

Elizabeth pulled the diamond hairpin from her hair and pressed it hard against her carotid artery.

Red liquid immediately began to flow along the surface of her light-colored throat, causing a sharp sensation in Matthew's vision. The ends of his arms tightened into balled shapes beside his body.

Damn woman, always knowing how to exploit his weakness.

Despite being aware that this was a further example of her deceptive plans, the sight of the red fluid on Elizabeth's throat caused Matthew's chest organ to contract with discomfort.

"Is your wish to stop living?" Matthew asked with a mocking expression, and his look contained a large amount of threat. "During the time prior to my finishing my business with you, you lack even the permission to cease existing."

Matthew made a motion with his hand to signal the security personnel to retreat, and his look moved across Elizabeth's form as if she were worthless refuse.

"Since you want to stay and be my plaything, I'll grant your wish."

Matthew turned around and pulled the still-stunned Emily into his arms.

"John, take her to change. Don't let her filthy blood offend my eyes."

"From today on, she's the maid in charge of serving Ms. Johnson."

Elizabeth's taut nerves finally relaxed, and the hairpin dropped from her hand.

Provided that she was permitted to remain in this place, and as long as she was able to be close to his location, what difference did it make if her role was that of a household servant?

Ten minutes later, Elizabeth changed into an ill-fitting maid's uniform.

The outfit was a size too big, hanging loosely on her body. The skirt was ridiculously short, exposing her scarred legs.

Matthew was seated on the couch located on the upper level, engaged in using a cigarette. Through the cloudy mist produced by the burning material, his look unintentionally dropped onto the lower extremities of Elizabeth, who was positioned on the ground floor.

Those lower limbs that he had previously gripped in his palms and valued, not ever desiring her to remain upright for an extended period, were now in a damaged and red-covered condition.

Some wounds were still seeping blood, the torn flesh a disturbing sight.

The upper limb of Matthew that was containing the smoking item moved with small shakes, and the front part of his torso had a sensation similar to an object having struck it forcefully.

What had this woman done to herself to end up like this?

John approached Matthew nervously and reported in a low voice.

"Mr. Moore, I have just received information indicating that Ms. Winters traveled to this location by foot directly from the location of the marriage ceremony. She traversed a distance exceeding fifteen miles without any covering on her feet."

"I heard she even got into a car accident on the way, and the ground was covered in broken glass..."

Before John could finish, Matthew suddenly stood up and growled.

"Are you blind?"

"Can't you see how badly her feet are injured? Get a doctor, now!"

John scrambled out to fetch someone.

Matthew stared at Elizabeth's mangled feet, his chest heaving.

He thought, 'Elizabeth, you crazy woman. For Daniel, you used to cry for ages over a paper cut, and now you can run 15 miles barefoot? You love him that much? Enough to destroy your own legs?'

"What are you standing around for!" Matthew shouted at Elizabeth downstairs. "Get to the kitchen and cook! Emily's hungry!"

Elizabeth bit her lip, forcing herself through the piercing pain, limping into the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Elizabeth was chopping onions.

The pungent smell irritated her tear ducts, and tears kept streaming down.

Matthew appeared in the kitchen doorway without her noticing, leaning against the frame and watching her coldly.

"What, can't handle it already?"

"Cooking one meal for me and you already feel wronged?"

Elizabeth hastily wiped her face. "No... it's just the onions are too strong..."

"That is pitiful," Matthew said in a mocking tone. "Elizabeth, cease this sad performance prior to the moment when I vomit."

Elizabeth's concentration broke, and the knife in her hand suddenly slipped.

The sharp blade instantly cut her index finger, blood gushing out.

Almost in the same second, Matthew rushed to her side and grabbed her hand.

He pressed hard on her bleeding fingertip, then put her finger directly into his mouth, sucking the blood.

The warm, wet sensation made Elizabeth's whole body feel electrified, freezing in place.

Matthew showed a displeased expression, tugged Elizabeth toward the basin for washing, and operated the water control to clean the injured area.

"Are you an idiot? You can cut yourself chopping vegetables!"

"You're a grown adult! Do you have rocks for brains? You're dumb as a brick!"

He cursed under his breath, but his hands kept searching for a bandage.

Elizabeth observed the strained side view of Matthew's face, noticed the continuing worry present in his look, and her own eyes suddenly filled with moisture.

He still cared about her. No matter how harsh his words, his body's instinctive reaction couldn't lie.

Elizabeth suddenly stood on tiptoe despite her wounded feet.

Just as Matthew bowed his head to put on the bandage, she moved closer and gave his jaw a soft kiss.

The kiss was gentle, but it made Matthew freeze instantly.

He looked up at her in disbelief.

Elizabeth's eyes were full of liquid, yet a small grin appeared on her mouth. "Matthew, you continue to have concern for me, is that not correct?"

Matthew recoiled as if burned, pushing her away.

"Elizabeth, stop flattering yourself!"

He turned his face away somewhat awkwardly, though his ears turned an odd shade of red. "I just don't want your dirty blood messing up my kitchen and ruining my appetite!"

Just then, John rushed in with the family doctor, out of breath.

"Mr. Moore, the doctor's here."

Matthew immediately resumed his cold demeanor, ordering icily.

"Check her feet. Don't let her die on my property—bad luck."

The doctor gasped at the sight of Elizabeth's mangled feet.

The process of washing the injuries caused intense pain, as a small gripping tool pushed through damaged skin to extract pieces of broken transparent material and small stones.

Elizabeth's complexion turned extremely white, with cool moisture running from her skin, and she pressed her teeth firmly into her lower mouth area in order to avoid making a sound of pain.

Matthew sat on the nearby sofa, seemingly reading documents but not taking in a word.

His fingers holding the cigarette tightened slightly, his gaze never leaving her bloodied feet.

Each time the doctor used the tweezers, Matthew's brow twitched.

Damn it, why did it feel like he was the one in pain?

After her feet were treated, Elizabeth spent another hour preparing an elaborate dinner.

Though just simple home cooking, the dishes looked and smelled delicious—flavors Matthew used to love.

Matthew walked over, glanced at the food, and sneered.

He casually knocked over a bowl of soup. "Who knows what you put in there? Trying to poison me?"

Elizabeth did not provide any reason for her actions. Without speaking, she extended her hand to the eating utensil and tried a small amount from each of the food items on the table.

"There's no poison, Matthew. I would never hurt you..."

"Shut up! Who gave you permission to call me Matthew!" Matthew cut her off with disgust.

He pulled Emily close and pointed at a bowl of oatmeal on the table.

"Since there's no poison, do your job as a maid."

"Feed Emily."

"Okay." Elizabeth swallowed the bitterness in her heart, picked up the bowl of oatmeal, and walked to Emily. "Ms. Johnson, please eat."

Emily felt immensely satisfied seeing Elizabeth so submissive.

Just as Elizabeth brought the bowl over, Emily suddenly raised her hand.

The scalding oatmeal bowl was knocked over, spilling all over Elizabeth's hand.

Elizabeth cried out in pain as her hand instantly turned bright red.