Chapter 11
479words
It's tearing.
Plundering.
With a kind of madness that says "this is my private property, no one else can touch it."
The living room is deathly silent.
Only our rapid breathing can be heard.
Old Winterbourne is so angry his beard is trembling: "You... you..."
Theodore finally releases me.
He licks the blood at the corner of his mouth (which I had bitten).
Smiling with a wicked expression.
"Did you see that?"
He looks at his furious parents, his eyes full of vengeful pleasure.
"I just love her."
"Even if she's mute, a liar, a thief."
"I love her to death."
He pushes me in front of him, like showcasing a trophy.
"Didn't you want to humiliate me?"
"When you forced this bankrupt family's daughter on me, wasn't it to laugh at me, to watch me go mad?"
"Congratulations."
Theodore laughs so hard his body trembles.
"I've gone mad."
"I can't live without her now."
"Whoever dares to send her to prison, whoever dares to take her half a step away from me..."
He stares at Old Winterbourne, his eyes bloodshot.
"I'll make the entire Winterbourne Family accompany me to the grave."
Old Winterbourne's face turns deathly pale.
He looks at his completely out-of-control son before him.
Finally realizing.
This beast he had raised with his own hands has broken free from its chains.
And the daughter-in-law they had always regarded as useless...
Has somehow become the only rope that can tether this beast.
"Madmen... they're all madmen!"
Old Winterbourne stands up, trembling with rage.
"Leave!"
"Let him die with this woman!"
The group had arrived with such fanfare.
And now they leave in disarray, as if fleeing from a plague.
The main door slams shut heavily.
Only Theodore and I remain in the living room.
His frenzied, deeply affectionate state, at the moment the door closes.
Comes to an abrupt end.
The hand around my waist loosens.
He seems instantly drained of strength, staggers a step, and collapses onto the sofa.
Cold sweat drips down his forehead.
The dominance he had shown earlier was all forced.
His mania is now taking its revenge on him.
Looking at him, I suddenly feel the absurdity of it all.
"Nice performance."
I say coldly, "Mr. Theodore, Oscar owes you a little gold statue."
Using me to anger his parents.
Using "deep affection" to cover up his sickness.
What a clever scheme.
Theodore lifts his head.
His bloodshot eyes are frighteningly bright.
He reaches out and grabs my ankle.
Forcefully drags me back when I want to leave.
"Who said it was acting?"
He presses his face against my legs, his voice hoarse, incredibly attached.
"Ivy."
"What I just said was true."
"You are my rope."
"If the rope breaks..."
He closes his eyes, his breath scorching hot.
"This mad dog will truly kill everyone."
"Including myself."
