Chapter 3
Paisley reached toward me with ice–cold fingers.[]
Her grip closed around my throat, applying gentle pressure.
Maybe sensing death closing in, I suddenly summoned every ounce of strength left in my body and screamed:[]
“GET OFF!“]
Bracing myself against the couch, I managed to stand up shakily.[]
Though I wasn’t making much noise, it still caught Dash’s attention.]
What’s going on over there?“]
“What’s
Paisley shot me a vicious glare before releasing her grip.]]
Without that support, I collapsed directly onto her.]
She smiled wickedly and suddenly threw herself backward.]
We both went crashing to the floor with me on top of her.
Paisley shoved me off roughly.]
“If she’s really having an allergic reaction, how does she have this much strength? This is obviously fake!”
My forehead slammed into the corner of a nearby table.]
A huge bump formed instantly.]
Dash stopped in front of me.
He looked down at me with complete disappointment in his eyes.]
“Luna, when are you going to stop this? My patience with you has limits.”
When he saw my face turning green, a flicker of sympathy crossed his features.
Just as he was about to help me up, Paisley grabbed his hand.
“Dash Riverstone! Are you completely brain–dead? She’s still got you fooled!“]
“If she’s actually having an allergic reaction, I’ll cut off my own head and let you use it as a soccer ball.“[]
Dash still felt a twinge of sympathy.]
“But she really looks like she’s suffering. Maybe we should just give her the medication.“]]
They whed as 1 Was Dodon Blue Tha
Chapter 3
Paisley suddenly burst into laughter like she’d heard the funniest joke.
“Are you seriously buying this crap? Hahaha, we were just playing a game earlier!“]]
She grabbed my arm and shook it.[]
“Look at her face–red one minute, green the next. What a dedicated little actress.”
“Oh right, Luna said she wanted some water earlier. She must be thirsty–that’s why she’s acting like this.“]
Relief washed over Dash’s face.[]
“So she’s just thirsty? That makes sense.“[]
He immediately brought over a water glass.]
When the cold glass touched my lips, I shook my head frantically.
My throat had swollen up like it was stuffed with cotton–even the slightest movement sent searing pain through it.[]
Dash’s hand froze mid–air, hesitation flickering in his eyes.[]
“See? She’s still acting!“]
Paisley snatched the glass away.]]
“Dash, you don’t understand how girls play hard to get. They want you to be forceful.“]
She grabbed my jaw, her knuckles pressing so hard they nearly embedded in my flesh.]
Ice water mixed with bubbles was forced down my throat. I coughed violently, water droplets running down my chin and into my collar, causing even more red welts to break out on my skin.]
Paisley laughed even harder.]
“See? She’s got way more energy after drinking some water!“]
My vision kept going black as I dug my nails deep into my palms.[]
But Dash just nodded and smiled.]
“She does look much better.“[]
As Dash started to walk away, I desperately grabbed onto his pant leg.]
Using every bit of strength I had left, I forced my eyes open and squeezed broken words from my throat:[]
“Save… me… I’m the… Ashford… heir…“]
He looked down at me like I was a circus monkey and suddenly burst out laughing.]
“Ashford heir? Why don’t you claim you’re the Queen of England while you’re at it?“]
Chapter 3
The roar of mocking laughter nearly blew the roof off the private room.]
Someone slapped the table and shouted:]]
“Dash, she’s really getting into character now! Why don’t we let her perform a whole rich family drama?“]]
Another person chimed in:]
“With her pathetic ass? She could maybe inherit a pizza box!”
Paisley doubled over with laughter, then suddenly grabbed my sweat–soaked hair and slammed my head into the table corner.]
“Still pretending to be some heiress? Let me help you inherit this table leg!“]
The wound on my forehead hit the hard wood, blood mixing with cold sweat and streaming into my eyes with burning pain.]
Come on, keep shouting about being an heir!”
She grabbed my hair again and slammed my face into the floor. My face crashed into the cake debris, frosting and blood smearing across my features.
Dash stood to the side with his arms crossed, his voice casual:
“Don’t get too crazy, Paisley. Try not to actually hurt her.“]
ded
His tone wasn’t concerned–it more like he was worried his “entertainment” might break too quickly.
I felt the air being slowly sucked from my lungs, like I’d swallowed a piece of burning charcoal lodged in my throat.
Every breath tasted of blood.]
Paisley’s twisted grin, Dash’s cold indifference, everyone’s cruel laughter–it all swirled through my mind like an inescapable nightmare.
I stared at the warm yellow lights in the feeling them grow more and more distant.]]
Pater
I could sense my soul beginning to separate from my body, slowly floating upward.]
Just as I was about to close my eyes forever, a familiar voice suddenly shouted in my ear:]
“Luna!”
The moment those words rang out, the private room door burst open and light flooded in from outside.
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