- 10.
But Elijah had people watching me.
I had no chance to kill myself.
I asked the system for help, but it said there
was nothing it could do; I had to die to leave.
I had to wait for an opportunity.
On the day of my discharge, I tried to run into
く
traffic.
Elijah grabbed me, holding me tight, his hand
on my head.
He was terrified of losing me.
“Don’t try to kill yourself again.”
“Mary, please.”
I knew provoking him would give me no
chance, so I said, “Okay.”
Back home, Elijah took me to his room.
He never let me in before; I just delivered
meals to the door.
His room didn’t smell of incense but of faint
flowers.
A cake sat on his desk, next to a ring box.
Elijah pulled me over.
“I’m sorry I hurt you.”
“Let me celebrate your birthday again.”
He opened the ring box.
“I’ve asked your parents for your hand in
marriage.”
<
“Let’s get married next month, okay?”
“No.”
I knocked over the ring box.
The rings scattered.
I couldn’t give him hope; he wouldn’t let me
- go.
I said coldly, “Elijah, I loved you, but you
didn’t love me.”
“Now I don’t love you, and you love me? What
does that mean?”
He froze.
“I’m sorry. I had things on my mind.”
“I’ve figured things out. I see your worth now.
You’ve been with me for eight years; I should
give you a title.”
“But I don’t want it.”
I had no emotions; I couldn’t love him.
I pushed him away and ran to the window.
I quickly climbed out.
Thinking I’d finally escaped, Elijah grabbed
- me.
He hugged me tightly, relieved.
“Thank goodness, I got you.”
He knelt, tears streaming down his face.
I felt nothing.
He lifted my head and kissed me hard.
His tongue invaded my mouth, possessively.
I tried to push him away but couldn’t.
He carried me to the bed and undressed me.
