Chapter 139: Ignoring everything

NANCY’S POV

The rest of the night passed in a blur, I refused to fully process. Even though I had the shawl around me, I was cold as hell.

Since watching Ethan being carried out of that hall, I hadn’t been able to think. My entire body, and even my mind, was numb, equal to the pain I was supposed to be feeling from the cut on my feet.

I could see it bleeding, feel it somewhat too, but the pain wasn’t enough to submerge the hollow feeling in my chest.

When the time came to leave, when Hudson announced that we were, I gave him no response. I didn’t even remember walking out of that hall, much less register how many people had seen the confrontation with Ethan and whether the news would make the rounds on the internet.

That wasn’t all I didn’t pay attention to. There was the fact that I no longer cared to be embarrassed at being seen with Hudson or the fact that I was limping slightly as Hudson dragged me back to the car.

All I felt was the suffocating weight in my chest and the way his hand rested relentlessly on my waist the entire time. Firm and possessive, as if he needed to remind everyone who exactly I belonged to, but that wasn’t why I couldn’t shake off the feeling.

It was because I was also receiving a reminder that I was stuck with him, whether I wanted to be or not, and I didn’t know how to make it out.

By the time we got back to the house, my body was aching, and every inch felt sore, especially my right foot, which was difficult to walk on, considering every step sent a sharp sting through the sole of my foot.

However, I refused to let my weakness show in front of him and stared out the window the entire time instead.

The car had barely pulled to a stop when I pushed the door open and got out, ignoring the way his gaze was burning into my back.

I thought I was walking fast enough, but I guess not because he caught up to me before I made it to the entrance.

“Are you hurt?”

“It’s none of your business,” I bit out without looking at him, caring nothing for the hint of concern that laced his voice.

I didn’t need it, I didn’t want to feel cared for by a man who would turn around and hurt me any second he felt like it.

Frankly, he didn’t actually care about me; he just wanted to take advantage of any means to make me submit to him, and clearly, beating my friend up wasn’t enough for him.

Recalling the scene made me mad all over again.

His soft chuckle broke into my thought, and I glanced at him briefly, catching the curl of his lips in amusement.

“Oh, Nancy… you are my business.”

I clenched my jaw but said nothing, forcing my pace to remain steady as I walked into the house.

The moment I stepped inside, I froze. My mother was right in the middle of the room, standing like she had been waiting there all along.

Her eyes found me the instant I walked in, and the relief that flooded her expression was hard to miss despite how quickly it was.

It was discomforting to see that emotion cross her face now, especially when she hadn’t cared earlier today.

My gaze trailed around the room quickly. My Dad was nowhere in sight.

Great.

I wasn’t sure I  wanted to be faced with him, and even though I was curious to know why my mom was still here, I didn’t ask.

“You’re back…” she breathed, stepping forward.

I didn’t respond, I didn’t slow my steps to acknowledge her either and just made to walk past her.

“Nancy,” she called, a little bit more firmly, enough to make me stop for a minute, but only because my foot throbbed in protest.

“What?” I snapped without turning around.

There was a slight pause, then her voice reached me.

“How… how was the event?”

I let out a hollow laugh.

There was no fucking way…

Was she kidding me?

I thought around with a burning look that made her stare falter, a look that questioned if she was really asking me that.

“You mean the event where your husband sold me off like I was nothing?” I tilted my head. “Or the one where I had to stand beside the man you both handed me to and pretend everything was fine?”

My voice was sharp and cutting, and so was my gaze. She lowered her head, unable to meet my eyes.

“I…”

“Save it,” I cut her off coldly. “I’m not in the mood for whatever performance you’re about to put on.”

She flinched, and for a brief second, something flickered in her eyes. Maybe pain, guilt, or even…Shame.

However, it didn’t matter.

None of it mattered anymore.

I turned to leave again, but then her voice stopped me in my tracks, again.

“Nancy, wait.”

It was something in her voice that made me pause, not because I wanted to, but because of how different she sounded.

Her voice was careful, almost tentative.

I sighed sharply, already irritated.

“What now?”

Her gaze dropped to my feet, and suddenly, her expression changed.

Her brows furrowed instantly as concern flickered in her gaze.

“You’re bleeding.”

My body stiffened, and my gaze dropped.

I hadn’t even realized the blood had seeped through that much.

“It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing,” she said immediately, stepping closer.

I instinctively stepped back.

“Don’t.”

She froze. “I just want to…”

“I don’t need you to do anything,” I muttered coldly.

“I said don’t.”

Something broke across her face at that, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t afford to.

Not when no one had cared a whit earlier.

“I’m fine,” I added flatly. “Worry about something else.”

With that, I turned and walked away, ignoring her, ignoring the pain, ignoring everything.