Chapter 205

Chapter 205

"My brain isn't tasty," Ava burst into tears.

She stared at the knife pressed against her neck, too terrified to move.

"Not talking, right?"

William seemed to lose his patience and kicked a piece of meat into the water below.

There was a splash.

The meat disappeared in an instant.

If a person fell in, they'd be devoured just as quickly.

Ava frantically bowed her head, "Mr. Johnson, please, please spare me."

A rat scurried out from the darkness.

It landed right at Ava's feet.

Its eyes were blood-red, staring at Ava like she was its next meal.

Ava couldn't take it anymore and fainted.

The knife came down.

The pain jolted Ava back to consciousness.

She curled up into a ball, pleading non-stop, "Mr. Johnson."

"Last chance. Tell the truth."

William grabbed Ava by the hair, lifting her high above the water pit. "When did Sophia regain her hearing? Speak."

"What do you want to know? I'm here." A cool voice echoed.

Sophia walked in, holding a knife to her own neck.

Several Ghost Slayers stood around, looking at William with troubled expressions.

They didn't want to let Sophia in, but they were too afraid of the consequences if she got hurt.

So, Sophia walked in.

"Alright, everyone out. We need to talk alone," Sophia spoke first, waving them away.

William said nothing, slowly wiping the blood off his knife with a handkerchief.

His men understood the unspoken command and quickly left.

Of course, they didn't forget to drag Ava out with them.

Ava looked worried, wanting to stay, but the Ghost Slayers pulled her out.

Now, only William and Sophia remained in the water pit.

Sophia took a step closer, feeling a chill run down her spine at the sight.

Under the water, countless bugs and rats swarmed, enough to trigger anyone's phobia.

"What do you want to know?"

Sophia's expression was calm, her face showing an unprecedented ease and determination.

She took a few more steps, stopping just a few feet away. "Why aren't you asking? Fine, I'll tell you myself."

"All you want to know is if I lied to you. The answer is..." Yes.

But before Sophia could say the word, William's icy gaze cut her off. "Think carefully before you answer."

"I've thought about it for a long time."

Sophia's voice was steady. "Back then, I was set up, ended up sleeping with you, got pregnant, married—none of it was part of my plan, but I had no choice."

"My hearing came back when you almost cut me open."

"Then why didn't you tell the truth?" William's voice was cold and sharp.

"Why? Maybe because pretending to be deaf was easier for me. At the stables, I stumbled in by accident, not to get close to you again."

Sophia decided to lay it all out.

"Later, when you came back to test me, I had no choice but to..."

"Think carefully before you speak. Some things, once said, can't be taken back." William interrupted again, his eyes swirling with unreadable emotions.

Their eyes locked.

William's gaze no longer held murderous intent, but a flicker of pain.

Sophia shivered, her hand clenching.Could William feel pain?

Sophia was momentarily lost in thought.

After a while, she continued, "To survive, I had to lie, pretend to be in love, watch your every move, analyze your every thought. Honestly, it was exhausting."

"You want to die," Sophia had said it was exhausting.

William stepped forward, grabbing her by the throat.

His grip tightened, his knuckles turning white.

At that moment, William's face looked like a demon from hell, making one's soul tremble.

It was an unprecedented rage.

William's deep eyes were like an endless abyss.

Sophia closed her eyes, her face calm, as if waiting for death.

William's hand trembled, his fingers loosening. Sophia fell to the ground, coughing violently.

"Can I continue now?" Sophia asked once she regained her voice. "I'm sorry for deceiving you, but I never betrayed you or did anything to harm you. All the lies were just to stay alive."

"Stay alive?"

William's face was full of mockery. "Then why didn't you keep lying?"

"Because it was too exhausting." Sophia's voice was weary. "I wanted to leave, tried everything to make you let me go, but..."

Sophia had even faked a serious illness.

William still wouldn't let go.

Sophia had no choice but to tell the truth.

"You want to leave, right?" William suddenly laughed, a crazed laugh.

The terrifying sound echoed in the water pit.

William grabbed Sophia's arm. "You played me for a fool, and now you want to leave. What do you take me for?"

Seeing William's growing madness, Sophia's heart trembled. She tried to speak, but William suddenly lifted her over his shoulder and carried her out.

Sophia was thrown into a car, the door locked.

The sky was just beginning to lighten.

There were only a few cars on the road.

What should have been an hour's drive took William only half an hour. The car stopped outside a building.

"What are you doing? If you hate me for deceiving you, I can apologize, do anything, but please let me go."

"Let you go?"

William unbuckled his seatbelt, leaning in close. He looked into Sophia's eyes. "Remember, you came to me."

The car door opened.

William carried Sophia over his shoulder.

It was early morning, and many joggers were nearby.

Sophia didn't want to make a scene, so she didn't struggle, forced to return to the apartment.

The door slammed shut.

Sophia watched as William changed the door code.

Her face paled. "Do you want to lock me in here?"

"Wrong."

William's smile was bright, his eyes fixed on her. "I'm taking care of you."

With that, William turned and went into the kitchen.

William had lost it.

He seemed like his old self again.

Reckless, obsessive, mad.

Sophia shivered, trying the door a few times.

The code was changed; the door wouldn't open.

A bitter smile appeared on Sophia's lips.

Sounds came from the kitchen.

Sophia glanced over.

Chopping meat, kneading dough—was William making dumplings?

An hour later.

A lavish breakfast was laid out on the table. Sophia glanced at it, having no appetite. "You can't keep me here forever."

Sophia's voice was steady, but her eyes betrayed her fear. "You can't keep me here forever, William."

William's eyes darkened, a dangerous glint flashing in them. "Watch me."

Sophia's heart sank. She knew he meant every word.