Qiara read the sheet of paper in her hands, her body trembling violently. That achingly familiar handwriting carved sentence after sentence into the page, each one striking her chest without mercy.
"To my beloved husband, Zacky. If you're reading this letter, it means I've gone ahead of you. Zacky, I know you'll feel shattered, but please don't let your heart grow cold. I have one last request... Please marry Qiara. I know you'll be shocked, but I'm begging you to take care of my only sister. Start a new life with her for me."
Qiara's breath caught. Her hand trembled so violently that the paper shook in her grip. Her beautiful eyes filled with overwhelming disbelief.
"No... this can't be..." Qiara whispered, her voice catching in her throat.
"That was Laras's last request," Zacky said coldly, standing behind his desk with both hands in his trouser pockets.
"She wrote that letter before the accident happened. She wanted me to look after you, Qiara."
Qiara looked up at Zacky, her gaze filled with rage and betrayal. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Big sister Laras would never do this! This has to be your scheme, right?" Qiara screamed hysterically.
"She knew I had Dewa! She knew Dewa was the only one I loved! How could she be so cruel as to arrange my life from beyond the grave?!"
"Watch your mouth, Qiara!" Zacky cut in sharply, his eyes narrowing.
"Laras only wanted what was best for you!"
"What’s best for me, or what’s best for your ego?!" Qiara shouted.
"I don't care! I will never agree to be sacrificed just because of this insane letter!"
Rip!
Before Zacky could react, Qiara's fingers had already seized the edge of the paper and torn it in two.
Zacky’s eyes flew wide.
"Qiara, stop!"
Rip! Rip!
Qiara didn’t care. The anger and crushing pressure in her chest made her lose control. Without hesitation, she tore the letter into tiny pieces until nothing remained.
"Qiara! What are you doing?!" Zacky roared as he strode toward her.
"This is garbage!" Qiara screamed, throwing all the scraps straight at Zacky’s chest. The white pieces fluttered through the air before falling scattered across the floor.
"I will never marry you! Do you understand?!"
Zacky’s breathing grew ragged. His previously cold gaze transformed into one blazing with fury. His eyes reddened as he stared at the scraps scattered across the floor—the last keepsake from his beloved late wife, the woman he had cherished more than anyone.
"You..." Zacky’s voice was low and dangerous. He stepped forward and gripped Qiara’s wrist so tightly that she winced in pain.
"Let go! It hurts!" Qiara squeaked, struggling to free herself.
"Do you know what you just destroyed, Qiara?!" Zacky snapped directly in her face, his voice trembling as he struggled to contain his overwhelming anger.
"That was Laras’s handwriting! It was the last thing left behind by the wife I loved more than anything! And you just tore it apart?!"
"That letter is destroying my life!" Qiara shot back just as loudly, shouting through her sobs.
"I don't care! Whether Laras asked for it or Dad asked for it, I hate you! I hate you!"
"Shut your mouth!" Zacky growled, tightening his grip before finally flinging Qiara’s hand away roughly.
"This marriage is still happening! Whether you like it or not, you will become my wife!"
"Never!" Qiara screamed.
Qiara clutched her reddened wrist and stared at Zacky with hatred and disappointment. Without saying another word, she turned and ran out of Zacky’s office.
"Qiara!" Zacky shouted, but she kept running.
Qiara hurried down the office hallway, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face. The employees who passed her stared in confusion, but Qiara didn’t care.
She impatiently pressed the elevator button, quietly sobbing amid the pain crushing her chest. Her relationship with Dewa, her dreams for the future, and the image of the brother-in-law she had once respected so deeply had all shattered into pieces in a single day.