Chapter 263: Chapter 263: Defiance

Meanwhile, upstairs.

Jay’s head throbbed with pain. A dull ringing echoed through his ears as he tried to move, only to realize his wrists were bound to the bed frame.

His heart raced when his vision cleared enough to see a figure standing near the window.

The woman turned, her expression serene but predatory.

"So you’re finally awake," Payton purred. "I was beginning to think I’d have to wake you myself."

Jay’s brows furrowed in confusion and anger. "Who are you? Where’s my mother? Why am I tied up?"

Payton chuckled softly and approached him, her fingers brushing along the ropes.

"You’ll understand soon. You see, your mother and I came to a little... agreement. You’re going to be mine, Jay."

Jay’s face darkened. "Yours? Are you insane? I already have someone I like. Please leave me alone!"

"That doesn’t matter," she said with an indifferent shrug. "What matters is that you’re handsome, educated, and your family has something I want...obedience."

Her words sent a chill down his spine.

"Untie me," Jay demanded through gritted teeth. "You’ll regret this."

Payton’s eyes gleamed.

"Oh, I don’t think I will. You see, my father’s men are already outside. And your dear mother has already promised your hand in exchange for... food."

Jay’s eyes widened in disbelief. His mother... she betrayed him? No... to be precise, it was Ophelia...

But what stunned him even more... was...

"She sold me?" he whispered, disbelief lacing every word.

"Sold?" Payton chuckled, her lips curling into a satisfied smile. "No, darling. She gifted you."

Before Jay could speak again, Payton leaned in close enough for him to feel her breath against his skin.

"Now be good. We’ll announce our engagement soon. Your family will be well-fed, and you..." She smiled coldly. "...you’ll learn how to behave."

Jay’s eyes slowly reddened, and he stared at Payton with fury. "Go ahead. I won’t stop you."

Stars seemed to have appeared in Payton’s eyes, as if she never expected that Jay would stop resisting.

Her lips curved into a mocking smirk, and just as she parted her lips to talk again, she heard Jay’s detached voice.

"I will commit suicide in your house and haunt your family."

Payton shivered, goosebumps spread across her arms as she heard Jay continue,

"How funny it would be. You force yourself on me, and I will kill your entire family after my death. Such a good connection..."

"Shut up!" Payton harshly barked, though her trembling body spoke volumes about her fear.

Since the arrival of zombies, Payton began to believe in ghosts and spirits. Hence, Jay’s words shook her to the core.

"Alright. Please enjoy yourself, Miss Payton, because once you finish, hell will become your new reality." Jay chuckled.

"Shut up! Shut the fuck up!"

Payton’s hand connected with Jay’s cheek in a sharp, furious slap. The sound echoed in the cramped room like a gunshot.

For a moment, Jay simply stared at her, unblinking. A thin trickle of blood appeared at the corner of his lip, but his eyes remained calm.

Payton trembled with fear, and the next second she bolted out of the room.

The lust and crush that had been pulsing through her body had vanished, leaving only fear and coldness.

Seeing her leave, Jay heaved a sigh of relief and closed his eyes. A tear slid down from the corner of his eye, and a muffled sob escaped his lips.

"Why... why... Mother... why have you changed so much... Ophelia... why did you betray me... I could have endured my mother’s harsh words, but... your betrayal... it still hurts..."

Ophelia was the little sister he had raised, and he ensured she never suffered, but...

"Ember... I miss you... I miss you so much... I am sorry... I should have left long ago. It was my stupidity for even thinking that they would change." Jay’s broken voice cut through the air, but the response that he got was... empty silence.

....................................

Thud! Thud!

Payton’s loud footsteps echoed as she descended from the stairs, attracting Brenda and Ophelia’s attention.

Brenda quickly stood up from the couch, a forced smile spreading across her face.

"Miss Payton, what happened? Why are you back so soon?"

Payton stopped midway down the stairs.

Her face had gone pale, and her hands trembled slightly, though she tried to hide it by brushing her hair aside.

"That boy..." she hissed, her voice tight. "He’s insane."

Brenda blinked, taken completely by surprise. "Insane? What did he do?"

Payton glared at Brenda with fear and fury.

"He said he’d kill himself in my house and haunt my family! Do you have any idea what kind of curse that is in times like these? I’m not risking my safety for your deranged son."

Ophelia’s face drained of color. "No... Jay wouldn’t..."

Payton shot her a cold look.

"He would. You should’ve seen his eyes...dead calm, like someone who’s already accepted death. I’ve seen people like that before. They don’t bluff."

Brenda’s forced smile faltered, but she quickly tried to recover.

"He didn’t mean it! He just... he gets emotional easily. He’ll calm down once..."

"Enough!" Payton snapped.

"I’m not marrying a lunatic. Do you think I lack men to choose from? I only came here because I thought he was obedient and pretty enough to keep around. But I don’t want a man who talks about ghosts and death!"

She turned toward the exit, fury and fear twisting together in her tone.

"If I ever see your family again, I’ll make sure none of you stay alive! Bastards!"

With that, she stormed off. Brenda chased after her and repeatedly pleaded,

"Wait! Please! Wait! I am sorry, Miss Payton! I will make my son apologize to you! Please don’t..." leave.

Brenda couldn’t finish her words and watched helplessly as Payton’s figure shrank.

Anger surged within her, causing her to clench her teeth.

"Jay... you will regret this! At first, I wanted to still be nice because you were filial, but now... don’t blame me for being ruthless."