"Yuvan, Kayla's scaring me. I only told her it was raining outside and reminded her to be careful, then she suddenly started chasing me and trying to hit me."

My remaining sense of reason snapped back into place.

I stepped into the main hall, then stopped and retreated.

Standing under the eaves, the heavy rain still blew in and struck me.

"Kayla, have you lost your mind?" Yuvan's voice turned sharp. "Sabrina was only worried about you."

My fists slowly tightened, my nails digging deep into my palms.

I laughed bitterly.

"Is that so? Was she really worried about me?"

My tone clearly displeased him. He frowned and walked straight toward me.

"Kayla, you've learned how to talk back now? Get on your knees."

I closed my eyes for a moment, then slowly loosened my fists.

Today was the last day.

As long as I got through tonight...

I only needed to do this one more time.

I lifted my skirt slightly and began to kneel.

"Kneel outside."

The moment I stepped out, the rain hit me like a wall. My clothes were soaked through instantly, clinging tightly to my skin.

Cold water streamed down my injured wrist, mixing with blood from the worsening wound and dripping onto the ground.

When I knelt, Yuvan saw the blood staining the hem of my clothes as it fell into the rainwater.

Something flickered across his expression, almost like concern.

"Didn't you use the medicine I sent you yesterday?" he asked.

He saw it himself that I had applied it. I even did it right in front of him.

That medicine he gave me was worse than poison.

I didn't answer him. I just kept my head lowered as the rain washed over my face.

For a moment, something like hesitation crossed his features. But in the end, he still called for the servants.

"Take her back to her room. She is to remain there and reflect. Without my permission, no one is allowed to approach her."

That was fine.

At least no one would disturb me before I left.

I kept track of the time and endured my final night at Blackwood Estate.

The next morning, the courtyard outside was noisy and crowded.

I heard that Yuvan was being sent to another state for official duties, and the entire estate was busy preparing his departure.

But unexpectedly, he came to my room.

"Pack your things. You're coming with me."

I nodded.

Yes, it was time to pack. But not to travel with him for the assignment—I was leaving him.

Yuvan suddenly felt a tightness in his chest, as if something important was slipping away from him. But when he saw how obedient I looked, he relaxed slightly.

After a long silence, he said, "The past is the past. As long as you behave from now on, I'll treat you better."

I didn't respond.

There was no "from now on" for us anymore.

Four hours remained until the royal decree was issued. I packed what little I owned, which barely amounted to anything.

When only two hours remained, Yuvan personally inspected the carriage loaded with his luggage.

When only an hour remained, he sent someone to call for me.

But I simply locked the door and refused to open it, no matter how they knocked or called outside.

"Kayla, what are you doing now?" Yuvan's voice came from beyond the door, sharp with anger.

If you delay this departure, I'll make you and your whole family pay—"

He didn't get to finish when a sharp, high-pitched voice cut through the estate.

"Make way for the king's decree!"