Samuel stared at Jules with a sinister look. "Don't think I don't know. This woman is incredibly skilled. If she fights back, my old bones won't be able to take it."

"What do you want to do?" Jules asked.

Samuel kicked the toolbox beside him and kicked out a heavy iron hammer from it. "Cripple her."

Samuel pointed at my right hand. "That's the hand she handles guns with. I want you to smash her bones with your own hands. Make her unable to hold a gun for the rest of her life. Only then can I accept this 'apology.'"

The air froze.

Gianna hid in the corner, trembling as she stuck her head out and looked expectantly at Jules.

I did not turn around but just stared at the gleaming dagger on the table.

"Skylar." Jules' voice came from above my head, carrying a complexity of emotions that I did not understand.

"Don't be afraid." He bent over and whispered in my ear. His warm breath was on my earlobe, but it made me feel bone-chillingly cold. "Members of Samuel's family like sadistic killings. As long as you can still move your hand, they won't let you off. That would make your death even more painful. Skylar, breaking your hand is for your own good."

He released my shoulders and walked toward the iron hammer. The sound of his leather shoes on the concrete floor was like the sound of a death knell.

He bent down, picked up the iron hammer, and weighed it in his hand. Then, he turned around and looked at me. Those once affectionate eyes now only showed the decision he made after weighing the pros and cons.

"Reach out your hand. All it'll take to end the war between the two families and save Gianna's life is… you."

Samuel grinned maliciously and gave his men a look. "You won't lose on this deal."

Two burly men approached and pressed my shoulders, one on each side, forcibly pressing my right hand onto the table.

The cold surface pressed against my palm. The ruby ​​ring gleamed eerily under the light as if mocking my foolishness.

I looked up at Jules.

Three years, more than 1,000 days and nights… I had taken bullets for him, purged traitors for him, and cooked for him. I became the only one fit to stand at his side.

I thought I would be his exception, but... I was nothing more than someone who could be discarded at any time. I was nothing compared to his family and Gianna.

I called his name, my voice surprisingly calm. "Jules, are you sure?"

Jules's grip on the hammer tightened, his knuckles turning white. He avoided my gaze and stared at the back of my hand.

He muttered, a slight tremor in his tone, but mostly ruthlessness, "Bear with it. This is what you owe the Gray family. If we hadn't taken you in, you would've died at the hands of your enemies long ago. Today, you're paying your debt."

'I'm paying my debt? What a fine way to put it,' I thought as I watched him raise the hammer high.

It was my dominant hand; the hand that held the gun, the hand that embraced him, and the hand that cooked soup for him tonight.

The first blow landed on the table, just a centimeter away from my fingers.

I did not pull my hand back, nor did I scream. I just stared intently at him.

Samuel clicked his tongue in displeasure. "Mr. Gray, getting soft? Need my men to help you?"

Jules took a deep breath and gritted his teeth. "No need." He raised the hammer again, this time devoid of hesitation.

Crack! A sharp pain exploded within me like a white lightning bolt piercing my nerves.

I heard the sound of bones shattering. It was a sickening crack. My right hand was deformed under the hammer, my finger bones crushed, while my flesh was a bloody mess.

I could not help but let out a muffled groan from my throat.

Cold sweat instantly soaked through my expensive backless dress. My vision blurred with pain, but I did not cry.

I bit my lip, the taste of blood spreading in my mouth.

I kept my eyes wide open, staring intently at Jules. I wanted to remember this face and remember this man who had personally crippled me after abandoning me.

Jules tossed the bloodied hammer, and it slammed to the ground with a dull thud. He was panting heavily as he stared at the mangled hand. A flicker of pain crossed his eyes, but it vanished instantly. "Is that enough?"

"Yes!" Samuel clapped his hands, laughing so hard he almost fell over. His eyes filled with admiration. "You're truly ruthless! Impressive!"

Samuel waved his hand, and one of his men tossed him a document. "Sign this, and we'll consider this shipment settled."

Jules took the document and quickly signed his name, without even glancing at the terms.

Gianna rushed out from the corner, hugging Jules's leg and wailing. "Jules! I knew you wouldn't abandon me!"

Jules grabbed Gianna and turned around to leave. He never glanced at me again. With his back to me, he strode toward the door with his loser sister.

His figure remained upright, still like the arrogant king he was. Meanwhile, I was abandoned like a bag of trash.

"Skylar, we're even." His voice came from afar and echoed in the empty warehouse.

The door slowly closed behind him, and the last glimmer of light vanished.

Only Samuel and his ravenous henchmen remained in the warehouse. "Lady, it's time to settle our scores."