Chapter 66 How Are You Still Alive
As Renee stepped out of the car, her legs still wobbled beneath her, unsteady. She grabbed onto the car door to keep herself upright.
William slid out of the driver’s seat, watching her struggle. A teasing grin tugged at his
lips.
“Still questioning my skills?” He smirked, his tone playful but knowing.
Renee shot him a sharp look. They were on entirely different wavelengths, but he insisted on twisting it into something else.
“Do you want to do this another time?” William asked, voice softening with uncertainty.
They had reached the doorstep, but here he was, second-guessing everything. Renee rolled her eyes. “You just trying to pull a fast one on me or what? Think I’m dumb enough to fall for that?”
The villa sat high on the hill, a hidden sanctuary. But letting such a stunning place sit vacant for three years just to hold someone captive seemed like such a pointless waste.
William gave Renee an intense once-over, his voice low and rough. “But I don’t want anyone else laying eyes on you like this.”
Renee raised an eyebrow. What was this even supposed to mean?
She wore his white shirt, paired with tight jeans-nothing extraordinary, but even such a simple outfit looked gorgeous on her.
Renee caught the look in William’s eyes and knew exactly where his thoughts were wandering. Turning her back on him, she tossed over her shoulder. “Oh, really? Well, I love dressing like this for other men. The more, the better.”
William caught up with her, his pace quickening.
Renee walked ahead, pushing herself faster, trying to put some distance between them. Her playfulness reminded him of their younger days-when she was the lively Carter
heiress, always laughing, carefree and full of life.
Inside the villa, Ray was still confined to a small room. He hadn’t felt the warmth of the sun in three years, his skin pale like a ghost. Still, he managed to keep himself neat, despite the circumstances.
When the door creaked open, he assumed it was time for his usual meal. Sitting on a chair in the corner, he didn’t even bother turning around, simply asking, “Meal time. already?”
Renee’s heart tightened at the sound of h
nagged at her for his suffering.
voice. She had no beef with Ray, and guilt
“You certainly know how to live it up.” William’s voice cut through the air, amused.
Ray let out a dark chuckle at the sound of William’s voice. “Mr. Mitchell, it’s been a while since your last visit. Still not done
last visit. Still not done w
with me, huh?”
“Michael…” Renee whispered softly, her voice barely above a murmur.
Ray froze, disbelief creeping up his spine as he slowly turned his head. His eyes widened in shock when he saw Renee standing there. He gasped, as if seeing a ghost.
“Renee?” he breathed, his voice full of disbelief.
Renee nodded slowly, her gaze never leaving his.
“How are you still alive? Renee! How are you not dead?!”
Ray jumped to his feet, his words full of panic. He lunged forward, only to be stopped by William, who stepped in front of Renee like a shield.
Renee stood still, confusion written all over her face. She could feel the weight of his
words, but still, she didn’t understand.
“Why?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Ray’s laugh was bitter, almost maniacal, as his eyes glared at her, burning with rage. “Why? You should be asking yourself that, Renee.”
His voice cracked as
tears streamed down his face, his eyes bloodshot and wild. “You’ve done so much wrong in this life, and now you can’t even remember the people
you’ve hurt.”
Renee faltered, her mind racing. She had been wild and reckless once, for sure-but she had never intentionally hurt anyone. Still, a knot formed in her stomach. What if she
had unknowingly done something that scarred him?
“I… I don’t remember,” she whispered.
“Of course, you don’t remember,” Ray spat, his words venomous. “People like you don’t even deserve to live in this world. You should have died a miserable death.”
