Chapter 2

• Just then, the bus abruptly surged forward such that Julliet's forehead collided with the window. She moaned in pain, rubbing her forehead as she looked up to see just what was the matter.
• The driver was cursing as he got out of the bus.
• His face darkened as soon as he realized that he'd hit a Bentley.
• "Just my luck, huh? First, I have to drive those filthy ex-convicts who are fresh out of prison every single day and now, I crash into an expensive car?! I really can't catch a break, huh? Just my luck!"
• The driver was in such a rage that he couldn't hold himself back from shoving Julliet into the snow when he spotted her getting out of the bus.
• Passers-by who'd gathered to see just what the commotion was about were murmuring and eyeing Julliet judgmentally and contemptuously as they chatted amongst themselves.
• The latter felt so ashamed and humiliated that she lowered her head to hide her face from the crowd.
• Just then, a pair of shiny leather shoes appeared in her line of vision.
• Julliet was stunned. She slowly looked up to see that the figure was wearing a pair of well-tailored custom pants, before seeing the very face that had appeared in her dreams countless times before.
• Madam Harris had gotten a fortune teller to foretell Julliet's future when she was born. The person had stated that while Julliet's life would be smooth-sailing in the first 20 years of her life, the latter part of her life would be extremely rocky and tumultuous.
• Never had Julliet expected that the fortune teller's words would be so true.
• Xaden had changed. He looked even stronger and more handsome than he'd been two years ago. And the hatred and disgust that had filled his eyes as he glared at her had not changed a single bit.
• Julliet stared at Xaden vacantly for a while before she realized just how foolish she was acting. Just as she was struggling to get up from the ground, the latter, however, pressed his black umbrella onto her shoulder to prevent her from getting up.
• "We haven't seen each other in two years. Did you become mute at some point in time? Don't you know how to greet me when you see me?"
• Julliet's bad leg was hurting extremely badly from the pressure that Xaden was putting on her. She felt as though it was being stabbed repeatedly and relentlessly. She was in so much pain that she was breaking out into cold sweat despite the freezing weather.
• Julliet could nothing but to grit her teeth as she strutted, "M-Mr. Devenport, it's been a while since I last saw you."
• Xaden had thought that he had spotted Julliet from a distance. It was only after he'd gotten out of his car to take a closer look did he realize that it was indeed her. He'd forgotten that today was the day that she would be released from prison.
• Julliet had changed a lot since he last saw her.
• Her previously long and silky hair had been chopped off and was now short and coarse. Not only was her face more sunken and sullen than it was before, but there were also many wounds and scars all over her face.
• Julliet now looked completely different and unrecognizable from the haughty and arrogant little princess of the Harris Family whom he once knew her as.
• But he wasn't surprised by her change in appearance. After all, he knew for sure that she must've had a rough time in prison. Xaden's eyes turned cold, as he looked at the latter's pathetic state.
• "You've really changed a lot."
• Julliet looked up at Xaden to see him take out a cigarette and light it. The thick white smoke that he breathed out engulfed him and made him appear mystifying and enchanting, as though he was some sort of mystical or magical being.
• Just then, he chuckled softly. "This driver has had a pretty bad day today indeed. Secretary Hill, I want you to take down his work number. I want to send him some form of compensation later."
• The driver was shocked by his words.
• Julliet didn't know how she should react. Xaden was still the same as he was two years ago, firm and resolute in his decisions, leaving absolutely no room for negotiation or discussion.
• She couldn't afford to offend him.
• "Mr. Devenport, if there's nothing else, may I ask if I'm free to leave?"
• "Free to leave?" Xaden scoffed before grabbing Julliet by the chin. He sneered, "Julliet, oh, Julliet - don't you know that two years is way too short of a time to atone for the atrocious sins that you've committed?"
• Julliet shivered violently, not because of the harsh weather, but out of fear.
• The torture and agony that she'd suffered in prison were still fresh in her mind. Just thinking about what she'd been through alone made chills run down her spine. The Harris Family had disowned her when she'd been sent to prison. No one had visited her during her two years there.
• Julliet was well aware that this was exactly what Xaden wanted. He wanted to be able to do whatever that he pleased to her as she remained completely helpless and at his mercy.
• But now...