11 Cruel Torture

Valerie avoided meeting his gaze as she handed the sparkling water to him. He accepted the bottle while examining her. She appeared strangely pale.

This made him extend his hand and grab on to her gave, turning her towards him. He then commented, "If you act this meek, media would report me as a tyrannical actor."

The teasing tone made her heart flutter, and Valerie voiced out, "Too ostentatious and gaudy."

As expected, Valerie was frustrating. No words left her mouth that didn't insult him.

He wanted to retort but was called by the stylist. However, that did little to nothing in his plans to soothe his vengeful spirit.

°°°

Because of Valerie's offensive comments, Lucian kept her legs moving the entire day, trying to exploit as exhaust her in all ways possible. After Lucian was finally driven to his apartment, Valerie leaned against the car's seat.

Although Lucian persisted in causing her troubles, Valerie enjoyed the day. It had been a long while since she had been this happy. She knew the measures she took was wrong, especially knowing how Lucian felt uncomfortable in her presence.

But she couldn't prevent herself from being selfish for a day. She just wanted to be by his side and watch him closely for a day. That is all.

This also made her see how hostile Lucian was towards her. Because of this, she wouldn't pursue anything between them further. This was the last time.

She made a promise to herself.

The man shone. How could she taint that with her darkness? How did she think of even being selfish and binding him to her side? She never deserved him.

She was truly horrible for wanting to force this engagement on Lucian. This was akin to inflicting cruel torture on him.

She slammed her on the steering wheel. Her breathing was rugged. She promised to protect him, and that didn't go hand in hand with her selfish desires.

Valerie reached out for the medicines in her bag. Opening the bottle, she swallowed down few pills, not placing a care on the numbers, and just as the pills went down her stomach, a burning pain spread through her chest.

She bit down on her lips to contain the whimpers.

However, this was hardly enough. Checking the bottle, she noticed how it was empty. Aggravation crossed through her face.

She needed more.

°°°

The woman was surprised when she saw stand outside of her apartment at dead of the night. Her ashen face, coupled her bloodshot eyes, made Laura frown. Valerie could barely maintain her stability.

Laura grabbed on to her shoulders to support Valerie and then helped her into the apartment. Once Valerie sat on the couch, she poured her a glass of water. Valerie didn't touch that.

"What happened?"

Her presence was imposing as she responded, "Need more."

Laura knitted her eyebrows and expressed her dissatisfaction: "Pills? They should last a month more. Valerie, did you increase your dosage again without consulting me? I have already told you how dangerous it is on your body."

Valerie glared at Laura, not in the mood to listen to her reproving.

"Shut up," she enunciated, "I didn't hire you with such a high salary just to waffle."

"Waffle?" Laura mumbled, not exactly surprised at Valerie's rude words. Valerie always had to choose the offensive words to describe a situation.

Laura smiled.

"Valerie, even if you threaten me with my job, I apologize that I can't. I can't be indirectly responsible for your death."

At the rate Valerie was abusing the medicine, her organs would fail sooner or later, and that would be followed by her death. Laura felt deeply concerned about it yet to Valerie, it was an insignificant matter. As her doctor, Valerie's lack of care about her health did feel aggravating.

But at the end, Valerie's headstrong and unrelenting personality made it difficult for her to say anything.

"This doesn't concern you. You are a mere supplier."

Laura had been her psychiatrist for years now and felt sorry for the woman. From a young age, Valerie had it difficult, and what made it worse was that she never saw herself as a potential victim. In fact, she considered herself to be the villain.

Despite Laura being one of the most revered psychiatrist, she wasn't able to correct Valerie's deeply rooted belief of being the convict or her self-blaming nature.

Others might see as a successful, apathetic, and an astute heiress who had it all, but Laura knew how Valerie was close to crumbling away to pieces. And she didn't wish to even save herself.

"Valerie, I heard about the engagement from Leslie. Congratulations," she voiced out, "you must be happy, right?"

Laura intended to distract Valerie.

Valerie saw through Laura but didn't comment.

"The engagement won't happen," Valerie stated.

That dampened Laura's mood.

"What are you talking about? Leslie was gushing out about you want to chase him this time. Why are you backing away again?"

Valerie remained silent, but Laura knew the answer.

She sighed.

"It will be way more harmful if you keep on repressing yourself in this manner."

"No, nothing would happen. He will be safe and happy. That's why, give me those pills."

Valerie's tone was stern.

"Come over tomorrow. And this time I will limit the pills to one week's dosage. If you finish them before the time period, you wouldn't be getting more. Ah, also if you want to fire me, I will reveal the information to the media. The drug still hasn't been made legal in the country."

The temperature in the room dropped as Valerie's aura grew to be intimidating. "Are you threatening me? Are you forgetting who holds the leverage—"

"I know you have a steady hand on the tiller, but Valerie, I care about you. That's why, I don't frankly care."

Valerie wanted to rebuke her about her audacity when her phone rang. The special ringtone already informed her who the caller her. She didn't waste a second before reaching for her phone and receiving the call.

"Ms. Assistant, get me strawberry ice-cream from Joe's in half an hour," the man ordered. "You have no objections, right? After all, it hadn't been 24 hours yet."

Hearing that, she hung up the call.

"Get the medicines delivered by tomorrow," Valerie harshly commanded.

She mentally noted to search for another supplier, and this time someone who wouldn't be so meddlesome.