Cold Showers

"100 Days to Win Her Back: Shes Taken"

In the North Hill Estate, Stone Manor.

The cold touch of a sharp knife pressed against her chest made Linda Ray shiver slightly, her grip on the hilt tightening. "I say again, get Vincent Stone here right now," she said, her face pale and her voice cold.

"Mistress, this knife is not a toy..." a servant tried to approach cautiously.

"Stay back!" Linda glanced around, her long black hair cascading down to her waist, her skin gleaming in the sunlight, her phoenix eyes and dark pupils framed by an icy expression that seemed to chill the very air around her.

After a long standoff, no one dared to move, only watching as the red blood slowly spread across the tip of the knife, adding an eerie and thrilling touch to the scene.

"Master! Masters back!" A shout from outside the encirclement broke the silence.

Lindas fingers trembled, her lips pursed, and she stiffly turned to look towards the garden entrance.

The servants parted to make way, the air condensing in an instant, leaving only the entwined breaths echoing in her ears, accompanied by the steady footsteps that followed.

Each step seemed to pound heavily on Lindas heart.

A tall figure appeared, casually dressed in a black suit with an undone shirt collar, revealing a faintly discernible collarbone, his tie askew to one side, exuding a——Vincent Stones signature style.

"Whats all this about?" Vincent stopped, his gaze changing slightly at the sight of the blood on her chest, "Linda, put the knife down."

Linda didnt respond, her eyes sweeping over his delicate features, her heart cooling slightly.

This was the man she had loved for ten whole years... In the three years since their marriage, Vincent had always been distant, and she never understood why, until today.

"Vincent, why did you marry me?" Linda asked, her voice icy.

She had asked this question more than once, but today was the first time she was serious.

"Put the knife down first," Vincent frowned.

"Answer me!"

Vincent pursed his lips, narrowing his eyes, "Who have you seen today?"

Linda stared at him for a moment, then laughed, "Why, are you afraid to say? Is there something in this world that scares President Stone?"

"Whatever youve heard, put the knife down, and lets talk," Vincent said, stepping forward.

Linda pressed the knife deeper, the pain shooting through her instantly.

"Back off!"

"Linda Ray!" Vincents pupils contracted, his gaze fixed on her chest.

"I never thought Id see such an expression on your face in my lifetime... Tsk, impressive," Linda said, her smile gradually becoming desolate, "Let me guess what has President Stone so panicked? Is it because your wife of three years is injured? Or..."

Her smile cooled, her gaze shifted slightly, and she tapped the tip of the knife on her heart, "Because of this heart?"

Vincents expression noticeably fluctuated, cracks slowly appearing on his usually composed face.

As expected...

Lindas fingers went numb, her last shred of hope shattered, her body cold as if she had just been pulled from an ice cave, shaking uncontrollably, her eyes slightly red.

So, her three years of marriage were indeed because of this damn heart!

"Linda, calm down," Vincent said, his brow furrowed, "I can explain everything..."

"You know, I fell in love with you ten years ago," Linda said, tears welling up in her eyes, "Ten whole years, Ive loved you for ten years. When the Ray family was in trouble, you stood by and did nothing, my father jumped and became a vegetative state, and you were indifferent, I never understood why... I thought if you were willing to marry me, at least you didnt feel nothing for me."

"Dont think too much about it," Vincent said.

"I really hope I am overthinking," she closed her eyes, touching her heart, "The owner of this heart is Wendy Summers, someone just told me, she is your true love, right?"

Silence fell across the room.

Lindas voice was icy: "Vincent, what am I? Who am I?"

A moment of silence hung in the air.

"You are Linda Ray, my wife," he finally answered.

"Wife, what a wife!" Linda nodded with a laugh, her dark eyes shining brightly in the sunlight, her emotions suddenly solidifying, her hand suddenly lifting and forcefully stabbing towards her heart.

Vincents expression changed dramatically, and he strode forward.

"Ah!" The servants screamed.

His movements were swift, blocking the knife with his arm, then with a lift of his elbow, he restrained Lindas hands and pinned them to the side.

Clang.

The knife tip hit the ground, bounced, and let out a clear sound.

"Let go!" Linda struggled.

"Linda Ray, have you had enough?" Vincent roared, veins bulging on his forehead.

Lindas movements instantly stopped, her pale fingertips trembling, the last glimmer in her eyes extinguished, her lips curling into a smile that was worse than crying.

Yes... She already had the answer, what was she still making a fuss about?

Several servants stepped forward and immediately supported Linda on either side.

"You go back to your room first, Ill come to see you tonight," Vincent released her, quickly returning to his usual cold demeanor, and turned to leave.

"Vincent," a hoarse voice sounded from behind.

He paused, pressing his lips together, without turning around.

"Do you remember what I said on our first anniversary?" Linda looked up slowly, her gaze sliding over his broad back, settling on his long legs.

Vincent narrowed his eyes, a sentence suddenly flashing through his mind.

"If one day you get tired of this marriage, you must tell me personally, and I will leave gracefully."

Thats what she had said.

She had always been proud, even sensing his indifference, never making a scene, always calm, always composed.

"I dont remember," Vincent said in a low voice, turning his head, "I will only have you as my wife in this life, the past is past, Linda, dont be stubborn."

With that, he disappeared out the door.

Linda raised her chin slightly, her expression had dropped to an all-time low, all the pain accumulating in her chestnut pupils, disappearing just before the outbreak.

She closed her eyes for a while, then laughed.

"Take me back to my room," Linda said.

The servant immediately responded and stepped forward.

Three hours later, as the sunset lost its light and dusk approached, the study gradually fell into darkness.

Vincent opened his eyes, rubbed his temples, and sat up.

"Master! Master!" The sudden shouting of a servant outside the door, footsteps instantly becoming chaotic.

Vincent frowned slightly, opened the door, "Speak."

"Mistress... Mistress..." The servants face was pale, panting and pointing towards the bedroom.

Vincents hand on the door frame suddenly tightened, and he turned sharply towards the bedroom.

"Bang!" The door was pushed open, and his steps suddenly stopped.