Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 84

An unfinished building on the outskirts of town.

Time crawled by, and Tricia's fear only grew worse. The terror that Hiram might actually kill her gnawed at her insides.

Her wrists burned where the rope had carved deep welts during her frantic struggles; the pain was a constant, stinging reminder of her helplessness.

She had to find a way out—anything to escape.

Her eyes landed on a jagged shard of glass in the corner. While Hiram was gone, she began inching her chair toward it, bit by bit, desperate for a chance.

She was nearly there, just a couple of feet away from the wall, when the door creaked open. Hiram was back.

Tricia's face drained of color.

Hiram immediately noticed she'd moved and, with a quick glance, spotted the shard of glass in the corner.

He walked over, his footsteps echoing in the empty space.

Tricia's whole body trembled. The duct tape over her mouth muffled her frantic cries, turning them into helpless whimpers.

Hiram bent down and picked up the glass. Suddenly, he paused, noticing a puddle on the floor.

He stared for a second, then realized what had happened—Tricia had wet herself out of sheer terror. A slow, mocking smile spread across his face. He pressed the sharp glass against her cheek and sneered, "So women like you, the ones who wreck other people's families… turns out you get scared too, huh?"

Tricia couldn't even process his words. She was paralyzed by fear, tears streaming down her face in fat, silent drops.

"Stop crying! Jesus, you're pathetic and annoying!" Hiram barked.

He hated it when women cried—unless it was his own sister.

Tricia instantly stifled all sound, not even daring to meet his gaze.

Hiram ripped the tape from her mouth, giving her a chance to speak. Her voice came out in a shaky whisper, "P-please, just let me go. I'll do anything you say, anything!"

"Anything?" Hiram's cold laugh echoed in the barren room.

Tricia nodded frantically, like a frightened bird.

"Alright then." He traced the glass lightly down her cheek, pressing it against her neck. "I want you to apologize to my sister in front of everyone. Admit it was you who hurt her."

Tricia froze, her expression turning to stone.

Charlotte's voice rang out from outside.

Two cars screeched to a halt outside the abandoned building.

Charlotte rushed in, heart pounding, not daring to relax until she saw Tricia alive and—at least physically—unharmed. Relief washed over her. At least her brother hadn't gone too far.

Hiram beamed as he hurried over. "Sis! She confessed! She admitted—"

Evander strode forward and, without a word, punched Hiram square in the jaw. Hiram crashed to the floor.

"Hiram!" Charlotte rushed to his side.

Tricia, seeing Evander come to her rescue, burst into tears, her voice shaking with desperation. "Evander! Please, help me! He was going to kill me!"

Hiram wiped blood from his mouth, defiance burning in his eyes.

He was sure he'd done the right thing—dealing with a woman like this.

Evander untied Tricia, and she collapsed into his arms, sobbing. "Evander, he just tried to kill me! He threatened me, forced me to admit I hurt Dr. Sterling. I never did anything! How could he—"