Chapter 155

Layla, with her eyes closed, was rooted to the spot despite the immense fear. She refused to move, even as her legs quivered uncontrollably.

"Move!" Samuel thundered.

"I-I'm sorry..." Layla choked out, tears in her eyes, "He's not involved. Blame me, just... please let him go."

Was she protecting Nathan now, of all times? That just threw Samuel into an uncontrollable fury. He grabbed her wrist tightly, his nails digging in, "Say that again?"

Layla could hear a sickening crunch in her bones. The pain was excruciating; she felt they might snap.

"Let him go. It's all on me... I'll bear it all."

"Layla..." Nathan's voice was thick with alarm. He was struggling to rise, but he couldn't; Samuel's punch had been too heavy. Reeling, he couldn't even crawl, "It's... my fault. Let Layla go, come at me..."

"Nathan!" Layla reprimanded. Samuel might actually kill him.

Mutual protection, huh?

Samuel's jealousy skyrocketed, gripping Layla tighter, "You alone will handle this? Fine, let's see you take it all on!"

Not wanting to witness any more of their solidarity, he dragged her away.

"Layla"

"Layla"

Samuel was storming away so fast that Layla could not keep up. Her knees buckled, and she fell to the ground, but in the next moment, she was yanked up from the ground by Samuel.

"Let go! Where are you taking me?" Layla was overwhelmed with the metallic taste of blood; she'd already bitten her lip open.

Samuel shoved Layla into the car with force.

Mr. Vandella watched nervously, "Mr. Holland"

"Get lost!"

Mr. Vandella cast a worried glance at Layla but had no choice but to leave.

In the dark corner of the vast park, hidden from sight, Layla's heart raced to her throat, pounding so violently as if it might burst out.

"What are you going to do?"

The fear in her eyes only fueled Samuel's anger more, his pupils swirling with a fierce intensity, "What's the matter? Are you afraid I'll kill you? Weren't you just saying you'd take responsibility for everything?"

Layla kept swallowing hard. More than her well-being, she was worried about the baby in her womb.

Though she had been desperate, thinking she might not be able to keep the baby safe, her maternal instincts still flooded her with the fear of the little one being harmed, even in the slightest.

"Didn't you protect him? Huh?"

Samuel's voice was now more terrifying than anything emerging from the depths of hell. Each word was like a deadly blade, sharply cutting into Layla's heart, shattering her to her core.

"Is this your reason for breaking up?"

Biting her lip, Layla felt the pain snap her into clarity.

"Explain yourself to me!"

"That night at the resort... I... I drank too much, and Nathan too... We ended up in the same room, and then..."

"Drank too much?" Samuel felt a vein in his temple almost burst. "That's your excuse for betraying me? You think a simple 'I was drunk' will make me forgive you?"

"I... I don't expect your forgiveness. I know no man can accept betrayal. I didn't want to lie to you, so... I suggested we break up..."

"Does breaking up with me absolve you of your betrayal?" Samuel's voice rose uncontrollably with anger. If she truly loved him, even drunk, she couldn't have ended up with another man. No, if she loved him, she wouldn't have gotten drunk in the first place.

" I'm sorry, I didn't see it coming," Layla choked out, "It was an accident."

"An accident, or did you let the alcohol turn it into one?" By now, Samuel had lost all reason; jealousy and rage twisted together, making him oversensitive and petty, recalling all their past issues.

"Didn't you have a crush on him? Huh? You said he was your dream guy and I couldn't compare."

That was before. Her admiration for Nathan was just that, without any romantic feelings.

But Layla could only scream inwardly, with no explanation, just sobbing, "I... I don't know."

"Don't know?"

Wasn't that almost an admission? Samuel's anger escalated further.

"If... if that's what you think..."

"Damn it! Shut up!" Samuel couldn't bear to hear more painful words from her, "Layla, I gave you my heart and soul. Is this how you repay me? Betraying me for another man? You're so careless!"

Enraged, Samuel dragged her into the car, slamming her down onto the seat.

"You, let me go..."

Cramped in the back seat, Layla flailed helplessly, but Samuel, with eyes bloodshot, forcefully tugged at her clothes, ripping open her neckline.

He was like a wild beast gone mad, intent on tearing her apart.

"Please, not like this, Samuel..."

"You don't want me? Nathan's acceptable, huh? Is sleeping with another man while carrying my child acceptable?" This thought disgusted Samuel to his core as he roared furiously in her ear.

Pinned down in the car, she cried out to no avail, her pleas unheard by heaven and earth, her heart filled with despair.

Unable to break free, Layla could only suffer in agony with her eyes shut tight, enduring his wrath.

"Open your eyes and look at me!" Samuel gripped her chin firmly, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Any man will do for you, huh?

"Layla, is this who you are?

"I was wrong about you!"

Layla's tears poured down uncontrollably. "I'm sorry..."

As Samuel kissed along her collarbone, he tasted the salty bitterness of her tears.

His heart ached with every beat.

Never before had a woman hurt him like this. He had given his heart, only to be repaid with betrayal-a pain as shattering as being struck by lightning.

The rage slowly subsided, replaced by a profound silence and a deep ache in his heart. Even if he ended her life at this moment, nothing would change.

For the first time in his life, he felt this furious and yet so powerless.

Samuel closed his eyes, his throat aching. He pushed the car door open. "Get out!"

"Samuel..." Layla's voice broke through her sobs.

"Get out of my car before I do something I'll regret." His voice was eerily calm.

With tears blurring her vision, Layla clutched her clothes tightly and stumbled out of the car.

Samuel's fist slammed into the car seat, his knuckles bulging, his arm's veins about to burst.

"Boss?"

Samuel wasn't sure how much time had passed. He heard the concerned voice of Mr. Vandella.

He maintained the same position, casting a solitary silhouette that emanated nothing but anguish.

He thought he had a good judgment of character and believed Layla was different from the other women-pure, kind-hearted, and faithful. Yet the woman he trusted the most had viciously slapped him with betrayal, catching him completely off-guard.

Despite everything, he still...

"Drive to the resort in C City," he uttered hoarsely into the darkness.