Chapter 253 Last Dignity
Francis's coldness shocked Harper. She reached for the car door, but Francis stopped her.
He stared at her, eyes sharp and cold. "Can't leave him, can you?"
Harper, stung by his gaze, shook her head. "It's not like that. I just don't want to see someone die in front of me."
"People die every minute. If it were a stranger, would you feel the same?" Francis asked calmly. "Isn't it because he is..."
He didn't finish. They sat facing each other, feeling miles apart.
When Harper tried to open the door again, Francis lost his patience. He yanked her back and started stripping off her coat and sweater.
Harper screamed, clutching her clothes, but couldn't match his strength. The sweater came off, leaving her in a small top.
She clutched her chest, looking at him in terror. "Francis, are you crazy?"
Francis ignored her, determined to tear off the top.
Finally, Harper's upper body was exposed.
Tears welled up as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Francis, give me back my clothes."
Francis's eyes roamed over her body, making her feel exposed and vulnerable.
"Give them back," she pleaded.
Francis opened the window and threw the clothes out, which were covered in Keith's blood.
"Didn't you want to get out?" he said, voice low and strained. "Go ahead!"
His last words came out in a roar.
Harper looked at him like he was a stranger.
Stripping her and forcing her out felt like humiliation, making her feel there was no different from Keith and him.
Overwhelmed, Harper let go, exposing herself to Francis.
Tears fell as she reached for the door.
The sight of her back cut through Francis's heart. The pain was nothing compared to the hatred.
Francis locked the door.
Harper couldn't get out but didn't turn around, showing only her back.
Her face was stained with blood, and she cried like a kitten, preserving her dignity.
Francis gritted his teeth behind her. "Do you have to save him? Have you forgotten who you are? You're my wife!"
Harper trembled, tears flowing even more.
She felt like a tool, used and discarded.
Francis's cold hands turned her around, and he buttoned a black shirt on her.
When he reached the top button, his hands tightened, eyes cold. "Have I been too easy on you, or do you like degrading yourself?"
Harper showed no expression.
Francis felt so unfamiliar, chilling her heart.
At that moment, sirens of fire trucks and ambulances sounded outside.
Harper's anxious heart finally settled, and she coldly responded, "Then let's end this agreement."
Two people who hated each other had no reason to stay bound together.
"End it?" Francis's voice was icy. The image of Keith and Harper in the car flashed in his mind, and he grabbed her chin, his words cutting like knives. "Who do you think you are to say that to me?"
His expression and tone were full of arrogant contempt.
Harper's breath caught, her hands clutching her shirt tightly. Everything hurt so much she couldn't breathe.
When Abigail said they weren't a good match, it hadn't hurt this much.
Harper couldn't speak, nor did she want to. If she opened her mouth, she wouldn't be able to hold back her tears, and she didn't want to cry in front of Francis.
Francis looked away, watching Keith being loaded into the ambulance, then started the car and drove off without expression.
As they sped away, the night condensed into a reflection.
Finally, the car stopped at Tranquil Haven Retreat.
Harper looked at the familiar yet strange place, clutching her palm tightly. "I want to go home."
Francis turned to her, his voice devoid of emotion. "This is your home."
His calm voice and dark eyes made Harper feel afraid.
She tried to negotiate, "Francis, can I go back by myself?"
Francis's eyes were cold, like winter. He carried her upstairs and threw her into the bathtub.
As the water filled the tub, Francis quickly stripped Harper and pressed her into the water to wash her.
Harper was stiff, numb, and didn't dare resist, fearing he might do something crazy.
But Francis seemed to think she was very dirty. After washing her, he drained the water and refilled the tub.
As the water rose, Francis looked at her. "Harper, is there anything you need to tell me?"
Harper felt a chill in her heart, clueless about what he was asking.
Her belly was a bit bulged, but it was far from showing. Normally, it wouldn't be noticeable that she was pregnant.
Harper shook her head. "No."
Francis's eyes grew colder. "Are you sure there's nothing you're hiding from me?"
Harper pressed her lips together and stayed silent.
Francis clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, veins bulging as if he were enduring extreme restraint.
During the car accident, Keith's last words were, "If I die, take care of her child."
Francis looked down at Harper's forced calm demeanor, and his heart hardened inch by inch.
He had given her a chance. After a while, Francis stood up, unbuttoning his shirt with elegant movements.
Harper sat in the bathtub, hugging her knees tightly, her face turning green.
She trembled. "Francis, what are you doing?"
Francis's lips curved into a mocking smile. "What else can we do here?"
Harper couldn't believe it, her face turning pale. "Francis, we only have an agreement..."
Francis's lips suddenly pressed against her, biting her shoulder hard.
Watching her tremble and fear him gave him a perverse thrill. "Did I ever say I wouldn't touch you?"
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