Filed to story: The Daughter in the Shadows (Yunice) Book by Una Norris
Back in the bamboo house on the Powell estate, she had said some things to provoke Paul. Maybe Wyatt had heard them.
There was no guarantee he hadn’t eavesdropped.
Yunice had always been the type to stay still unless provoked.
But that strategy didn’t work on Wyatt. With him, she had to be the one to move first.
Yunice said, “Everything I said to Paul today-I only said it to get under his skin.”
Wyatt asked, “Which part?”
Yunice paused, then played coy. “Whichever part you minded most.”
Wyatt stared at her. “Saying you love my power, the perks I give you-that was just to piss him off too?”
Yunice fell silent. Wyatt really was the only opponent she had who actually used his brain. He always hit her where it hurt.
She couldn’t say yes. If she admitted it was to provoke Paul, that would mean she didn’t love his power-she loved Wyatt himself.
But Yunice knew very clearly-what she felt for Wyatt was like the mutual dependence between allies. It hadn’t reached love yet.
But she couldn’t say no either. If she did, Wyatt would be angry.
When Yunice didn’t answer, Wyatt sneered, “Lying again.”
“Love or not, what difference does it make? In the end, everyone’s a liar.”
His fingers gradually tightened around her face. His eyes grew darker.
A moment later, the back of Yunice’s neck was suddenly pressed forward as Wyatt pulled her close.
The space between them shrank to just a few inches.
Yunice had no idea what he meant by this, but instinctively-she could feel the danger.
Yunice said, “Wyatt, if you’re really feeling upset, I can help you sleep for a while.”
Wyatt locked onto her wording. “You mean you’ll help me sleep, or let me sleep?”
Yunice looked at him. She had already prepared herself for the possibility that she and Wyatt might one day consummate the marriage.
She was just about to say, “If sleeping with me will help you feel better, then I’m okay with it,” but Wyatt cut her off before she could speak.
“I originally wanted to wait until you were willing. But now it’s clear you’ll never love me, so I don’t want to pretend anymore.”
Yunice’s brows furrowed slightly. She stared into Wyatt’s eyes, trying to read the cold detachment in his gaze.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
Wyatt said, “I’m done pretending.”
Realizing he wasn’t joking, Yunice immediately tried to stand up.
Wyatt pressed down on the back of her neck, keeping her from escaping.
Yunice snapped, “We’ve barely even started this act and you already want to drop it? I haven’t taken the bait yet.”
She’d long known that what Wyatt loved most was being the hunter.
He was a patient hunter-he liked luring his prey into his trap little by little with sweet promises. Then, at the very moment the prey let its guard down and began to enjoy itself, he’d deliver the fatal shot.
Extreme joy, extreme pain-that was his game.
So even when Wyatt treated her well, Yunice always kept a sliver of caution in her heart.
She hadn’t expected him to run out of patience after just a few months.
Then again, for him, a few months was already pushing it. In the past, a month had been more than enough for any of the others.
No wonder he was tired of waiting.
Wyatt gripped the back of her neck, his jaw clenched. His voice was low and rough. “Yeah, I don’t want to pretend anymore.”
Yunice tried to pull back, but Wyatt’s hand stayed firm-like he was holding a disobedient cat. She couldn’t move.
Wyatt’s gaze drifted downward, landing at her collar. “Take it off.”
Yunice didn’t move. Anger swelled inside her.
She said, “I’m willing to give myself to you, but if you try to force it, I won’t.”
Wyatt challenged her. “And if I insist?”
Yunice’s hands trembled slightly. She didn’t answer.
Seeing that she didn’t outright refuse, Wyatt tilted her chin up and kissed her.
Yunice’s whole body trembled-she was struggling emotionally.
She could give herself to Wyatt. But now, at the very moment he laid it bare, the entire situation felt different.
Then, in one fluid motion, she reached down beside her leg, pulled something out, and with a loud click-raised it in both hands, aiming straight at Wyatt’s forehead.
Wyatt leaned back in the chair, staring at Yunice, who was now kneeling on top of him, holding a dark, loaded gun right at his face.
His sharp eyes glanced at the weapon. He gave a mocking smile and looked up at Yunice. “I really underestimated you. So all that obedience-that was just an act too, huh?”
He reached a hand toward the gun. “Do you even know how to use this thing?”
Before he could touch it, Yunice shouted, “Don’t move!”
Wyatt looked confused. “Why not? Afraid you’ll accidentally shoot me? You don’t want me dead?”
Yunice’s hands trembled even harder. Her voice was tight from pressure. “Don’t push me. I don’t want to hurt you.”
Wyatt asked, “Why don’t you want to hurt me?”
“You’ve never hurt me. You’ve actually been really good to me. I’ve always been grateful.”
“Grateful…” Wyatt lifted his eyes. “And yet you’re pointing a gun at me?”
He grabbed her wrists, the ones holding the gun. “Then let’s see-do you dare pull the trigger?”
Her hands shook even harder in his grasp.
But Wyatt only pushed further. Yunice struggled to break free, and the gun flew from her hands, clattering to the floor and skidding far across the room.
Out in the living room, the servants waited for the couple to come out for dinner-but no one came.
Not only did Wyatt not come out, but after Yunice entered the room, she didn’t come out either.
Then came the worst part-the unmistakable sound of crashing and banging from inside the bedroom.
