My gaze hardened. "And if I don't?"
His expression went colder. "Then I'll announce in public that we're breaking off the engagement. Let's see who'll want you after that—a woman who got dumped. Secondhand goods."
His entourage joined in, mocking faces all around.
"What's the difference between getting dumped on your wedding day and being unwanted leftovers? You'll never get married!"
"Just apologize! Besides Ethan being generous enough, who else would marry a country bumpkin like you?"
"Miss this chance and there won't be another. Once your reputation's trashed at the wedding, you won't be able to show your face anywhere!"
His words stabbed through my chest like a knife. I could barely breathe.
Three years. Three years of feelings—and they meant nothing to him.
I clenched my fists until my nails bit into my palms. "Then let's see who really gets their reputation trashed when this engagement ends."
His expression turned sinister. He waved at the men holding me down. "Since you still don't understand what you did wrong, don't blame me for what comes next."
The man behind me swung an iron rod down hard on my other leg.
Crack.
My knees slammed into the ground. The searing pain nearly made me black out. I swallowed the blood rising in my throat and glared at him. "Ethan Gilbert. I won't let you off for this."
He chuckled softly. "Right now, it's me who won't be letting you off."
He had them force my head down, shoving me into a kowtow at Serena's feet.
I struggled wildly, but a boot slammed into my shoulder, and I pitched forward, sprawling at her heels.
Somehow, she'd gotten her hands on a cup of liquor. She smiled sweetly at Ethan. "Let's not make things too hard for Alex. After all, today's supposed to be your wedding day."
She tilted her head, all innocence. "How about this—if she drinks this, I'll pretend today never happened. Okay?"
Ethan glanced at me, took the cup from her, and crouched down in front of me.
"Aren't you going to drink it? Say thank you, Serena."
I was done arguing. I stared at the glass, my expression ice-cold.
"If I drink this, you'll let me leave?"
Serena smiled and nodded.
"Of course. I'm a woman of my word."
I looked at the liquor, grabbed the glass without hesitation, and drained it in one gulp.
The burn slid down my throat—and my consciousness began to erode. A sense of dread hit me instantly.
My vision blurred. I turned toward Serena, teeth clenched.