Chapter 10 " We can't go back to the past , but we can go somewhere new and start over . I promise , Sandy , that I'll treat you right this time . I'll never upset you again ... " Kenneth said , his tone almost pleading . " Stay away from me ! " I threw off the blanket and scrambled backward . In my rush , my ankle struck the bedpost . Instantly , a sharp pain shot through me , and I gasped involuntarily . Seizing the moment of my distraction , Kenneth lunged forward and caught the sleeve of my pajamas . His grip was fierce , nearly tearing the thin fabric . " Sandy ! " His eyes burned with a desperate intensity , his breathing ragged . " Don't push me ... ' Just then , my fingers finally found the emergency button embedded in the headboard , and I pressed it without hesitation . The blaring alarm shattered the silence . In an instant , every light in the villa flashed on . The sound of heavy footsteps echoed as bodyguards swarmed into the building . Kenneth jerked his head toward the window , then turned back to me . His eyes were filled with a complex storm of emotions - bitterness , refusal to accept , and a flicker of despair . " Sandy , are you really doing this to me ? " од 08 18 ) Chapter 10 His voice dropped , all strength seeming to drain from him . " Ten years ... We were together for ten years . And you'd end it just like this ? You'd really send me to prison without hesitation ? " " You ended it first . " I looked at him , my voice utterly calm . " We were done the day you betrayed me , the day you called me your maid . " " Good ... That's just great ... " 288 Vouchers He suddenly broke into wild , desperate laughter . In one swift motion , he` drew a knife from the inside of his windbreaker . My heart slammed violently against my ribs , and I instinctively shrank back . " What are you doing , Kenneth ? " " What do you think ? " . He fiddled with the knife , his gaze drifting vaguely around the room before finally locking onto my face . " They can't catch me , and you won't leave with me ... There's nothing left for me in this world . " " You're crazy ! " I snapped . " Put the knife down . You still have a chance to ... " " A chance ? " he scoffed . Suddenly , he pressed the blade against his own throat , his eyes burning into me as though trying to brand my face into his memory . 27,96 % 08 18 208 douter His voice dropped , all strength seeming to drain from him . " Ten years ... We were together for ten years . And you'd end it just like this ? You'd really send me to prison without hesitation ? " " You ended it first . " I looked at him , my voice utterly calm . " We were done the day you betrayed me , the day you called me your maid . " " Good ... That's just great ... " He suddenly broke into wild , desperate laughter . In one swift motion , he drew a knife from the inside of his windbreaker . My heart slammed violently against my ribs , and I instinctively shrank back . " What are you doing . Kenneth ? " " What do you think ? " . He fiddled with the knife , his gaze drifting vaguely around the room before finally locking onto my face . " They can't catch me , and you won't leave with me ... There's nothing left for me in this world . " " You're crazy ! " I snapped . " Put the knife down . You still have a chance to ... " " A chance ? " he scoffed . Suddenly , he pressed the blade against his own throat , his eyes burning into me as though trying to brand my face into his memory . 27969 C8 18 Chapter 10 208 Vouchers " You've long ruined my chance . Sandra , even if I'm going to die , I'll make sure you remember me for the rest of your life . ' " No ! " ་ ་ I screamed and lunged forward to stop him , but it was too late . His body jerked backward , struck the wall , and slid slowly to the floor . Blood oozed out from his neck and soon stained the deep carpet . His eyes which were always so full of obsession and ruthlessness , finally dimmed for good . Almost at the same time , the room door burst open , and Alban rushed in , followed by several bodyguards . The entire scene left them frozen in shock . Alban's face turned ghastly pale as he pulled me into his embrace and covered my eyes . " Don't look , Sandy . Don't look ... " My body stood rigid within his arms . Finally , I couldn't help but burst into tears . I wasn't crying for Kenneth . I was crying for those wasted ten years , for the foolish woman I once was , who truly believed we could make it last . " Handle this cleanly , " Alban said , his voice devoid of any emotion as he spoke to the bodyguards behind him . " Notify the police and the coroner . Follow standard procedure . " Then he carried me out of the room , leaving all the bloodshed and desperation behind us . The hallway was bathed in a soft , warm light , yet a deep chill had settled within me . No matter how I tried , I couldn't erase the image of Kenneth's 53.53 % 08 18 Chapter 10 eyes , which were full of despair . I knew his death had already put an end to this absurd relationship . 298 Wouchers But in the deepest hours of the night , I'd still see that teenage boy in a white shirt , who smiled brightly at me on the street , promising to treat me well forever . Once again , I jolted awake from the nightmare . Alban held me in his arms and comforted me , " It's over , Sandy . Time to move forward , to begin the new chapter of your life . " I nodded , burying my face in his embrace . He was right . It was all in the past now . It was time to let go and truly start anew .