Chapter 3

My Owen, my proud Owen.

The Owen who smiled confidently while disarming bombs, always reassuring me.

The Owen who teased me at the hospital, grinning so gleefully when my cheeks flushed.

He should have stayed proud forever, always holding his head high like a true hero.

He deserved to return home in glory and bathe in praise.

Not like this.

Never like this.

A week later, Owen's death was reported.

He was gone.

After Viper's death, I sat motionless. I kept my eyes on the ground, silent and unnervingly docile.

My shaken state must have worried Silas.

He kissed my hair, soothing me. "It's okay. It's over."

He brought me before his men, pulling me onto his lap to declare that I was his woman and his alone.

Anyone who touched me would end up like Viper.

Viper's severed head was displayed as a brutal warning.

Silas's behavior almost made me believe I mattered to him.

But it still wasn't enough.

I needed to matter enough for him to marry me.

Only then could I give him the end he truly deserved.

But soon, Elena returned.

She toyed with a knife, pressing the flat of the blade against my cheek with a smile. "Your face really does look like mine."

Then, clinging to Silas's arm, she cooed, "Silas, I haven't practiced shooting in ages. Can I practice with Maya?"

Silas took a drag from his cigarette and patted her hand. "Sure."

Elena's idea of practice involved me balancing an apple on my head as her target.

I looked to Silas for help.

He knew I was terrified of gunfire.

He had always covered my ears whenever shots rang out.

But now, with the cigarette still resting between his lips, he just smiled. "Maya, Elena loves this game. She's a crack shot and won't miss. Don't worry."

I stood perfectly still and closed my eyes.

I couldn't resist or lose my temper.

I had to stay meek and keep up my act as the perfect canary to earn his trust.

Just as Silas promised, Elena's shot was precise.

The apple shattered, and the sheer force knocked me to the ground.

My elbow scraped against the floor, drawing blood.

The roar of the gunshot left my ears ringing.

I bit my lip to keep from crying.

I thought of Owen.

He had given me a gun for self-defense in the war zone.

He taught me how to shoot, holding me from behind as he guided my hands and whispered the steps.

Our bodies were pressed close, and I could feel his warm breath against my ear.

One of us had blushed first.

He told me that as long as he was there, no one would ever hurt me.

But Owen, you are gone. I am completely alone now.

Elena cheered, throwing an arm around Silas's neck. "Silas, my aim is still perfect!"

Silas smiled at her with doting affection, entirely ignoring me. "Had enough?"

Elena's eyes gleamed. "Not yet!"

This time, she made me hold the apple right next to my face.

I knew she had despised my face for a long time.

Silas glanced at me and swallowed unconsciously, as if he were about to speak up.

Instead, he only said, "Fine, play however you want."

This time, Elena missed.