He Ordered My Torture, Then Said I Love You Chapter 05

He Ordered My Torture, Then Said I Love You Chapter 05

Montgomery Private Hospital, top–floor VIP suite. 

I drifted into a fever dream. 

In it, I was back on stage. Still whole. Still me. 

Arthur sat in the audience, watching me like I hung the moon. 

The scene shifted. His face twisted into something monstrous. He raised the hammer and brought it down, again and again, shattering bone. 

“Claire, don’t be scared. This is for your own good.” 

I bolted awake with a sharp gasp, drenched in cold sweat. 

White light seared my eyes. I tried to lift my hand, but my 

arms were strapped down. My legs too. 

“You’re awake. Don’t move.” 

Julian rushed over and held my shoulders down. His eyes were 

bloodshot. Stubble darkened his jaw. He looked like he hadn’t 

slept in days. 

“Julian…” My throat felt raw. 

Julian grabbed a glass of water and guided the straw to my lips. “Here. Drink something.” 

The water soothed my throat. A cool relief eased the burning in my chest. 

I looked down at my bandaged limbs. My chest caved in. 

“My hands…” 

Julian went still. He tried to smile, but it came out wrong, all 

pain. 

“It’s okay. I got you the best surgeons.” 

“Your right hand… you won’t be able to play anymore. But you’ll still have basic mobility. You’ll be able to manage everyday things.” 

“Your legs and your left hand will heal. With physical therapy, you’ll walk again. You’ll be okay.” 

I couldn’t play the piano anymore. 

I’d known this was coming. But hearing it out loud hollowed 

me out completely. 

I closed my eyes. Tears slid silently down my temples. 

“Julian, I want to go home.” 

“Okay. As soon as you’re strong enough, we’ll go.” Julian’s eyes were red as he gently smoothed my hair. 

“I’m taking you home. Back to the family. No one’s going to hurt you again.” 

Julian didn’t leave my side. 

News started filtering in about the Sterlings. About Jade. 

Arthur didn’t believe it at first, that I was a Montgomery. 

He tried everything to dig into my background. When he hit a 

dead end, that’s when the panic set in. 

The messages kept coming. He was desperate to get to me. 

Julian didn’t give him the chance. He had divorce papers 

drawn up and sent over. 

He called a press conference. Told the world who I really was. 

The internet exploded. 

The orphan Arthur had tortured, the woman they’d called 

every name in the book, was a Montgomery heiress. Public opinion flipped overnight. 

People started digging into what really happened. Jade’s story fell apart once people looked closer. 

A commotion erupted outside the ward. 

“Let me in! I’m her husband!” 

“Claire! I know you’re in there! Please, just let me see you!” 

It was Arthur. 

Through the window in the door, I could see bodyguards holding him back. His hair was wild, his face gaunt. Nothing 

like the man I’d married. 

Julian had been peeling an apple. At Arthur’s voice, his 

expression went dark. 

“Get him out.” 

“Wait.” 

“Julian, let him in.” 

Julian frowned. “Claire, he…” 

“I want to see him.” 

I looked out the window at the bare trees. My voice came out 

flat. 

“I need to end this to his face.”