After My Death, My Husband Who Threw Me Into the Hunting Grounds Went Insane novel Chapter 8

Ethan was my teacher's last and most cherished student.

He was the youngest of us all and undeniably the favorite—a little shadow I could never shake.

During the years I traveled the country for inspiration, Ethan was always by my side.

He knew every detail of my story with Liam—how we met, how we fell in love.

It started one year when I set up a small art stall on the street.

I painted only for those I felt a connection with, and I let them pay whatever they wanted.

One day, after finishing a portrait for an elderly couple celebrating their golden anniversary, I caught Liam watching quietly from the side.

His eyes held a spark of admiration as he stepped forward.

"Can you paint one for me?" he asked.

I looked him over—his refined demeanor, the way he carried himself. This was a man accustomed to luxury.

Without hesitation, I turned him down.

"Someone like you shouldn't have trouble finding an artist to paint you."

Liam's lips curved into an amused smile, but he said nothing more and left.

The next day, he returned with the same request.

I knew, even then, that we came from completely different worlds, so I refused him again—and again.

Ethan couldn't stand to watch.

"Emily, if you don't want to say no, I'll tell him for you."

I shook my head.

"Someone bought every piece I had for sale last night. Whoever they are, they clearly have influence. It's better to let him give up on his own."

Despite my cold shoulder, Liam kept coming back—for three whole months.

He broke every shovel he could find, and when there was nothing left, he used his bare hands to dig.

Those hands—hands that had never known hard labor—were shredded by jagged glass, torn open so deeply that bone showed through.

Ignoring the pain, Liam carried me to the hospital himself.

I still remember the guilt and anguish in his voice.

"Emily, when the earthquake hit, I was terrified. I thought I'd lost you forever."

When I looked into his eyes, filled with relief and love, I was sure of one thing—Liam was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

In life, I could never understand how someone who once loved me so deeply could turn so cold so easily.

Even now, in death, I don't want to dwell on the answer.

All I can do is hope that Liam's rage won't hurt anyone else who doesn't deserve it.