Chapter 59
Ling stormed into the enemy's stronghold, his sword dripping with the blood of those who dared to stand in his way. His eyes burned red with fury, his only thought being her—his queen, his Ping.
The moment he spotted her, chained and exhausted but still as fierce as ever, something in his chest tightened. She was safe. She was alive.
"Ping!" His voice was hoarse as he rushed to untie her bindings.
But the moment he touched her, she jerked away. "Don't," she snapped, her voice laced with anger and pain.
Ling froze, confused. "Ping, I—"
"Don't touch me," she said again, stepping back as soon as her feet were free.
Ling's jaw tightened. After everything, after risking his life to find her, this was how she greeted him?
"You're coming home," he said, voice low and firm.
She let out a bitter laugh. "Home? And where is that, exactly? With you? The man who was about to marry another woman while I carried his child?"
Ling exhaled sharply. "That marriage was forced on me. I never wanted it."
"But it was still happening!" she fired back. "And if I hadn't left, would you have still come for me?"
His fists clenched. "I would have found you no matter where you went. Because you are mine."
Her eyes flashed. "This child is mine. You don't get to claim us after everything!"
That struck a nerve. "Ours, Ping. Ours."
"Mine," she said coldly.
Ling's patience snapped. "You think you can just erase me from this? I searched every corner of this land for you! Do you even know how much I—" He stopped himself, inhaling deeply before muttering, "Forget it."
For the first time, silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words.
She turned away, refusing to look at him. He clenched his fists and walked away, not trusting himself to speak.
For days, they barely spoke. Ping refused to acknowledge him, and Ling, too proud to beg, gave her space.
But even in silence, their hearts burned for each other—neither willing to admit it first.