When Her Heart Turned to Stone

Chapter 15: The Beautiful Pebble

“Is that convenient?” Kaylee hesitated.

“Hey, you two are already engaged. What’s inconvenient? Efficient people already have babies,” Layla retorted, raising an eyebrow at Raylee before gently nudging her. “Go on. It’s in the first room on the right, on the third floor of the building behind us. Oh, and by the way, the bracelet you’re wearing is beautiful!”

Raylee paused. She thinks this worn-out pebble is pretty? She’d been wearing it for eight days and would remove it in two more; by then, it would be harder for Casimir to object.

She headed toward Jeremiah’s room. As she opened the door, a strong, pungent smell of chemical solution nearly suffocated her. Raylee furrowed her brows, waving a hand before her nose, perplexed. The room had no bed; instead, the walls were lined with an orderly array of firearms—handguns, assault rifles, the works—nearly filling the entire space. It resembled a gun museum.

Even though Raylee was a woman, she was shocked. She recalled Susan’s comment about Jeremiah’s fascination with firearms. This must be his collection room. Yet, the pervasive scent of chemical solution intrigued her; it couldn’t originate solely from the firearms.

A door in the middle held a strange allure, drawing her to push it open. The moment she did, Kaylee screamed, quickly covering her mouth and widening her eyes in terror. She stared in disbelief.

Inside, six or seven long tables held glass jars containing various organs. Under the bright light, each organ appeared pristine. Severed limbs, their skin bleached pale from chemical solutions, were haphazardly strewn within other jars.

This is terrifying, she thought, recalling similar sights from District Nine Privon. These weren’t animal organs; they were human organs preserved in formalin. It was one thing to collect firearms, but human organs? And where had he obtained so many?

Chapter 18: The Beautiful Pebbles

Raylee shivered, her heart pounding so hard it was difficult to breathe. Four years in prison had hardened her, but a person with less mental fortitude would have collapsed on the spot. For the first time, Kaylee sensed Jeremiah wasn't ordinary; he was far more terrifying than merely temperamental.

She knew she couldn't stay. Hurriedly, she shut the door and left the suffocating room. As she stepped out, Jeremiah emerged from the adjacent room, dressed in grey pajamas, hands in his pockets. His casual attire didn't conceal his well-proportioned physique. Under the dim corridor light, his tousled ash-blond hair seemed untamed. His eyes were striking, his features impeccably handsome, his lips slightly upturned. It was said that men with thin lips were heartless. Was this man truly devoid of compassion?

Still reeling from the shock, a flicker of panic crossed Raylee’s face, making her unable to meet Jeremiah's gaze. She wasn't sure if he was heartless, but anyone hoarding such bizarre items was certainly abnormal.

“Raylee? What brings you here?” Jeremiah was surprised.

“Layla’s hosting a tea party and asked me to find you,” Raylee said, trying to hide her panic and feign calm.

“So, when I asked you not to come, you didn’t, but when Layla asks, you come running? If you’re so keen on following her words, you might as well marry her.” Dissatisfaction crossed Jeremiah’s handsome face. Beneath his unruly hair, his wild black eyes radiated power.

The thought of the revolting items in the jars made Raylee nauseous. Unable to meet his gaze, she turned away, silent.

“Why do you look so pale? Did you fall off a cliff? I’m sorry. Work’s been hectic lately. I haven’t had time to see you.” Jeremiah gazed at her with deep affection, his hand closing around hers. But the moment his eyes landed on her pebble bracelet, his expression changed.

A hint of mockery curled his lips as he toyed with a pebble, his expression a playful blend of amusement and indifference. “The bracelet is quite good-looking. Where did you buy it?”

“I just picked it up,” Raylee admitted sheepishly, surprisingly overlooking a major detail: Jeremiah had seen this pebble on their mountain climb.