Chapter 297: Miserable

Mina's heart was heavy. She was not jealous, but she was bitter. Her entire life had gone by too fast, and now it was coming to an end before she had experienced anything real. Dom had once asked her if life had ever been kind to her, and in truth it had, but it had also been cruel. Her sister was dead, her parents were still struggling, and she was a prisoner on death row.

Once upon a time, Mina would have believed President Lee when he said that he would let her go, but she now knew better. Whatever he had planned she was sure it would happen soon. If not, he would not have been so passive about all the things that had occurred. The man would have used them to further torment her, but he did not.

Mina was aware that the Lee's were not known for their kindness, and Luna Lee had driven that home by putting her up for auction for the same amount she was paid to sneak into President Lee's hotel room. Back then, Mina should have just jumped when she was asked. It would have been an easier way to go.

"What are you planning?" James asked, and Mina who was used to talking to herself anytime she was stressed, answered without a filter.

"Not planning. Thinking about how I want to die." James blanched at Mina's words.

"How?" He questioned. He was only trying to make sure he heard correctly, and Mina's response told him he had not.

Unsure of how to proceed, James told Mina that he wanted to take her somewhere special, but the woman refused. Her refusal was not adamant, but it sounded dull and lifeless, which scared James.

"Let's go to the Lee mansion," James offered, and this time, Mina refused harshly.

Without warning, James grabbed Mina and pulled her off the equipment she was using. She was so shocked by his swiftness that she just allowed herself to be tugged.

When her mind adjusted, Mina became furious. She fought James with everything Jessica and Dom had shown her; punching and kicking the man as if her life depended on it, because in her mind, it did. There was no reason for her to go to the Lee mansion, she had done nothing wrong, she had made sure of it.

Mina may have been weak, but she was agile, and she was able to twist her body in ways that made it difficult for James to hold her. At only six feet tall, he did not have the same size leverage Dom or President Lee had over her.

"Let me go," Mina demanded. She did not understand what had come over James, or why he was suddenly sending her into the jaws of a lion.

Another Lee guard who was witnessing the altercation stepped forward to help his comrade with the unruly Mina, but Mina kicked him in the groin so hard, he did not try to approach again.

"Let go of me," Mina shouted, but instead of letting her go, another woman arrived to hold her down. "What are you doing? What did I do wrong?" Mina asked.

"Just relax, I'm going to take you to get help," James replied. Mina was confused. James was looking at her tenderly, but he was handling her so roughly she could not help but to fight back.

Maybe it was because of how pathetic she looked or maybe it was because she was not a real threat but the hands that were holding Mina in place began to loosen.

"Mina, if you hurt yourself, not just me, but a lot of people will be affected." Mina looked at James as if he were speaking in a foreign language.

"Hurt myself? James please, whoever told you that is lying," Mina said. James looked at Mina with a questioning gaze. "James really. I am not going to hurt myself. If that is what I wanted, I would have already done so."

"But you look so miserable," James said and Mina felt her heart go sour. The word was a perfect fit; she was miserable. Mina's eyes filled and she cast them to the ground.

"James, please take me home."

----

Mina ran into her bedroom and slammed the door behind her. James had never made a woman cry, and he felt terrible for the misunderstanding. He had planned to drag Mina to the Lee mansion where his boss could help, but he was not expecting Mina to fight so violently, nor did he think he had misinterpreted her emotions.

James had only reacted in that way because he too was terrified of the consequences. He still had three years left before he completed his commitment to the Lee family, and the only reason he had been able to meet and continue to meet with Emma, was because of Mina.

If Mina were gone, it would be a good three years before he would be able to see Emma again, and there was the very real possibility that she would belong to someone else by then. It was selfish, but James liked Emma, and he had made himself a promise that he intended to keep.

James leaned against Mina's bedroom door and knocked lightly. He did not want to enter because he knew it was inappropriate, but he wanted to explain in detail.

"Mina please, I was scared. If something happens to you-l…."

"I'm not angry," Mina shouted, but it was clear she was lying. She had caused the death of a maid, she had sent two other men to a punishment so harsh, they might have died as a result, she had tied another maid's life to hers, and she had made everyone else who was instructed to 'protect her' live in fear so great, they reacted aggressively at the thought of her being injured.

"Please," James said. He really could not take seeing Mina so depressed and now he knew what Dom meant when he said that the woman rubbed off on people.

---

James was still standing at Mina's door afraid to walk in but comforted in the fact that he could hear her move occasionally. When Emma walked into the apartment, he ran to her and explained everything from what he had assumed to how he reacted. James was sure not to add details that could potentially put Emma at risk.

Emma was calm as she listened to James speak. Jay may have been dumb enough to believe that Mina had a security detail provided to her by her employer, but Emma was not.

When James finished explaining himself, Emma nodded slowly and entered Mina's unlocked room. The girl was laying on her bed with her head buried in a pillow.

"I told you I'm not angry," Mina said.

"That isn't true." Mina turned to face the source of the voice.

"Oh, Emma, you're back."

"How did you make James cry?" Emma asked and Mina's eyes widened.

"He's crying?" Mina ran to her open door and peeked out, but she did not find a crying man.

"Mina seriously, can you just hear me out?" James asked and Mina nodded. She narrowed her eyes at Emma who wore an innocent and shy smile.

It only took James ten minutes to explain himself, and although Mina was still hurt by him, she decided to forgive the man. Just because she would never find love, did not mean the same had to be true for others.