- 4.
I found Buddy’s remains in the kitchen. Together with Liam Blackwood, we buried him in the backyard.
I refused his offer to drive me home, floating through the streets like a lost soul.
I knew Julian Thorne would make a move to ensure I kept his secrets, but I hadn’t expected him to be so quick.
<
9 PM
As I passed a narrow alley, I was suddenly pulled inside.
A group of thugs tore at my clothes, while someone recorded on their phone.
I heard a muffled voice say, “Don’t show her face. The client specifically ordered it.”
I found it strangely amusing.
Julian Thorne, Julian Thorne, even when you destroy me, you still care about this face that looks exactly like Maya’s?
“Smack!”
A slap echoed, making my eardrums ring, and the taste of blood spread in my mouth.
A hand pried open my mouth. “The client said to first pull out these biting teeth, then cut out her tongue so she can’t talk
nonsense.”
Despair washed over me like a tide. Was I still unable to escape, even after rebirth…?
I closed my eyes.
“Bang!”
A dull thud of heavy objects falling echoed.
I trembled as I opened my eyes, finding a few thugs already subdued by bodyguards.
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Liam Blackwood’s warm palm gently caressed my swollen cheek, his voice laced with panic and regret. “I’m so sorry… I should have stayed with you. I’m sorry I was late.”
I forced a smile uglier than a cry. “No, you came just in time…”
“But last time,” he suddenly tightened his embrace, whispering in my ear, “I was late!”
He tenderly wiped the corner of my torn lip. “Thankfully… this time, I finally made it.”
I froze on the spot.
That sentence was like a key, unlocking the shackles of my memory.
The blurry shouts I’d heard when I was barely conscious before falling from the building in my past life–it was him…
He was reborn too?!
He held me, asking with heartfelt concern, “Do you want revenge? I’ll help you!”
I nodded forcefully. “Yes.”
Julian Thorne, upon learning the thugs had failed, went to the Hayes‘ house that night, using the excuse of dropping Maya off.
<
In the hallway, reeking of alcohol, he intercepted me.
His usually sinister gaze swept over my swollen, bleeding face, and his Adam’s apple bobbed, but he quickly regained his condescending demeanor.
“Now you know what pain feels like?” He raised a hand as if to touch my injury, but froze mid–air. “I’ll be merciful and give you one more chance. Take the money and leave Liam. But I can tolerate you staying until Maya and my wedding day before you go.”
Seeing my silence, he chuckled, pinching my chin. “What, still hoping that cripple will protect you?”
He pressed hard on my wound, and when I cried out in pain, he turned away, satisfied.
“Remember, this is my last act of mercy.”
