Welcome Back, Goodbye

After the meeting, I decide to rest in my bedroom. Besides having a wounded and bruised face—thanks to my own fists—I feel completely drained. My emotions have sapped all my energy.

I lie on my bed, leaning against the headboard, and exhale heavily. I'm supposed to be emotionless. Most of the time, I am. But my emotions always run wild when it comes to the people I love, especially when their safety is involved. It was Mila before. Now… it's Jennifer.

Once again, I exhale deeply and glance down at my left chest, focusing on the scorpion tattoo etched there. My hand brushes over the tattoo.

After I won the fight against my own self and locked it away in the dungeon of my mind, the tattoo had disappeared. But now it's back. Not only has it returned, but it's also expanded. The scorpion is now surrounded by chains.

That addition appeared right after I made the soul-binding vow with Mrs. Rauss.

"I, Joanna Margareth Rauss, by this blood, place my soul under oath to keep Jennifer McCourtney Bennet and Sophie Bennet safe and sound and to shield them from any involvement with the organization," Mrs. Rauss declared firmly, pressing her bleeding finger into a goblet.

She looked at me and smiled as I reluctantly took the dagger and nicked my finger. Blood welled up, and I dipped it into the goblet. "I, Scott Bennet, a.k.a. Quint Rauss, by this blood, place my soul under oath to work for and remain loyal to the organization," I said.

The high priest, standing before us, raised the goblet and chanted a spell-like prayer before handing it back to Mrs. Rauss. She drank the contents and passed the goblet to me. I hesitated for a moment before pressing my lips to its edge and swallowing its contents.

"Your souls are now bound," the high priest intoned. "Any violation of the vows will result in death. The vows remain until one of you breaks them—or dies."

Mrs. Rauss smiled broadly and pulled me into a warm embrace. "Welcome back, my son."

I stood there silently, not returning the embrace, waiting for her to release me. When she finally let go, I turned and walked out of the room.

"Deathstalker," she called after me, halting my steps. "I expect you in my office at three PM. We need to discuss your mission."

I gave her a curt nod before resuming my walk. There was only one place I wanted to be: the Health Facility Center.

Minutes later, I arrived at the nursery room. Opening the door, I was greeted by a clean and cheerful atmosphere. Several cribs were lined up, but only one was occupied.

I approached the crib and looked inside. There lay my beautiful daughter, sleeping soundly. Her thick black hair had grown longer, and her tiny body was a bit bigger. I bent down to kiss her forehead before picking her up, disturbing her sleep.

Sophie wiggled and opened her eyes, almost crying. But when she caught the familiar scent and warmth of my embrace, she let out only a small whimper.

"Hey, Baby Girl," I whispered softly. Sophie blinked at me a few times, and I chuckled. "You're the most beautiful gift I've ever received. Please be a good girl and take care of your mom."

My voice wavered as I swallowed hard. "I'm sorry I can't stay by your side, but you'll be safe and happy. I'll make sure of it."

Sophie murmured and blinked again, drawing another chuckle from me. "I love you so much, Baby Girl. Don't forget that, okay?"

I held her close for about ten to fifteen minutes until she fell asleep again. I kissed her forehead one last time before placing her back in the crib. Watching her peaceful face, I stayed for several more minutes, memorizing every detail. Then, with a heavy heart, I straightened up, turned, and left her.

There was one more goodbye I needed to say.

Standing in front of another room, I hesitated. Sighing heavily, I opened the door. This room was different from the rest of the Health Facility Center. It was designed to replicate a room in Virgin Mary Hospital, right down to the uniforms worn by the paramedics. Everything was done to convince her she wasn't in the place she hated most—a place I swore never to set foot in again, let alone bring her to.

But I had no choice. It was the only way to save her.

"No!!" I growled as two paramedics tried to take Jennifer from my arms.

"Quint… they're trying to save your wife!" Mrs. Rauss's words struck like a spell.

I relented, handing Jennifer over to the paramedics, who placed her on a bed. "She's... she's not breathing! Please, help her... please!" I begged the nearby doctor, my voice cracking.

"We can save her, Quint. Our technology can even bring people back from death," Mrs. Rauss said calmly. "But—"

"I'll do anything! Just save her!" I cut her off, desperation pouring from me. Turning to her, I pleaded, "Please... save her. Please... Mom."

Mrs. Rauss looked into my eyes and pulled my head to her chest. "Bring her back to life," she ordered the doctor before whispering to me softly, "Don't worry, my boy. She will be fine. Your wife will live."

And she kept her promise. Jennifer was brought back to life. But I knew the cost. I knew what Mrs. Rauss wanted in return. She wanted me back. She wanted me to rejoin the Royal Knights. To save Jennifer, I had to break my promise to her—the promise that I'd never return to the organization.

"Why are you just standing there?" Jennifer's weak yet lovely voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

I forced a thin smile. "I thought you were sleeping. I didn't want to disturb you," I said gently, walking to her bedside. "How are you feeling?"

"I feel much better," she replied. "When can we go home?"

"In a few more days," I lied. "Peter said you need to be monitored to ensure the virus is completely gone."

Jennifer pouted. "Peter is exaggerating."

"That's because he loves you," I said. "Just like I love you."

"What are you saying?"

"That Peter loves you."

"And so what?"

"He'll give you and Sophie a good life."

Jennifer frowned. "What are you talking about?"

I shook my head and kissed her forehead tenderly. "I love you so much. You know that, right?"

"Of course. And I love you just as much," she said, biting my bottom lip.

I bit her upper lip in return, and soon our lips were locked. Passion overtook me, but inside, I was breaking. Tomorrow, she wouldn't remember me. She wouldn't remember our life together.

The tears I fought so hard to suppress betrayed me. One fell onto her cheek.

"Baby…?" Jennifer stopped and pulled back, concern etched on her face. "Are you crying?"

I shook my head, but the tears kept falling.

"Baby, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"Nothing's wrong," I lied, kissing her again. "I'm just happy you're alive."

The kiss deepened, but so did my sorrow. I couldn't hold it back anymore. Tears streamed down my face as I whispered, "I'm sorry, Baby... I'm so sorry."

My words were drowned in our embrace. Her moans filled the air as my grief turned into a desperate need to hold her, to love her one last time. Soon, there was nothing skipped from out lips beside moand and groans orchestrated with the fleshes slapping as background.

For Jennifer, it was a moment of rekindled passion after her recovery. For me, it was a farewell—one she would never remember.