Chapter 28

"Welcome home, Honey," I uttered with a forced smile as Kwan sauntered inside, sending shivers down my spine. His presence alone had the power to invoke a sense of terror within me, his twisted grin mirroring the darkness that lurked within him. As he moved closer to plant a kiss on my cheek, I couldn't help but recoil, my eyes catching a glimpse of Jun behind the sliver of space between the wall and the door hinges.

"Why, hello, my lovely Esmeralda. Did you behave while I was gone?" Kwan's voice dripped with a sinister charm as he made his way to the kitchen, unloading bags filled with cleaning supplies and provisions. I trailed behind him, a knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach as he turned to me, his demeanor shifting to one of solemnity.

"Of course, I behaved," I replied, the words leaving a metallic taste in my mouth as I fought to maintain composure, my body drenched in a cold sweat, silently beseeching that Kwan remain oblivious to Jun's presence, concealed in the shadows.

"Good, well, a friend of mine said he was going to stop by. He knows the passcode, so it's fortunate I informed him that my wife would be home," Kwan explained calmly, his gaze piercing as he put away the cleaning supplies. There was a subtle tension in the air, as if he was searching for something in my demeanor. "Did he say anything to you by chance?" Kwan inquired, casually leaning against the kitchen counter, his expression unreadable.

"No, he was only in the kitchen briefly then departed after exchanging pleasantries," I replied, my voice betraying a hint of unease as I rubbed my arm in a feeble attempt to quell the rising tide of nerves threatening to overwhelm me. The atmosphere grew heavy as Kwan, with a solemn expression etched on his face, stored away the food items, his movements deliberate and calculated.Then, with an unsettling calmness, he turned his gaze towards me, his eyes piercing through the veil of pretense.

 "So, Esmeralda, we are the only ones here right?" Kwan asked, his voice carrying a weight that made my pulse quicken. My voice faltered as I confirmed.

"Yes, only the two of us here." Despite my efforts to maintain composure, my body trembled involuntarily, betraying the fear that gnawed at the edges of my consciousness. I couldn't shake the gnawing dread that Kwan might have discovered Jun's presence within the confines of the house.

"Okay, good. I missed you, but I do have to head back to work," Kwan said, the frustration evident in his tone as he made his way towards the front door. His footsteps echoed ominously in the hallway, sending shivers down my spine. Suddenly, he halted in his tracks by the bedroom door, his eyes locking onto mine with that chilling smile that made my blood run cold.

"I thought you said it was just us in the house, my love," Kwan's words dripped with malice as he pulled a gleaming knife from behind his back, the blade glistening in the dim light. Without a second thought, he mercilessly stabbed it through the door, the sharp sound cutting through the silence like a thunderclap, a stark reminder of the danger lurking within our walls.

In that heart-stopping moment, the door swung open abruptly, revealing Jun standing in the shadows behind it. With a steely gaze that matched Kwan's fury, Jun faced the Kwan head-on.

'Now who are you? And why are you here?' Kwan's voice boomed, his anger palpable as he demanded answers from the uninvited guest.

"Why don't you come over here and find out pretty boy?" Jun's response was laced with a deadly calm, his intentions inscrutable as he stood his ground, a formidable presence in the tense confrontation that unfolded before me. As the tension escalated, I found my voice trembling with fear, tears streaming down my face in a silent plea for peace.

'Kwan, please,' I implored, the gravity of the situation weighing heavy on my heart. But Kwan's attention remained fixated on Jun, his grip tightening on the knife as he dismissed my pleas with a callous order.

 'Shut up! I'll deal with you later,' his voice cutting through the air like a blade, his focus unwavering as he locked eyes with Jun. Terrified by the intense confrontation unfolding before my eyes, I witnessed Jun's swift actions as he hurled a blanket at Kwan, who, in a desperate attempt, tried to slice through the fabric with the knife. However, Jun's determination prevailed as he charged forward with unbridled ferocity, swiftly overpowering Kwan and pinning him against the unforgiving wall. The sound of their struggle reverberated through the room, sending shivers down my spine.

As Kwan fought back, his movements filled with defiance, I could feel my heart racing in my chest, fearing the outcome of this intense battle between the two formidable opponents, each driven by their own motives and conflicts. Jun's gaze, a turbulent blend of anger and concern, briefly met mine, urging me to escape the escalating danger that loomed in the room.

"Run, Takeru, get out now!" Jun's urgent command cut through the air, pulling me out of the paralyzing grip of fear that had seized me. With a sudden jolt of adrenaline, I stumbled forward, my ankles weakened and misshapen from healing incorrectly. Despite the pain and disorientation, I pushed myself to reach the front door no matter what.

"No! She's Mine! You can't have her" Kwan screamed swing the knife frantically forcing Jun to step back to avoid getting cut.

"Takeru is coming home with me! He will no longer be a toy in your dollhouse to fuel your sick fantasies" Jun replied dodging Kwan as he lunged at Jun still swing the knife frantically forcing him into the kitchen.

"She's my wife. I lost her once and I wont lose her again!" Kwan yelled as Jun stood in the threshold of the kitchen.

"I don't know what's going in that sick little mind of yours but Takeru is leaving here today" Jun explained standing strong ready for whatever Kwan plans to throw at him.

"Why are you all the way over there? Let's end this here!" Kwan said as he marched toward the kitchen. Jun disappeared into the kitchen and Kwan entered the kitchen the Table slammed into Kwan pinning against the wall. Jun took a step back and Kwan pushed the table off of him and lunged for Jun with the knife. Jun Caught the knife in his hands cutting himself pretty deep and my heart sank as I watch blood spill on the floor.

"Jun!" I yelled as tears escaped my eyes once again feeling helpless. The one time I need my strength, the one time I needed turtle he was no where to be found. My body was too fragile and battered, so I could only watch as the man I love fight for his life.

"Get out of here Takeru!" Jun yelled as he twisted Kwan's arm disarming him and pinning him to the floor. I opened the front door and stood in the doorway praying Jun makes out of this house of horrors. Tears fell as I watched them struggle on the floor my heart heavy with guilt and fear. I sucked in air as Kwan elbowed Jun in the face and they both stumbled to their feet. Both had looked of rage and their aura was suffocating as they exchanged punches and struggled until Jun slammed into the stove. Kwan then threw a chair and Jun Dodged charging straight for Kwan slamming him on the ground as he started punching him repeatedly until Kwan face was swollen and bloodied. Jun then stumbled to feet and held on to his side where I finally noticed Jun was hurt. Blood covered his white T shirt and his face was bruised as he stumbled down the hallway.

"Jun are you alright?" I cried out holding myself up on my feet with the door frame as I watch Jun get closer to me.

"Ah this? It's nothing. Just a scratch" Jun said sarcastically as he chuckled his way down the hallway slowly. I finally let out a sigh of relief and smile as tears fell. As I observed Jun's casual demeanor, a sudden pungent smell of gas invaded my senses, jolting me back to reality. Panic gripped me as I turned to where Kwan had been left battered and swollen, only to find him missing.

My eyes widened in horror as I spotted Kwan, a twisted grin on his face, clutching a lighter near the stove. Time seemed to slow down as the gravity of the situation sank in. My voice caught in my throat, unable to warn Jun of the impending danger. My heart plummeted and a wave of sheer terror overtook me at the sight of Kwan casually flicking the lighter, a split second before a scream could escape my lips to warn Jun. In a desperate attempt to shield Jun from the impending danger, I lunged towards him, but it was too late. The house erupted into a blazing inferno, the flames consuming everything in their path with a deafening roar that echoed through the night. The force of the explosion sent me hurtling through the air, my body colliding with the unforgiving pavement of the street below. The impact was jarring, my head slamming against the cold, hard surface, leaving me dazed and disoriented in the chaos that unfolded around me.

As I endeavored to rise from the ground, my head was spinning, and the blaring sirens of police cars and firetrucks pierced through the chaos. The scene before me was a flurry of activity, with police officers and firefighters scrambling to contain the situation and quell the raging flames. Struggling to my feet, I made my way to a nearby fence, my eyes fixed on the engulfed remains of the house that stood before me. The sight was enough to send a shiver down my spine, a sinking feeling settling in the pit of my stomach as tears streamed down my cheeks. In that moment, the only thought consuming my mind was Jun. Terrified at the mere thought of him being trapped inside, I pushed forward, my determination fueled by the memories of his kindness and unwavering care.

Jun, whose compassionate presence had been a beacon of hope during my darkest hours, flashed before my eyes. I vividly recalled the days when he would change my bandages with gentle care, his comforting presence a constant source of solace during the long months of my hospital stay. He had tirelessly searched for me, never giving up on the search to find me amidst the turmoil. I braved the path towards the burning wreckage, his name echoed in my mind like a whispered prayer. Jun couldn't be gone. Not after everything he had done for me. With each step closer to the flames, my resolve solidified, driven by a desperate hope that I would find him safe amidst the chaos. His unwavering determination to find me, to rescue me, was a testament to the depth of his love and devotion. But amidst the chaos and confusion, my heart couldn't help but ache for Risha, a young soul left vulnerable in the wake of this tragedy. What will become of her now, alone in the aftermath.

"Jun! Jun! Jun Please!" My voice echoed with desperation and fear as the firefighters forcibly pulled me away from the engulfed house. The air was thick with smoke, choking me with a mixture of horror and guilt. Every fiber of my being yearned to break free, to rush back into the flames, to save him from the inferno that threatened to consume everything it touches.

"He's still inside! Please save him, please!" I implored, my words a fervent prayer to the universe, willing the firefighters to act swiftly and decisively. As they lifted me onto a gurney, the cool touch of the metal contrasting sharply with the searing heat of the blaze. The paramedics hovered around me, their expressions a mix of concern and urgency as they assessed my condition in the aftermath of the harrowing ordeal.

"We are doing everything we can," he assured me before dashing back into the inferno to battle the relentless flames. My heart raced with dread as I stood there, helplessly watching the fire's destructive dance.

 The mere thought of his fate sent shivers down my spine. I couldn't bear the idea of losing him. Clinging to a sliver of hope, I refused to accept the reality until I laid eyes on him myself. Every passing second felt like an eternity, filled with a cocktail of fear and desperation that clouded my senses.

Finally, the moment arrived when they started extracting lifeless bodies from the rubble. Each reveal felt like a dagger to my heart, a cruel reminder of the uncertainty that hung in the air. The unknown gnawed at me, amplifying the anguish of not knowing Jun's fate. Every fiber of my being prayed for a miracle, for him to emerge unscathed from the chaos. The wait was excruciating, each passing moment testing the limits of my resilience.