XXXXI. Now What?

Several days had passed since my last encounter with Lara, and she hadn't shown herself to me again. At the same time, Canim had been following me around, trying to talk, but I was the one avoiding him.

"Look who we have here. A lowly tramp—in short, a slut. I thought you had gone silent? Why are you still seducing Canim and trying to take him from me?"

I immediately recognized the irritating voice and turned to face her.

"Oh, you're still alive?"

I must have triggered her because she stepped even closer, and I raised an eyebrow at her.

"Care to repeat that?"

I simply shrugged and turned my back on her. But before I could take another step, she yanked my hair hard, making me wince in pain. I turned around and kicked her in the stomach, forcing her to let go. There was no point in pulling her hair in return—I had no interest in stooping to her level.

Once she let go, she attempted to grab me again, but I dodged, though her long nails still managed to scratch me.

"Do you have a screw loose in your brain?" I asked, annoyed.

"And you? How were you even raised to be such a whore? Oh, that's right—you don't have parents."

Without thinking, I punched her straight in the face. Her eyes widened in shock; she hadn't expected me to fight back. She was crossing the line, and she deserved that punch to shut her up.

"You sure are brave for someone who only hides behind Anthony. But where is he now? What a pathetic little insect." She sneered.

I was about to slap her when she caught my hand mid-air.

"Try it, and we'll both end up dead," she said fearlessly.

"You think I'm scared? Don't test me," I shot back.

"You only act tough because you don't know the truth..."

"What do you mean?" I demanded, my patience wearing thin. Whatever was going through this girl's mind, I knew I wouldn't hold back if she kept pushing me.

Before she could answer, a hard object struck the back of my head. My vision spun, and my body lost balance. I collapsed onto the ground, darkness slowly swallowing my consciousness.

I woke up to a throbbing pain in my head and body. Slowly, I opened my eyes and realized I was in an unfamiliar place, my hands and feet tightly bound.

"Oh, look! Our little worm is finally awake."

I recognized Nadia's voice behind me. I tried to sit up, but before I could move, a heavy boot pressed against my back, making me groan in pain.

"Where's all that confidence now?" she whispered in my ear.

Just wait, Nadia. The moment I get free, I swear I won't hold back.

"You really have lost your mind, haven't you?" I spat.

"And so what?" she replied nonchalantly, grabbing my collar and forcing me to my feet. I bit my lower lip, suppressing the pain.

"Do you recognize these people?" she asked, turning me around.

The sight before me made my heart sink. Pain and fury surged through me—I wanted nothing more than to pummel Nadia right then and there.

Hanging unconscious before me was Antonio, his body covered in bruises, his hands bound in cuffs above him. He looked exhausted and in pain.

"You're a demon, Nadia. You'll pay for this," I growled.

"A demon, huh? Maybe. But why did you even have to enter my life? Things were fine before you came along."

As she spoke, I discreetly worked on loosening the ropes binding my wrists. How stupid of her not to tie them tighter. And besides, my grandfather had taught me how to escape from situations like this.

Nadia sauntered over to Canim, who was tied up and sitting silently. I hadn't even noticed him there because my focus was on Antonio.

"How about we play a little game, huh?" Nadia taunted as she walked back toward me, pressing her face close to mine. What was this? Did she have a crush on me or something? Disgusting.

I had reached my limit. Without hesitation, I slammed my forehead against hers, making her stumble back in pain, nearly in tears. Quickly, I freed my feet and ran toward Antonio, untying him from where he was hanging. As soon as I released his hands, his body slumped against me.

"Antonio, please..." I begged, my vision blurring with tears. I saw his eyes flutter open slightly.

Then, Nadia's chilling voice echoed through the room.

"Who will you save, Antonio or Canim?"

Silence filled the space as I saw her raise a gun. My body froze—she was making me choose.

"Put that down," I warned, standing up and lunging at her to stop her. But before I could reach her—

BANG.

The deafening sound of gunshots rang through the air.

I turned just in time to see both Canim and Antonio collapse, their bodies hitting the ground with sickening thuds. My heart clenched in sheer terror, but I rushed to Antonio first, drawn to the warmth of his smile even in his pain.

Tears streamed down my face as I cradled him in my arms, feeling the life slipping from him. His voice was faint but gentle as he spoke.

"I'm grateful to have held you, Kaesu. I never thought it would end like this... but I'm glad it's you holding me one last time."

"Why did it have to come to this? Why couldn't we find another way?" I sobbed.

"It's alright, Kaesu. I know you'll make the right choice. Just promise me one thing—live your life to the fullest and never forget how you got here… and why you made it here."

As his strength faded, I held him tighter, unwilling to let go. In that final embrace, I found comfort in our connection, even as life slipped away from him.

"So, you've made your choice."

Nadia's voice snapped me back to reality. My hands clenched into fists. I gently laid Antonio down before standing up and facing her with a smirk.

"Now what?" I hissed.