XXXXVI. FACE ME COWARD!

The sound of gunshots suddenly stopped, and I saw him lying on the floor, bleeding. I slowly lifted my gaze and saw Antonio, his brow furrowed, as he quickly approached me and helped me stand.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt? Did you get hit?" he asked with deep concern, but after everything that had happened, I could only shake my head in response.

He sighed in relief at my answer, but my attention was drawn to the wound on his lip. "What happened to that?"

"It's nothing. Come on, it looks like Amy isn't here—only her men were left behind," Antonio replied.

He supported me as we walked, but when I suddenly remembered where my father was being kept, I immediately ran to the room. The moment I opened the door, I was met with the sight of Mirasol, covered in blood, supported by Uncle Luis.

Without a second thought, I rushed to her and embraced her tightly, my tears falling uncontrollably. I couldn't understand it—it felt like the heavens and earth had crashed down on me.

"What did they do to you, Aunt Mirasol?" My voice trembled as I struggled to form the words, staring at her. She had no strength left, barely conscious.

When she tried to open her mouth, I froze, and my entire world crumbled.

That wretched Amy had cut out Mirasol's tongue.

Fury burned inside me, my fists clenching so tightly they trembled. My vision blurred with rage as my mind raced with thoughts of how I would make Amy pay for this.

"I'm so sorry, Aunt Mirasol. I failed you. I came too late," I whispered, my voice breaking.

She shook her head weakly, her eyes fluttering shut, yet she still reached out to touch my cheek. I held her hand, sobbing uncontrollably.

Uncle Luis placed a hand on my shoulder before speaking.

"I've called my men, and an ambulance is on its way for her. But you need to see this."

Carefully, I let go of Aunt Mirasol and turned to him. He handed me a bloodstained piece of paper with an address written on it.

"I found this in her mouth."

Amy, you're going to pay for this.

"What's the plan now, Kaesu?" Antonio's voice broke through my thoughts. I clenched the paper in my fist, my rage surging once more.

"We give her what she wants—blood for blood, life for life."

Uncle Luis exhaled deeply, and as we heard the ambulance sirens outside, I bid Aunt Mirasol a silent farewell. I saw several men running toward Uncle Luis, awaiting his orders. They nodded before moving into action.

Without wasting another second, Uncle Luis and I left, heading straight to the address on the paper. The entire car ride, my mind was a whirlwind of anger and worry. Amy had already taken so much from me, and now she was after my father.

When we arrived, a secluded, abandoned storage room loomed before us. We wasted no time and went inside.

"AMY, COME OUT, YOU COWARD! FACE ME!" I shouted, my voice filled with rage.

Uncle Luis and Antonio immediately became alert, scanning the surroundings. I did the same.

"Show me how brave you really are!" I challenged again.

Moments later, the lights flickered on, revealing my father, hanging from the ceiling, his hands bound. The sight of him made my heart clench in pain. He looked so weak, so broken. It felt like my soul was being crushed.

"I'm impressed by your courage. I thought you'd let your father die, just like how you let your grandfather die" a woman's voice echoed.

We turned and saw Amy standing there. The sight of her smug face made my blood boil.

"You're a monster!" Uncle Luis snarled, pointing his gun at her.

"Welcome back, Luis," Amy taunted.

"Hand over Ace to us, and we'll walk away without bloodshed," Uncle Luis demanded.

"If there's going to be bloodshed, it'll be yours," another voice interjected.

Our eyes darted to the second woman who spoke—Nadia.

Shock rippled through me. Why was she here? Were they working together?

Amy's men emerged from the shadows and attacked. Uncle Luis and Antonio fought them off, but when they ran out of bullets, they resorted to hand-to-hand combat. Meanwhile, I made my way toward Amy and Nadia.

"How about you fight fair for once?" I taunted.

With a smirk, they tossed their guns aside. Nadia lunged at me, but I dodged, my gaze locked onto Amy, who was still grinning.

I charged at her, but she evaded my attack. I managed to land a few punches before Nadia kicked me hard, sending me to the ground. The two of them ganged up on me, mercilessly beating me down.

Blood trickled from my lips as I struggled to stay upright, my breath coming in ragged gasps. Every inch of my body screamed in agony—deep gashes on my arms, a throbbing wound on my side, and bruises forming where their attacks had landed. I was losing too much blood.

But I couldn't stop. Not while Amy and Nadia were still standing.

Amy grinned as she twirled her knife, her movements casual, confident. She was enjoying this. "Look at you, Kaesu. Barely holding on."

Nadia, silent and precise, flicked her wrist, her dagger glinting under the dim light. She was waiting for the right moment, ready to end it.

I tightened my grip on my own blade, my fingers slick with blood. I couldn't win against the two of them like this—not with my body failing me. But if I could take one of them down first…

I forced a smirk, ignoring the dizziness creeping into my vision. "Still standing, though."

Amy lunged first, fast as lightning. I barely managed to sidestep, but pain flared through my ribs, slowing me down. Before I could react, Nadia was already behind me. 

I felt the sharp sting before I saw her move. 

The dagger plunged into my shoulder.