Kathleen sat motionless beside Samantha’s still, unconscious form, her gaze fixed upon the woman’s face. Every detail—the faint rise and fall of her chest, the soft curve of her features—betrayed nothing of the truth she had just learned. The physicality of the woman in front of her was as real as it had ever been, yet something felt irrevocably wrong. She could feel it in the air, in the way her skin prickled as her fingers brushed against Samantha’s. Kathleen found herself unable to shake the words Takumi and Tomoya had spoken earlier. Each hour that passed since their revelation only deepened the truth she had been unwilling to accept. The once-familiar woman before her, whose soul had been bound to the realms of both time and circumstance, now lay before her as nothing more than an empty shell. Takumi’s careful explanation, Tomoya’s anxious tone, all of it had reverberated in her mind, carving away at the stubborn disbelief that had initially taken root. Despite all the
Kathleen’s ears were filled with the rhythmic pounding of her own footsteps echoing through the sterile, hollow corridors of the hospital. The hallway seemed to stretch endlessly before her, an oppressive tunnel of fluorescent light and pristine walls that only heightened the knot of anxiety twisting in her chest. Her breathing was labored, shallow, as if the very air around her had thickened, and with each passing second, the walls seemed to inch closer. Her eyes locked onto the number of the room she sought, and adrenaline surged as she pushed the door open, her pulse roaring in her ears. But the sight before her stopped her dead in her tracks. The bed was empty. Sheets lay untouched, meticulously arranged as if no one had been there at all. Her heart sank, a leaden weight dragging her spirit into a void of dread. “L-Love?” The word barely escaped her lips, trembling, as she hovered in the doorway, unable to fully step inside. It felt like crossing an invisible threshold
Christian had remained silent since entering the room, his gaze fixed upon Samantha, who lay unconscious on the bed before him. The sight of her in such a state weighed heavily on him, and the presence of Junel, stationed across the room, only added to his unease. Though Junel had regained consciousness, his continued confinement was now inevitable. He had witnessed far more than he should have, and the consequences of his knowledge were not easily dismissed. There was an unspoken understanding among them—his silence was no longer a matter of choice, but of necessity. “So, you’re telling me she just popped out of nowhere when you were…” Christian trailed off, his brow furrowing as his gaze locked onto Tomoya. There was skepticism in his voice, a demand for clarity that felt both accusing and desperate. He needed answers, but the question lingered, hanging between them like a heavy mist. He leaned forward, his posture tense, as though preparing himself for whatever truth—or lie—
Tomoya paused, forcing a grin that didn’t reach his eyes. “Oh? Nothing. I know them—they were just checking in after last night’s earthquake.” The lie came easily, but he felt the weight of it. The truth about the officers’ presence wasn’t something Kathleen needed to know right now. She nodded, seemingly placated, and waved him off. Christian’s voice broke the fragile quiet. “S-So, what do we do with Samantha now?” His question earned him a sharp glare from Kathleen, her frustration evident. “She’ll stay here,” Takumi stated with authority, cutting through the brewing tension. “I’ll take care of her.” Kathleen wanted to argue, her instincts urging her to take Samantha home, but the risks were too great. She bit her lip and reluctantly agreed, knowing it was the safer choice. Takumi’s focus shifted to Junel, who lay apart from the group, shrouded in silence. Moving closer, Takumi leaned in, his tone low and foreboding. “I expect answers when I return,” he warned, his patience
Tomoya’s gaze shifted downward, his thoughts weighed with indecision. He found himself torn over whether to disclose the troubling information about Kim and Kaiser to Junel. Though the knowledge pressed at the edges of his mind, he felt that the moment was not yet ripe for such a revelation. He hesitated, contemplating the strategic advantage this secret could offer should he need to use it against Junel—perhaps for leverage in the future? His eyes then moved to Takumi, unable to read the thoughts behind his cousin's stoic demeanor, though he suspected their minds were converging on the same conclusion. The connection between Junel’s cryptic account, Jess’s warnings about the portal, and the figure of Kaiser seemed to form a damning link. If what they suspected was true, Kaiser could very well be the orchestrator behind the underground syndicates Rener had alluded to. “So, it’s indeed true,” Takumi’s voice, calm but firm, startled Tomoya, compelling him to rise abruptly. “
Theresa's gaze fluttered, her vision gradually clearing as she emerged from the suffocating embrace of darkness and cold. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, a sliver of light pierced through the haze. Tentatively, she extended her fingers, brushing against the chill of the sheets that enveloped the mattress, their scent tinged with the sterile sting of chlorine. A sudden clarity washed over her as the fragments of memory reassembled. She was in the hospital, having accompanied Christian and Kathleen, yet she recalled with unsettling precision the moment she had collapsed—overcome by a vision that had seized her. Gradually, her eyelids fluttered open, revealing a world awash in sterile brightness. The overhead light was sharp and unyielding, forcing her to squint as her eyes adjusted to the glare. Shapes came into focus slowly, and her gaze drifted to the side. There, she noticed Takumi, his movements meticulous as he busied himself arranging a collection of foo
Kathleen exhaled deeply, her fingers pressing into her temples as the weight of the conversation with Christian's mother settled heavily on her shoulders. She had absorbed a barrage of words, all of which she understood at their core. If she were in the mother's shoes, she could hardly fault her for harboring such intense frustration; she might have even felt compelled to strangle her son's reckless, misguided girlfriend. Leaning against the balcony railing, her hand remained pressed to her forehead, trying to calm the storm brewing inside her. "I’m so sorry, love," Christian’s voice broke through her thoughts, and before she could say anything, he enveloped her in a warm embrace from behind. "I’ve already spoken with mom. She’s disappointed, but it’s not directed at you, you know?" Kathleen nodded slowly, a sad smile curling at the edges of her lips. "I know, love. I truly understand her." She paused before tapping his arm that was draped around her waist. "It's my fault, and I
Theresa observed as Takumi meticulously arranged the items he had procured for her—technically through the assistance of his household staff, who had been tasked with purchasing essentials such as clothing and undergarments on her behalf. Before Takumi could place the newly purchased items into the bag—also one of his thoughtful acquisitions—a maid entered the room and seamlessly took over the task, her movements efficient and unassuming. Takumi stepped aside, allowing her to continue, though his presence lingered, offering a subtle reassurance. Theresa sat nearby, her fingers pressing anxiously against the call card hidden in her pocket. She longed to share the truth with Takumi, to tell him everything she had discovered. Yet, each time the words formed in her mind, they dissolved under the weight of uncertainty. How could she articulate the inexplicable? How could she explain that Kaiser and Kim were far more than they appeared to be? The fear of disbelief, or worse, the impli
Kathleen's breath quickened the moment she crossed the threshold. The grand hall, usually bustling with life, stood eerily silent. She moved with such urgency that the maids, preoccupied with their duties, failed to notice her abrupt entrance. Christian's stride followed closely behind, though not quick enough to evade Haneul, who caught up effortlessly. "Sir, they've already left that room," Haneul's voice rang out, almost frantic, breaking the silence. Her words startled Kathleen, prompting her to spin on her heel toward the source of the revelation. "Where are they?!" Kathleen's voice trembled as she darted back to Christian, who now stood poised beside Haneul, his expression tense. "Dr. Andersen is at the pavilion with Tomoya-ssi," Haneul informed them, her hand gesturing toward the hallway leading to the distant structure. "She's woken up again?" Christian voiced the very question swirling in Kathleen's mind, his tone laced with hope and urgency. Kathleen didn’t hesit
"Is she asleep now?" Takumi asked quietly the moment Tomoya stepped out of the room, his voice barely louder than a whisper, as if raising it would disrupt the fragile peace inside.Tomoya nodded, his expression a mixture of weariness and relief. "Yes," he murmured. "She needs to recover her strength. Whatever energy she expended earlier took more of a toll on her body than I anticipated."The memory of Samantha collapsing replayed vividly in Takumi's mind. After their unexpected encounter with her, she had crumpled to the ground, her legs giving out as though the very act of standing had drained her completely. Without hesitation, Takumi had carried her to the spot where Tomoya had been resting earlier, her weight feeling far lighter than it should have.He sighed, his gaze drifting downward to Tomoya’s hand, where traces of blood smeared faintly around the spot where the IV line had been connected earlier."You should take care of that," Takumi said, gesturing toward the barely scab
“Are we finished here?” Takumi inquired, his voice steady but edged with the faintest hint of impatience as Zach’s team regrouped in the center of the grand living area. The soft lighting of the space, coupled with its immaculately curated decor, belied the tension lurking in the atmosphere. Zach straightened, his gaze fixed on the papers in his hands before addressing the room. “The estate is extensive, Takumi. A thorough search would require several days at the very least. That said, based on my team’s preliminary report, no incriminating evidence has been discovered thus far. So far, so good.” He paused, lifting his head to glance around the room with a measured air of authority. “However, this isn’t the end. We retain the right to continue our search, and I assure you, my team will return tomorrow.” He gestured nonchalantly toward Sai and Dryzza, who stood at a slight distance, visibly affected by the opulence of their surroundings despite their best efforts to project an a
"Is everyone prepared?" Tomoya muttered, his voice laced with a quiet intensity, as he observed through the vast window of the house. The gates creaked open, revealing a procession of officers and three faces he knew all too well. He had suspected this visit was imminent since his earlier interaction with Dryzza and Sai. With a sigh of resignation, he couldn't help but flick his imaginary long hair in a dramatic flourish before turning to the five maids standing in wait behind him. "So, how do I look?" he inquired, purposefully inclining his face toward them, eager for their judgment. In unison, they raised their thumbs, a silent affirmation of his presentation. "Totemo ii desu, Tomoya-sama! Hontō ni, onaka ga yokatta hito mitaina kanji desu." ("You look incredibly good, Tomoya-sama! Like a real person with stomach issues.") Kotomi, the youngest of the maids, smiled as she tapped his shoulder. Haneul, around his age, also tapped his other shoulder. "Geunyeo neun ilgga, T
"Zach, how delightfully uninvited you are to be here," Takumi remarked dryly as he stepped out of his car, his gaze narrowing in faint irritation. At the sound of his voice, Zach, Sai, and Dryzza turned to face him, their surprise fleeting but palpable. One of Takumi’s guards quickly approached, taking his car keys with a bow before driving the sleek vehicle through the gates. “New car?” Zach asked, his eyes lingering on the vehicle’s elegant frame until it disappeared into the estate. Takumi allowed a faint smirk to curve his lips. “Yes, La Rose Noire Droptail. A small indulgence.” The mention of the car left Dryzza and Sai visibly stunned. It wasn’t every day someone casually referenced owning the most expensive car in the world. Dryzza, in particular, shifted uncomfortably, almost tempted to shield her own modest vehicle from view. “I sometimes wonder how much you really make as a psychiatrist,” Zach quipped, though his tone carried a knowing edge. He, better than
Theresa observed as Takumi meticulously arranged the items he had procured for her—technically through the assistance of his household staff, who had been tasked with purchasing essentials such as clothing and undergarments on her behalf. Before Takumi could place the newly purchased items into the bag—also one of his thoughtful acquisitions—a maid entered the room and seamlessly took over the task, her movements efficient and unassuming. Takumi stepped aside, allowing her to continue, though his presence lingered, offering a subtle reassurance. Theresa sat nearby, her fingers pressing anxiously against the call card hidden in her pocket. She longed to share the truth with Takumi, to tell him everything she had discovered. Yet, each time the words formed in her mind, they dissolved under the weight of uncertainty. How could she articulate the inexplicable? How could she explain that Kaiser and Kim were far more than they appeared to be? The fear of disbelief, or worse, the impli
Kathleen exhaled deeply, her fingers pressing into her temples as the weight of the conversation with Christian's mother settled heavily on her shoulders. She had absorbed a barrage of words, all of which she understood at their core. If she were in the mother's shoes, she could hardly fault her for harboring such intense frustration; she might have even felt compelled to strangle her son's reckless, misguided girlfriend. Leaning against the balcony railing, her hand remained pressed to her forehead, trying to calm the storm brewing inside her. "I’m so sorry, love," Christian’s voice broke through her thoughts, and before she could say anything, he enveloped her in a warm embrace from behind. "I’ve already spoken with mom. She’s disappointed, but it’s not directed at you, you know?" Kathleen nodded slowly, a sad smile curling at the edges of her lips. "I know, love. I truly understand her." She paused before tapping his arm that was draped around her waist. "It's my fault, and I
Theresa's gaze fluttered, her vision gradually clearing as she emerged from the suffocating embrace of darkness and cold. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, a sliver of light pierced through the haze. Tentatively, she extended her fingers, brushing against the chill of the sheets that enveloped the mattress, their scent tinged with the sterile sting of chlorine. A sudden clarity washed over her as the fragments of memory reassembled. She was in the hospital, having accompanied Christian and Kathleen, yet she recalled with unsettling precision the moment she had collapsed—overcome by a vision that had seized her. Gradually, her eyelids fluttered open, revealing a world awash in sterile brightness. The overhead light was sharp and unyielding, forcing her to squint as her eyes adjusted to the glare. Shapes came into focus slowly, and her gaze drifted to the side. There, she noticed Takumi, his movements meticulous as he busied himself arranging a collection of foo
Tomoya’s gaze shifted downward, his thoughts weighed with indecision. He found himself torn over whether to disclose the troubling information about Kim and Kaiser to Junel. Though the knowledge pressed at the edges of his mind, he felt that the moment was not yet ripe for such a revelation. He hesitated, contemplating the strategic advantage this secret could offer should he need to use it against Junel—perhaps for leverage in the future? His eyes then moved to Takumi, unable to read the thoughts behind his cousin's stoic demeanor, though he suspected their minds were converging on the same conclusion. The connection between Junel’s cryptic account, Jess’s warnings about the portal, and the figure of Kaiser seemed to form a damning link. If what they suspected was true, Kaiser could very well be the orchestrator behind the underground syndicates Rener had alluded to. “So, it’s indeed true,” Takumi’s voice, calm but firm, startled Tomoya, compelling him to rise abruptly. “