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57: Blood and Betrayal

Author: Pann Ludovica
last update Last Updated: 2025-02-17 03:18:14

POV: Ryuu

Nitta’s gaze burned into me. I could feel the weight of my brother’s judgment, every rigid inch of his posture screaming disapproval. He stood beside me, arms crossed, head snapping in my direction.

"So that’s why you didn’t bring her home," he said, his voice devoid of doubt. No questions, just condemnation.

My jaw clenched, but I kept my voice steady, cold.

"There were a lot of reasons, Nitta. But yeah, that was part of it. You saw what happened when she got too close to our world. I won’t let that happen again."

My throat tightened, but I buried it. It was an ugly truth. No matter how much I needed her close, Beatrice wouldn’t return until I’d cleared the path for her. For good.

The men began filtering into the mansion, stepping through the double doors like they owned the place. Once, I had known them. Now, they were strangers—shadows of who they used to be. They moved with arrogant grins, unchecked entitlement. And I wasn’t going to tolerate it. Not here. Not on my gro
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