Dean's emotions were tangled, and despite appearing compliant on the outside, the unease within him remained unshaken. He knew deep down that he had reached a point of no return—any resistance would change nothing. Closing his eyes, he followed Dr. Parker's instructions, making a conscious effort to relax. Slowly, he let his body ease into a state of calm, though his mind remained alert, wary of what might come next.Despite his best efforts to quiet his mind, Dean’s thoughts continued to race, a whirlwind of confusion and fear swirling within him. He couldn’t shake the worry that he might accidentally reveal something he shouldn’t, especially about his reborn. The idea of letting such a secret slip, even under hypnosis, terrified him.As time passed, however, his body began to relax. The tension in his muscles eased, his heartbeat slowed, and his consciousness began to fade, slipping into a haze. Just as he thought he was on the verge of total emptiness, the surroundings around him s
"A blessing in itself?" Dean scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain. He clenched his fists, forcing himself not to be provoked by the messenger’s nonchalance. "I think this new identity is too cowardly."The messenger raised an eyebrow. His voice remained calm, but with a trace of something almost dismissive. "Cowardice has its advantages too. Strength isn’t always a virtue."The messenger's words only fueled Dean’s anger further, and he almost blurted out, "Strength at least allows you to protect yourself!" He took a deep breath, forcing himself to suppress the rising fury, before continuing, his voice laced with frustration. "This cowardly identity I have now—any time I face the slightest threat, I’m left with no choice but to swallow my anger and endure. If I keep living like this, what happens if something goes wrong?"The messenger of the afterlife stared at Dean, his gaze revealing an enigmatic emotion, something not easily understood. His voice remained calm, but there was an
Dean shook his head, his movements slow and sluggish. His gaze drifted from the doctor to Shawn. "No... no," he muttered, his voice barely a whisper, devoid of emotion, almost distant as if he were still caught in a haze.Shawn furrowed his brow, clearly unconvinced. He straightened up and fixed his gaze on Dr. Parker, his tone carrying a commanding edge. “Well?”Dr. Parker paused for a moment, not answering immediately. Instead, he gestured for Shawn to step aside with him. “Mr. Hansley, let’s talk outside,” he said briefly, his words laced with an intentional sense of secrecy.The lines on Shawn's face tightened instantly. He glanced at Dean, checking whether he was truly right, before reluctantly following the doctor toward the door. Once they left, the room was left in a heavy silence, broken only by the fading echo of their footsteps and the lingering hum in Dean's ears, a reminder of the chaos he'd just endured.Dean lay in bed, his gaze blankly fixed on the ceiling. His body fe
He tried to piece the images together, but all he could form each time was either an empty void or a thick, suffocating fog. Dean took a deep breath, his fingers gripping the table's edge, trying to steady himself and focus. But the chaotic memories kept flooding in, like an overwhelming tide, submerging him completely.To Shawn, Dean’s efforts at that moment seemed more like a helpless struggle. His gaze was complex, but he ultimately held back from speaking. He thought to himself that perhaps it was best to give Dean some space—let him eat first, and then, when the time was right, they could confront the heavier topics waiting between them.Dean sensed Shawn’s gaze and slowly lifted his head, his eyes locking with Shawn's. A flicker of confusion crossed his mind. Something felt different about Shawn today. In the past, Shawn had always been eager, almost desperate for him to remember everything, willing to push him in any way possible to trigger those lost memories. But today, Shawn
Ben noticed Dean's reaction and flashed a warm smile, extending his hand toward him. "Hello, Dean, I’m Benjamin Winston."Dean’s body stiffened slightly, a wave of unfamiliarity and unease washing over him, making it feel like he could hardly breathe. His eyes instinctively flickered over Ben, but then quickly dropped to the floor as he struggled to figure out how to respond. The memories of the past surged within him, and he couldn’t help but question if he was truly ready to face these people. Though he tried to steady his breathing, a sharp sense of caution kept prickling at him, urging him to be on guard.Shawn seemed to notice Dean’s hesitation, his brow furrowing as his voice dropped to a low, impatient tone. “What are you doing? Throwing a tantrum? You’d better not play games in front of Uncle Ben.”There was an undeniable sense of command in Shawn’s voice that made Dean tense up. He forced himself to suppress the rising disgust and looked between Ben and Shawn, a wave of confu
Dean furrowed his brows, his emotions growing more complex. "Are you really going to talk badly about her in front of her own brother? And not just any brother—her twin, someone who shares the same face as her." He did his best to suppress the anger bubbling up inside him, his voice laced with warning and discontent.Ted shrugged dismissively, continuing without a hint of concern. "This isn't bad-mouthing, it's just the truth as I see it. Even if you two are twins with the same face... wait, no, not the same. Trust me." Ted glanced at Dean, sizing him up, as if comparing him to someone from his past before continuing."She saved the boss once, and from that moment, he saw her as his savior. Then she kept running away and coming back, running away and coming back. It’s so obvious, playing hard to get," Ted said, his tone dripping with mockery. "Totally unlike you. I’ve seen you argue back, resist, even run off through that forest. You still haven’t accepted my boss, and I respect that.
A flicker of hesitation passed through Dean’s eyes. He opened his mouth slightly, then, with a note of quiet hope, he asked, "Is that possible?" His tone carried a subtle yearning, as though even this simple request might bring him a moment of warmth.Shawn fell silent for a moment, like pondering something. Finally, he spoke, his voice laced with an enigmatic tone. "The party tonight, many representatives from various gangs will be attending." There was a mysterious quality to his words as if everything about the evening held connections to some unknown matters.Dean’s hope flared up in an instant upon hearing Shawn’s words, but just as he was about to let a smile form, Shawn’s next sentence hit him like a bucket of cold water, dousing all his expectations. "Unfortunately, neither the Dragon Gang nor the Cobra Gang will be attending. Looks like you won’t be seeing your Damon Greyson or Chen Dankworth after all. What a shame," Shawn said, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of his
He muttered softly to himself, "Yes, Dr. Parker... Dr. Parker." The thought seemed to bring a glimmer of hope, a small shift in his heart. Perhaps Dr. Parker’s hypnosis session could offer him a new kind of change. Maybe, just maybe, this could be the path that would lead him out of this suffocating situation.This treatment was different from the previous one. It wasn’t taking place in his own room, but in a place he had carefully selected. Dean felt a twinge of hesitation; his choice wasn’t driven solely by comfort, instead it was via a more personal motive. He wanted to speak with Dr. Parker, and this place—Shawn’s room—was the most secluded and hidden in his mind. It was the perfect place to have the conversation he had been avoiding.Though this room was usually off-limits to everyone plus Shawn wasn’t here today, Dean had more than enough time to process his thoughts. He wasn’t bound by the usual rules this time; in fact, he felt a hint of selfishness. He knew he needed the quie
As they drove, Dean couldn’t help but guess their destination. Greg wouldn’t have called him out without a reason—there had to be something special planned. But no matter how much he thought about it, Greg remained tight-lipped, offering no clues, and even went so far as to blindfold him.It wasn’t until the car stopped that Greg’s hand gently covered his face, his voice a whisper in his ear. "Don’t rush. When we get there, I’ll let you see."In the darkness, his senses heightened. Greg’s fingertips carried that familiar warmth, and his voice, low and steady, made Dean’s heartbeat quicken ever so slightly.Greg led him forward, his steps steady and unwavering, carrying an unspoken gravity. They passed through a narrow corridor, climbed a few stairs, and then descended several slopes. Throughout it all, Greg never let go of his hand. The warmth of his palm brought a sense of quiet reassurance to Dean."Where exactly are you taking me?" Dean finally couldn’t hold back.Greg chuckled sof
Shawn chuckled softly, his voice low and warm. "There are several orphanages nearby. Today, the children will gather in the hall for a small event. I thought I'd make some food for them. Would you be willing to help?"Dean’s heart jolted at his words.The disappointment he had felt just moments ago was now replaced by a deep sense of shame.It turned out that Shawn hadn’t brought him here for romance or excitement, but for these children.Of course, he would help. Without hesitation, he rolled up his sleeves, revealing the veins running clearly along his forearms, and answered with sincerity, "Of course."In the kitchen, the steam rose, the crackling sound of the fire filled the air, and the scent of food gradually began to drift around them.Shawn took charge of the meat, his knife moving swiftly and decisively, cutting with precision. Dean focused on the vegetables, washing, chopping, and carefully selecting the seasonings, making sure every detail was perfect.At times, they worked
The same deserted island they had once visited together.As the sea breeze swept across the deck, Dean stood at the railing of the cruise ship, watching the familiar island gradually emerge from the horizon. He froze, unable to look away."Do you remember this place?"Chen stood beside him, his tone soft but with a hint of hidden anticipation.Dean turned his head slightly, glancing at the man next to him. Under the night sky, Chen’s profile appeared particularly gentle, but the glint in his eyes held a playful, tender warmth that was uniquely his."Of course I remember," Dean replied with a light laugh. "But... why bring me here?""You'll understand once we set foot on the island," Chen said with a mysterious smile. "Don't worry, it won’t be as chaotic as last time."Dean raised an eyebrow, curiosity growing in his chest.As soon as his feet touched the island, he realized that things had quietly changed.Though the island still retained its untouched, natural beauty, there were now
Dean froze in place."Hey! How could you just leave like that?! What am I supposed to do?!"He tried to shout at Damon, but the man didn’t even look back, vanishing quickly down the slope.Frustrated, Dean stomped his foot. But the snow wasn’t kind enough to let him act on impulse. With a resigned sigh, he steeled himself and began making his way down the mountain, slowly and cautiously.True to form, he ended up falling several times, his backside almost sore from the repeated tumbles. By the time he finally reached the base of the mountain, he was fuming, ready to catch Damon and give him a good scolding.But when he looked up, everything changed.The snow-covered landscape, once barren and untouched, had been transformed into a dreamlike wedding venue.A deep crimson velvet carpet stretched across the white snow, flanked by golden candelabras and pure white roses. Warm light illuminated the scene, casting a soft, sacred glow across the entire place.And standing at the center of it
He had completely forgotten one thing—these four men were not the type to play by the rules!Before the plan even began, they united to scrap it completely."I don’t accept this three-month rotation business. I want to see him every day," Damon said confidently."Me too," Chen agreed without hesitation."Exactly, three months? Are you kidding me? We're not in a long-distance relationship," Shawn scoffed.Greg crossed his arms and added lazily, "And who can guarantee there won’t be any 'accidents' during those three months? If one of us does something to Dean, the other three will be disadvantaged."Dean was speechless, "...???"Weren't you the ones who came up with this plan?And now you're all in agreement to completely scrap it?But reality turned out to be even more absurd than Dean had imagined—Not only did they not rotate, but all four of them stayed.They immediately offloaded all the affairs of their gangs onto their subordinates and stayed by Dean's side every day, without a
But at that moment, his heart felt more at peace than ever before.Once the four of them were settled back in bed, Dean stood by their side, looking at each of them—still battered and bruised. Though they could speak and laugh, their faces were pale, their weakness evident, and it made his heart ache.He let out a soft sigh and was about to find a place to sit and rest for a moment when a familiar set of footsteps echoed from the doorway.Leo and Ted had arrived, followed by Linda and Tara."My dear little brother, are you alright?" Linda walked straight in, her gaze immediately scanning Dean, her eyes filled with concern.Dean flashed her a reassuring smile and shook his head lightly. “I’m fine. They protected me.”Tara’s eyes swept over the room, landing on the four men in bed, and she couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. “I can tell. But you need to eat and rest too.”As she spoke, she pulled out a bowl of porridge from the thermos bag she was holding and handed it to Dean.Dean bli
Dean pressed his lips together, his eyes cast down, a faint, rueful smile tugging at his expression. “I just feel... a little greedy. And... I’m sorry for them.”The Messenger’s fingers lightly tapped on the desk, a sound that felt like both a reminder and an awakening. “Didn’t they say they don’t mind?”Dean fell silent for a moment, then gave a helpless smile. “But I’m supposed to be a decent man.”At his words, the Messenger let out a light chuckle. “Seems like you still don’t understand.”Dean looked up in confusion. “Understand what?”The Messenger’s smile faded, and his gaze grew intense as if he were peering into the depths of Dean’s soul. “Why are they all part of the mafia?”Dean froze, his breath momentarily catching in his chest.He had never truly thought about that question before.Why weren’t they ordinary people? Why weren’t they doctors, lawyers, professors, or even just regular businessmen?Why, of all things, were they in the mafia?Dean opened his mouth, but no word
Chen paused for a moment, then spoke in a low, steady voice. "Shawn wasn’t a coward. He knew the final blow would be the hardest, so he let us take the first hits."Greg picked up where he had left off, his voice calm but carrying a weight of its own. "He even predicted how Ricky would plan things. That’s why he made preparations on our way there."Dean’s pupils constricted slightly, and his mind buzzed with confusion.He remembered the blood, the agonizing screams—the ten shots Greg had taken, the hundred blows Damon had endured, the thousand punches and kicks Chen had absorbed.He even recalled the image of Shawn being dragged behind the motorcycle, the blood and flesh grinding into the pavement, leaving a glaring, gruesome trail.If what they said was true, then what about Shawn?What kind of resolve had he carried to endure all of this?As Dean’s thoughts spiraled into chaos, a cool hand slowly rested on the back of his hand.Dean snapped out of his reverie, looking down in surpri
Chen’s vision was still blurry, but he tried to focus. When he finally saw Dean clearly, a barely perceptible smile curved his lips. His voice was so weak, it was almost like a whispering breeze. “...Are you crying?”Dean sucked in a sharp breath, quickly wiping the moisture from the corner of his eye. He shook his head. “No... not at all...”Chen let out a soft chuckle, a hint of weary affection in his eyes. “You little fool.”Dean’s nose tingled, and he quickly lowered his head to pour water, trying to hide the overwhelming emotions that were about to break free.But just as he was handing the water to Chen, a muffled groan suddenly came from the other bed in the room.Dean’s head snapped around, and sure enough, he saw Damon’s fingers twitch slightly, his brow furrowed.“Damon!” Dean rushed over, his steps quickening. One moment, he was tending to Chen, and the next, he was kneeling at Damon’s bedside, his eyes filled with urgent concern.Damon slowly opened his eyes, his gaze daze