Eugene's revelation hit Alex like a freight train. The words echoed in his mind, each syllable carving a wound deeper than the last. It was a truth too heavy to bear. A truth that tore apart the fragile balance of Alex's existence. He stood there, frozen in the darkness, his heart heavy with the weight of the world crashing down upon him.
As night fell, the city around him seemed to mirror his despair. Alex found himself drawn to the fountain, a place of solace where he often sought refuge. But this time, the water's soothing whispers fell on deaf ears. The news gnawed at him, a relentless storm raging within his mind. The pain was unbearable, an agonizing ache that seemed to consume every corner of his being. While Eugene also told him he just found out after he saw how Anne was on that day. But it was a shame Alex lost his past memories due to an accident years ago.
His thoughts became a chaotic swirl, a torrent of guilt and shame. It was as if the universe had painted him the villain in a story he never wished to be a part of. The idea of ending his own life crept into his mind like a poisonous vine, promising an escape from the torment that had taken root. The river beside him whispered its siren song, inviting him to surrender to its cold embrace.
"Why continue?" his mind screamed at him. "Isn't it better to end it all, to erase the pain?"
But amidst the darkness, a figure emerged. Eugene, the bearer of this unbearable truth. He held two cocktails, an offering of solace in the form of liquid oblivion. Alex's trembling hand reached out, taking the glass as if it were a lifeline. The bitter liquid burned its way down his throat, a sharp contrast to the numbness that had begun to envelop his soul.
Eugene's voice cut through the silence, his words a lifeline in the abyss. "What will you do now, Alex?"
The question hung in the air, a challenge to face the harsh reality that had been thrust upon him. Alex's voice wavered as he began to pour out his heart, a torrent of raw emotions and self-loathing. He spoke regrettful of being born a monster, of the darkness that control his every action. The words spilled forth like a floodgate breaking, his anguish and frustration finding a voice at last.
"This cruel nature... the demon inside me," he choked out, his voice cracking. "The only way to end it is to end myself."
Eugene's grip on him tightened, a tangible anchor in the storm. "No, Alex," he said firmly, his voice unwavering. "Ending your life won't bring her mother back. It won't change what's been done. But there's a chance to make amends, to protect Anne and ensure her safety."
Alex's eyes welled with tears, his heart torn between the desire to escape and the responsibility that now loomed before him. "How can I face her?" he whispered, his voice laden with guilt. "She'll hate me. She'll never forgive me."
Eugene's gaze was steady, his conviction unshaken. "You must show her through your actions that you are committed to protecting her. Don't leave her side, no matter what. And remember, Alex, fate has brought you together for a reason. You can't ignore that."
Meanwhile, deep within the shadows, a sinister plan was unfolding. Dark Hole and Winston stood before Chairman Lee, a man of power and wealth, now reduced to a helpless captive. Bound to a chair, his mouth gagged, he was the pawn in a dangerous game orchestrated by Dark Hole. Isabella's father, a man who held influence beyond measure, was now at their mercy.
Dark Hole's intentions were clear. He intended to use Chairman Lee as bait, a means to lure Isabella into their clutches. The old man was Isabella's weakness, her Achilles' heel. And use the lady to capture Anne in their hands, then finally lure Alex into their clutches as a way of threatening him with his only weakness — Anne. Dark Hole's eyes gleamed with the anticipation of the power this leverage would grant them.
"You thought you could align with us and remain untouched, Chairman Lee?" Dark Hole's voice dripped with contempt. "You handed Winston the EternaPass band, an unwitting accomplice to an assassination attempt on Alex."
The gravity of his actions seemed to weigh heavily on Chairman Lee's shoulders. Dark Hole advanced, his eyes drilling into the man before him. "Give me your daughter's number," he demanded, his tone icy.
With trembling hands, Chairman Lee complied, his heart pounding in his chest. Dark Hole dialed Isabella's number, the shrill ringtone slicing through the air like a blade. Isabella's voice trembled on the other end of the line, her fear palpable as Dark Hole informed her of her father's abduction and the ultimatum that hung over them both.
Isabella's world shattered with those words. Her father, her anchor, had been taken. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she clutched her phone, the address flashing before her eyes. Her father's life depended on her actions.
The villa was abandoned in an instant, the screech of tires against asphalt the only farewell it received. Isabella sped through the night, her desperation propelling her forward. She had to save her father, at any cost.
Back in the dark tunnel, Dark Hole's words echoed with chilling finality. Chairman Lee was to be used as leverage, to force Isabella's compliance. The old man's protests fell on deaf ears, his muffled pleas for his daughter's safety ignored. With Winston's help, Dark Hole ensured Chairman Lee's silence, plastering his mouth shut.
Dark Hole's gaze bore into the old man's eyes, his voice dripping with accusation. "Your blindness to the true nature of those you align with has led us to this point. You are reaping what you have sown, Chairman Lee."
As the night deepened, the city remained oblivious to the webs of intrigue and despair that had been woven. Lives hung in the balance, destinies intertwined by a cruel twist of fate. In the midst of darkness, choices were made that would shape the course of lives yet to unfold, and the journey towards redemption or ruin was set into motion.