Chapter 77 - chapter 73

"Though there's hope,

Absolute darkness engulfs it all" 0_0

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The wind carries a chill as they sit on the rooftop, Ren holding the girl close. Her body is trembling faintly, but her sobs have quieted.

She avoids his gaze, her face turned away, while hes arms remain wrapped around him.

"I'll take care of you," Ren says softly, his voice tinged with desperation.

"Please... let me care for you. Let me atone for my sins."

She doesn't respond immediately, her silence a wall between them.

"I know I've hurt you," he continues, his grip tightening slightly.

"More than anyone ever should. But I'm begging you, don't give up. Don't let me take everything from you. Let me help you, Please."

Her voice comes at last, barely above a whisper.

"How am I supposed to live with this? How?"

"I don't have all the answers," he admits, his tone raw.

"But I know you shouldn't face this alone. I'll stand by you. I'll give you everything you need—money, work, safety. Just... just don't give up. Think about your family. They need you."

She shakes her head, her lips pressed tightly together.

"You think they'll look at me the same way after this? You think I'll ever look at myself the same way?"

Ren swallows hard, forcing his voice to remain steady.

"I don't know how long it'll take, but you can rebuild. It's not over. It doesn't have to be over. Please, don't let me be the one who ruins your life completely."

Tears well in her eyes, but she blinks them back stubbornly.

"And what about you? You'll just walk away and pretend like you're some savior now?"

"No," he says firmly.

"I won't walk away. I'll be here. I'll take care of you and your family. I'll make sure you're safe. Just... just let me try."

"You can't fix this!" she snaps, her voice rising.

"No amount of money or care will erase what you've done!"

"I know," Ren says, his voice trembling.

"I know. But I have to try. If you die because of me..." He pauses, his tears starting to fall again. "If you die, I won't be able to live with myself."

For a moment, the tension hangs thick in the air, their breathing the only sound. Finally, the girl lowers her head, her hands clenched into fists.

"For them," she whispers, more to herself than to him.

"For my family... I'll live. Even if it hurts, I'll live."

Ren exhales shakily, his grip on her hand tightening.

"Thank you. Thank you so much."

He stands and offers his hand.

"Please... let me help you."

She hesitates, her gaze flickering between his hand and his face. But slowly, she places her trembling hand in his, and he lifts her to her feet.

He fly her to a nearby hotel under the cover of the invisible shield. Ren handles the check-in quietly, his demeanor calm but inwardly calculated.

Once inside the room, she sits on the bed, her posture tense but less broken than before.

"I'll bathe," she says, her voice subdued but steady as she heads to the bathroom.

Ren watches her retreat, his eyes lingering for a moment longer. When the door clicks shut,

his expression shifts entirely.

He exhales heavily and collapses onto the bed.

"Man, what a headache," he mutters under his breath.

"What a goddamn nuisance."

She was ready to jump again. I couldn't let her die, not like that. Not yet. He smirks faintly.

She's too good for that, small, delicate, innocent in a way. And that body... it's something else. Those small breasts, small holes and that soft skin—they've got their own charm.

It felt sooo good that I need to use them again for sure. So I can't let her die just yet.

And why due in the first place. She can do it all with her boyfriend, her husband, but if i do, I ruined her life. Huh, fool with good body.

He taps his fingers against the mattress, his mind wandering.

And this guilt act... it's so exhausting. I had to beg her to stay alive, and for what? Because I wanted to use her again? He chuckles humorlessly.

Maybe... Maybe that's exactly it.

The grin fades slightly, his tone darkening in his mind.

But this can't keep happening. If every girl I'm with turns into a suicidal mess, my life will be chaos. I'll need to get better at managing this. Maybe I should figure out a way to make them stay quiet... compliant. Without all this drama.

The bathroom door opens, interrupting his thoughts. She steps out, a towel wrapped around her, her damp hair clinging to her neck. Her face is pale, but her eyes hold a faint glimmer of determination.

Ren sits up, forcing a faint smile.

"Feeling better?"

She doesn't answer, simply nodding as she moves to the side of the room.

Later, as they prepare to leave, Ren creates the shield once more, the shimmering barrier hiding them from view as they soar into the night sky.

"What's your name?" Ren asks, his voice soft as the wind rushes around them.

She hesitates before replying, "Maya."

"Maya," he repeats, nodding.

"Let me transfer you some money."

"I don't need your money," she says, her tone sharp.

"Please," Ren insists.

"Please don't refuse. Let me atone for what I've done. I need to help you, Maya. Please help me at least try to make this right."

After a long pause, she sighs. "Okay," she says quietly.

They land outside her home, the small building casting long shadows. Ren steps back, his face a picture of regret and concern, for her to see only.

"I'm leaving," he says gently.

"But please, don't die. I don't want you to die, Maya. Live for your family. Please,"

She doesn't answer, simply turning and walking to the door. Ren watches her retreat, his smile fading into something colder.

As she disappears inside, he smirks faintly, his thoughts already drifting toward his next move.

"On to the next," he mutters, stepping into the day with a sense of purpose.