The engine humd beneath her, a comforting sound that montarily drowned out the chaotic thoughts racing through her mind. She could feel Ray beside her, his presence a mix of warmth and uncertainty. The silence between them hung heavy, punctuated only by the rhythmic thump of the tires against the pavent.
Glancing sideways, she caught a glimpse of Ray’s face, still marked by shock from the earlier events. His brow was furrowed, and his jaw clenched as he stared out into the night. "You’re sure you’re okay?" he finally asked, his voice laced with concern.
Es took a deep breath, steadying herself as she navigated the winding road. "I’m fine," she assured him, though the words felt like a fragile shield against the storm brewing within her. She was far from fine; the adrenaline from the explosions still coursed through her, a wild rush that both exhilarated and terrified her.
As they drove further away from the destruction, the reality of what she had done began to settle in her mind. The flas still flickered in her mory, a vivid reminder of her resolve. "I just... needed to make sure we were safe," she added, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ray shifted in his seat, casting another worried glance her way. "Safe from what? You can talk to , Es."
For a fleeting mont, she hesitated, weighing her words carefully. How could she explain the depths of her fear, the primal urge to protect him at any cost? The thought of that woman’s hand on him had ignited a fire within her, one that propelled her to act without thinking. "From everything," she finally replied, her grip tightening on the wheel as if to anchor herself. "From anyone who might try to take you away from ."
Ray’s expression softened, but the confusion lingered in his eyes. "Es, I—"
"No." She interrupted, her voice firm yet tinged with desperation. "Just let drive. I need to get us away from here."
The car sped down the empty road, the night wrapping around them like a dark cloak. In that mont, Es felt both empowered and terrified, the weight of her decisions pressing down on her chest. She was a woman on a mission, one who had crossed a line and was ready to face whatever ca next.
With the cool night air rushing past, she realized that the path ahead was uncertain, but she wouldn’t let fear dictate her choices anymore. She had Ray beside her, and as long as she did, she would fight tooth and nail to protect him—even if it ant embracing the darkness that threatened to consu her.
In front of the burning house, a lone figure stood amidst the flickering orange glow, casting elongated shadows across the ground. His silhouette trembled as he took in the sight of the flas devouring everything he once knew.
Overwheld, he dropped to his knees, his hands gripping the earth beneath him, his body shaking with a grief that turned quickly into rage. Tears slipped down his face, catching the light from the inferno, as he whispered through gritted teeth, "You’ll pay for this."
anwhile, on the other side of the city, Es and Ray returned to their ho. As they stepped inside, they were greeted by Aron brothers . They rushed to them, relief mingled with shock as they noticed Es’s state.
"You’re back!" kai exclaid, hurrying forward to embrace Ray with evident relief. But when his gaze fell on Es, his expression changed. Her face was pale, blood trickled from a wound on her forehead, and her clothes were soaked from the earlier ordeal.
"Es, are you okay?" Ryan asked urgently, concern etched in every line of his face.
Es gave a small, almost dismissive shake of her head, as if brushing off the pain. She nodded faintly, signaling that she would endure, but her focus had already shifted. Ignoring the pain, she walked up to the bodyguards who stood nearby, their faces shadowed with anxiety.
There was an intensity in her eyes, a forcefulness that silenced everyone in the room.
"What task did I assign to you?" she demanded, her voice cold and cutting.
The guards exchanged uneasy glances before one of them, shoulders tense, replied in a stamr, "To... protect the masters."
Es’s gaze sharpened, her voice dropping into a chilling calm. "And what did you do?"
One of the guards moved forward, attempting to explain, but Ray interpted "It’s not their fault. I was the one who said—" But Es raised her hand, silencing him with a single, unwavering gesture.
"I’m not asking about you ," she interrupted. "I’m asking about their failure." Her eyes narrowed as she appraised them, taking in their nervous expressions and trembling forms.
Without breaking eye contact, Es lifted the hem of her pants and pulled out a hidden gun strapped around her ankle. She raised it, aiming at the bodyguards who stared back at her, wide-eyed with shock.
"What are you doing?" Ryan stamred, a mixture of horror and disbelief on his face.
Es’s voice was cold, cutting through the tense silence. "I’ll ask one more ti: what did I ask you to do?"
The bodyguards fell to their knees, their faces twisted with fear and remorse. "Please... forgive us," one of them begged, voice quivering. "It was our neglect. We’re sorry. It was our neglect."
Es watched them, expression unreadable, before moving to the sofa and crossing her legs with a calculated ease. She tilted her head slightly, assessing them. "I’ll give you one choice," she announced, her tone laced with nace. "Either you co forward willingly, or I’ll eliminate each one of you until I find the one responsible."
The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of her words sinking in. Just then, Helga appeared from behind, a thick file clutched in her hand. She tossed it onto the table in front of Es with a thud.
"Found it," Helga declared, her voice carrying a grim satisfaction.
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