Chapter 4Blood Vows and Broken Ribs

Damian's pupils contracted sharply.

He charged toward the screen but was stopped by the electric net I'd set up in advance.

Current surged through his body. He let out a pained grunt and collapsed heavily to the floor.

"Kira!"

He struggled to lift his head, eyes bloodshot.

"Let her go! Come after me!"

I walked over and crouched down, looking down at him.

"Come after you?"

I placed my foot on the leg that had once carried him through hell for me, slowly grinding down.

"Do you deserve that?"

On screen, the man in black ran his scalpel slowly across Violet's pretty face.

No blood yet.

But more cruel than bloodshed.

With the blade's tip, he peeled away the tissue of her face, layer by layer.

Violet convulsed in agony, blood streaming down her face, her eyes full of pleading.

Damian's eyes nearly split with rage.

"Stop! I said stop!"

He threw himself against the electric net repeatedly, even as the current charred his body, refusing to quit.

"Kira, I'm begging you. Let her go. She's carrying... my child."

My movements stopped.

My foot on his leg froze.

Child.

He said child.

Three years ago, I'd also carried a child.

Our child.

Seven months along, already kicking my belly.

Damian used to press his ear to my stomach every day, listening to the movements inside, grinning like a fool.

He'd said that once the baby was born, he'd leave everything behind. Our family of three would go somewhere no one knew us and live the most ordinary life.

But later, to save him, I'd rushed into gunfire with my swollen belly.

The child was lost.

A boy. When he was induced, his body was still warm.

From that day on, I could never conceive again.

The doctor said my body was too damaged. I'd never be a mother in this lifetime.

I'd buried this secret deep in my heart, never telling him.

I was afraid he'd grieve, blame himself.

But now, he had a child with another woman.

I looked at him, at his pleading eyes, and suddenly laughed.

Laughed until tears streamed down my face.

"A child? Damian, do you remember? We once had a child too."

The color drained from his face. His lips trembled, unable to form words.

On screen, Violet seemed to hear our conversation.

She gathered all her strength, spat out the gag, and screamed hoarsely.

"Damian! Save me! Save our child! Kill this crazy bitch! She's just jealous! Jealous that I'm carrying your child while she can't have any!"

Her words stabbed into my heart.

I slowly stood and walked to the screen.

Looking at Violet's blood-streaked face, I gave her a gentle smile.

"You're right. I am jealous."

I picked up the remote and pressed another button.

The man in black put away the scalpel and produced a syringe filled with clear liquid.

"This is my latest formula. No side effects."

"It just makes people expel all the dirty things from their bellies. Nice and clean."

Damian's eyes went wide, filled with bloodshot veins.

"No! Kira! Don't!"

He lunged at the electric net like a madman, letting the deadly current tear through him.

"I was wrong! Kira! I was really wrong!"

"I'll do anything you want! Please! Don't touch the child! That's my flesh and blood!"

I watched him writhe in pain, and the last trace of warmth in my heart died.

I picked up the walkie-talkie, my voice cold and emotionless.

"Do it."