Chapter 20
Carmen rushed back to the pack house as fast as he could. Sure enough, Evelynne was sitting leisurely on a chair, sipping coffee. When she saw him return, a faint smile curved her lips.
“Carmen, did you miss me?”
Carmen didn’t want to waste words. His gaze was sharp as he asked coldly,
“How did you survive?”
Evelynne knew exactly what he was thinking. She smiled slowly, deliberately.
“Just like Liora said, the Moon Goddess gave me five more days. As long as I complete one task, I get to keep living. Carmen, do you want to know what that task is?”
He wasn’t interested in games. His voice dropped low.
“What about Liora? She should still have a chance to come back, right? No matter what it takes, I’ll do it, as long as Liora can live again.”
Evelynne’s smile faded, replaced by a mocking look.
“Even if it means you die?”
Carmen’s eyes were firm, without hesitation.
“Yes, even if it means I die.”
“Too bad,” Evelynne sneered. “What you have to do is even harder than death. I asked the Moon Goddess. Liora was allowed to stay for five more days because she hated you, because she couldn’t let go. That’s why she couldn’t be reincarnated. But after what you did, she’s given up on you and started a new life. You won’t see her again.”
At her words, Carmen’s long–held restraint shattered. He hadn’t come back to listen to such nonsense. His hands shot out and gripped Evelynne’s throat, his eyes burning with rage ready to explode.
“If all you’re going to say is worthless rubbish, I won’t mind killing you again, Evelynne!”
Evelynne had endured enough torment and died once. She wasn’t afraid of him anymore. Gasping for breath, she laughed arrogantly.
“If you kill me, you’ll never learn how to find Liora!”
With that name mentioned, no matter how angry Carmen was, he had to let go of Evelynne. Evelynne was smug, her face full of mockery directed at him.
“As long as you love me and let me live, I can find the Moon Goddess on the fifth day and make her tell you where Liora is. Carmen, that’s what you have to do.”
Carmen clenched his fists tightly. Loving Evelynne was impossible; he already knew her true intentions and simply couldn’t bring himself to love her anymore. He remained silent. Evelynne, sensing she had hit a nerve, pressed on.
“Even if you don’t love me even if you have to pretend, you have to act like you love me. Only if I survive will you have a chance. You said you’d do anything for Liora, right? Carmen, if you can’t do this, then I’m leaving right now!”
With that, Evelynne turned to leave, but Carmen gritted his teeth and grabbed her wrist fiercely.
She knew her words had worked. At the same time, bitterness and resentment flared within her. Liora was dead, yet Carmen still obsessed over her. Carmen’s voice was low and strained as he held her wrist tightly, as if trying to crush the bone.
“Evelynne…” he choked out the long–forgotten name, suppressing his disgust. Pain and suffocation gripped him, but for Liora’s sake—just to see her again–he endured the discomfort.
Evelynne turned back happily, looping her arm through his and leaning her head against him like they were inseparable.
“Carmen, it’s so good. In the end, it’s just the two of us together.”
Whether intentional or not, the words stoked Carmen’s rage until his palms nearly bled from the strength of his grip. He stared at her, eyes filled with hatred.
“I only ever loved Liora. These five days are for her alone.”
Evelynne smiled and nodded.
