Chapter 16: Abyss!
Nadine’s POV
Russell woke up suddenly, his terrified eyes locking onto mine.}
Without even thinking about the needle still stuck in his hand, he wrapped his arms around me, trembling like he’d just lost something precious he couldn’t get back.
“Nadine… I dreamed you didn’t want me anymore…” His voice barely reached me before fading away. “You can kill me, but please don’t leave me…“}
I stayed quiet.”
Gently, I pushed him away, pressed down on his bleeding hand, and called for a nurse.}
Once the medical team took over, I picked up the bowl of porridge by his bedside and started feeding him.
Relief spread across his face, softening the tension there. His hands twitched, like he wanted to do more but was afraid any wrong move might break this fragile moment. He opened his mouth carefully, savoring each spoonful like it was his last.§
But eventually, the porridge ran out.”
I set the bowl down and met his expectant gaze.}
Taking a steady breath, I finally said the words I’d held back. “Russell, I reported you to the police.”
He didn’t say anything and just looked away.}
I continued, “You’ve done countless dirty things for Fraizer Group–extrajudicial punishments, illegal arms deals… even murder“}
His face drained of color.
“Russell,” I said steadily, “you deserve to die.“}
The room went silent, my words hanging heavy in the air. He didn’t respond.}
He looked frozen, like a man caught in a nightmare.}
Then, a broken smile, full of despair and surrender, spread slowly across his face.”
“Nadine,” his voice was hoarse and defeated. “I told you, you can do whatever you want to me.”)
He searched my eyes, trying to reach inside my soul, and continued, “Nadine, as long as you’re happy.”}
My lips trembled, and my fingers twitched, but I didn’t waver.
I stood up, reclaiming the last scrap of kindness I had left.
I picked up the empty bowl and said, “Russell, this is goodbye.“}
I walked out and quietly closed the door behind me.
The next second, sorrowful cries came through the crack, like a pitiful, abandoned little beast. I don’t even know how to put my feelings into words right now–it’s all tangled up, like a ball of yarn you can’t unwind.}
Honestly, I stopped loving him a long time ago.}
“Want to take a walk?”
A hand with defined knuckles appeared in my view.
I looked up. It was Jacob.
! hooked my arm in his and tugged at the corner of my mouth.
“Sure.”
He led me outside for a casual stroll. Whenever I stopped to admire something, he quietly ensured someone brought it to me.”
I glanced down at my shoes and asked, “Jacob, why do you like me? If you think about it, we don’t have any real connection.“>
He chuckled softly. When I looked up, I found myself caught in his warm eyes.
“Who said we haven’t crossed paths before?“!
He took me to a busy street corner where a beggar sat in the crowd.
“What’s this about?” I asked.”
Jacob squeezed my hand gently, kindness shining in his eyes. “Don’t you remember? Two years ago, right here, you said something to me.“%
I froze.B
I remembered
After my blind date with Russell, I saw a young beggar on the street.!!
I turned to him and looked him directly in the eye. “That was you!“#
He smiled, then replied, “Yeah, that was me. You told me I was young and shouldn’t waste my life begging. You gave me money and said you’d be my investor. You said I should chase my dreams. I listened. I started a business. And now…“%
He didn’t finish, but I knew exactly what he meant.
He had done all of this for me.l
Tears welled in my eyes, and I hugged him tight. “You did it.”
“Yeah,” he said softly, “I did.“}
9:07 AM
He didn’t finish, but I knew exactly what he meant.
He had done all of this for me.
Tears welled in my eyes, and I hugged him tight. “You did it.”M
“Yeah,” he said softly, “I did.“N
At that moment, everything clicked.
e
0
@
That night at the engagement party, when I thought I was meeting him for the first time,”
He had already been fighting and climbing to stand by my side for two years. My smile came straight from the heart for the first time in a long time.N
I opened my mouth to speak when my phone rang.N
It was a strange number.
My heart skipped a beat. I just had a feeling.
I looked at Jacob, who nodded at me.N
I answered and put the call on speaker.N
Russell’s voice came through.N
“Nadine, before I go to prison, spend one last moment with me.”
9:07 AM
