Chapter 31 As the dinner talk progressed, my gaze was drawn to Ray Austin, a seemingly older man among the younger pack members. His tone was restrained, and his look, with his nerdy glasses and handlebar beard, gave off an aura of mystery. Something felt odd about him, and his piercing gaze made me uneasy even when he wasn't gazing directly at me. Ray's intriguing nature seemed to meet the description of the ideal villain.Ray Austin, who appeared to be in his 40s when the majority of them appeared to be in their 20s and 30s.Amara's remark about the misplaced ring jolted me back to the present."She lost her ring?" Amara's words took me back in time."A wedding ring?" Ruth was curious. Everyone's interest was sparked when I mentioned my wedding band."Yes, it could be somewhere in my room," I said."I'm curious how Xavier proposed to you," Jerry joked, and I couldn't help but wonder how much they were aware of our unusual arrangement."It was a surprise wedding for us; Xavier didn'

Chapter 33 My heart was torn between compassion for the injured girl and the desperate impulse to flee. My mind was a minefield of opposing emotions, torn between the want to assist her and the fear of being discovered.The girl's wounded gaze locked with me, imploring for help. My conscience nudges me, reminding me of the sympathy I'd always had for those in need. I knew leaving her behind would haunt me for the rest of my life, but staying meant jeopardizing my freedom and unearthing the truth that had escaped me.I took a cautious step nearer, drawn to her frantic expression. The drops of blood left a bleak trail behind her, signifying the suffering she had undergone. Each drop echoed in the silence of the wilderness, a terrifying reminder of the decisions I had to make.My heart was racing as I fought my inner demons. I wanted to reach out to her and help her, but I couldn't afford to lose myself in the depths of her anguish. I had to find my way back to the world where I truly be

Chapter 35 "Hey! Return here, you bi***." A vicious 40-year-old man with a terrible little eye chased me down the street as I was 14 years old.My pulse hammered in my chest as I dashed through the tiny, bustling streets, anxious to get away from the horrible man who was after me. He yelled obscenities and accusations, attracting the attention of onlookers and making my situation even more difficult."Thief!! Capture her! She's a thief!" The man screamed and alerted others to make his capture easier.Despite my soiled clothing, parched lips, and a frail frame, the man showed no mercy. His attention was totally on the stolen half-piece of bread in my grip. Hunger had pushed me to steal, yet he was more concerned with his stuff than with my terrible hunger."Thief!! Take her down! She's a liar!" The man yelled and alerted others to aid in his capture.I moved through the crowd, pushing people aside to make a path, but the unyielding man refused to let me go. His gaze was fixed on me, in

Chapter 37 Sansa's Pov Hina returned her neck to its usual position and approached me with the grace of a fox on the prowl. I caught my breath, recalling the deep scar she had left on my wrist, a terrible memory that I kept hidden from others' prying eyes.I had acquired a habit of being silent and steadfast in the face of violent storms, refusing to be swayed by the anxieties that gnawed at me. Acting strong in whatever scenario, no matter how terrified I was, had always been my fortress."You must have come to meet her," her honey-sweet voice resonated in the air.She encircled me as if exploring the depths of my personality. Though outwardly small, the strength she possessed within herself was unrivaled; she was an enigma.My hand moved slowly toward my jeans pocket, where I kept the revolver. I was about to draw it when she grabbed my wrist and easily stopped my movement as she stood on the bed to face me."There's no need to do that; it might frighten her," she remarked cryptica

Chapter 39 My hunger fled as I sat at the dinner table, surrounded by people who treated me with compassion and respect. Guilt gnawed at me for questioning their motives. I fought my thoughts and feelings in silence, attempting to maintain the appearance of contentment.The chilly night air toyed with my hair as I stood outside, wrapped in a large brown coat, under the moonlight. My panic attack was taking hold, making it difficult to breathe even on the broad grass. I tried to divert my attention away from the overwhelming emotions, but the heaviness in my chest remained.Amara approached me softly, sensing my pain. "Already missing Xavier?" she inquired softly.I suppressed a shaky chuckle, tired of pretending to like Xavier."Craving for your favorite person can drive you to the brink of madness," Amara said."I'm wondering if he's still as crazy about me as he used to be." Logan was in my thoughts.Amara put it nicely, "So why not? Love is the most powerful emotion in the world."