Emma suddenly loses her balance and collapses to the floor.
Even after everything that had happened, her mind refuses to become quiet.
The memories keep replaying in her head—one after another, like a nightmare she cannot wake up from.
She feels as though everyone has moved forward...
while she has been left behind.
Alone.
Trapped inside a dark room where there is no light, no warmth, and no one reaching out to her.
And somewhere in that darkness, she can feel Zoya's hand slowly slipping away from hers.
"Zoya..."
Emma suddenly gasps.
Her eyes snap open.
She wakes up with a terrified scream, sitting upright as if she has just been pulled out of a nightmare.
But before anyone can even understand what is happening, blood suddenly comes from her mouth.
"Emma!"
Haiku, Kuro, and the others immediately rush toward her.
Their faces fill with fear.
This wasn't just sadness anymore.
Emma's condition was getting worse.
And if it continued like this, it could become dangerous for her life.
But Emma doesn't seem to notice any of them.
She is crying.
Not quietly.
Not the kind of crying that stops after a few tears.
Her tears keep falling, one after another, as if everything she had been holding inside for so long has finally broken apart.
"It's all because of me..."
Her voice trembles.
"Everything... everything happened because of me."
She looks down, unable to stop crying.
"I wish... I wish I could go back."
Her voice breaks.
"Haiku... you said we'd all stay together, didn't you? You said we'd make cakes together..."
She gives a broken little laugh that quickly turns into another sob.
"But what are you going to say now?"
Her eyes become empty.
"So many people have already left this family..."
She takes a shaky breath.
"And now she's gone too."
Emma looks toward the others.
"She was the reason this family
smiled."
A tear rolls down her cheek.
"She was the reason this place still felt like a family."
Her voice becomes quieter.
"Now it feels like... when she left, she took all our happiness with her."
No one says a word.
There is simply nothing they can say.
Emma lowers her head.
"Haiku... it's all my fault."
Her voice is barely audible.
"If only... I hadn't listened to you that day..."
Haiku clenches his fists.
He wants to say something.
Anything.
But seeing Emma like this leaves him completely speechless.
After a long silence, Emma finally speaks.
"The gang will disband."
Everyone looks at him.
"But not yet."
His expression turns cold.
"Not until we find the person responsible for what happened to Zoya."
He pauses.
"And one more thing..."
Emma looks at everyone.
"We had a rule from the beginning, didn't we? We wouldn't kill anyone."
His voice is firm.
"I'm removing that rule now."
Everyone becomes silent.
"But don't misunderstand me."
His eyes become serious.
"If the person you're after is innocent... and you hurt them even slightly..."
She pauses.
"Then I will be the one standing against you."
Before anyone can respond, doctors enter the room.
"We need to speak with Emma alone," one of them says. "Could everyone else please wait outside?"
Haiku nods.
"Yeah. No problem."
Everyone slowly leaves the room.
The door closes.
The doctor walks over to Emma and sits beside her.
"Emma... I'm going to be honest with you."
Emma doesn't look up.
"If this continues... if your condition gets worse..."
The doctor takes a breath.
"We may not be able to guarantee that you'll be okay."
Emma remains silent.
"We can't promise you anything right now. And you're not even taking your medicines on time."
Emma finally looks at her.
A tired smile appears on her face.
"What difference does it make?"
The doctor looks at her carefully.
Emma's voice becomes painfully quiet.
"If everything is already gone... then who am I supposed to get better for?"
She looks away.
"There isn't really anyone left in my family."
Her eyes fill with tears again.
"And the people I thought were my family..."
She pauses.
"They can't even live peacefully because of me."
The doctor gently says,
"Emma, don't think only emotionally.
Try to think practically for a moment."
Emma lets out a small, exhausted breath.
"For me..."
She looks at the ceiling.
"Right now, there is nothing practical."
A pause.
"And nothing emotional either."
She wipes her tears.
"Can I get discharged?"
The doctor looks surprised.
"I want to go home."
Emma's voice becomes softer.
"I don't even remember how long it's been since I've been there."
After a moment, the doctor nods.
"Yes."
That evening, Emma and the others are finally discharged.
Outside the hospital, Haiku looks at everyone.
"How are we supposed to get home?"
He looks down at himself.
"I can barely move properly. I'm definitely not in a condition to ride a bike."
Everyone looks at one another.
Just then, members of Tamayo's team approach them.
"We're here."
Tamayo's squad members smiles.
"Don't worry. We'll take you safely to your homes."
Haiku immediately shakes his head.
"No."
Everyone looks at him.
"Emma and I are going together."
He pauses.
"I have some work to do anyway. And we need to make some plans... about how we're going to deal with our enemies."
Tamayo looks at him.
"Don't go alone."
Then she adds,
"Take my brother with you."
Haiku freezes.
Inside his head, he groans.
Great. The third wheeler has arrived in the our love story.
He glances at Obhi.
Now how am I supposed to get even a little time alone with Emma?
This guy is like a fly that finds tea no matter where you hide it.
Just then, Obhi walks toward Emma.
Haiku immediately steps between them and gives Obhi a small push.
"Go ride the bike."
Obhi looks at him.
Haiku narrows his eyes.
"And don't stick so close to her."
Monster watches the scene from the side.
My life is already a disaster.
He looks at Haiku.
And now this poor guy's going to lose his mind because of him too.
Suddenly, Angel looks at Monster.
"How is he supposed to get home with that broken leg?"
Monster looks at her.
Angel continues,
"He wasn't even in the best state of mind before this happened. He's not going to recover quickly."
She points toward Haiku.
"Take him."
Monster stares at her.
"You seriously want me to carry him?"
Angel sighs.
"Stop making everything complicated. Come on. Sit behind me."
Monster blinks.
God...
Since when did you become this nice?
Soon, they arrive at Emma's apartment.
Everyone becomes quiet.
Obhi is about to walk toward Emma when she suddenly raises her hand, silently telling him to stop.
Then she points toward Haiku.
Haiku immediately notices.
"What?"
He looks around.
"Who is it?"
Then he asks,
"How do you even know?"
Emma whispers,
"Idiot... come here."
She points toward the door.
"I always pin the door when I leave, right?"
Haiku looks at the lock.
Emma's expression becomes serious.
"This time... the pin isn't there."
Haiku's eyes widen.
He looks down.
There, lying on the floor...
is the broken pin.
For a moment, nobody moves.
Emma whispers,
"Someone's inside."
Her fingers tighten around the gun she is holding.
Then she looks at everyone.
"Please..."
Her voice is exhausted.
"Don't tell me you all came here to make me laugh even in this situation."
Haiku gives her a serious look.
"We're idiots, yes."
He pauses.
"But we don't have enough free time to joke around right now."
His expression hardens.
"And we can clearly see what condition you're in."
Emma exhales slowly.
"Honestly..."
She looks toward the door.
"I don't even have the strength to fight right now."
Then she reaches for the gun at her side.
Haiku's eyes widen.
"You're actually going to shoot?"
Emma gives him a tired glare.
"What else?"
She raises an eyebrow.
"What else? Am I supposed to perform a prayer ceremony for them?"
Haiku stares at her.
"Seriously? Even now you're making stupid jokes?"
Emma doesn't answer.
She simply keeps her eyes fixed on the door.
Then the scene shifts to the other side.
Inside the apartment...
the unknown people are holding guns too.
The tension rises.
Emma slowly reaches for the door.
Her hand touches the handle.
Everyone holds their breath.
She opens the gate.
For one second...
nothing happens.
Complete silence.
And then—
BANG!
The sound of a gunshot tears through the silence.
Author's Note ❤️✨
First of all, I'm really sorry this chapter came a little late! 🥹🙏❤️
I've been caught up with studies lately, and honestly, my health wasn't cooperating with me either. 😭📚 So things got a little hectic, but thankfully, I'm finally feeling better now! 🫶✨
And yes… I know I made this chapter WAY too emotional. 😭💔
Emma really went through a lot in this one, and that ending… 👀🔫
But don't worry, I'm not going to spoil anything! 😂
You'll have to wait for the next chapter to find out what happens after that BANG! 💥👀
Thank you so much for being patient with me and still reading my story. ❤️🥹
Your support genuinely means a lot to me! 🫶✨
Now go read the chapter and tell me…
WHO DO YOU THINK FIRED THAT SHOT?! 👀💥
See you in the next chapter! ❤️✨
____ NIGHT