**Runze's POV**
*"You seduced me quite thoroughly that night. Isn't that right?"*
Every eye in the room swings to me.
I'm still on my knees, blood crusted on my lip, ribs screaming, hands pressed against the floor to keep myself upright. Bael just claimed it, claimed the child publicly in front of everyone, and then he said I seduced him.
Like I planned this, like I targeted him deliberately.
This isn't real, this can't be real.
The air feels too thin and I can't get enough of it into my lungs.
"Runze?"
Feifei's voice, so small it barely registers.
No no no, I can't look at her, I can't breathe. The room is spinning and every breath sends pain through my ribs.
"Runze, look at me."
I force my eyes up and immediately wish I hadn't.
Feifei is standing there with tears already streaming down her face, and the look in her eyes is pure devastation. Like her entire world just collapsed.
Because of me.
