I drove to the nearby park and sat down on a bench.
Closing my eyes, I leaned back and replayed everything in my mind.
Every apology.
Every word I had said.
A strange feeling settled in my chest.
Was I too harsh?
For a moment, it almost felt like I was the one in the wrong.
But why?
Weren't they the ones who hurt me first?
They should be the ones feeling guilty… not me.
They used my kindness.
They enjoyed watching me fall straight into their stupid plan.
They even made bets about me.
And Aries…
What made him think everything would suddenly return to normal just because he said sorry?
He didn't even let me meet my father.
He was always angry at me for a reason I didn't even know.
And when I needed him the most—
He never stood up for me.
I clenched my fists.
No.
I won't let them see my soft side.
Right now, they deserve my cruelty.
But… why does my heart still want to soften?
Tears slipped down my cheeks the entire time I sat there.
Finally, I wiped them away roughly.
Enough.
Thinking about it wouldn't change anything.
I returned to my condo and immediately started training.
Punch after punch.
Kick after kick.
I let all my anger pour out.
For three straight hours, sweat and frustration burned through my body.
By the time I finally stopped, my entire body felt heavy.
Exhausted.
I decided to eat something.
I had just started eating when my phone began buzzing.
I glanced at the screen.
CCTV calling…
I answered.
"Hello, Jay," Cris said from the other side.
"Yes, CCTV," I replied lazily. "Tell me fast. I'm in the middle of something very important right now."
"Let me guess," he said smugly. "You're eating."
I rolled my eyes.
"Good. At least you know. Now tell me why you're disturbing me."
"When are you coming home?" he asked. "Maya is here too. We're waiting for you."
I immediately sat up.
"Wait… what? Ate is there?"
"Yes."
"I'm coming tomorrow," I said quickly. "Right after school."
"Traitor," Cris said dramatically. "You're only coming home because of your ate, not me."
"Stop being dramatic," I said flatly. "First tell me—does she know I'm coming back? Did you tell her?"
"Not yet."
"Good. Don't."
"Why?"
"I want to surprise her."
"Sure, as you say."
"Okay, CCTV. Bye."
"Jay, you—"
Before he could finish, I hung up.
A small smile appeared on my face.
Talking to him always made my heart feel lighter.
But the pain was still there.
Like something inside my chest was slowly burning.
It felt like my heart might explode.
I couldn't sit still anymore.
I grabbed my car keys, my wallet, and my phone.
But I knew danger was still around me.
So before leaving, I prepared myself.
Then I started driving toward Kingsground.
Halfway there—
A car suddenly crashed into mine.
"Shit!"
Smoke began spreading everywhere.
I pushed the car door open and tried to get out.
But then I noticed something strange.
There was another smell mixed with the smoke.
Something sweet.
Something… wrong.
My vision started blurring.
My body felt heavy.
No…
Not again…
My eyes slowly closed.
And everything went black.
When I opened my eyes again, my head was pounding.
I looked around slowly.
A large, dark room.
Cold.
Silent.
I tried to move.
Ropes were tying me to a chair.
I was about to free myself when—
BANG!
The door burst open.
Several boys walked in.
Hockey sticks and metal rods in their hands.
And then I saw him.
Jason.
CCTV had shown me his photo before.
It was definitely him.
He stopped right in front of me.
"How are you, Jay?" he said with a smirk. "Long time, huh?"
I looked at him coldly.
"You're right. Long time."
Then I tilted my head slightly.
"But I was doing perfectly fine before seeing your damn face."
Jason chuckled.
"You're still the same."
His eyes scanned my face slowly.
"But I must say… you've changed a lot. You're even more beautiful now."
"I don't give a fuck about your nonsense," I snapped.
"Why the hell did you kidnap me?"
"Revenge," he replied simply.
His smile turned darker.
"Because of you, I spent more than a year in a hospital bed."
"And I had to deal with the police too."
"I'm not letting you go that easily."
"You deserved it," I said coldly.
"In fact, I think that punishment was too light."
"You should have stayed in the hospital forever."
"Because a rapist like you doesn't deserve to live."
"Ouch," he said mockingly. "That hurt."
"It'll hurt more," I replied calmly, "when I start punching your ugly face."
Jason laughed.
"You really think you can beat all of us?"
He gestured around.
"There are eight of us. And only one of you."
"Think before you speak."
"Don't challenge me, Jason," I said quietly.
"You'll regret it."
He leaned closer.
"No, Jay."
"You're the one who's going to regret it."
His voice dropped into something disgusting.
"First I'm going to fuck you until you can't walk…"
"And then I'll beat you until you beg for mercy."
That was enough.
While he was busy talking, I had already freed myself.
Training has its advantages.
I stood up slowly.
"Let's see who ends up begging."
Before he could react—
BAM!
My fist slammed into his face.
He crashed onto the floor.
Jason stared up at me in shock.
"W–wait… weren't you tied up?"
"Not anymore," I replied calmly.
"Now get up."
"We're not done yet."
The boys surrounded me.
Eight boys.
One girl.
But I wasn't afraid.
I had been waiting for a moment like this.
To see if my training was worth it.
Ten minutes later—
Seven boys were lying on the floor.
Groaning in pain.
Only Jason remained.
I threw another punch, but suddenly—
A knife flashed in his hand.
He lunged at me.
I dodged.
But the blade still sliced across my arm.
Blood started dripping down my skin.
I quickly pulled the knife hidden in my shoe.
With one swift move, I slashed both of his arms.
Jason screamed and collapsed.
Finally surrendering.
But the moment I saw the blood—
My breathing became uneven.
Blood.
Too much blood.
My vision started shaking.
"No… not now…"
Panic flooded through me.
My fingers quickly pressed the emergency button on my watch.
And then—
Everything went black again