Chapter 39%
Not long after Ethan left, the door creaked open again. Leo stepped inside, his face pale and drawn, eyes dark with something I could not place.
Guilt? Fear? Or something more terrible than either of those?>>
He approached me, his hands trembling as he reached for my ankles. The memory of him in a drunken rage, trying to force himself on me, flashed through my mind, and I kicked out with what little strength I had left.
“Leo, you bastard!” I screamed, my voice shrill and broken.
But Leo only flinched, his fingers working frantically at the shackles instead of grabbing me. And then… he took out keys from his pocket.
I stared at him, wide–eyed and uncomprehending. “What… What are you doing?“}
“I’m letting you go.” His voice cracked with emotion, his eyes glistening as if holding back tears. “I was wrong. About everything.“}}
The sincerity in his words stunned me. He looked like a man crumbling under the weight of his own mistakes.
“I didn’t know Ethan had been spying on you for so long. I didn’t realize how far his obsession had gone. He only promised me that we’d be free if we killed the guards and escaped together, but it turns out… he had other plans for you.”
He looked away, his voice thick with shame. “I didn’t know he prepared this room. I’m sorry you had to go through this. I’m sorry I was too blind to see what he truly was. I’m sorry I became his pawn.”}
“Leo…” My voice wavered, caught between disbelief and gratitude.
“After I let you go, run as far as you can,” Leo said, his tone hardening with determination. “I’ll hold Ethan back.”
“No.” I denied, my desperation made me forget how much I hated him. “Leo, Ethan isn’t someone you can fight. Just go with me. We can make it out together.”
Even though Leo had hurt me repeatedly, given me deep trauma, and even deceived me, he was still the person who had filled my life for the past three years.
How could I make him as a pawn to hold back a beast named Ethan.
His gaze met mine, filled with regret, guilt, and a desperation that I had never seen before. “You need to go by yourself, Jocelyn. I… Let me give you the freedom I stole from you.”>
“Leo, please. You’ll die if you stay.“}
He smiled, but it was a hollow, broken thing. “I’m already dead, Jocelyn. I died the moment I betrayed you. Now, at least, I can do something good for once.“}
A tear slipped down his cheek, but he did not bother to wipe it away. He simply turned from my ankle to my wrist.”
“Go, Jocelyn. I’ve sent an SOS message to Ryan through his guards‘ gadget. He should be able to find you. I’ll buy you some time. Understand?“}
I wanted to scream, to protest, but the panic clogging my throat wouldn’t allow it. I could only nod frantically, my eyes stinging with unshed tears.
But then Ethan’s cold, mocking voice sliced through the air. “Leo, what exactly are you doing?“>
Leo spun around, his body shielding me instinctively. His eyes widened, and the color drained from his face. “You… didn’t you clean yourself up?”
Ethan let out a derisive snort, his expression twisted with madness. His clothes were still smeared with blood, and his hand gripped a knife with an ease that made my stomach lurch.
“Fool.” He prowled closer, his eyes gleaming with sick amusement.
Leo’s hand trembled as he raised his gun, his entire body taut like a coiled spring. “If you come any closer, I’ll kill you.“}
Ethan laughed a deep, booming sound that rattled my bones. “Kill me? You can’t even keep your hands steady. Besides, we both know you’re nothing without me. Everything you are, everything you own, it’s all because of me.”}]
“I can do it.” Leo’s voice was strained, yet filled with a desperation I had never heard before. “I’ve killed so many people following your orders. I never knew you were just using me, turning murder into your sick little game. People like you… people like you should die!”
He pulled the trigger, and the gunshot roared through the air. Ethan’s body jerked violently as the bullet hit his chest, sending him crashing back against the wall. Blood splattered the wallpaper like a grotesque piece of art.
A strangled scream ripped from my throat, and Leo quickly turned back to me, his face pale and slick with sweat. “Lucy, calm yourself. You need to leave now. There’s no more time.”
But his hands continued to tremble, making his attempt to free me a clumsy struggle. The key was still partially inserted into the lock on my right wrist, but not fully turned. My legs were free, but I was still bound to the bed.
“Leo….”
Before I could continue, the knife drove into Leo’s back with merciless force.
“Smartass. Remember, everything you have came from me. Of course that bullet can’t kill me easily!” Ethan hissed, his voice a vicious growl.
It turned out Ethan had prepared himself before and just pretended to die.}}
“Leo, no!” I shrieked, my voice shattering under the weight of my own terror.”
Wanted Her Sol Left
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But Ethan’s rage was unrelenting. His eyes were manic, his twisted smile broadening as he yanked the knife out only to plunge it back into Leo’s body, over and over.
Leo’s body jerked with every brutal stab, but somehow, he remained standing, his arms stretched protectively over me.
“Go, get away from my woman!” Ethan’s scream was primal, deranged, his fury echoing off the walls.
Leo’s mouth parted, blood trickling from his lips, but his gaze stayed locked on me, not Ethan. His eyes softened, filled with a sadness and devotion I never thought he was capable of.
“You’re still… like your old self, Lucy.” His voice was a broken rasp, every word labored, but still laced with sincerity. “Always… crying when you see me hurt. At least… I feel calm knowing… you still care.”
He forced a smile through the agony contorting his face. “I was a fool… a selfish bastard. I hurt you… again and again… all because of my own ego. From now on… live happily. Be Jocelyn… forget Lucy, the one I hurt… over and over.”
