The moment those words left Ivy's mouth, panic flooded Arnold's chest like icy water.
His breath turned shallow as memories surfaced, Cain's cold warning echoing clearly in his head.
'If I go back to the Black Vultures and get kicked out of the base, I'm dead.'
The thought made his knees weaken.
Without thinking, Arnold dropped to the ground in front of Martha.
He began slapping himself, the sharp sounds drawing gasps from the crowd.
"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I love you too much, Martha. That's why I tried to demand more for you. I got greedy. I let my love blind me."
His voice cracked as desperation spilled out.
"I swear, from now on, I won't interfere in your matters. Even if you're suffering, I'll turn a blind eye. I won't cross the line again."
A strange silence followed.
People stared at Arnold with expressions that slowly twisted into disbelief.
Finally, someone in the crowd shook their head, a dry scoff escaping them.
