When Karen was a child, what she feared most were punishment and the gnawing pain of hunger. It was only much later that she learned—the head of the orphanage took great pleasure whenever Karen knelt and begged before him.
Now, she wasn't afraid. She was sickened.
Whatever method Aaron had used, she couldn't believe he had found out that she was an illegal immigrant. And instead of keeping it a secret, he offered her a deal with the devil.
"What will happen if I choose prison?" Karen asked flatly, without a hint of interest.
Aaron frowned slightly, as if he had already guessed her choice. Nodding in satisfaction, he crossed his arms over his knee again.
"You'll be interrogated, of course. No chance of release. And if the Japanese government can't find your name in their database or records, you'll likely rot in there."
Karen had already expected that. She knew what awaited her if she went to prison.
Aaron added with a deadly smile, "Your passport will be invalid. In short, you won't be able to leave the country."
"You…" Karen whispered in disbelief, realizing how deeply he knew her.
"But if you choose me," Aaron continued, "you won't have to think about anything. As long as you obey every word I say, I promise you'll live in bliss."
Karen knew he was right about that.
If she chose Aaron, she would indeed live in comfort—but she also knew what would be left of her afterward.
Nothing.
Nothing at all.
Not her pride.
Not her future.
Not her plans.
She had decided to stop searching for her real identity. That was why she needed a passport—she intended to leave the country.
She only wanted freedom, a life where she didn't have to think or feel anything anymore. No hunger, no pain, no fear. And just when she thought she could finally have it, Aaron made it impossible.
He offered no path except death.
He held a knife to her throat, forcing her to choose him if she wanted to survive. But Aaron was a fool if he thought Karen would ever choose him.
"I choose prison."
Aaron smiled wide, exactly as he had predicted. But the time for games was over; he had no interest in continuing.
"Choose wisely, Karen. Do you want to spend your youth in prison?"
"Being with you is hell. In prison, at least I won't have to see you there."
"Are you sure? I won't give you a second chance," Aaron warned once more. Karen stayed silent and nodded.
Aaron studied her for a long moment before buttoning his suit jacket and standing up. His gaze turned cold and detached.
"You made your choice. Don't regret it, Miss Leichster."
Karen held her breath as the three men walked away. She exhaled softly when she heard the door close. She didn't look back—she knew Aaron had gone. It didn't take long before she heard the sound of police sirens.
Of course she had expected it. The very second she refused him, the police were ready to come. She didn't know how powerful Aaron truly was, but it was clear he had immense influence. Still, she would not regret her choice.
To her, being with a manipulative, deceitful man like him was hell.
And whatever she chose—either path led to hell. The only difference was the degree.
The door burst open again, this time with loud bangs and shouted commands.
"Hands up!"
"Don't move!"
"Drop your weapons!"
No one could act fast enough—Eji had already neutralized the guards, and Karen raised her hands as pain shot through her wrists.
The officer twisted her arms behind her back, cuffed her tightly, and dragged her out. She saw five police cars with flashing lights outside.
Across the street, she spotted Aaron's black car. He wore sunglasses and rolled down the window just enough to watch her arrest comfortably. His cold smile returned as he waved slowly at her.
A farewell gesture.
Then Aaron rolled the window back up before driving away. He had waited just to witness her arrest—to make sure she regretted her decision.
Unfortunately for him, Karen felt no regret at all.
***
"What's your name?" the officer asked, sitting across from her and typing on his laptop.
"Karen Leichster," she replied calmly, glancing at her hands now free of cuffs.
"ID number?"
"I forgot."
"Your address?"
"Green House Orphanage."
"What were you doing there? Buying weapons? Making fake passports?"
Karen looked up, her expression dull. "I was just taking a walk."
"Your name is in that old man's records—as the owner of a new ID and passport. What's your purpose? Where are you from?"
"I don't even know."
"Don't play games. Your name isn't in our database. Tell me who you really are!"
"I told you—I don't know anything. Just put me in prison. Or give me something to eat, I'm hungry."
The officer slammed the desk, but Karen didn't even flinch. His anger was nothing compared to what the orphanage director once did to her. She had grown immune to pain.
"Don't play games with the police!" he barked. "What's your name?!"
"I told you, I don't know. If I did, why would I be making a new ID?" she repeated.
"You don't even know your own name?! Where are your parents? Who's responsible for you?"
"No one. I have no one."
"You—!" He stood up, glaring at her in disgust.
"Officer, just send me to prison. You're wasting your time—you won't get any answers from me."
From Yaro's office, both he and Aaron watched the interrogation through a monitor. As Karen was led out again, Yaro grabbed the remote, turned off the TV, and glared at Aaron.
"This wasn't our deal. You promised me Niteo if I pretended to arrest Karen. Pretend, Aaron!"
Aaron, sitting casually on the sofa, gave him a sharp look and a crooked smile. "This woman can't be broken the usual way, Yaro. She'd know it was just an act. I need her to actually feel the cold of prison for a few days."
"Then why did you tell me to put her in a separate cell instead of with the others?"
"Because aside from her broken hand, I don't want my favorite kitten getting hurt."
"Then why imprison her at all?"
Aaron reached for his whiskey glass, took a slow sip, and replied, "I told you, Yaro—I'll make her beg for me."
"You could've just threatened to destroy her orphanage," Yaro scoffed.
"She doesn't seem to care about that place," Aaron smirked. "Trust me, Yaro—this time, Karen Leichster will beg for me."
Prison wasn't as terrifying as Karen had imagined.
The gray-painted walls that were supposed to feel oppressive instead made her feel… safe. There was a toilet beside the wooden bed, and a small table and chair at the side.
She lay on the bed after changing into her prison uniform. She knew Aaron was behind all this. She was supposed to be in a front cell—where she could see detectives and visitors, maybe even get bail.
But Aaron must have ordered the officers to send her straight inside. To make her regret it. To make her beg. To make her swallow her pride.
She shouldn't have talked during the interrogation. That was her mistake. She'd changed too much, and that was dangerous. If she'd kept silent, the police would've given up and placed her in a regular cell, not isolation.
She was alone.
Exhaling in frustration, Karen closed her eyes, deciding to sleep. This was just another psychological battle—one she had fought many times before. Either Aaron would give up and release her (which would never happen), or Karen would break first (which was even less likely).
She was awakened by the sound of a baton striking the bars.
"Inmate number 5208, wake up!"
5208?
She sat up straight, tugged at her shirt, and saw the number stitched onto the left side of her chest. So it wasn't a dream. Thank God.
Karen wasn't like most people—she didn't scream or beg to be freed. She didn't ask to see family.
No. Karen actually felt content here. She had food, she could exercise, she could learn a skill—and most importantly, she didn't have to see Aaron.
This wasn't hell. It was heaven.
Well, almost.
One thing bothered her.
Since the day she was imprisoned, Aaron hadn't come to see her.
Had he truly given up on her? Or… was he planning something?
She stood and paced inside her cell, thinking.
No, that couldn't be. He said it himself—he'd never give up on her. So why place her here?
For what? To make her regret? But why should she regret it? The worst that could happen was deportation—and that didn't benefit Aaron.
So she began to think from Aaron's perspective.
If their roles were reversed—what would she gain from imprisoning him?
Nothing.
Unless… he destroyed the orphanage she'd lived in. But that meant nothing to her.
No, Aaron wanted something else from her.
Something that would make her surrender.
"My identity," Karen whispered, pressing both hands over her mouth.
Her eyes widened as realization hit her.
Aaron was offering her freedom—in exchange for her true identity.
But… did Aaron already know who she really was?
Did he know her past?
The more she thought about it, the more possible it seemed.
He knew she was an illegal immigrant.
He knew about Niteo.
There was no way he didn't know who she truly was.
Why hadn't she realized it sooner?
Aaron never gives up. He waits.
He knew she would figure it out eventually. That's why he had her placed in isolation. That's why he hadn't come.
He was waiting for her to come to him.
Aaron Tokugawa wanted to make Karen Leichster beg for him.