One Week Later
Eron's POV
A knock pulled my attention toward the door. I set my coffee down.
"Come in."
My secretary stepped inside moments later, holding a brown envelope.
"Sir… this just arrived," she said, handing it to me.
"Thank you. You may leave."
I waited until the door closed before opening it.
Inside was a detailed profile of a man.
SPO1 Carlos Santiago.
Every page documented his private life. I read everything carefully, then picked up his photograph. A slow smile formed on my lips.
How could two people look exactly alike from every angle? What was this police officer hiding? I shook my head when I reached the photo of him lying unconscious on the roadside, bloodied and barely clinging to life.
"Tsk."
I set the envelope aside and lifted my coffee cup.
"Mr. Jhon," I said calmly to the bodyguard standing nearby, "bring him to me—alive."
He bowed and left immediately.
I took a sip of coffee and studied the photo again. He could be useful. A perfect bait to flush Leo out. Unfortunate for you—having the same face as him.
"Sir! Sir!"
I looked up sharply at my visibly shaken secretary.
"What is it?"
"Locan… he was found dead on the side of the road."
I froze.
"What do you mean?" I demanded. "What happened?!"
I stood up and hurled my coffee cup across the room. It shattered against the floor.
"He was the one you sent to eliminate Santiago, but—he was found dead yesterday—"
"Yesterday?" My voice thundered. "And you're only telling me now?! Useless!"
My hand struck her face, forcing her back. I loosened my collar, struggling to breathe. How could one of our most skilled assassins die so easily?
"And why was that police officer targeted?" I snapped. "I never gave that order!"
"Your father did—"
"How many times have I told you not to follow that old man's commands? Idiots!" I roared.
"Get out there. Find that police officer. Now!"
They rushed out at once.
I turned toward the window, my thoughts racing.
Who killed Locan?
And how was it done so effortlessly?
---
Elena's POV
A week had passed, yet my body felt weaker than ever. I didn't know why—only that my strength was slowly slipping away. A quiet fear settled deep in my chest.
I held Carlos's hand as he remained unconscious. His life was in greater danger now. Two police officers guarded the door to his hospital room, but even that didn't ease my worry. Every time I stepped away from his side, I felt as though something terrible would happen.
"I won't leave you," I whispered, kissing his forehead. "I promise."
I sat beside him again, watching his peaceful face. Sometimes I wondered why he had to be the one standing against my family. Deep inside, I knew my time in the world of the living was nearing its end—so while I was still here, I would do everything I could to protect him.
I would do anything for him.
Even if it meant destroying my own bloodline, one by one.
Hours passed before sleep claimed me again.
When I woke up, I was somewhere else.
Only then did I realize I was leaning against someone. I lifted my head—and froze.
"Leo…"
He smiled and kissed my forehead.
"May I ask you something?" he said softly.
I frowned but nodded. He looked up at the sky, and I followed his gaze.
"What if… you discover who I really am?" he asked.
"Would you still accept me? Would you still love me?"
The words struck me deeply—echoes of the same question I once asked Carlos.
I couldn't answer.
Leo simply smiled and let out a quiet laugh.
"You don't have to answer now," he said gently, kissing my hand.
"Just remember that I love you."
Tears slipped down my face without me realizing.
"Leo—"
I woke up.
I was back beside Carlos.
I touched my face and felt the tears still there. I had been crying. Why did I keep dreaming about Leo? I looked at Carlos. Once, I wanted my memories back—but now, I wished I knew nothing at all. Because every truth I uncovered about myself felt like a line pulling me farther away from him.
A loud crash drew my attention to the door.
I stood when I saw a shadow outside—but froze when masked men stormed into the room. Panic gripped me instantly. There were four of them. They lifted the two police officers guarding the door as if they weighed nothing—both already unconscious. They shoved Carlos toward the exit and slammed the door shut.
"Who are you?" I demanded.
I tried to stop them—but horror struck when my hands passed through them.
"Tsk. Is he that idiot Leo's brother?" the tallest man said.
"They really do look exactly alike. Both cops, too."
My eyes snapped toward him.
"Take him," he ordered.
"What are you doing?! Don't touch him!" I screamed.
The lights flickered wildly, making them hesitate.
"Hurry up," he barked.
Fear surged through me. I tried to change—to transform—but nothing happened. I tried again.
Nothing.
"What… what's happening?" I whispered, trembling.
They hoisted Carlos onto a shoulder like a sack of grain.
"No—let him go!" I screamed.
Nothing responded. Not even the lights.
My questions vanished as they carried Carlos out of the room.
"No—wait—ahh!"
A sharp pain tore through my head, as if it were splitting apart. A strange noise echoed inside my mind.
"Elena…"
A voice called my name.
I fought through the pain and ran toward the door—but it slammed shut before I could reach it.
I collapsed onto the floor, clutching my head. Blinding white images flooded my vision—shapeless, incomprehensible.
"Elena… wake up… please."
A man's voice was the last thing I heard before everything went dark.