Jessica felt as if she were in a very, very long dream.
In the dream, there was a Purple Man who was always smiling at her, always telling her, "Go do this," or "Go do that."
She wanted to refuse, but her mouth wouldn't listen to her; she wanted to resist, but her body wouldn't listen to her either.
She was like being locked in a transparent cage, watching that Purple Man outside manipulate her body to do all sorts of things she didn't want to do.
She had shouted, screamed, cried, and cursed.
No one heard her.
No one came.
Now, that cage suddenly shattered.
Light flooded in, so bright it stung her eyes and made it impossible to open them.
She heard a voice, very soft and very gentle.
"You're safe now."
Jessica opened her eyes.
She saw a face—a young woman with long golden-red hair and amber eyes.
There was no hostility in those eyes, no disgust, only a calm and warm glow.
Jessica opened her mouth, wanting to say something.
Then she cried.
It wasn't the kind of silent weeping, but a complete breakdown after being suppressed for far too long.
She bent over, her hands propped on the ground as large tears crashed onto the floor.
Her shoulders trembled violently, and broken, wordless sounds escaped her throat.
It had been three months.
For three months, she had been manipulated like a Marionette, doing all sorts of things she didn't even dare to look back on.
For three months, she had thought about death countless times, but she couldn't even manage to die—because the Purple Man wouldn't allow it.
Now, she was finally at freedom.
That voice was no longer in her head.
She could cry.
Mavuika knelt down and placed a hand on her shoulder.
She didn't speak or offer words of comfort.
She simply kept her hand there, letting her know—someone is here.
Thor stood at the doorway, watching this scene with a complex expression on his face.
He didn't quite understand these things; in his World, battle was battle, and enemies were enemies.
But this woman wasn't an enemy—she was controlled, a victim.
He scratched his head, not knowing what to say, and finally just whispered, "Big sis, is she okay?"
Mavuika did not answer.
Loki stood to the side, watching quietly.
His expression was calm, but something flickered slightly in those emerald-green eyes.
Jessica cried for a long time.
Only when her tears ran dry did she slowly lift her head.
Her eyes were red and swollen, and her face was covered in tear stains, but those eyes—they were no longer hollow.
She looked at Mavuika, her voice as raspy as sandpaper.
"Thank you... thank you all."
Mavuika helped her stand up.
"Come inside. You need rest."
Jessica wanted to refuse.
She didn't want to trouble anyone, and she didn't want anyone to see her like this.
But her legs were weak, her head was spinning, and her entire body was telling her—you've held on for three months, it's enough.
She nodded and walked into the Villa.
Mavuika led Jessica into the living room.
Jessica stood in the center of the room, looking somewhat at a loss.
She subconsciously scanned the surroundings—the spacious area, the simple furniture, the books on the shelves, the flowers on the balcony.
It was a very ordinary place.
But it was also a very warm place.
It was completely different from the dark warehouses and filthy apartments she had stayed in while being controlled.
"Have a seat," Mavuika said, pointing to the sofa.
Jessica hesitated for a moment before sitting down.
Her body was still very stiff, like a tightly wound string.
This was a lingering effect of being controlled for too long—she didn't know when she could relax or when she should be alert.
Thor poked his head out from the kitchen.
"Big sis, what does she want to drink?"
Mavuika thought for a moment.
"Hot Water, with a little honey."
Thor wasn't very good at making honey water, but under Loki's guidance, he still managed to produce a decent-looking cup.
He placed the cup in front of Jessica and grinned.
"Drink up, it's honey water, it's sweet."
Jessica looked at the cup of honey water and froze for a moment.
She picked up the cup and took a sip.
The warm liquid slid down her throat, carrying the sweetness of the honey.
Her tears began to flow again.
It took a long time before Jessica's emotions finally settled.
She sat on the sofa, holding the now-cold cup of honey water in both hands, and spoke in a low voice about her experience.
"I knew what I was doing. But I couldn't control myself. It was like... being locked in a transparent box, watching someone else use my body."
Thor's fists tightened.
Loki leaned against the doorframe, his expression calm, but his gaze was cold.
Mavuika didn't speak, just listened quietly.
Jessica continued.
"During these three months, I did many bad things. Assault, theft, intimidation..."
She lowered her head.
Mavuika remained silent for a while.
Then she spoke: "That wasn't you."
Jessica was stunned for a moment.
Then she smiled softly—it was the first time she had smiled in three months.
"Thank you," she said, "but I still need time... to accept it."
Mavuika nodded.
"You need rest." She stood up. "Stay here tonight."
Jessica shook her head: "No need, I—"
"You need rest," Mavuika repeated, her tone calm but brook no refusal.
Jessica looked into her eyes.
In those amber eyes, there was no sympathy or pity, only a calm, certain warmth.
Jessica nodded.
"Okay."
...
The next morning, Fury brought Coulson to Mavuika's apartment.
The door opened, and Mavuika stood at the entrance.
"Director Fury?" she said.
Fury stood at the door, his expression very sincere—at least it looked that way.
"Ms. Marvica, I'm here to apologize."
Mavuika raised an eyebrow.
"Apologize?"
Fury nodded.
"Regarding the Kingpin matter, it was due to poor management by our S.H.I.E.L.D. that these lawless elements disturbed you and your brother. This was my failure."
Mavuika looked at him without speaking.
Fury continued: "I have already sent people to deal with Kingpin. Soon, he won't be causing you any more trouble."
Mavuika was silent for two seconds.
Then she smiled.
The smile was faint, but Fury could see the meaning behind it.
"Come in," she said.
Fury and Coulson walked into the living room.
Thor was sitting on the sofa watching TV, and when he saw Fury enter, he grinned.
"Oh! It's you! That mortal Director!"
Fury nodded: "Your Highness Thor."
Thor patted the sofa beside him.
"Sit, sit, sit! You've come at the right time, I'm watching this thing—"
He pointed at the TV, where a cooking show was playing; a chubby chef was teaching the audience how to make pizza.
"The pizza this man is making looks delicious! Are all your chefs in Midgard this amazing?"
Fury looked at the chef, then back at Thor.
"...Yes, Your Highness. Our chefs in Midgard are all very amazing."
Thor nodded with satisfaction.
Loki walked in from the balcony, carrying a cup of tea.
He glanced at Fury, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.
"Director Fury," he said, "you're here to apologize?"