Page 49

I smiled. “Good night, Remi.”

“Goodnight, Mina.”

When he finally withdrew, I closed my eyes again. I could hear the scratch of his pen. After a while, I heard his voice again.

“Are you asleep?”

I didn’t answer. Then I sensed his footsteps approaching, but I kept my eyes shut tightly.

“Ah, Mina…” He whispered against my ear. His cold fingers found my chin, tracing it softly, and I tried so hard not to open my eyes. “If only you’d realize that I’m all you need. Why are you like this? Why? What must I do to keep you by my side?”

Why was he still talking? His master was sleeping, right? Why did he keep watching me? No one was making him.

I’m scared. I’m scared.

But… there must be a reason. Anyone can deceive me, but not my Remi. He always acted on logic, not fragile humane emotions. He wasn’t dangerous. He was stability itself.

There had to be a reason.

Don’t think, don’t think ahead. Stay innocent like everyone wants.

When he planted a kiss on my forehead, I forced myself to think about other things—anything but the reason for the warmth on my skin.

I hope he finishes my homework.

☾

Raymond

My parents died ten days short of my sixteenth birthday.

The revelation that I had no hand in their death shocked the entire science community. Everyone had already heard the story of the couple who lived in fear of their own son. This little boy, stiff and cold as a wall, was a terrifying presence to adults. An untouchable force, seemingly capable of killing even his own family. At the funeral, no one dared go near me.

Except for Mr. Loxton.

“Ray! It’s been a long time. My condolences, son.”

Sebastian Loxton was a simple man. His addiction was power, and he was the type who would trample over everything and everyone. It could be said we were similar in our attitude toward addictions. Maybe.

“It’s a miracle you weren’t home at the time. Thank god.”

“It is.”

While my parents were burning alive in the poisonous gas and chemicals they had been collecting for years, I had been reading a romance book with Mina.

Well, it was worth every moment. Those love scenes made Mina’s cheeks rosy. She looked especially cute when she was reading.

“You’re on your own now, kid. It’s going to be tough.” Mr. Loxton spoke, but I didn’t glance at him. I could guess what he was going to say; it was an offer I’d heard many times before.

“Be my son, Ray. If you prove your worth, I’ll even make you my heir.”

“I must refuse. Good day.”

Mr. Loxton snorted, but said nothing. I inclined my head, and left. As I walked away from one headache, I encountered another.

“Bernova.”

I clenched my fists. Lately, Angelica Bernova had become the biggest threat in my life. She was Mina’s closest friend, the girl she spent the most time with at school. Whenever Mina talked about her, her eyes sparkled, like Angelica was the most precious thing in the universe.