Reborn in the Enemy's Embrace

Damien paused, casting a nervous glance at me. Clearly, he didn’t want Juliet to die. Regardless of the reason behind it, he seemed to believe that Juliet didn’t deserve to die. I found it amusing. I had thought that after learning the fact that Juliet intentionally lured me out on the night of the 15th, Damien’s view of her would change.

I imagined he would probably no longer trust her or even turn against her. However, I never anticipated that he would remain as concerned about her life and death as ever.

"Sophia... Juliet promised to give me evidence against Peter if she made it out alive, and I haven’t received any from her yet," Damien explained anxiously, insisting that he was only concerned about the evidence and not Juliet’s life.

"Besides... she did risk her life protecting me before... " Damien continued to deceive himself with excuses.

"Come on, do you really think someone as selfish as Juliet would risk her life for others? Either she knew there was no real danger from the start, or you’re mistaken," Violette remarked, rolling her eyes. "You saw how she reacted when I tested her at the ruined building. She didn’t even dare to take the risk."

"That was different- " Damien attempted to explain.

I pulled Violette closer and said, "Destroying a marriage is worse than destroying anything. Let sleeping dogs lie. They’re engaged, after all."

"Sophia... " Damien’s voice sounded hurt and anxious. "That’s not it. I just feel Juliet doesn’t deserve to die. She—"

"Your thoughts are none of my concern," I cut Damien off.

Dexter, sitting obediently next to my bed, couldn’t help but chuckle secretly. He was probably laughing at Damien’s lack of emotional control. Damien was simply digging his own grave.

Whenever Damien found himself in trouble, Dexter would behave like a good boy as if to highlight how obedient and sensible he was.

At the right timing, he would even chime in to fan the flames, saying "Honey, Juliet got Sophia Milford killed, yet he’s still defending her."

Damien frowned at Dexter, clenching his hands. "I admit that was Juliet’s fault. She said she was too scared and didn’t anticipate Sophia getting into trouble as a result. She drank too much on the 15th, so she couldn’t remember the date right, ultimately misleading the police."

Damien continued to defend Juliet, eager for us to believe that Juliet didn’t deserve to die.

"Damien, it seems you haven’t learned any lessons from this killing game... "I sighed, feeling he was indeed beyond help.

"Sophia, I know this whole thing

hasn’t been fair to you, and I’ll make sure Juliet pays for her actions. But we’re not police officers, after all. So, we need to analyze her value rationally." Damien explained, hoping I would understand his perspective on protecting Juliet.

From his viewpoint, he might have a valid argument. He simply aimed to maximize Juliet’s usefulness before administering the appropriate punishment. However, it seemed as though Damien perceived everyone as wanting Juliet dead. Thus, he was desperate to convince us of Juliet’s continued value.

It appeared we were not all on the same page regarding this matter.

"Sophia, he’s so emotional. It’s not like we’re going to do something to Juliet. He sure loves her a lot" Dexter interjected, adding fuel to the fire once again.

"Shut up, Dexter!" Damien snapped, clearly irritated by his comments.

"She’s my wife. I can say whatever I want to her! We have a marriage certificate, you know?" Dexter retorted, his tone displeased and assertive. His brows furrowed as if he was preparing to start a brawl with Damien.

"No violence when you can argue civilly," I intervened, pulling Dexter’s arm.

Dexter grunted and sat back at my side, still visibly angry.

With a headache looming, Damien rubbed his temple and turned to Dexter. "Could you leave for a while? I need to speak with her." "No," Dexter replied defiantly.

I turned to Dexter, bursting into laughter. It wasn’t until later, due to the numbness I felt, that I realized I had laughed out.

It felt strange.

After returning from the ruined building, I couldn’t shake the strange feeling that my reactions always lagged behind my subconscious...

"Sophia..." Dexter turned to me, protesting, "He must be up to no good. That’s why he wants me to leave."

I nodded. "Damien, you can say it with Dexter present."

Damien was so furious that it took him a while to calm down before speaking, "Sophia... Juliet is really important. Even the police know that—"

"Why are you explaining so much to me? Are you worried that I might kill her?" I interjected curiously.

Somehow, Damien seemed to be wary of me. Was it because of the recent killing game in the ruined building?

"No... " Damien replied after a long pause. It was evident he was worried that I would kill Juliet.

Nervously, he tried to explain once again, "I’m just— "

"Since I didn’t kill her at the ruined building, you don’t have to worry about me getting rid of her now that we’re out," I assured him, realizing that Damien had been startled by the sight of me pressuring Juliet for answers.

"Honey, he’s scared of you," Dexter whispered to me.

I didn’t respond to him and fixed my eyes on Damien.

Was he afraid that I would kill Juliet because he believed I was the mastermind behind the serial killings? Or perhaps the mastermind behind this killing game? 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"She... " Damien lowered his head, taking a deep breath. "Juliet told the police that you’re the mastermind behind this killing game. She said... you stabbed her and... tore her wound. She demanded an examination of her injuries...’

I narrowed my eyes and asked Damien, "Ha, does she have any proof?"

I noticed Damien’s sudden silence and finally came to a realization. "Ah... now I get it... "

All of a sudden, I understood why Damien was so worried that I would kill Juliet.

"Juliet told the police that I

harmed her, and you’re the only

witness, I said to Damien, feeling a tightness in my chest. My body was trembling with rage. "So, you sold me out, didn’t you?"

Did Damien tell the police that I was the one who harmed Juliet? Damien’s head remained lowered, and his voice was soft. "I was just—"

"Just telling the truth?" I chuckled, then pointed to the door. "Get out."

Violette stared at Damien in disbelief. "What did you do? When did Sophia hurt Juliet? She saved her! If it weren’t for Sophia, Juliet would have died in there long ago!" Dexter frowned quietly.

Juliet accused me of harming her to the police, claiming that I was the mastermind behind the killing game... And Damien was the witness.

"Juliet was scared that... you would kill her. I was just... " Damien clenched his fists.

Clearly, he couldn’t tell a lie when Juliet begged him helplessly with her eyes filled with sincerity.

"Damien, I told you before, you’re a kind person, but your kindness often leans toward Juliet’s perspective. You’ve done nothing wrong in this matter because you chose not to lie," said solemnly, to the door.

"But I don’t want to see you now. Please get out."

"Sophia... Juliet still holds some value. If— " Damien abruptly paused, realizing that no one could understand his thoughts now. His disappointment was evident as he lowered his gaze.

His action implied that he believed that I had harmed Juliet without justification. There was no solid evidence to support my actions in that chaotic situation, after all.

Perhaps he just wanted to win Juliet’s favor so that she would promptly hand over the evidence against Peter.

Damien apologized,

"I’ll be the only person she can trust

and rely on. That’s our only chance to get the evidence from her."

With that, Damien left the ward.