Christian marveled slightly at his latest adventure... at the car that bore witness to it all, before shifting his gaze to the sleeping Damian, who should be waking up any moment now… his real goal!
Without wasting any more time, he finally stepped toward him. Grabbing him by the hair, he dragged him out of the car and carelessly tossed him to the ground, earning a groan, as it seemed that was the final straw needed to wake him up.
Christian's gaze returned to the car as he recalled how his disguise had been lifted. He contemplated whether he should kill Brian, as the man could become a lead for the Infinitel company. After all, plans could never keep up with unexpected changes.
But was it really necessary? With all the circumstantial evidence pointing at him and Eva anyway, the Infinitel company would likely reach their own conclusion, with just that.
So… in the end, Christian decided to let him go.
He wanted to devote all his time now to finally end his story with Damian. So, without another thought, he turned to Brian and tossed him the rest of the identity cards he had promised. He needed him to at least run properly… more so to misdirect the search that would come later. Hopefully, sparing him would prove useful.
Of course, he didn't think it was necessary... but there was no harm in being too careful, at least according to Eva and his sister.
'Wait, am I really being careful ?'
As Brian started thanking him profusely, expressing his gratitude without sparing a single word, Christian wondered if he had given this whole farce with Brian too much thought, especially when looking at how utterly pathetic he was!
He doubted whether Brian could even be useful, or if he'd actually be able to escape now.
"Just go," Christian suddenly interrupted.
He left him the car, corpse included, as a parting gift, thinking it would probably give Brian one final ride.
Then, watched Brian, his expression finally relieved, drive away with the car shaking and swerving unsteadily as if even it hesitated to follow his command, Christian shook his head.
Finally, he turned his attention back to the side. There, sitting dazedly on the ground, and looking around himself in wonder seemingly still understanding what was going on… was Damian.
"What… do y-you… think you d-doing?"
Hearing Damian's crooked voice and how he struggled to speak properly due to the drug still in his system, Christian, instead of replying, began dragging him further inside by his hair. His expression of disgust at the filth he was forced to touch.
Once they were some distance in, with Damian flailing his arms and legs, already crying and begging for mercy, Christian didn't have the chance to begin things properly, as suddenly…
The sound of footsteps was heard… it started slowly, then suddenly quickened. Christian, wondering who it could be, and if he was already caught, turned toward the source of the sound, vigilant at first… then froze!
He didn't have time to recover from the shock before he suddenly found himself in the arms of the woman in front of him!
She enveloped him in her warmth, hugging him tightly against her soft breasts, and Christian finally felt himself relax.
Being in the embrace of his sister, his taut nerves finally eased, and many emotions assaulted him all at once… he felt tired!
He hadn't done much, aside from the battle he had just finished, but even that one battle, where death had been so close, was more than enough to shave away everything he had built.
Christian tried to push aside the weight of the past few hours, focusing every fiber of his body on his sister. He moved his arms and wrapped them around her, resting his head against her soft breasts.
He tightened his hold on her, feeling himself mentally heal, relaxing entirely in her company, with her in his arms.
It had only been a few hours since he saw her and Eva off, but strangely, Christian felt as though it had been ages!
He didn't say anything, just surrendering himself to his sister, letting himself lean on her, feeling the warmth of her affection, her care... and her scent!
"A-are you okay?" Annabelle suddenly broke the silence, her voice soft and filled with concern.
And as Christian heard her voice, instead of warmth, it felt like a cold bucket of ice water had been poured over him. He was jolted back to his senses!
His sister was not supposed to be here. So, what was she doing now?
Christian, who didn't want to take any chances with the safety of Eva and his sister, had insisted so strongly that he didn't want anyone accompanying him and had made sure they agreed to stay behind in the end. But now, here she was.
… He still didn't know, but the reason for the quarrel that had seemed to happen this morning was actually tied to the very action Annabelle had taken at this moment.
It was a decision she had made abruptly after waking up and realizing how close the departure time was… the time for the plan involving her brother… her precious brother, all alone!
Annabelle, who had finally felt the weight of leaving Christian behind this morning more clearly, couldn't follow through with her earlier promise. And so, after a fight with Eva, who was firmly against her decision, she had ended up here.
She naturally understood where Eva was coming from, especially her anger. Eva had wanted to go along with Christian's wishes, regardless of the consequences, and was prepared to face whatever came next. And more over, by coming here secretly, Annabelle had made it seem like she was the only one who cared about Christian when, in truth, even she knew that wasn't the case. After all this time together, she knew better than anyone… Eva treasured her brother deeply.
Then again, why had she come, knowing it would only earn her brother's anger… his anger that was already evident as he pulled away from her arms at this moment?
… When she couldn't actually help. Had he even needed help?
"Why the fuck did you come? Do you know what I faced? What if I hadn't been able to win in the end?"
"Like really, what could you even do?"
Her brother was throwing harsh facts at her one after another, and while Annabelle clenched her hands and lowered her gaze, she still replied with conviction in her voice… even if it was spoken in a low tone.
"There's actually something I can help with, and that's the reason I came!"
'If something were to happen to you, what meaning would my life hold anyway?'
Annabelle wanted to say her thoughts more honestly. But feeling that her brother wouldn't be able to accept them, she held back.
She didn't voice another regret either, but she intended to act on it.
The regret of when her brother's life had been in danger… when he had been forced to kill someone, while she had been sleeping care-freely!
She didn't state her intentions more directly… more clearly.
But Annabelle had long since wished for her brother not to shoulder everything alone. Even if it was something like killing someone like Damian… someone who was essentially trash, someone her brother wouldn't care about the slightest. She still wanted to share something with him.
Even if it was something like killing… a crime she had never once imagined herself committing!
Annabelle actually wanted to help a lot more than that, and frustration burned inside her at her helplessness. But since she knew there was nothing more she could do at this moment, she decided to be satisfied with this step… a step she would force her brother to allow.
This time, he was the one who needed to concede to her, not the other way around!
After venting his anger slightly, Christian was finally able to take a proper look at the state of his sister… her face stained with dried tears, and her eyes, still holding fresh ones, threatening to spill again.
Annabelle, who had been constantly monitoring the situation through Iris, even if only vaguely at times, as even she couldn't catch all the details just through voice and the occasional road cameras, had been tense the entire time.
Her tears had spilled unknowingly when she realized what he had to face… and how, unlike himself, he had chosen to confront that man, trained in essence techniques, head-on. To face hardships head-on.
It wasn't as if the possibility hadn't been there. Annabelle had even discussed this exact topic with Eva before. But it seemed she wasn't the only biased one… thinking her brother was special and would somehow manage the situation.
So… they had grown careless!
Moreover, hearing about how things unfolded was one thing… but seeing his actual state was another.