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He smashed the bedside fruit basket and cup, roaring like a beast.
"She kicked the bottle, shook her head, and I didn't realize it was her!"
"She was begging me…"
"It was Zoe! I was going to untie her, ask her..."
"And..."
Spitting blood, he collapsed on the bed.
"When Evan was torturing her, I went in."
"What did I say? I worried about Evan, told him not to go too far."
"I deserve to die. I didn't know it was Sissy..."
Blood gushed. He wiped it with the blanket,muttering," The last time in the suite, I could've saved her."
"But I said,'Don't kill her, it'll cause trouble'"
He covered his eyes, sobbing.
I had no tears left.
Nathan, you can't handle this?
Do you know how much I wanted you to look at me, to save me while Evan tortured me?
But you were busy with someone else, even fretting for your friend, worried he'd get in trouble.
Do you know how much that hurt?
I wanted to live so badly, yet wished I'd died sooner.
I survived like a weed, only to die messily on that filthy ship.
All because you said you wanted to marry me.
How pathetically ironic.
I watched him coldly as he stared at the ceiling.
"James, I'll avenge Sissy."
He hit the call button and doctors rushed in.
A week later, Nathan was discharged.
His first act was work.
In a sleek skyscraper, he locked himself in his office, working day and night.
He ate irregularly, nibbling on buns when hungry.
His secretary brought gourmet meals at first, but he tossed them out.
Self-punishment seemed to ease his guilt.
Sometimes,he'd shock himself with a stun rod.
Madman.
I didn't need his atonement.
A year passed, he was still holed up in his office.
He'd visit my place, rummaging through my things.
Sometimes,he'd ask James," What if Sissy's alive, hidden by Evan?"
James shook his head."Her body was found. It's her."
Nathan hated hearing it, smashing his office.
He picked a prime cemetery plot for me, casually saying," Reserve a spot. After I get revenge,I'll join her."
James, stressed, neither agreed nor refused.
I didn't know when or how he'd get revenge.
His office was dull, and my soul faded.
I didn't want to stay.
The sky, the sea, even a damp basement—anywhere but stay with him.
Watching him suffer didn't comfort me; it dragged up my death's memories.
Painful.
Maybe my wishes were heard, because he finally left.
To the cruise.
Old habits die hard.
I was forced to follow, but oddly, it didn't hurt.
The decadent scene had new faces.
Zoe, no longer the star, sat on the edge, nursing a drink, dazed.
Seeing Nathan, she lit up, slinking over with a sultry smile."Nathan, long time no see."
He pushed her away, repulsed, and flirted with a new girl.
Zoe, humiliated, glared at the girl venomously.
Someone whistled, suggesting a game.
A middle-aged man stood."One Lamborghini—who's in?"
Several girls raised their hands. Zoe jumped up, her face flushed with excitement, like when she took the crown.
When the roster was filled, Zoe was led elsewhere.
Suddenly, Evan burst in, staring at Nathan, urging Zoe not to go.
