Chapter 5
1104words
“Hans, take care of them,” he ordered a man who had just appeared from behind the door. He was Glen’s personal assistant, responsible for handling everything related to Glen—whether in business or personal matters.
“Yes, Sir,” Hans replied. After confirming that Ethan’s parents were no longer breathing, he calmly went to wash his hands as if nothing had happened.
“Stand up,” Glen said as he grabbed Akiko’s arm. The girl was frozen in shock, unable to believe Glen could do something so cruel without flinching. Wasting no time, she immediately carried Ethan, even though her body was sore from being beaten repeatedly. But her kindness wouldn’t let her abandon Ethan.
“If you die, who’s going to pay off your father’s debt, huh? Who’s going to cover it?” Glen asked while buckling Akiko’s seatbelt.
“Sorry,” Akiko whispered, still in shock, as Glen sped off in his car. Soon after, Akiko fell asleep, drowsiness washing over her from the medicine she’d taken earlier, not to mention the exhaustion from a long day.
Glen glanced at Akiko, now fast asleep with Ethan in her arms. His jaw clenched in frustration. For some reason, he hated seeing her so quiet, submissive, and broken.
“Fool. You’ll never win if you just stay silent.”
Akiko blinked several times, trying to adjust to the light. Seconds later, she gasped and shot up when she realized her condition. Had she been asleep all night? What had happened?
She stumbled as she stood; her body ached from sleeping on the cold floor with no blanket or mattress. After just a few steps, she froze—her feet were burning with pain, as if cut by something sharp. Then she looked down and gasped.
“What is this?” She wiped the blood dripping from deep cuts on her soles, but her attention was quickly diverted by a child’s scream.
“Aaarrgghh!” Akiko frantically looked around, searching for the source.
“Ethan...” she murmured, remembering she was still responsible for him. Despite the pain, she ran toward the voice coming from a dark, empty room. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw Ethan tied to a chair, his body covered in bruises and cuts. Then she noticed a man sitting silently in the shadows—Glen.
“What are you doing?” she whispered, approaching Ethan, who was sobbing uncontrollably. She tried to untie him, but Glen suddenly whipped her back, causing her to scream in pain.
“Who told you to leave your room?” he sneered, whipping her again as she hugged Ethan tightly.
“Don’t hurt her! Don’t hurt—”
“Shut up! Who do you think you are?” Glen makes Ethan immediately. He turned his glare to Akiko, who was clutching her shirt, trying to endure the pain.
“Looks like the cuts on your feet weren’t enough to keep you still, huh?” Glen grabbed Akiko’s short hair, forcing her to look up.
Akiko froze in horror. So it was Glen who had sliced her feet. She couldn’t believe it—he was even more deranged than she thought. The way he handled knives and weapons... She remembered his lifeless expression while killing Ethan’s mother yesterday. It was as if cruelty came naturally to him.
“Aiko… you’d better behave. I’m not a good man,” Glen growled before walking away, leaving Akiko and Ethan behind. The girl sat frozen, realizing there was no safety in the contract she had with Glen.
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry, Ethan,” Akiko whispered, overwhelmed by guilt. He had suffered under his parents and now under Glen. She helped clean his wounds as best she could, though she didn’t know where the medicine box was. This wasn’t her apartment. So she just used water.
“Ethan, listen to me. You can’t stay with me, okay? This apartment belongs to Glen, and he can do whatever he wants. I’m taking you somewhere to keep you safe,” she said, cupping his tiny face. The boy nodded slowly, reluctant to part with Akiko. But remembering how cruel Glen was, his courage faded. This place felt like a monster’s cave—he could be killed at any moment.
“Come on,” Akiko urged, quickly leaving the apartment before Glen realized. She planned to leave Ethan at the orphanage, hoping that if any of his extended family came looking, they’d find him through the contact info she provided. Even though it would be costly, Akiko felt relieved knowing Ethan would be safe.
“Will you be okay?” Ethan asked, worried about her fate with Glen. Akiko didn’t answer. She just smiled and hugged him goodbye.
Before returning to Glen’s apartment, Akiko decided to visit a large hospital—someone had been waiting for her since yesterday. It was Vian, a doctor who often checked up on her through text.
“Doctor Vian,” she called as she entered his room.
“Hey, how are you?” Vian asked warmly, his gentle smile calming her.
“Good,” she lied.
“What about the documents I gave you? Have you read them?” Vian asked.
“, but… I won’t go through with the treatment,” Akiko replied, causing Vian to fall silent. The treatment was important for her current condition.
“Why not? This is for your own good, Akiko. You could try radiotherapy instead of taking medication,” he urged.
“I know, but it feels pointless. Sooner or later, I’ll die anyway,” Akiko murmured, her hopelessness stabbing Vian’s heart.
“Nothing is pointless if you try. I don’t want you to suffer anymore, Akiko…,” Vian pleaded again. But Akiko only smiled faintly.
“Do the radiotherapy like I suggested. You can’t give up like this,” he begged.
“I’m numb. I don’t want to fight anymore. I want to die,” she said firmly.
“Akiko!” Vian snapped. “What’s wrong with you? Didn’t you agree to the treatment before? Did you change your mind because of money?”
“I’ll pay for everything. You just need to get treated, okay?” he said earnestly. Hearing his desperation, Akiko gave him a gentle smile.
“You’re such a good man, Doc. I hope you find a good woman one day,” Akiko said softly.
“I already have. She’s right in front of me,” Vian whispered inwardly, unable to say it aloud. He quickly turned away, blushing.
“Please think it over again. I’m waiting for your answer, so come back tomorrow,” he said as he walked her to a taxi. Akiko could see the hope in his eyes as he waved goodbye.
“I’m not coming back ever again, Doctor Vian. I have no choice. Glen Xander will be the one controlling my life from now on.”
