Chapter 84


    It was her own mother, a woman she barely recognized now. This woman had wreaked havoc on


    her father’s life, almost driving him to bankruptcy. His heart barely survived the ordeal. She herself


    had been pushed to the brink, grappling with severe depression, even losing her voice.


    Why, after all these years, couldn’t her mother just leave them in peace?


    Tears had been ra’s silentpanion for what felt like an eternity until the persistent buzz of her


    cellphone in her bag broke through her sorrow. Quickly, sheposed herself and answered the


    call.


    “ra, weren’t we supposed to go try on g dresses? Where are you?”


    ra’s voice feigned calm. “I’m on my way, already halfway there.”


    “Alright, see you at the front.”


    After hanging up, ra touched up her makeup, determined to keepn from seeing her anguish.


    However, she was overestimating her strength. Her entire body was shaking, and her hands and


    feet were icy to the touch, incapable of even starting the car. She felt herself sinking back into that


    dark abyss, and her world threatened to copse into endless night.


    She copsed in the driver’s seat. Her limbs were limp. Time lost its meaning until a familiar voice


    reached her. “ra, it’s me. Open the door.”


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    There was no one she yearned to see more at that moment thann. Without hesitation, she flung


    open the car door andunched into his arms. Her tears were flowing freely before she could utter a


    word. Suddenly, her consciousness slipped away.


    “ra, ra!”


    He wrapped her in his embrace. Hisrge hands gently stroked her head. His warm lips. kissed her


    forehead in aforting rhythm. “It’s okay. We’re going home.”


    Carried inn’s arms, enveloped in his familiar scent and the warmth of his body, ra’s awareness


    slowly returned. Yet her grip on him remained unyielding. Her sobs were punctuating the air. “I didn’t


    seduce them. I’m not… I’m not what they say.” Her voice trembled as much as her body.


    Back at home,n tended to ra with a gentleness that belied his usual demeanor. He bathed


    her, dried her hair, but throughout it all, she remained silent, and her gaze was


    empty.


    When he saw ra in this state, a pang of unexpected pain struckn’s heart. “Do you want to get


    some sleep?” he asked softly, caressing her cheek.


    ra nodded mutely, still clinging to his hand. It was rare for ra to be so clingy, and asn


    kissed her lips softly, he murmured, “Want me to stay with you?”


    ra nodded emphatically, her eyes wide and glistening. She pulled him to bed, patting the pillow


    next to her, inviting him to lie down.


    be this sweet?”


    He hoped she would always need him, his presence, hisfort. Just like this.


    Nestled in his arms, ra silently agreed.


    He held her, gently patting her back until she finally drifted off in the small hours. His phone buzzed,


    and as he tried to slip away, ra’s arms tightened around him. Her voice, almost pleading,


    whispered in his ear, “Mr. Nine, please don’t leave me, okay?”