If he were to be completely honest... Malik didn't care if he rotted in Corruption.
Didn't care if his soul burned. Didn't care if he never felt peace again.
If he could save Rehan, if that was the price—
Then so be it. So fucking be it.
And so, Malik stayed there, unmoving, for what felt like forever.
Letting the weight of everything settle over him. Letting it crush him.
Somewhere in the background, preparations for the funeral had begun.
He could hear murmurs, shuffling, the occasional sniffle. He wondered if they were crying.
He wondered if they were cursing his name under their breaths.
He didn't move to find out.
Instead, he stood up. Slowly. Methodically.
It was as if his body was being dragged by invisible chains.
Then, without a word, he walked away.
Away from the body. Away from the people.
Away from the funeral that he wasn't sure he had the right to attend.
