Chapter 45:A Fractured Mind
The air in the room grew heavier as the reality of Lin's death settled between them like an immovable weight. Leo's breathing turned ragged, his chest heaving as waves of guilt and fear washed over him. He pulled away from Kai's comforting embrace, his movements erratic and trembling.
"Leo?" Kai asked cautiously, his brows furrowed with concern.
"Stay away from me," Leo whispered, his voice shaky but with a hint of venom.
Kai blinked, caught off guard. "What are you talking about?"
Leo stumbled backward, his hand raised as if to keep Kai at bay. "Don't you get it? Everyone who gets close to me ends up dead. My sister... she died because of me! If you stay near me, you'll—" He choked on his words, his eyes wide and wild.
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Psyche Unraveling
Kai took a step forward, his hands outstretched in a calming gesture. "Leo, listen to me. That's not true. None of this is your fault."
"Don't lie to me!" Leo screamed, his voice cracking. His hands balled into fists at his sides, trembling with frustration and self-loathing. "She died because she loved me. Because she wanted to protect me. And now you're here, doing the same thing. You'll die, too, and it'll be my fault!"
Kai moved closer, but Leo suddenly lunged forward, grabbing him by the collar. His strength surprised even Kai as he yanked him closer, his red-rimmed eyes glaring up at him. "Go away!" Leo shouted, his voice breaking.
"Leo, stop this," Kai said firmly, his voice steady despite the chaos unfolding.
"No! You don't understand!" Leo screamed, punching Kai's chest, then his face. Each blow was fueled by a mixture of pain, fear, and frustration. "Get out of my life! I don't want you to die for me! Just go!"
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Breaking Point
Kai didn't flinch. Even as Leo's fists connected, he remained rooted in place, his expression pained but resolute. When Leo raised his hand again, Kai caught it mid-air. "Enough!" he barked.
But Leo didn't stop. His entire body trembled with suppressed emotion, tears streaming down his face as he tried to break free from Kai's grip. His cries turned into incoherent murmurs, his knees threatening to give out. "Everyone... everyone I love... they all..."
Seeing no other way, Kai did the unthinkable. He raised his hand and slapped Leo across the face, the sound echoing in the room like a thunderclap.
Leo froze, his eyes wide with shock as he stumbled back a step.
"Snap out of it," Kai said, his voice softer now but laced with desperation. "This isn't you. You're not alone, Leo. I'm not going anywhere, no matter how hard you try to push me away."
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A Fragile Calm
Leo's strength finally gave out, and he collapsed to the floor, his body wracked with sobs. "I... I don't want to lose anyone else," he whispered brokenly.
Kai knelt beside him, wrapping him in a tight embrace. "You won't. I promise you, Leo, I won't let anything happen to you or anyone else you care about."
Leo cried into Kai's chest until exhaustion overtook him. His trembling subsided, and his breathing evened out as sleep claimed him.
Kai gently lifted him, carrying him to the bed. He pulled the blanket over him, brushing a strand of hair from his face. For a moment, he watched Leo's sleeping form, his heart aching for the pain the younger man had endured.
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Kai's Reflection
Kai stepped into the bathroom, stripping off his shirt. He stared at his reflection in the mirror, his mind racing with thoughts he couldn't suppress. Turning on the shower, he let the hot water cascade over him, hoping it would wash away the heaviness in his chest.
"This is bigger than me," Kai muttered under his breath. "This isn't just about protecting him anymore. It's about uncovering the truth—whatever it takes."
He clenched his fists, determination hardening his features. If the underworld thought they could shatter Leo's spirit and continue their twisted games, they were gravely mistaken.
Kai stepped out of the shower, his resolve stronger than ever. As he dried off, his phone buzzed on the counter. A notification from an encrypted source flashed across the screen. The message was short but chilling: "We're watching."
Kai's eyes narro
wed. Whoever was behind this wouldn't stay in the shadows for long.