I called him once.

He rejected it.

I called again.

Rejected.

A third time.

Rejected.

Still, I refused to give up. I kept calling, over and over, until my hands trembled so badly I could barely hold the phone.

By the forty-eighth call, his phone had been switched off.

My hand slowly fell to my lap.

Somehow, Instagram opened when my thumb slipped across the screen.

The first thing that appeared was Agatha's story.

Apollo stood behind her inside his private helicopter with one arm wrapped around her waist while she laughed into the camera. The skyline stretched endlessly behind them.

The caption read:

“My boyfriend surprised me with a helicopter tour today. ️ Some people keep blowing up his phone because they're desperate for attention. Seriously... so annoying.”

A few seconds later, Apollo replied with two emojis.

I stared at the screen as my vision grew dimmer.

So... He wasn't busy. He just didn't want to answer me.

A weak laugh escaped my lips.

My fingers trembled as I dialed emergency services instead.

After whispering my address... Everything went black.

...

When I opened my eyes again, all I saw was a white ceiling and fluorescent lights.

The sharp smell of disinfectant filled the room.

Hospital.

A nurse noticed I was awake and hurried over with a relieved smile.

“You're finally awake. You were brought in just in time,” she said gently. “You suffered a severe hypoglycemic episode. Your blood sugar dropped to a dangerous level, and you lost consciousness before the ambulance arrived. Another delay, and things could've been much worse.”

I thanked her quietly before closing my eyes again.

Apparently, I'd spent the entire night under observation before being transferred to a regular room the following afternoon.

Not long afterward, the door opened and Apollo walked in first. Agatha followed closely behind him.

Apollo stopped beside my bed and stared at me for several long seconds. I knew what he saw.

I looked terrible, pale, weak.

Like someone who'd been hollowed out from the inside.

“Elara,” he said quietly as he pulled a chair beside my bed. “I came as soon as I heard. I know what happened yesterday, and I wasn't ignoring you. I just wanted you to reflect on everything that's happened lately because you've been acting out for too long.”

I didn't answer.

He sighed and rubbed his forehead.

“I thought giving you some fucking space would calm you down. I never expected things to end like this.”

I continued staring at the ceiling without saying a word.

The silence stretched between us until Agatha suddenly covered her face and burst into tears.

“Sister, this is all my fault,” she sobbed as tears streamed down her cheeks. “I kept Apollo with me all day because I wanted to cheer him up. If you want someone to blame, blame me instead. Please don't be angry with him because of me.”

Before anyone could react, she slapped herself across the face.

The sound echoed through the room.

Then she raised her hand again.

Apollo caught her wrist before the second slap landed.

“Agatha, stop it,” he said as he gently pulled her into his arms. “Don't ever hurt yourself over something like this again. None of this is your fault, and I won't let anyone make you feel responsible for it.”

His eyes shifted toward me.

“If anyone deserves an apology here, it's me,” he said evenly. “But I won't stand by while someone takes their anger out on you. Not even Elara.”

I almost laughed.

I'd barely spoken since they'd entered the room.

How exactly had I bullied Agatha?

Closing my eyes, I whispered, “Please leave. I don't have the strength to argue anymore, and I just want to rest.”

Neither of them moved.

After a long silence, Apollo finally guided Agatha toward the door.

The room became quiet again and I fell asleep.

I didn't know how much time had passed before a loud bang jolted me awake.

The hospital door flew open.

Apollo strode inside with a terrifying expression, a thick folder clutched tightly in his hand.

Without a word, he threw it onto my bed.

“They're your medical records,” he said coldly. “Read them, then explain exactly what kind of game you're trying to play!"

I frowned and slowly looked down at the papers.

“What are you talking about?”

Apollo's eyes burned with anger.

“Agatha asked one of the doctors about your condition, and now she's convinced you exaggerated everything. You just fake your illness! You just fake everything! According to what she was told, you weren't dying, you weren't in critical condition, and you certainly weren't on the verge of death the way you made it sound. So tell me, Elara... were you trying to scare me into coming back?”

Before I could answer, Agatha stepped forward with a helpless sigh.

“Sister, if you wanted Apollo's attention, you could've just told him,” she said softly. “I only asked the doctor because I was worried about you. I never imagined you'd make something like this sound so much worse than it really was.”

Apollo let out a humorless laugh.

“You know how much I hate lies,” he said as disappointment filled his eyes. “No matter how many excuses you come up with, I won't tolerate being manipulated.”

His gaze settled on me.

“You really are your father's daughter.”

“The same tricks. The same lies.”

The words struck harder than anything else.

Again...

He used my father against me.

Something inside me finally snapped.

Without thinking, I grabbed the glass from my bedside table and hurled it across the room.

“Get out!” I shouted, my voice breaking. “Get out of my room! Both of you!”

The glass shattered against the floor.

Fragments scattered in every direction and one sharp piece sliced across Agatha's calf. A thin line of blood appeared almost instantly.

Agatha lowered her eyes to the tiny cut on her calf and covered her mouth as though she were about to cry. “Sister... is this your punishment for me? It's okay. I'll accept anything you do to me, but please don't stay angry with Apollo because of my mistake. You can hate me or even hurt me if it makes you feel better.”

Apollo's expression darkened instantly. The moment he saw the thin streak of blood on her leg, his voice softened with concern. “What nonsense are you talking about? You're bleeding. Come on, I'll take you to have it treated right now. Even a small wound can get infected if we leave it alone.”

Without another thought, he bent down and swept her into his arms. Agatha wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes drifting toward me. “But what about my sister? She's still in the room. We can't just leave her here like this.”

Apollo didn't even spare me a glance. “If she's well enough to throw things at people, she's well enough to go home on her own. She doesn't need to waste a hospital bed.”

He carried Agatha away without looking back.

...

The cut didn't even require stitches.

The doctor cleaned it, placed a tiny bandage over it, and that was all.

Even so, Apollo stayed by Agatha's side the entire time, asking the doctor twice whether there would be a scar and reminding him to be careful.

About half an hour later, Agatha returned alone.

The sweet, innocent smile she'd worn outside vanished the second the door closed behind her. Leaning casually against it, she let out a satisfied laugh.

“So... did you enjoy the little surprise I prepared for you? You really thought Apollo would answer your calls, didn't you? I was sitting beside him the whole time, watching your name flash across his screen. Every time you called, I laughed... and every single time, he rejected you without even blinking.”

She slowly walked closer until only a step separated us.

“You interrupted my date with him, so you deserved every second of what happened. Honestly, watching you desperately call while he ignored you was far more entertaining than the helicopter ride.”

I looked at her quietly.

“You really hate me that much?”

Agatha laughed as though I'd said something ridiculous.

“Hate? Sister, hate isn't nearly enough anymore. I want to destroy you completely. I want you to lose everything, just like my mother lost everything because of your family.”

She leaned close enough for her breath to brush against my ear.

“Oh... I almost forgot. I've already prepared another surprise for you. The tenth game is about to begin, and this time... you won't see it coming until it's far too late.”

She laughed as she walked out of the room.

The air suddenly felt colder.

The tenth disappearance.

No location.

No clue.

Nothing.

I tightened my grip on the hospital blanket and slowly closed my eyes.

It's okay...

Only a few more days.

Once I left for the European Forensic Science Institute, none of them would ever find me again.

I only had to survive a little longer.

...

After I was discharged, I returned to the Riccio estate to finish packing.

My suitcase was already waiting beside the front door.

I reached for the handle.

Just one more step...

The front door suddenly burst open.

Apollo strode inside, his expression so terrifying that it sent a chill through my entire body. Before I could react, he snatched the suitcase from my hand and threw it across the foyer.

“You think you're running?” he growled, his voice echoing through the mansion. “You seriously think you can disappear after pulling something like this? Tell me, Elara... do you really think I'll let you walk away?”

My heart dropped.

That look...

I knew it too well. Every time Apollo looked at me like that, something terrible always followed.

The coffin.

The punishment room.

The endless interrogations.

Instinctively, I took a step backward.

“W... what are you talking about? I haven't done anything. I don't even know why you're so angry.”

Apollo's jaw clenched.

“You're still fucking lying?” he snarled before storming toward me.

His hand closed around my throat so tightly I couldn't breathe.

Agatha...

She'd disappeared again.

His grip tightened. “If you didn't hide her, then who the fuck did? Were you planning to kidnap her and run overseas before anyone found out?! Tell me where she is, and don't test what's left of my patience!”

I clawed desperately at his wrist.

“Apollo...” I choked out between ragged breaths. “I don't know! I... I swear this time I really don't know where she is. P-please believe me... just this once.”

He laughed.

Cold.

Merciless.

“I don't believe a single fucking word that comes out of your mouth anymore. You've lied too many times already, and I'm done listening.”

Still gripping my arm, he dragged me outside toward the large pond behind the mansion.

My legs nearly gave out.

No...

Please...

Not water.

Apollo noticed the fear draining the color from my face. For the briefest moment, something flickered across his eyes.

He crouched in front of me, his voice lowering.

“Elara... I don't have another choice. Every second Agatha stays missing, she could be suffering somewhere, and I won't gamble with her life. Be good, tell me where she is, and this ends right now.”

His fingers brushed a loose strand of hair away from my face.

It was such a familiar gesture.

One that once made me feel safe.

I shook my head desperately.

“I really don't know. I've told you the truth from the beginning. Please... don't do this. Please don't make me go through this again.”

The last trace of hesitation disappeared from his face.

“Then don't blame me.”

Without warning, he grabbed the back of my head and shoved my face beneath the freezing water.

The icy cold swallowed me whole.

I couldn't breathe.

I thrashed wildly as water rushed into my nose and burned through my lungs.

Then...

The memories came flooding back.

I was thirten years old again.

One of Apollo's enemies had kidnapped me to force my father into a deal.

They tied my hands and threw me into an abandoned reservoir.

Again.

And again.

Every time I managed to gasp for air, they forced my head back beneath the surface.

I truly believed I was going to die but Apollo had found me that night.

He slaughtered every man involved.

Afterward, he'd never allowed me anywhere near deep water.

“If I'm not beside you, stay away from lakes, rivers, or anything deeper than your knees. I already almost lost you once, Elara. I won't let it happen again.”

Back then... He'd sworn to protect me forever.

Now... The same man was trying to drown me with his own hands.

My struggles gradually weakened.

The strength drained from my body.

Maybe...

This was really how it would end.

Just as darkness began swallowing my vision, Apollo's phone rang.

He released me immediately.

I collapsed onto the grass, coughing so violently my lungs felt as though they were tearing apart. Water poured from my mouth as I struggled to drag air back into my burning chest.

Apollo answered the video call without a second of hesitation.

The moment the screen lit up, every trace of color drained from his face.

Agatha was tied to a massive concrete pillar inside an abandoned warehouse. Her wrists were bound behind her back, blood stained the corner of her forehead, and she hung limply with her eyes closed.

A masked man stood behind her with a knife pressed against her neck.

“So you're the famous Don Apollo Riccio,” the man said with a mocking chuckle. “I've heard this woman means more to you than anything else. Prepare one hundred million dollars and transfer it immediately. If you're even one minute late, I'll start cutting pieces off her one by one so you can watch.”

He dragged the blade slowly across Agatha's cheek, drawing a thin line of blood.

Apollo's eyes turned bloodshot.

“Don't fucking touch her,” he roared, his voice echoing across the courtyard. “I'll give you one hundred million, five hundred million, or whatever amount you want. I don't care how much it costs, just don't lay another finger on her.”

The kidnapper laughed.

“Money isn't the only problem,” he sneered as he grabbed Agatha by the hair and forced her face toward the camera. “A woman named Elarisse Redd hired us, but that cheap bitch never paid what she promised. My men aren't happy, so here's the deal. If you know her, break one of her legs. Do that, and the moment your money arrives, we'll send your little princess home alive.”

Apollo didn't hesitate.

Not even for a heartbeat.

He placed his phone on the stone bench nearby, making sure the camera faced us.

Then he pointed directly at me.

“This is Elarisse,” he said steadily. “She's right here. You'll get exactly what you asked for.”

He walked toward me and slowly knelt beside me.

Then...

He pulled me into his arms.

His fingers gently brushed my soaked hair away from my face before his forehead rested lightly against mine.

For one foolish second...

My heart almost believed him again.

“Elara,” he whispered, his voice filled with heartbreaking tenderness. “I'm sorry. I truly don't have another choice, and I'll carry this sin for the rest of my life if I have to. When this is over, I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”

I stared at him in confusion.

Before I could understand...

He suddenly grabbed both of my legs.

My eyes widened.

"Apollo... What are you doing?!"

The next second...

Crack!

A sickening sound split the air.

Agony exploded through every nerve in my body.

“Ahhh!”

My scream echoed across the estate as unbearable pain tore through my leg. My vision turned completely white, and I couldn't even draw another breath.

Apollo had broken my leg with his own hands.

Cold sweat drenched my body as I curled into myself, shaking uncontrollably on the ground.

Without looking away, Apollo picked up the phone and turned the camera toward my twisted leg.

“It's done,” he said hoarsely. “You got what you wanted. Now release Agatha and don't you dare touch her again.”

The kidnapper gave a satisfied laugh.

“Good. I'll send you the address. Bring the money, and don't waste my time. If you're late... you'll be collecting her corpse instead.”

The call ended.

Apollo lowered the phone and looked down at me.

For the briefest moment... Something flickered across his face.

Regret.

Or perhaps guilt.

It disappeared almost as quickly as it came.

He crouched beside me again.

“Elara,” he said quietly, “I swear this is the last time. When I bring Agatha home safely, I'll make everything right between us. No matter what it takes, I'll repay everything I owe you.”

I didn't answer. There was nothing left to say.

Apollo stood, ran toward his car, and the engine roared to life.

As the vehicle sped past me, he rolled down the window.

“Wait for me, Elara,” he called. “When I come back, everything will be different. I promise.”

Then he disappeared.

Just like always... He chose her.

Again.

I lay alone on the cold ground for what felt like forever.

No one came.

Every De Sangue soldier had followed Apollo.

The enormous estate was silent.

With trembling arms, I forced myself to sit up.

The pain from my broken leg was so intense it blurred my vision, but I gritted my teeth and refused to collapse.

Inside a nearby storage room, I found an old pair of crutches leaning against the wall.

Using every ounce of strength I had left, I pulled myself upright.

One painful step.

Then another.

Eventually, I managed to call a taxi.

The driver stared at my swollen leg in horror the moment I climbed inside.

“Miss,” he asked carefully, “your leg looks badly injured. Shouldn't we go back to the hospital first? You need treatment immediately.”

I managed a faint smile and slowly shook my head.

“No,” I whispered. “There's somewhere much more important I need to be. Please... t-take me to the airport before it's too late.”

The ride felt endless.

Every bump in the road sent another wave of agony through my body, but I endured every second without making another sound.

I wasn't running anymore.

I was surviving.

Somehow...

I made it.

The boarding gate was already preparing to close when I finally arrived.

Supporting myself with the crutches, I handed my passport to the airline staff with trembling fingers.

A few minutes later...

The plane lifted into the sky.

I sat quietly beside the window as Chicago slowly disappeared beneath the clouds.

I unlocked my phone one final time.

One by one, I deleted every contact connected to Apollo—every trace of him.

Then I blocked them all.

I looked out the window as the city vanished completely behind the clouds.

“It's over. No one will ever hurt me again, and I'll never come back to this place.”

Chicago disappeared into the distance.

So did Apollo Riccio.

The man who had destroyed my entire life.

From this moment on... He no longer existed in mine.