Regrets [Chapter 4]

A night had passed since Akiko officially became Glen Xander McKenzie's possession. The apartment he brought her to was as cold and pristine as expected — all expensive surfaces, glass, and marble. But the fridge? Completely empty, aside from canned drinks and alcohol.

By morning, Glen finally handed her card and ordered her to buy groceries. ​It was a command, laced with the usual arrogance in his voice.

With Kouma safely left in the apartment, Akiko went to the store. She bought only the necessities using Glen’s money—just enough to avoid complaints. For the small things meant for herself, she paid with what little savings she had left.

It wasn’t about money. It was about not letting him take control of everything. As she was placing items into her shopping bag, a hand suddenly grabbed her face. Startled, Akiko turned, her heart stalling as her gaze locked onto the woman standing before her.

“You…”

The girl’s voice trembled, her short hair framing familiar features Akiko never thought she’d see again.

“Keinara?” Akiko’s voice barely rose above a whisper before her sister engulfed her in a tight embrace.

“How long?” Keinara’s voice cracked. “How long have you ignored me?”

She held Akiko as if afraid she'd vanish.

“I’m sorry,” Akiko whispered, her guard faltering for the first time in what felt like years.

She fixed Akiko’s hair with trembling fingers.

Keinara sobbed. “I finally found you…”

Akiko's chest tightened.

“We shouldn’t have met again. Dad… he’ll be furious.”

“I don’t care about him. I care about you” Keinara’s voice cracked with emotion.

Akiko looked away. The answer was obvious. “He always hurt you, didn’t he? I can see it.”

Keinara’s voice shook, memories flashing between them — the bruises, the cold floor, the lies Akiko told to protect her.

Akiko whispered. “I don't want you to get hurt, please... Leave.”

Keinara’s arms tightened around her. “We could’ve faced it together. I should’ve protected you.”

“It’s not your fault,” Akiko replied softly. “You’re the only one who ever loved me.”

“I need to go,” Akiko said, pulling back. “We can’t be seen together. Dad will lose his mind if he finds out.”

Keinara’s face fell. “Then, let me come with you. We can figure this out—”

Akiko shook her head.

“I moved. It’s better this way. If you really care about me… don’t ever pull me back into that family."

Her grip slipped away, and for a second, it felt like history repeating—their fingers pulling apart, just like the day they were torn from each other years ago.

Keinara froze in the street—her sister’s longing stare burning into her back as she walked away.

On her way back, fate seemed to mock her. Akiko ran into Vian. He didn’t ask—he insisted she come to the hospital to get the remaining medication.

At first, she refused. But then, the dull ache in her chest, the sharp, gnawing pain in her back… it was always there, always reminding her how weak her body had become.

So, she agreed. It wasn’t hope that made her say yes. It was the quiet, exhausted realization that maybe… This would be her last bottle of pills. And after that, there’d be nothing left to fight for.

With her groceries in hand, Akiko returned to the apartment. Glen was waiting, as expected.

“Why did you go to the hospital?” His voice greeted her. 

Akiko narrowed her eyes. Of course, he knew.

“You’re the one who hurt me, why do you ask?” she snapped.

Glen chuckled.

“Still arrogant,” he said. “That trait runs in your family.”

She said nothing as his hand lingered, making her uncomfortable.

“You met someone,” he added.

“No.”

“Then who was he? Your Boyfriend?”

For a brief second, Akiko didn’t understand what he meant. Then it clicked — the hospital, the familiar white coat, the way Glen’s gaze had lingered on her earlier. The doctor.

Her jaw tightened.

“Just a doctor,” she replied, her tone flat, as if it meant nothing at all.

Glen only nodded, unconvinced.

“Help me with this,” he said, gesturing to his tie. “It’s part of your duties now.”

Akiko complied, ignoring the weight of his gaze.

Every second, Glen’s eyes roamed over Akiko’s face — sweet, delicate, deceptively innocent. But her gaze… empty. Cold. As if nothing in this world could touch her. Not even him.

“Who’s this for?” He held up a pack of candy.

“I bought it myself.”

Glen smirked, reaching over to take the candy from her hand. With a playful glint in his eye, he placed a piece between his lips, leaning closer.

“Here,” he murmured, tilting her chin up, and fed her the candy with a brief, lingering kiss.

“I don’t know why, but I really like kissing you,” he added smoothly.

“Because you’re a pervert,” Akiko shot back.

Later, as Akiko moved through the kitchen, chopping vegetables. But then, Glen’s voice cut through the quiet.

“Tonight, you’re coming with me. Dress properly.”

She glanced up, knives still in hand.

“Why?”

“Because I said so,” he replied smoothly, leaning against the doorway, one hand casually resting on the frame, his gaze appraising her every move. Akiko simply nodded.

“Okay.”

Her calm, indifferent tone seemed to amuse him, but also slightly irked him.

“I hate that attitude, Aiko” he muttered.

"Sorry," she said.

Glen handed her a glass, swirling the amber liquid slowly.

“Drink,” he said, his tone smooth but commanding.

Akiko’s eyes narrowed.

“No,” she replied firmly, setting the glass back on the counter.

He tilted his head, a slow, dark smile creeping across his face.

“Ohhh… such a pure girl,” he murmured, eyes lingering on her like a predator. “Makes me… want to devour you.”

Silently, she drew a long breath and walked to her room, letting the door close softly behind her.

In her room, Akiko stood under the cold shower, letting the water carve away the weight pressing on her chest. Every movement—pulling on clothes, brushing her hair—felt mechanical, like she was preparing for a ritual.

Facing Glen for another exhausting day, living under his gaze, obeying his every order… being treated like his possession—her stomach churned at the thought.

“Aiko,” Glen’s voice broke through the quiet of her room, sudden and uninvited. His eyes swept over her in the black dress.

“Let’s go. Time to show off that arrogance of yours.” At the office, Akiko’s eyes immediately landed on a woman waiting near the entrance. Yelena.

Her appearances over the past few days had been far too convenient to be accidental. Her intentions were clear—getting close to Glen was a shortcut to power and influence.

“Who is she, Glen?” Yelena asked, her voice low but steady, a flicker of tension beneath it. “I thought… I was the only one close to you now.”

“Don’t act like we’re close,” Glen replied coolly, his sharp gaze slicing toward Yelena.

“You still tremble every time I get near you,” he added, letting his hand glide over Akiko’s waist, amusement dark and predatory.

“Now, let me show you who she really is,” Glen continued, eyes fixed on Yelena.

With ease, he guided Akiko to sit on his lap. She obeyed without hesitation, her expression blank, detached—no blush, no resistance, just cold, composed obedience. Glen’s lips curved into a satisfied smirk as he watched Yelena’s face tighten in envy and disbelief.

“See?” he whispered, his hand resting possessively on Akiko’s thigh.

“She doesn’t even flinch with what I’ve got going on down there.”

Akiko tensed, instinctively lifting her body slightly off his lap.

“How many men have already enjoyed that body of yours?” he asked casually, arrogance lacing every word.

Akiko froze.

Her stomach knotted, her pulse spiked. She had never been touched by a man—except Glen, with his cruel kisses and lingering hands. Anger simmered beneath her blank facade, but she turned her face away instead of answering.

Furious, Glen flung wine toward her. “You pisses me off.”

Disgusted, Akiko left to clean up. By luck, a female employee approached cautiously, her eyes flicking over Akiko’s soaked dress. 

“Here… take this,” the woman offered, holding out a clean dress. “You’ll catch a cold walking around like that.”

She slipped on the jacket with a quiet nod.

Before she could thank the woman, a deep, familiar voice echoed from the restroom doorway.

“Aiko.”

Akiko stepped out of the restroom. Without a word, he straightened and walked ahead, his steps slow but purposeful — expecting her to follow.

They entered a quiet room tucked at the end of the corridor.  Glen stopped in front of the glass, hands in his pockets, his eyes fixed on the world far below.

“Come here,” he commanded, his voice calm, but carrying that usual quiet threat.

“Look who came looking for you.”

Akiko approached cautiously, standing beside him. The view from the tenth floor sprawled beneath them — busy streets, rushing people, distant headlights… and there, standing by the building’s entrance—Her Father. 

Her breath caught in her throat.

"I knew it," Glen whispered, brushing her cheek. "He regrets throwing away such a rare diamond like you."

Mr. Eloise stormed into the room, his steps heavy with purpose.

“I’ve come to take my daughter back,” he declared, his eyes locking onto Akiko.

Take her back?  The idea almost made her laugh.

He never wanted her. Not when she was a child crying herself to sleep. Not when her body was covered in bruises from his rage. Not when he signed her away like she was worthless.

So why now? Her eyes narrowed, studying the man who shared her blood but never her love. The forced sincerity in his voice, the stiff lines of his jaw — it didn’t add up.

There was no sudden regret. No fatherly concern. There was something else. What does he want?

Glen tilted his head, amusement flickering in his sharp gaze.

“Is that so?” His voice oozed mockery. 

“And what exactly do I get in return for giving her up?”

Mr. Eloise’s jaw tensed. “You can have my first daughters.”

Akiko’s heart stopped.

Keinara… Her sister. Her only light in that twisted family.

Horror twisted in her chest. No… He wouldn’t… He wouldn’t dare trade Keinara like that.

Glen chuckled under his breath, eyes never leaving Akiko’s face.

“Interesting offer.” He took a slow step toward her, his voice dropping to a quiet, dangerous murmur.

"Well then," his voice dropped to a slow, dangerous drawl. "Let me hear it from the one who belongs to me."

His fingers brushed her chin, tilting her face toward him with practiced ease. His gaze locked onto hers, sharp and unreadable.

“Tell me, do you want to stay with me…” Glen’s thumb traced along her lower lip, his voice dripping with quiet threat, “Or go home… with your Father?”