Her Sin,My Punishment

Luxian’s POV

It had been four days since Mr. Wilson died, and I hadn’t heard a single word about it. It was as if he never existed. I asked Ken. I asked others. But no one knew who I was talking about.

That alone was suspicious.

“Who was that man?” I sighed, dragging myself out of bed. I walked to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face.

Suddenly, I heard a piercing noise. I covered my ears, shutting my eyes tightly, praying the pain would stop.

When I opened them… I wasn’t in the bathroom anymore.

I was in the forest. The one from my dreams.

“What the hell?” I muttered, slowly walking down the cleared path.

Ahead of me stood the same couple I always saw—hands clasped, whispering softly. But this time, no one was chasing them.

I hid behind a tree and watched.

“You’re not safe with me,” the man said, voice trembling. “You need to stay away. I can’t protect you anymore.”

“Don’t say that,” the girl cried. “I love you. That’s all that matters. If you die, I’ll die with you. And if you leave, I’ll still be by your side.”

The man pulled her into an embrace. “I’ll do anything to keep you alive, Lu.”

Lu? Again with that name.

Suddenly, he paused. His eyes turned to the bushes—right where I was hiding.

Then, like a switch flipped, I was back in my bathroom.

Panting, sweating, trembling.

“Who are they? Why am I seeing all this?” I clutched my head, the pain still echoing behind my eyes. “I need to see a doctor again. Maybe hallucinations are a symptom of glioblastoma…”

I shook the thought off and quickly dressed. I couldn’t be late on my first day.

⸻

At the Company

The receptionist sent me to the secretary’s office. A man—probably in his late twenties—was sorting through paperwork without looking up.

“Are you just going to stand there staring at me?” he asked.

“I’m sorry,” I said quickly, handing him my application. “I’m Luxian Maxwell.”

“Luxian… how odd,” he said, finally glancing at me. “What an unlucky boy.” He chuckled.

I frowned. “I don’t understand, sir.”

“Go to the manager’s office. He’s in charge of you.”

“Manager’s office…?”

“Good luck.” He smirked, shaking his head, and pointed me in the right direction.

I left feeling slightly rattled. That man looked calm, but something about him was ice cold.

I knocked at the manager’s door.

“Come in,” a deep voice said.

I stepped inside.

And froze.

It was him.

The man from the alley.

The tuxedo. The gun. The blood. Damien.

His lips curved into a grin. “You found your way to the lion’s den.”

“I… I…” My mouth was dry. I couldn’t speak. I just stood there, staring at the man I watched kill someone.

“Don’t worry. I’ve forgiven you.” His voice was smooth, mocking. “The universe is already punishing you. I’ll just add to it.”

“I didn’t do anything,” I said, taking a step back.

“I don’t like you. I don’t like those eyes of yours. I don’t even know what’s happening to me since I met you.” He glared. “So I’ll make you pay for whatever curse you’ve brought.”

“I don’t understand… What did I do?”

“Don’t pretend.” His voice dropped, cold and venomous. “You might not be her, but you are her. She made me this way. And now, she’s not here to pay for her sins. So you will.”

I stared at him. “Who…?”

Before I could finish, his hand was around my neck. He slammed me into the wall.

“Please… spare me… I don’t know what you mean,” I gasped, tears slipping out.

“Shut the f**k up. You hurt me. I know it’s you, Lu. Don’t pretend.”

“I’m… not… Lu… Please, don’t kill me!”

He shoved me to the ground, stepping back and gripping his head. His eyes flickered violently between red and black.

Finally, they settled into black.

He looked back at me—calmer. Different. “I’m sorry,” he muttered. “Let me take you to the hospital.”

⸻

At the Hospital

They ran some tests.

The doctor gave me a tired, sad smile. Then looked at him.

“You need to get a biopsy. Without surgery, you have about one year to live. With the operation… two years, maybe more.”

I laughed dryly. “So either way… I die. Operation gives me a fifty-fifty chance, huh?”

The doctor nodded. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.” I glanced sideways. Damien was sitting beside me—expressionless. Like he already knew.

Who even was he?

I turned to the doctor. “Don’t tell my dad. Please.”

He nodded.

⸻

Outside the office, I finally confronted him.

“What are you?”

He looked down at me. “What’s your obsession with me?”

“After that night, everyone forgot Mr. Wilson. And now you say I’m this girl named Lu?”

His eyes turned red. Just for a second.

“I have nothing to explain to you.” He turned to leave, then paused. “Don’t come to the office again. Stay away from me—or I’ll make your last days a nightmare.”

He walked away.

No apology. No explanation. No humanity.

⸻

I stood there, still in shock. Then sighed.

“How the hell am I supposed to get my car?”

I took a cab back to the office. Going back inside wasn’t an option.

My dad was right. I should have stayed home. Maybe I wouldn’t be in this mess if I had.

When I finally got back home and saw that my dad wasn’t around, I let out a breath of relief.

I’d need a solid story when he got back.

But right now?

I needed sleep.