Her Return, His Regret のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 171 - チャプター 180

***~~Knox~~***My car key is on the table. I reach for it heading downstairs.Marcus had called, someone broke into the warehouse last night and was caught.I'm not sure how hard he's been beaten but they wanted me there before they do away with him.And I have an urgent meeting with a client.“Breakfast is ready sir.” Keiko says as I descend the stairs.My eyes moves to the dining table and it feels a bit weird, the plate sitting on the large dining space with just me eating there alone every single day.Not like it's a damn problem but sometimes I just don't feel like it at all.My life has been one hell of a lonely script.Business. The club. The warehouse. Then the office.It's like a scripted pattern. No excitement at all.Until Naya came along.I was struck on first sight.She doesn't know it yet, but she's like an antidote to me.I usually never anticipate anything but with her it's different. The rough edge in me smooths like it's been trained to respond only to her.Exhaling

***~~Hunter~~***I'm about leaving the office after a hectic day that has me reviewing reports.Iris has left.And I'm certain everyone else might've left as well.It's past 8PM. I step out of my office but pause when I saw the light in Meghan's office.She was still at the office.I stalled across the corridor. I should leave, walk away because her being in the office at this time has nothing to do with me.But that small voice in my head keeps chastising me.I did set her up for overwork. I knew those folders were going to take the entire day to sort out, yet I asked Iris to take it to her.My eyes drifts to her door.This was supposed to be a payback. My own way of getting back at her.All my life, no one has ever raised their hands on me. Not even my dad.But that day, she did and I stood there, unable to speak.That incident stayed in my head for over a week. I couldn't get it out of my mind.Freya has been going on about wanting to do this project with Steele's group. I wasn't

***~~Meghan~~***The car pulls to a stop in front of my apartment.And only then did I peel my eyes off the window.Hunter's eyes are on me. I slide my bag chain to my shoulder and turn to him.“Thank you,” I mutter, before my hand reach for the door.But my bag slips and fall.I pick it up back fast, step out, shut the door and spin.I take a deep breath and begin the slow walk to the front door, painfully aware that Hunter's car hasn't moved.But then, something else catches my attention, or rather someone.I stare straight ahead.Jerome.He's leaning against his car, his eyes pinned on me.I squint. “Je— Jerome?” I stretch his name, caught off guard.Jerome is that co-worker who likes to be in my space. He likes me. Everyone knows that. I know that.But it was easier to pretend I didn't know.It was way better than having to deal with the awkwardness of turning him down.And he's been very obvious about it after my breakup.His eyes darts at me, behind me, then back to me. A fain

***~~Jenaya~~***Knox pulls the car to a stop. But he doesn't move.I unbuckle my seatbelt and reach for the door handle.“Do you want me to come in with you?” he asks, concern etched in his voice.I shake my head once. “No. I'll take care of it,”Then I'm out.I race toward the door, slamming my fist hard on it.No one comes through.I press the doorbell once, my chest heaving fast.Still nothing.That's when I start banging on the door.Snow's neighbor peeks out of the window but doesn't say a word.I guess she doesn't need to. She has seen this play out a million times over.I swing my hand to knock again, already feeling the ache in my knuckles.The door opens.Jordan.He's looking disheveled, eyes blazing.“Jenaya–,”I push past him with a glare, storming into the house with my fist clenched so tight by the side my nails are biting into my palms.“Snow,” I call, my voice sharp and distorted.Then I see her.She runs up to me, face swollen, tears streaks her cheeks and her dress

***~~Jenaya~~***Snow lifts her head now, her nails digging into her palm.“I'm sorry,” she whispers. “I'm really sorry,”“I know,” I let out, placing a hand on hers. I can still feel the tension clinging to her like sweat.Her eyes stings again. “I thought it was something I could handle. He— he made it seem like it was okay to hit me,”My gut tightens.“At some point I convinced myself it was normal. That he loved me,” her throat catches. Then she starts to shake her head. “But it really wasn't. He's a sex freak and when I don't give in, he'd hit me and rape me. He complains about everything. I'm tired. I'm so tired.”Her tears streams down. I wipe at it with my free hand.“I couldn't tell you even when I wanted to. He said he'd change, but he got even worse.” she continues. “I'm sorry, Naya. I'm really sorry.”Her face crumples and her shoulders tenses. The tears come fast now. I shift in more and wrap my arms around her, pulling her into my chest.She shudders in my hold, her bo