Chapter 17
When James arrived at the shrine, he immediately say Jocelyn on her knees in the center, praying. He asked, “What are you doing here?”
He instantly connected the disappearance of Naomi’s body to Jocelyn, and his tone grew sharp. He demanded, “Where is Neomi?”
However, Jocelyn didn’t respond right away. She continued her prayer, murmuring under her breath.
James, growing impatient, yanked her up by the arm. Only then did Jocelyn stop, glancing at him with mocking disdain in her eyes.
“James, do you really see Naomi as just a child in your heart? All I did was keep her out of sight for a while, and look at you–panicking and grabbing me
like this.”
James was rendered speechless by her words. He looked down at his hands. He was indeed gripping her arms tightly.
ally liked has always been
“See? You’re even more disgusting than I thought. I’ve always been nothing more than your shield, haven’t I? The one you really liked Naoil!
“She’s ten years younger than you, for heaven’s sake! James, you are no different from an animal!”
Hearing this, a fog that had long clouded his mind suddenly began to lift.
Until now, he had only thought he couldn’t afford to lose Naomi. But Jocelyn’s words tore apart the years of denial he’d wrapped himself in. “James, do you remember how we met? It was at a banquet. You said the dress I was wearing was beautiful, and I thought you were just trying to flirt. “But there’s probably a dress exactly like it in Naomi’s wardrobe right now, isn’t there? Or perhaps more? So many that I can’t help but feel jealous. “You probably don’t even notice it yourself, but every time you look at her, the way you look at her makes me sick! Ironically, I was the one you were going to marry!”
Her voice broke as she reached this point. She needed a solid answer.
“Why were you willing to flay her alive for me and turn a blind eye when those beggars abused her? And now, why won’t you marry anything wrong!”
The woman in front of him crumbled into tears, looking pitiful and devastated. James found himself unable to respond.
Regardless, he tightened his grip on her arms and flung her aside.
“Yes! I’m an animal! So, where is Naomi? If anything happens to her, I won’t let you off!”
me? I didn’t do
Hearing him admit it out loud, a sinister glint flickered in Jocelyn’s eyes. She masked her heartbreak, then turned toward the nearby priest, “Malam, the prayer was interrupted. You must start over.” The priest then approached James and said calmly, “This woman left something in my car. Please, follow me.”
Without even sparing Jocelyn a glance, James practically dragged the priest along with him
Meanwhile, Jocelyn resumed her prayer. Her face was pale, and her lips were trembling,
At that moment, Naomi floated near her ear and exhaled icy breaths. The chill sent shivers down Jocelyn’s spine, deepening her fear,
“I’ve already prayed for you. Stop haunting my dreams. This is a prayer for rebirth. I’m sure it’ll help you. Please… don’t come back”
However, the spectral Naoil seemed not to have heard her. She kept blowing her cold breath into Jocelyn’s ear, watching her kneel and tremble in terror.
Meanwhile, James had finally found Naomi’s body. As soon as he did, he let out a long breath of relled.
Just as he reached out to lift the cloth covering her, the priest slapped his hand away
“She can’t be reborn, and it’s because of you!”
That one sentence froze James where he stood.
