Chapter 9
Just like 20 years ago, when Bruno–who had just arrived in the country–and I were in the cathedral. He had placed my father’s badge in my hand and swore that he’d always protect us. Those vows from our youth had been so sincere, and his eyes had been filled with hope for this
land.
Yet the man who later pushed my father into the abyss had also been him.
Suddenly, a warmth pressed up against me, and a familiar scent of cologne enveloped me.
Bruno hugged me tightly as if he wanted to fuse us together–as if I’d disappear forever the moment he loosened his grip.
His voice, filled with despair, broke as he said, “Amy, isn’t this where everything started for us? Give me another chance. I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I’ll give you whatever you want, as long as you let me stay by your side…”
Scalding tears dripped onto the back of my cold hand, the pain searing through me.
With a quiet sigh and a tone as cold as ice, I said, “Bruno, I only want you to disappear from my world.”
winding streets of Nalom.
I pushed him away and walked down the cathedral steps without another glance back, vanishing into th
Bruno continued to stand there for who knew how long until his hoarse voice echoed through the empty ca
“I understand, Amy.”
In a monastery on the outskirts of Nalom, I quietly finished restoring the last body of the day. The soft whispers of the nuns around me could be heard.
“Have you heard? That youngest Don in all of Scrician history has turned himself in. He confessed to exposing an undercover agent and deceiving his wife, ultimately causing his father–in–law’s death and his wife’s miscarriage.”
“May God have mercy on us. Such a devil has finally repented. And that poor woman he hurt… How sad for her!”
My hand paused mid–stitch. When I turned on my phone, the photo on the front–page news was of Bruno being detained.
When faced with the police’s interrogation and the court’s judgment, he remained expressionless, and his eyes were as lifeless as stagnant
water.
“Ms. Slatero, the courier dropped something off for you.”
I took the envelope, opened it, and found two documents inside. The first was divorce papers, with Bruno’s elegant signature in the bottom right corner. The second was an asset transfer agreement. He had unconditionally transferred his entire underground empire and all his assets
to me.
And beneath it all was a sheet of parchment bearing his familiar handwriting.
“Amy, you must accept these. I promise you that I’ll disappear from your world from now on. May you live a carefree life, away from all the
darkness.”
My lips curled up into a small smile. This time, he had finally understood.
1
I tossed the parchment into the incinerator, and as it burned, the memories of our painful past burned along with it. In those flames, I seemingly saw my father’s gratified smile. Finally, I could take up my father’s mantle again and continue his mission of pursuing the truth.
As for the once–all–powerful Don, he would serve his penance behind bars.
