Yoshida froze, her breath hitching as her emerald eyes locked with Haruto's.
She didn't know why, but the walls she had painstakingly built around her heart felt like they were crumbling before the man sitting across from her.
It wasn't just his handsome face or his confident demeanor—it was something deeper.
His presence was disarming, his touch soft yet rough with calluses that spoke of a hard life.
Her voice was barely audible as she murmured, "But I don't want to be saved..."
The words fell short of reaching him, a hesitant whisper meant more for herself than for Haruto.
Gathering her courage, Yoshida finally looked up. "Hayase... do you really want to listen to my story?"
Haruto leaned forward, his expression serious as he nodded. "I'm listening."
Yoshida exhaled deeply, her voice trembling as she began. "I remember my childhood vividly, though I wish I didn't. It was filled with hate—hate from my own mother."
She clasped her hands together tightly as if trying to ground herself. "I was born beautiful, or so people said."
"Too beautiful. My father's attention drifted from her to me, and my mother hated me for it. That hate grew into something monstrous, and she... she made sure I suffered for it."
Her voice cracked, but she continued. "She would hit me. Every time someone complimented me in front of her, I became her punching bag. I thought maybe if I stayed quiet if and tried harder, it would stop. But then..."
Yoshida paused, swallowing the lump in her throat. "One day, my father left. He had an affair and walked out on both of us."
"After that, my mother spiraled. She blamed me for everything—every ounce of her pain and every piece of her broken life."
She shut her eyes tightly, the memories rushing back like an unstoppable tide. "I was nine when it happened. She grabbed my father's belt and... she hit me until I blacked out. When I woke up, I was in the basement."
Haruto's breath hitched, but he said nothing, letting her continue at her own pace.
"Yoshida," Haruto began, his voice steady but gentle, "owing him your life doesn't mean you need to stay with him—especially when he treats you like trash."
She flinched at his words, but he pressed on.
"I know..." Yoshida whispered, her voice cracking. "But without him, I'm... I'm nothing."
"No," Haruto said firmly, leaning closer.
"That's not true. Listen to me. If you stay with him, there will come a time when he'll throw you away, and your position will change. When that happens, what will you do? Who will be there for you then?"
Yoshida's eyes flickered with uncertainty, her resolve wavering. Something in Haruto's words struck a chord deep within her—a truth she had been too afraid to face.
Tears welled in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks as she whispered, "But I don't know what to do."
Haruto's expression softened, and he reached out, brushing a stray tear from her face with the back of his hand.
"It's okay. You're not alone anymore. I'm here for you, Yoshida. You don't have to figure this out by yourself."
Haruto smiled, his voice steady and resolute.
"I promise, I'll save you. You don't have to face this hell alone."
Yoshida's eyes widened at his words, her lips parting as if to respond. But before she could, a sharp, impatient voice broke the fragile moment.
"Ayaka! Where are you? Don't make me wait!"
The sound of Ren's voice echoed through the area, cold and commanding. Stay connected through empire
Yoshida froze, her face paling as she turned toward the source of the voice. Haruto's gaze hardened, his protective instincts flaring to life.
Ren was here.