Chapter 142
‘Where did she go in such a short time?’
Startled, Ares looked around and belatedly noticed a figure sitting on the floor.
“My child keeps deceiving Mother.”
Her voice was heavy with anger. Before Ares could back away, sensing something was wrong, the woman grabbed his wrist. The moment she touched him, his wrist felt like it was burning. The more he tried to break free while gritting his teeth, the tighter her grip became.
“Do you enjoy making Mother worry?”
“Please stop that insane talk…”
As he struggled violently, the woman’s hand touched his injured hand. Though it was just a light brush, the pain was enough to make him scream. The unexpected cry made the woman hesitate involuntarily.
Not missing this opportunity, Ares snatched the bundle of keys from her waist.
“Aria!”
The startled woman reached for Ares, but he barely dodged, pushed her away, and quickly fled the room.
“Aria!”
Her voice, crying out like a wail, reached him clearly. But Ares didn’t stop, running down the corridor, unlocking the door, and quickly climbing the stairs.
‘Please, please, please.’
Even while running, he felt so tense he could barely breathe, his whole body covered in goosebumps. But he couldn’t stop.
If not now, he was certain he’d never get another chance.
But when countless doors appeared before him, Ares involuntarily stopped.
‘This is maddening.’
Unable to tell which way to go, he started opening every door he saw. But most were completely empty rooms.
‘Where on earth should I…’
He grew increasingly anxious and agitated, knowing the woman would surely follow. His hand trembled like someone with palsy as he turned doorknobs. Just as he was opening about the ninth door, he saw something drawn on the floor beneath his feet.
‘This is…’
It was a magic circle similar to the one he’d seen before being transported here.
Before he could fully realize this, he felt his feet leave the ground amid a blinding light.
When he came to, he crashed to the floor with a thud. Groaning softly from pain that felt like his whole body had been beaten, Ares barely opened his eyes and looked around.
“Where is this now…”
Though he’d clearly never been here before, it somehow felt familiar.
Struggling to his feet, Ares clutched his injured hand and walked slowly.
‘Is this a room?’
As he looked around, unsure where he’d been transported, he noticed a small accessory lying near the wall.
‘This bracelet…’
It looked exactly like the protective bracelet Kirine had given him. After carefully picking it up, Ares hesitated for a moment before muttering:
“Darling, help me,”
Even knowing it wouldn’t work.
***
Feeling his mood sink as he spoke, Vincent let out an irritated sigh.
If he’d wanted anything from Kirine, it was just one thing. He’d desperately hoped she would keep her word about not giving her heart to anyone. He’d hoped her resolve to keep everyone at arm’s length wouldn’t change, but during their brief separation, Kirine had started dating the man she’d called most horrible. She’d even married him and had a daughter.
The sense of betrayal then had been indescribable.
“If you hadn’t changed, none of this would have happened.”
At his resentful voice, Kirine couldn’t even manage a bitter laugh.
“Are you saying this mess is my fault?”
“…”
Though she’d asked hoping it wasn’t true, no answer came. Kirine ran her fingers roughly through her hair with a long sigh.
Just as she was about to speak up in disbelief, Vincent beat her to it.
“It’s not my fault.”
“…”
This time it was Kirine who fell silent. She couldn’t understand Vincent refusing to acknowledge his own fault while blaming others. No, she didn’t want to understand.
“Stop playing word games and just tell me where Ares is. That’s all I need to know.”
She was tired of this time-wasting. Frustrated with the circular conversation, she planned to look for other methods if he wouldn’t tell her.
But Vincent just stared at her silently before letting out a bitter laugh.
“So impatient. Are you that worried?”
“Of course. I don’t know what you might have done.”
“Was I such an untrustworthy person to you?”
His troubled voice made Kirine’s tone turn automatically sharp.
“Look at what you’re doing. I keep asking where Ares is, but you won’t give a proper answer and just keep talking about other things.”
Vincent clearly had Ares, but since he showed no sign of telling her, Kirine finally stood up abruptly.
“Fine. It was my mistake to ask you.”
She didn’t want to waste any more time. It seemed faster to search by herself.
Just as she was about to leave, not wanting to exchange any more words—
‘Darling, help me.’
She heard Ares’s voice clearly. At the same time, she saw the coordinates.
‘Is this one real?’
Though doubt crossed her mind, she couldn’t ignore it.
“Though I’m annoyed at wasting time, I did learn one thing from this.”
She lightly dusted off her collar as she turned back to Vincent.
“That you’re someone I need to cut ties with.”
The moment she said this, she saw Vincent’s face harden. But Kirine continued speaking, looking at him impassively.
“I feel pathetic for foolishly holding on because of old friendship.”
It was a bitter truth, but one she had to acknowledge.
“And you were the one who changed first, Vincent.”
It was ridiculous for him to blame her for changing.
