At that moment, Amber's gentle voice reached her ears. Emerging from the passage connecting the shop to the house, Amber made her way through the darkness. Observing the contorted expression on her face, Laila realized that something was amiss.

"Sorry. I'm so sorry, Laila."

"What on earth...?"

Laila barely managed to contain her anxiety as she began to question her.

"I apologize, Laila," came the resolute voice of a man who should not have been present. Emerging from the shadows with an intrusive demeanor was Stear Leiken.

"I've learned about your plans," he revealed. In the face of his bitter laughter, Laila, filled with despair, turned her gaze back to Amber. Yearning for an explanation, her eyes implored, and Amber, trembling, responded.

"Our father has incurred a gambling debt."

"I said I would consider forgiving it if you relayed your story," supplemented Stear, derisively mocking Laila. In that moment, the emotion that struck Laila was not defeat, but rather a profound sense of disappointment. She never expected Amber, the person she trusted and relied on more than anyone, to betray her. Never before had Amber divulged her true feelings so openly, without concealing the narration of her past.

"Amber, how could you..." Laila's voice trailed off, tears restrained, as she turned away. She tried to escape, but at the doorway stood two of Stear’s henchmen. With a surge of terror, Laila turned back to face Stear, who was gradually approaching.

"If you're blessed with beauty, you should commit beautiful deeds, not act as vile as this!"

Cain's repulsive touch landed across Laila's face.

Thwack!

Laila went flying, colliding with the wall before collapsing to the ground. The intense pain rendered her unable to even utter a proper scream.

"I can't show you any kindness," he sneered.

Looking down at the fallen Laila, who had just finished speaking her final words before collapsing, I saw blood trickling from her lips and nose as she struggled to breathe. The dust on the ground floated weakly as I exhaled. The impact had hit my head hard, making my vision blurry. Amber cried out in shock, but I could barely hear her due to my blocked ears.

"I don't want to," Laila muttered.

The ending was too cruel. Laila tried to move, but she had no strength in her hands. Despair overpowered her will to resist. She felt it was all over. She would be caught by Stear and become his woman, beaten and broken.

Thud. Thud.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

In the frighteningly silent flower shop, we heard the sound of unfamiliar footsteps, aside from Laila. Everyone, except Laila, turned their gaze towards the door.

A tall, well-dressed man stood before Stear’s men. His appearance and demeanor didn't match those of a customer or one of Stear’s thugs.

"Who the hell is this guy?" One of Stear's men cursed, pushing the man's shoulder, but he didn't even flinch. He stood there nonchalantly, looking at us.

Struggling to turn her head, Laila recognized him immediately. A face she would never forget.

"Do you need help?" he asked.

"Would you like some help?"

The man, observing her collapsed form with lips agape, inquired as he did before.

In that moment, a faint glimmer of hope surged within Laila's chest. Regardless of who he was and why he was here, she needed to exploit him now, if possible.

"Please, help me," Laila cried out without missing a beat.

"Damn you, woman!"

Thud. Laila recoiled as the stinging lashes of the whip struck her once more. She could no longer see or hear anything.

***

The sensation of trembling was unfamiliar to her. Laila slowly lifted her eyelids. In the dim interior, she faintly glimpsed the man's silhouette across from her.

"Do you regain your senses?" A low, deep voice flowed in. It was an unfamiliar voice, yet not entirely strange. Amidst the indistinctness of his appearance, there was a sensation that awakened first. A scent of refreshing forest that didn't match the filthy, bustling streets.

Laila's eyes flickered open.

Startled, Laila tried to sit up but emitted a gasp, contorting her face in pain. It felt as if her entire body roared in agony. With her abrupt movement, the coat that had been draped over her body slipped down to the floor. The situation she encountered before losing consciousness rapidly surged back.

"Amber! The thief. The thief..."

Overwhelmed by fear, Laila rambled incoherently. She remembered the man appearing, but afterwards, her consciousness failed to piece together the sequence of events. The lack of mental clarity stemmed not only from the physical torment she endured. It was because the impact of betrayal, terror, and violence had yet to dissipate.

"Don't worry. I took care of the bastard."

"No, he'll come after us."

The man replied calmly, yet her fear towards Stear remained unabated. Having observed his tenacity for quite some time, she knew how determined he was. Somehow, he would seek retribution against her. Perhaps even the man who had rescued her might be unaware of the danger.

"Well, I find it hard to believe that a person imprisoned could do such a thing."

"......"

"The scoundrel and his gang have been arrested. So you can rest assured."

Even amidst the slight commotion caused by Laila, he remained unfazed. To him, the series of events seemed insignificant. It was only now that Laila realized the man's outward appearance was unscathed. If she had delved a little deeper, she would have recognized that the situation itself spoke volumes about the previous outcome. Somehow, the man had surpassed the notorious Sterle and his henchmen to rescue her.

Her mind grew hazy once again. How on earth?

"Even if, by some chance, they are eventually released, they won't be able to find me."

"......"

"It's inevitable for everyone to have a boundary that they cannot reach."