From Hunter to Guardian: Protect the CEO Freenbecky g!p

Chapter 23: Grief

Freen's POV

The past: after Freen knew that the Armstrong killed her family

After leaving Becky alone at her house, I couldn't stand to stay with her any longer, my heart weighed down by conflicting emotions. Days had passed since I departed her mansion, contemplating escape to a safe house far from this town.

"Why did I ever fall for her?" I pondered aloud. "None of this would be so complicated if I hadn't developed feelings for her."

"I... I'm such a fool," I muttered with a sigh, frustration, and disappointment simmering within me.

"Fuck, where did it all go wrong? I wasn't supposed to get to know her before any of this happened. Maybe I should've seen her only as part of the family that killed my parents, nothing more," I muttered bitterly to myself.

I stood up and walked to the aquarium, watching the goldfish swim lazily. Just as I turned to leave, something caught my eye—a piece of paper wedged between the aquarium and the table below.

I opened the paper to see that it was a letter,

To my dearest Freen,

If you're reading this, then perhaps you already know the truth about your parents. I discovered it from my father's letter, and honestly, I struggled to accept it at first. But I realized my brother knew, which explained why he was so wary of you.

Before meeting you, I didn't know anything about your past. When we first met, I felt a deep connection, as if fate had brought us together—a person willing to give everything for me. Learning that my family was responsible for your parents' death shattered my heart. It seemed so cruel that after falling deeply in love, reality shattered our happiness.

Maybe if you had known earlier, things might have ended differently. Perhaps you or my brother would have taken my life. I can't blame you for feeling that way; the pain of losing everything is justified. I fear I may not have enough time to show you how much I love you, through words and actions.

I love you, Freen, more than words can express. Even if I'm no longer with you, I want you to live and leave your past behind. Yet, I can't help but wonder about our future together. If by some miracle I'm still alive as you read this, I dream of a life with you.

You are the most hardworking, driven, and bravest person I've ever known. I fell in love with you, and if I were to love again in another lifetime, I would choose you without hesitation. You completed me in a way I never knew was missing.

I wish you all the happiness in the world.

With all my love,
Becky

I clenched the paper with trembling hands, collapsing as tears streamed down my cheeks. The night was silent, but my heart was filled with an unbearable pain, a torment from which there seemed no escape.

"I hate you, Becky. I hate that I ever fell in love with you," I whispered bitterly.

Freen's POV

Present

The deafening gunshot echoed through the room. Richie's gun flew from his hand as he staggered back, a spray of blood bursting from his mouth. He gasped for breath, each ragged exhale a desperate attempt to hold on as he bled profusely.

Nearby, I noticed Becky's mother who was also injured. Without thinking, I untied Becky, who immediately ran to her mother's side. Her mother lay helpless, her body drenched in blood from the gunshot.