The Devil Doesn't Bargain | Daerin

29 | The Unsent Letter

𝐇𝐚𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The rhythmic click of chess pieces fills the office. I palm my chin with my hand, eyes focused on the board, contemplating my next move.

My dad sits across from me, leaning back in his chair with a relaxed air. Legs crossed, arms behind his head. He's confident, maybe because I'm down a bishop.

The news drones on in the background, a reporter recounting the gruesome details of a man's demise.

"...forensic experts have discovered that Ryan Anderson's body was missing a heart. Signs of severe torture were evident, including the removal of nails and other brutal forms of torment. Evidence suggests he was also sexually assaulted..."

My hand darts out, shutting off the radio almost swiftly.

Silence blankets the room.

Dad looks up from the chessboard, his dark eyes piercing me. "Do you regret it?"

"I did what I had to do for Danielle. My only regret is not doing it earlier."

He nods slowly, moving his knight to capture one of my pawns. "I can't say I disagree. What Ryan did to her was pure evil, unforgivable. He deserved every bit of what he got."

The memories of the past few months flood my mind. The cold, dark basement where I kept Ryan. The screams that echoed off the walls. The satisfaction I felt with each act of vengeance.

But even now, after all I've done, the fury inside me still simmers.

I grit my teeth as I move my queen on the board. "It's not just about what he did to her," I grunt. "It's about what he could have done. I couldn't let that happen. He's a monster. He destroyed years of Danielle's life. I had to protect her."

Dad lowers his arms and leans forward, studying me. "You were so against this marriage at first, Haerin, do you still remember?" He raises one corner of his lips. "An arranged marriage, forced on you. And now, look at you."

I scoff, remembering the day he first told me about the arrangement. I was livid, feeling trapped and betrayed.

But then I learned about Danielle's heart condition, and everything changed.

"Danielle is different," I say softly. "She's a sunshine. A sweetheart. The kindest, gentlest person I've ever met. She's been through so much. I fell in love with her and decided to give her the world she deserves."

"See? I was right all along. Love can make us do extraordinary things. Even things we never imagined ourselves capable of." Dad moves his pawn to protect his king.

I think back to all the nights I spent by Danielle's bedside, watching her sleep, feeling the rise and fall of her breath. The way she struggled even to breathe, the way she looked at me with those beautiful, sad eyes. The way she had to deal with chest pain every day. The way she almost died in my arms.

"I'd rather kill myself than see her hurt again. I had to make sure he paid for what he did," I state coldly, moving my knight into position.

"I know, and I understand. But now we're back in the criminal underworld, and Mr. Marsh isn't capable of helping us out anymore. It's a dangerous path, Haerin. One we can't easily walk away from," Dad says.

"I don't care. I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Even if I have to burn down this whole world for her sake, I would," I reply almost instantly.

My dad sighs, moving his rook into a defensive position. "Just be careful, Haerin. Love can be a powerful motivator, but it can also be a dangerous one."