Ten Million Dollars Mission

c.97- The withdrawal

L shook her head.

"No, what I meant is, how can we continue when the lights are still off? Shouldn't we be worried about the darkness? Where are others?" L shifted the focus. It was when Caleb smiled again, petrifyingly. "Don't worry. Whether there is a light or not, we will be together forever"

Caleb ensured. It was when L's breath hitched, her face paling as his words sunk in. The shock was a physical blow, leaving her trembling as she tried to process the twisted logic behind his declaration. Together forever, he kept repeating it, proving Finn was right to worry.

The very essence of their relationship had been corrupted into something unrecognizable and horrifying. "Ha..." Eventually, L ran out of patience. She inhaled deeply and exhaled. Her heart ached with the weight of disappointment. "I don't think I can endure this bullshit"

A mutter crawled up, catching the man's attention fully. "To be honest, I am not fond of your solution to be together forever because I am sure you are planning to take my life with your own hands. Finn also called me to tell me everything beforehand" L rebuked.

Bringing a scowl on the man's face.

"Finn? You talked with him? I thought I told you not to interact with him!" Of the words, Caleb only paid attention to another man's name. It infuriated the woman. "I talked with him because he made sense. Thanks to him, I found out about your ridiculous plan to take my life"

L still put on a serene tone. "Take your life? No, Lilith, you are wrong. I am only trying to help. You are fragile. I am certain you won't be able to walk in a few days. I don't want you to suffer in agony every second. It pains me. Why don't you understand? This is the best option for us"

Caleb's vicious divulgence left L speechless. She stared at him with a mixture of disbelief and profound disappointment, her eyes wide and shimmering with unshed tears. The room was eerily silent except for the harsh reality of his confession echoing in her ears.

There's no way he's being serious! She thought it was sorrowful, heart touching love story, yet it turned out to be twisted and shivery one. L's resolve hardened as she inhaled deeply, the malcontent making her decision clear. She's withdrawing from the mission.

"Whatever"

L turned away from Caleb, her steps resolute as she walked toward the door. Each movement was deliberate, a silent testament to her refusal to be a part of his obtuse plan. She could handle the circumstances. She could pull some strings to get the five million later.

At least, she would not get killed by the man she was assigned to swindle! The sound of hurried footsteps echoed behind her. "Where do you think you are going?!" Without warning, Caleb twisted L's arm. His other hand tightened around her throat, cutting off her breath.

The woman's vision blurred as panic set in, her struggles growing weaker against his unrelenting hold. Their eyes, now, locked in a gaze that held unspoken words. A scowl tugged on their faces, one carried exasperation while the other held revolt. How could he?!

"Let me go. I am not staying with a murderer like you" L's fiery retort fueled Caleb's anger. His grip on her throat tightened, and his eyes burned with a frenzied light. "You are going nowhere, Lilith. Your body, your soul—everything about you belongs to me. You are mine."

He proclaimed.

The man's strong grip upon her arm painted a bruise as well, making the woman swallow the groan from escaping between her lips. "I belong to no one" She hissed, frustration glinting. "You belong to me!" Over the shout, she shut her eyes to express her nausea and vexation.