Nightfall ✓

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[FRN]: to bend at knees.

SHE WAS SEEING him after five years. Five years after she saved his life. Five years after he broke her heart.

Clo wasn't angry. She'd realised a long time ago she would never be able to feel that emotion for the two men whose life she had ruined. So what if he planned to use her? She had done much worse.

"Mr Daichi is currently finishing up a conference call. He has requested to see you after." Before Clo could nod, Matias was coming out of the private elevator to the far right and the receptionist had already gone back to work.

They didn't speak as they rode the elevator up. Clo didn't want to look at the queen's right hand because she knew Alec probably suffered by his hands as well.

Just like Emile.

Amara retired from her position as the queen of Varjot along with the king a year ago, giving Alec Daichi full control. She didn't know how the full chain of events occurred... just that members of Varjot had never been happier. Even her own parents who practically worshipped Amara were ecstatic. But despite the gnawing curiosity, Clo kept quiet. She didn't want to know what circumstances had led the sweet boy to become the king of the most ruthless underworld organisation in the world.

And now she had no choice.

Amara was willing to pay her tuition for the next two years until she got a call from Alec. He had another deal for her. One that would ruin her life along with someone else's. She supposed it made sense.

Clo could have saved him from hell on earth and she selfishly didn't. It made sense that she was being punished in this way.

It just was very unfair to the person she'd left at home. It seemed like she kept hurting the people she cherished the most all the time.

It had only been two hours since she left him on his knees and she wanted to run back. The urge only got stronger as she neared the door of the man who she now knew nothing about.

"Mr Daichi is waiting for you inside," Matias told her gruffly, hard lines on his handsome face even more prominent. Working for Varjot took a toll on everyone and Matias was no different.

She nodded, lifting a shaky hand and pressing her thumb against the scanner. It did not make her the least curious how they'd gotten her fingerprints without her knowing. After Amara had kicked her out of the hospital, there was always someone following her from afar. The queen wanted her to fear what would happen if she dared to make contact with Alec.

It was only last year that she noticed the two members who followed her every movement had stopped. Was it Alec's doing? Or was the queen finally satisfied that Clo won't come for Alec?

The soft click of the door made her snap out of her thoughts before she looked up, heart hammering in her chest.

She'd prepared for this moment the day she had to leave the hospital. And then she'd pinched her inner elbow every day to remind herself of the sweet boy she'd left to the wolves.

If something happened to him... it'll be all your fault.

Over the years, ballet had become more of a distraction. What once used to give her immense happiness was now just an escape from her thoughts. And yet... she couldn't let go of it. Perhaps because it was the only constant she had in life.

And nothing was ever permanent in her life.

"Mrs Beauchamp," his voice was so cold it made her take an involuntary step back, "please have a seat."