Chapter 216 - Beware
Lina's happiness with Kaden was short-lived. It always was. That's why they needed three chances. Three lifetimes. But no matter what they did, what they said, what they promised, all roads lead to doom.
The elevator dinged. Lina could feel her heart fall. Slowly, surely, the elevator doors opened to Atlantis. He was on the phone with someone. His black trench coat showed off his broad shoulders, glasses resting low on his nose, his brows taut. He was engrossed in the conversation.
All she heard as the door opened was, "She is my destiny."
Then, Atlantis stepped out of the elevator. Lina knew Atlantis was talking to his grandfather. Four words. Fourteen letters. The one thing that ruined her. Heart and soul.
Atlantis stopped dead in his tracks. He saw her. His desolate expression morphed. Many emotions flickered within his dark eyes. Haunted. Adoration. Hatred. She couldn't count with both hands. His attention flickered to Kaden's hand, then, the ring on her finger, and her outfit.
"You're my destiny," Lina muttered. Three words. But also fourteen letters. Such simple words strung together? and they shattered one man and lifted the other.
Lina had said it with her eyes cast upon Kaden. She heard a loud clatter in the elevator. The phone had slipped from Atlantis' grip. The sound echoed and drummed like her chest. She remembered when the only clatter around her was the tossed chairs and tables, as Atlantis pummeled her bullies to the ground. She remembered the sound of bodies hitting the floor and fists against skin.
"Lina," Atlantis whispered like a man knelt before his god. The tone was hallowing. "Are you alright? How are you feeling?"
Kaden's gaze became twisted and sinister. Lina was so lucky that he was holding her hips with his expert hand. But he was still a great shooter with his other hand.
Just as the elevator doors dinged to close, he struck a hand to grab it. Tightly. It kept both of his hands distracted.
"How are the organ supplies?" Lina coldly asked, all business-like and with no emotion.
Atlantis' shoulders dropped with disbelief. He searched her face. Begging, pleading, even, to find an ounce of feeling. None. He came upon nothing.
"I'm wise enough to solve the problem," Atlantis murmured with a slow, eerie smile that looked forced.
Lina felt a chill down her back. Organs didn't just reproduce like that. Where would he be able to get that many organs? It wasn't like there was a massive accident that led to many deaths, thus, the harvesting of more. Her heart fell to her stomach.
"Does it have something to do with the decrease in slum crimes?" Lina asked.
Atlantis' smile remained. Now, he didn't look so pained. Instead, he looked relieved.
"You already know the answer to that," Atlantis responded.
Lina felt sick to her stomach. But that'd make her a hypocrite. She accepted Kaden's crimes, but not his? Suddenly, it felt hard to breathe. She could only stare at him mutely.
"It's not like your husband isn't waist-deep in blood, either," Atlantis said. "I kill criminals. He kills innocents."
"Everett," Lina slowly responded. "Was he a criminal?"
Atlantis' smile dropped.
Lina said nothing else. That was all she needed to hear. That was all she needed to know. Kaden tortured Everett in the alleyway then left him there to rot. Atlantis finished the job.
Without another glance, Lina walked into the elevator, Kaden close on her heels. Neither of the three said anything. They didn't have to. Their silence spoke for them.
- - - - -
"You're one of the most intelligent women I know," Kaden said in the car ride back to their estate. The sun was quickly setting in the distance. Lina's attention was glued to it.
"Should I be flattered?" Lina wryly stated.
"Yes. In this world, no one is as smart as me."
"I don't feel flattered," Lina admitted.
Kaden's lips tilted upwards. She should be the most flattered woman in the entirety of Ritan. Everyone should try to curry favors with her. Only fools did not.
"You've figured everything out," Kaden observed. "Not many can with such limited information."
"You wanted me to solve the question myself, so I'd feel the true impact of it," Lina pointed out. "For you know me too well."
"Of course," Kaden said. "You're as stubborn as me. You won't believe the words of the people, not unless you see it for yourself."
Lina pressed her lips together. He was right. She was just as hard headed as a mule. People could tell her all the truth in the world, but unless she saw it with her own eyes, it'd be hard to believe.
The rest of the car journey was quiet. Small talks were made, but nothing more. Despite that, it felt comfortable. The air was light. The couple talked about useless things. The weather. The sky. How pretty the sunset was. All the things that Lina loved to talk about, but Kaden found mundane. She talked his ears off for a bit, and then fell into a tired silence.
Soon, the car drove past the high and non-scalable metal gates.
Lina liked the sight of Kaden behind the wheel. He navigated with one hand and the other gripping her thigh. His knuckles were sharp and his fingers charismatic. There were prominent veins on his arms, an indication he used his hands. A lot.
"Welcome home, Master, Madam!"
The greeting was always the same. Loud. Cheerful. Everything this house was not. Even so, Lina was beginning to find the charm in the dark and drabby decoration. She still wanted to spruce it up, though. A splash of vibrant white wouldn't hurt.
As Lina walked into the estate with Kaden beside her, she noticed Theodore. Theodore came over, collected their coats, handed them a warm towel, and waited for them to be freshened up.
"Madam, a moment please," Theodore softly requested.
If Kaden heard, he said nothing of it. Instead, he kissed his wife on the head and walked up the staircase.
Without a doubt, it was straight to his private study. Lina watched his tall figure disappear up the staircase.
"Is everything alright, Theodore?" Lina asked the butler with great curiosity.
For Theodore to speak out like this, surely, something drastic must've happened. So, she turned and gave him her full attention.
"A private letter came for you, Madam. It was addressed to you, with a return address at Medeor Conglomerate," Theodore admitted, revealing a white envelope in his hand.
Lina stared at the white envelope for a split second. Then, she took it, and smiled at him.
"Thank you for bringing this to me, Theodore, you've worked hard." Without opening the letter in front of him, Lina walked up the stairs. Instead of following the same direction that Kaden took, she headed elsewhere.
Lina heard there was a library in the house somewhere. She was keen on finding it and reading this letter in peace. But her patience was little to none. Especially when it was a single piece of paper, yet felt heavy as a rock in her hands.
When Lina was alone in a secluded hallway, she shakily tore the ends of the letter and envelope it. Inside, in the neatest handwriting she had ever seen, was a warning.
"Beware of those who love you.
Signed, Seer."
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