Can’t Win Me Back

"Didn't you say you had no idea what I was talking about? In that case, this ear is useless to you. You're already a crippled man anyway. You might as well be deaf too."

Axel's hands trembled with restrained rage. The temptation to end Justin's life surged through him—he wanted to pull the trigger, to rip him apart limb by limb. But he had made a promise to Jasper-no lives would be taken. A promise was a promise.

"I will rescue my wife. But you'll lose more than just an ear if I fail." Axel seized Justin by the hair, his reddened eyes brimming with tears. His voice cracked with fury and anguish. "I will make you suffer a thousand times the pain Amber has endured."

Without warning, he released Justin and stormed out.

"S-Sir! I will get someone to take you to the hospital right away!"

Sheryl crawled to Justin's side, panic-stricken as her eyes fell on the pool of blood spreading across the floor. Her trembling hands fumbled with her phone, unable to keep a firm grip as she scrambled to place a call.

Justin's fingers curled around the severed piece of his ear, his face twisted with agony. Tilting his head back, he let out an unhinged, guttural laugh. "How... interesting. So very interesting."

Sheryl recoiled, her voice quivering, "Sir... w-what should we do about Amber? Should we—"

hissed, his lips curling into a cruel smile. "But don't make life

aside, shutting his eyes as if savoring the searing pain. "As a woman, I'm sure you know exactly how to make

had barely stepped out of the clubhouse when Sheryl's summoned

a sleek black Aston Martin roared onto the scene,

to a halt, and the door swung open. "Get in!" Jasper barked, his calm demeanor

leaped into the car, and Jasper slammed the accelerator, leaving

that trash on my own," Axel muttered, lighting a cigarette with unsteady hands.

I'm just here as a fellow alumnus, lending a hand."

no proof..." His voice cracked as he coughed, his eyes welling with tears. "I was

"I've never felt so useless. Tell me, what should

could hear Axel's sobs, muffled and broken. The frigid night and the

silent vow.