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Die? Like Eli?

The silhouette was still not completely clear, but it was moving closer, blocking the light coming from the door. Then stood right in front of me. When the big hands touched my forehead, I couldn’t react; I had no strength left to fight.

“My precious, what have you done to yourself? You’re bleeding everywhere.”

Hearing this address, my eyes opened a little wider. I glared at the person approaching. The image was still blurry, but yes, my guess was correct. The enchanting eyes I was obsessed with, framed by black hair seemed to trap the night within them, looked as otherworldly as ever…

Right, my dear Remi… While I was enduring hell in this room, in this cell, ruining myself, Remi was still as beautiful as flowers.

As beautiful as butterflies.

“You…” I sat up. He tried to help me, but I pushed his hand away. He reached out again, and I acted impulsively.

When it came to Remi, I always acted on impulse. I never had second thoughts or hesitations.

I slapped him.

“If you didn’t make those butterflies…” Hearing my own voice disgusted me. “It’s your fault, Remi… you filthy robot…”

I met Angelica because of the artificial butterflies Remi made. Maybe if they hadn’t existed… maybe if we hadn’t become friends, the Bernova family would still be alive.

I wish I’d never been born.

I wished I hadn’t given myself to Angelica so completely. I knew overwhelming feelings never ended well, yet I had opened my heart to Angelica. Surely, I was a hypocrite, a coward, the only one to blame. But being responsible for such a disaster was too much. I couldn’t bear it.

Facing reality was not safe now. It never was.

The only safe thing left was Remi. As safe as a robot could be.

“You blame me for everything?”

His voice was calm. I was used to admire it once, but now, it grated on my nerves.

Why do you accept everything I say? Everything’s wrong, I’m wrong. It’s wrong to escape reality. But when I’m with you, it feels so right. Why? Why?

If things continued like this, I would believe it was the right path.

I would believe I was innocent.

But no… No, no… I didn’t want his kindness, I…

I wanted him to let me disappear.

“I’m sick of you,” I whispered. “I’ll send you back to the factory, or maybe hand you over to the police. You… You…” My hand flew up again and slapped him hard. Remi didn’t fight back. His flawless, handsome face flushed with redness.

Oh. This horrible image made me realize what I’d done. All my courage drained away at once, my hands trembling visibly. This wasn’t what I wanted. I’d never hurt my Remi. Well, maybe sometimes, when I was a bit possessive about him. But this… was wrong. Everything was wrong.

“Does it hurt? I-I’m sorry, Remi, I… I… I didn’t mean to say that. I didn’t mean to hit you. I… I…”

Just as I was about to pull my hand back, Remi seized my wrist. He guided my trembling hand back to his cheek and pressed it to the red mark I had left. His blue eyes fixed on me, commanding me to watch closely. He pressed my palm against his lips, his warm breath lingered on my skin before closing his eyes and bowing his head.

“You can’t get sick of me, Mina.”

He continued in the same calm tone, then turned my hand over and gently caressed my cold fingers, kissing each one with the grace of a noble prince honoring his lady.

“If I leave, there will be nothing left to blame but yourself. You shouldn’t get sick of me.”

When he embraced me, my frozen body warmed up. Accepting his touch made me feel guilty; after all, I had promised Angelica. But at that moment, I didn’t have an ounce of energy left to push those arms away. I could only close my eyes.