Chase her. Chase her even when she was never meant to be yours. Chase her even if she was yours. That way, you'll never lose her. Even if she goes to the end of the earth. Chase your love, capture it, and never let it go.

  Kaden dashed through the traffic, stopping cars in his path, halting the entire world just to see her again. Nothing else mattered, not even the vehicles that skidded too close to his body. He never ran faster in his life.

  His trench coat blew in the wind, black as night, memories of the past running towards him. If he had chased the Princess of Teran himself, would she have made it to the battlefield? If he had chased her much faster, would she have lifted the sword to her throat? If he had dashed after her, how much would change?

  Kaden didn't know. Kaden was unable to think.

  Lina. Lina. Kaden must reach her. So he did.

  With his chest risen, Kaden yanked the car door open in time to hear her say it.

  "We'll forget that night ever happened," Lina coldly remarked, too focused on her anger to realize his presence.

  "Forgotten—"

  "I don't think so."

  An ultimatum. Kaden refused to let her forget the passion they've always shared. She must remember, he'll have it no other way. Kaden refused to let her go, no matter how many times she ran for her life. Perhaps this was the lifetime that Kaden finally learned his mistake. Instead of watching her retreating form, he should've caught up to her. When she was walking out with that wedding dress, he should've grabbed her wrist and groveled for forgiveness.

  "Get out," Lina snarled, pulling at her car door. She glared at his hand, covered in black leather gloves. An inhumane creature, that was what he was. The gloves were as dark as his soul, as devious as his eyes.

  "Technically, I am not in it."

  "Irritating bastard," Lina hissed, tugging at her vehicle door again.

  Lina finally recovered from her disbelief. Her heart raced in her chest, thumping like drums. She heard the blood rush to her ears, loud as a tidal wave against rocks. She was shocked to her core, her eyes wide, but her heart still wounded. Her heart remembered. She remembered the way everything shattered to her feet.

  "It's my fault," Kaden calmly said to her.

  Standing in the ashes of their love, Kaden wondered if he was her ruin. She was so perfect, a beautiful bird that flew high in the sky. He wanted to cage her. He wanted to hide her away, so no one else witnessed her. She was blinding and beautiful. He wanted it all to himself. Kaden decided the higher she flew, the farther she grew from him.

  "It's all my fault," Kaden deadpanned.

  Kaden reached for her hand, but she rushed back like he was an infectious disease. Her eyes flashed with hatred, her lips taut in a straight line. She was an injured animal harmed by betrayal and frightened by love. A lovely, lovely pet licking at her own wounds. He saw it in her protective stance, a hand to her chest, refusing contact.

  "I shouldn't have—"

  "Estella, drive," Lina decided.

  Lina knew Kaden would not let go. So, she wanted to see if he'd release if the car drover off at 80 miles per hour.

  "Go ahead," Kaden said in an eerily composed voice.

  Lina's heart trembled at his expression. He revealed an aloof expression, his eyes flickering with iciness. She swallowed hard, hugged her purse to her lap, and hatefully glanced to the leather seat. She was in pain. Her heart felt like it was tearing open on the spot, stabbed by everything in the vicinity. She could barely utter another word.

  So what if he admitted it was his fault? Everyone knew that. What was he going to do about it?

  "Right away, Director," Estella finally responded. She was aghast by the frightening glance that shot in her direction. Her soul was paralyzed on the spot. She didn't understand how it was possible for the Director to easily reject his advances.

  Pushing Kaden DeHaven away was as good as telling the Grim Reaper to go to hell.

  As commanded, the driver stepped on the gas. Despite the open car door, the vehicle skidded forward.

  BANG!

  Lina froze. Her head snapped to Kaden in time to smell the gunpowder and see him walk around the car. Her breath was caught in her throat.

  BANG! BANG! BANG!

  Lina didn't even know how to react. She opened and closed her mouth, her lips ajar by his action.

  This… this shameless brute!

  Lina let out a small breath of disbelief, her chest threatening to crack from the force of her thundering heart.

  "You're crazy!" Lina screamed when Kaden showed up at her car door again.

  Kaden quietly twisted off the silencer. He stared deeply into her hazel eyes and slid his large gun into his pockets. With a silent stare, he yanked off his gloves. Then, he tossed it into the car and slid into the seat.

  "You—"

  "Drive off," Kaden informed her in a collected voice.

  Kaden stroked her face, smooth and silky. He felt her tremble under his touch, her entire body shaking like a deer on a highway. He softly chuckled, the sound cold to his own ears. Her lips quivered and she pulled away in fear.

  "What's wrong?" Kaden chided, leaning closer. "I said to drive."

  "I should shoot you dead," Lina breathed out in realization, reaching into her purse.

  "Do it, dove of mine. Here, use my gun too." Kaden grabbed her hand, pressed the warm pistol to her palm and she stared at him in shock. She didn't even glance down.

  "You've lost your damn mind," Lina insulted.

  "Didn't you want to blow my brains off?" Kaden returned, wrapping her fingers around the trigger and placing the cold metal to his head. Her hand tremored faster than a vibrating machine.

  "So do it, dove," Kaden mused, forcing her forefinger through the hole. "Try it. Shoot me dead."

  "You're crazy."

  "Only the insane will not be for you," Kaden stated, pressing his forehead until the opening of the pistol was right on his skin. Until he could smell the gunpowder, until his death was by her hands, blood on her pale skin.

  "Take my life, dove, it was yours to take in the first place. Take all that you want from me…… I ask for nothing in return, but your love."