Lina was afraid of answering the question. When Lina woke up in a bed that wasn't hers, in a room that was unfamiliar, and a setting that she didn't know, she kept her mouth shut. She heard rumors.

  There were talks of brutal murders across the entire world. Lifeless bodies found in alleyways, beaches, or private spots. There were puncture wounds on their body, be it the neck or wrist, and their bodies were drained of blood. The rumors haven't died down for decades, and people thought there were supernatural creatures roaming amongst them. Surely, not?

  "You're awake," Kaden said the second he saw her.

  Kaden entered the room quietly. His sharp gaze scanned her from head to toe. She peered at him helplessly, without a single ounce of joy in her eyes. She was nothing like the bright and dazzling woman from Belle Night. They had punished the light out of her.

  Lina silently glanced down at her fingertips. She didn't know what to say, except the bed was much softer than she had felt for the past few days, or was it weeks? Lina didn't know.

  "I was late."

  Kaden placed a tray of food by her bedside table. When she saw the metal, she flinched away, cowering to the ends of the bed, her breath caught in her throat and her heart wild. He heard her pulse quicken. He lowered his attention.

  "T-take it away," Lina stammered out.

  "It's food, dove of mine," Kaden murmured, picking up the polished metal bowl of cold fruits that he peeled just for her.

  Lina rapidly shook her head, hugging a pillow to her body. Her lips trembled. She didn't realize just the sight of metal things terrified her to this extent. Everything that reminded her of the mental asylum made her flinch and her toes curl with fear.

  "What is frightening you, my dove?" Kaden patiently asked, putting the bowl of fruit down. He observed all that he made for her. There was porridge cooked with scallions and mushrooms, a platter of sausage and eggs with side of salad and vegetables, bone broth soup cooked in carrots with corn and white radish, as well as a cup of tea to cleanse her palette.

  "M-metal…"

  Kaden's expression froze over. Just exactly what did they do to her? Had he not come in time, what would've happened?

  Kaden would get his answers soon. He had just arrested the hospital director and every employee in the asylum as traitors harboring hatred for the regime. He was going to drag these people through hell and make them wish for death. It was the least he could do for what they did to his dear dove.

  "Alright, I will return, dove," Kaden said, picking up the metal tray. He paused and gazed down at her deserted expression.

  The first things she said to him weren't sweet words. She didn't say she missed him or needed him, but he felt that exact way about her.

  Suddenly, Kaden bent and kissed her on the forehead. Her breath hitched and she froze. Then, she relaxed, letting out a small sigh of relief. He kissed her on the cheek for a good measure, then left——

  "Bamboo…?" Lina realized when he returned in less than ten minutes.

  Kaden had replated and replaced everything on the metal tray from earlier. He used a wooden tray with an antique design and golden handles. There, he put all the food into porcelain or bamboo bowls.

  "Yes, dove," Kaden said, putting the wooden tray onto her lap. He found a better tray, one that would prop up in bed and allow her to eat it.

  "Chopsticks," Lina whispered with an appreciative smile. She picked up the familiar equipment that she hadn't seen in days. Starved from these items, Lina wished she hadn't taken things for granted.

  When Lina first tasted the porridge, she broke down in tears. The porridge was salty from her neverending tears. She swallowed and then sobbed, her entire shoulders trembling. She hiccuped and choked, putting the utensil down and lowering her face in shame.

  Kaden said nothing. Instead, he put the food tray onto the vanity near them. Then, he grabbed her shoulder and brought her towards him. Lina latched onto him tightly, burying her face into his embrace.

  "Shhh…." Kaden slid her into his lap. She was bone and skin. They had starved her for god knows how long. Yet the first thing she wanted from him wasn't food, it was him. Just him.

  "N-ngh…h-h—" Lina hiccuped, making strange noises from being unable to hold back her emotions. She struggled to breathe and tightly held onto him for dear life.

  Kaden ran his hand up and down her back. He could feel her bone protruding out, nothing like the healthy woman in his bed two weeks ago. He was late. No. Beyond that. He was inexcusable and he knew it.

  "T-they—"

  "Breathe, my dear dove," Kaden reassured her, kissing the side of her head. Her hair was still matted, for he didn't dare to touch her in her sleep. She was still in the hospital gown, her body revealed by the thin material.

  Kaden leaned his face against her hair, kissing and whispering sweetness to her broken heart. She cried for god knows how long in his embrace. He could feel his thighs falling asleep from having her within his lap. He stroked the ends of her hair and alongside her spine until his fingers felt raw and exhausted. He continued talking even when his throat was parched.

  "You're alright, dove. You're safe with me." Kaden's voice was low and tender, shooting straight into Lina's heart.

  Lina's lashes fluttered as she rubbed her face against his neck. His scent was the strongest there, and she could feel his pulse brush her lips. She loved how warm his skin was, how comfortable he made her feel, and how secure she felt in his embrace. It was as if there was no one that'd ever hurt her. All of her inconveniences didn't exist when he was here.

  "I've got you, dove. Nothing can hurt you so long as I am here." Kaden gave her a soft squeeze which only made her hug him tighter. He affectionately rubbed her spine, feeling her shudder under his caress.

  After a moment, Lina's hiccups and body tremble finally quieted down. He knew she was still awake from her erratic breathing.

  "I dirtied your shirt," Lina finally sniffled out, her tone cracking and weak. She pulled back to see the large wet spot she left on his white button up. The material was expensive silk and she immediately regretted it. The design was foreign and must've cost a fortune.

  "It's just a shirt."

  Kaden gazed down at her, but found she was pouting at the area she soiled. He brushed the bangs out of her eyes, revealing her saddened gaze. This girl was going to be the death of him, even if he'll never die. He kissed her on the forehead, her eyes fluttering shut. His lips lingered, her breathing calming down.

  "You've been so strong, dove of mine."

  And there it was, Lina's lips began to tremble again. She lowered her stare, not even able to look at him any longer.

  "I-I wanted to p-protect you, I…" Lina trailed off. "I didn't mean to leave that morning, b-but I had to tell them first, I-I had to make sure you would be protected. I wanted to tell them myself, I didn't want to leave, I swear."

  "I understand, dove. I do." Kaden caressed the back of her scalp. She peered up at him like a lost child. Her expression squeezed his heart, crushing his chest with agony.

  "You do?"

  "I do." Kaden bent and kissed her on the nose, earning a soft laughter from her. Then, he captured her lips, gently and slowly. She melted into his embrace and he pulled away within seconds. She leaned forward for more.

  Kaden chuckled. Lina's stomach flipped.

  "Your laughter is very beautiful," Lina confessed, gingerly touching his jaw.

  Kaden's smile slowly dropped. He pressed his mouth against her fingertips.

  "Never do it again, dove," Kaden said to her. "Never put your safety before mine. I will always be alive and well, no matter what they do to me."

  "No one is immortal, Kaden," Lina confessed. She ran her fingers down the side of his neck, brushing her thumb on Adam's apple.

  "You are only human, Kaden," Lina said with the most gentle smile she could muster.

  Kaden fell head over heels in love with her all over again. Tears and everything, with moistened lashes, and her broken smile, Kaden had never loved anyone more than her in this exact moment.

  If only she knew.