NEW SYMPATHY

"My name is Alora, Andrew's sister." She started. So Andrew is the name of that man. "May I?" She pointed at the chair so I nodded as giving her permission. She pulled up a chair and sat across from me.

"My brother is not a bad person, Ashley. Even though we grew up poor he never did anything bad. Yes, we are poor, but our parents always told us when they were alive that it is okay to suffer as long as you walk high in front of anyone you pass because you haven't done anything bad to others."

"Why are you telling me those things?"

I don't know what she's talking about. Maybe she wanted me to know that her brother is not as bad as I know.

"I just want you to know what my brother went through."

"Let her Ashley," Eugene said. "Spill it."

"One day, a friend hired him. They said they had a racket and paid a lot. He wanted to help me. Especially since my son is sick. So he went along. But when he came home he was different. I even saw bruises on his face and other parts of his body. He obviously went through beatings. I’m not used to seeing him like that so I knew there was something wrong with his friend's walk. He also lay on the mat for a week before his bruises completely healed."

I didn’t even think about what happened to him after he let me escape. I was left to watch over him but he made me run away. I did not think that there was a possibility that his companions would kill him because of what he did.

"But since he recovered he has changed. He was always crying. He was also always drunk every night. He was at our parents' grave every day. I catch him there crying and apologizing to our parents. He says he is a worthless child, a worthless person. He hopes he dies. Until he fell ill and was hospitalized. There he told me everything. He is looking for you so that he can apologize to you. I cannot accept that my brother has committed such a sin. I also blamed myself. If it wasn't for my son and me he wouldn't have gone there. He wouldn't have done anything wrong."

Then she cried.

"Forgive our family, Ashley. Forgive our parents for not guiding my brother. Forgive me for not guiding my brother. The mistake of one of our family is everyone’s fault. I hope you will forgive us." She apologized to me.

"It's not your fault. I have forgiven your brother from the bottom of my heart. I forgive him because I also owe him my life because he made me run away." I held his hand. She looked up then cried while smiling.

"Thank you." I don't think anyone else is suffering from what happened to me. I  thought it was just me and the one who make me escape. But also people around him who love him. They also blame themselves even though they are not to blame for what happened. Even if they know nothing they still suffer when they find out the truth.

Now my desire not to tell Hunter and Asher the truth prevailed over me. Because I'm sure they'll be hurt a lot more than the pain I went through.

I know how much Hunter loves me so I don’t want to give him chest weight.

I also know how much Asher loves me and I don’t want to blame himself over and over again for what happened to me.

=FLASHBACK=

I was in the parking lot carrying my purchases. I plan to fix the house so that when Asher comes home he will be surprised. He thought I was mad at him because I wasn’t talking to him. He left me and went abroad for work.

I didn't keep in touch with him and I didn't call to pretend I was really angry. I was upset at first but I knew he was just doing the work and I understood that. I can't be angry with him. I just want to be tender because he babysits when I'm sulking and I really like that when he does that to me.

I feel special for him when he tames me.

I can feel his love for me.

It's only a month and we'll meet again. I miss him so much. His kiss, his lips, his hug. All to him. The way he claimed me was to be full of caution and love. I feel so damn special.

I just smiled. The size of the effect of that idiot. Who would think that I'd love that idiot too who did nothing but look at me? If I hadn’t been the first to make the way we wouldn’t have been. I don't regret it because Asher loves me so much and for Pete's sake, I love him also.

I inserted the key when someone put a handkerchief on my face. I fought back in confusion but I also immediately lost consciousness due to the pungent smell.

I woke up as if in an abandoned warehouse with my hand-tied. The surroundings were dirty and we were in the middle.

"Flawless is awake!" shout of a man.

"Fuck, prepare the ones that will be used for the battle!" another shouted.

"I'll be the first because I'm a leader."

"Wait, are you sure we will do this?"

Four men were in front of me. Three were wearing boxers, one still fully clothed.

"W-who are you?" I nervously question them. "Help!!!"

"Don't make a noise, we will take you to heaven," said the leader who introduced himself then approached me and stroked my foot.

END OF FLASHBACK

"No!"

"Ashley." I was fighting the man in front of me. "Ashley!" A loud slap hit me hard.

I gasped and then looked around at the man in front of me.

"Eugene?" I was inside the car and in the parking lot. Then I remembered that Eugene was with me and we were here in the hospital.

"You're dreaming," he said then handed me bottled water.

"No, I had a nightmare," I replied holding my chest then drinking water. I calmed myself first while shaking.

I never thought it will go back to my memories of what happened then. I took a deep breath then leaned back in my chair.

"Are you okay?" he asked with accompanying concern. "Do you need something?"

"No, I am ok, I want to rest, I was just dreaming but I'm ok, I want to go home," I replied while holding my head.

"Don't you want to visit your son first?" I frowned and immediately looked at him because of what he said.

"How did you know?" I asked in surprise, which made me even more nervous.

"I saw nana when I came here. I followed her and I saw your son, and nana told me everything,"

"Eugene,"

"I told you, your secret is safe." I did not answer. I just kept staring at him. "Don't worry, I'm not an enemy."

"I trusted you," I said smiling. "So, you've already met Charles?" I ask.

"Hmph, you have the same eyes."

"Really?" He nodded at me.

"You want to go with him?"

"Visiting hours in his ward is over, we can't go in now because only one person is allowed at this time."

"Ow, I see. Do you need help?"

"No, everything is fine."

"How about the bills, the necessities?"

"It's all covered,"

"If you need something, don't hesitate to ask."

"I will, I am." he just smiled at me. "Shall we go?" I asked and he immediately started the car.