"Sera?"

Julian’s voice shook violently. He struggled to get up from the floor, staggering toward her.

"You... you aren't dead? You’re really not dead?"

He reached out his hand, wanting to touch her to confirm if she was real.

Sera instinctively took a step back, avoiding his touch.

Her gaze was icy and devoid of emotion, as if she were looking at a complete stranger.

"Don't touch me."

Chapter 13

Julian froze, his outstretched hand stiffening in mid-air.

Looking at the icy gaze in her eyes, he felt a sharp pang in his heart. He knew she still hated him.

"I know I was wrong!"

With a thud, he knelt before her, tears streaming down his face.

"I shouldn't have doubted you, I shouldn't have locked you up, and I shouldn't have abandoned you for a woman like Bianca! I know I've made a terrible mistake. Please, give me another chance. I’ll make it up to you; I’ll spend the rest of my life atoning for my sins!"

Sera watched him kneeling there, weeping and wailing, but her heart remained unmoved.

The pain of being misunderstood, harmed, and imprisoned—the moments of despair when she wanted to die—could not be mended by a simple "I was wrong."

"Atonement?"

She let out a soft laugh, her tone laced with mockery. "Do you think you’re even qualified for atonement? You caused my death once; do you want to destroy me a second time?"

"No! I never wanted to hurt you!"

Julian defended himself frantically. "I just missed you so much, I regretted everything! Bianca is dead, the obstacle between us is gone. Can’t we start over?"

"Start over?"

Her gaze turned cold. "Are you insane? It ended between us long ago—the moment you gave my life-saving heart to Bianca."

She paused and looked at him, emphasizing every word: "And Julian, the Author only corrected the plot of your encounter with Bianca; the Author never forced your feelings. The reason you favored her and abandoned me was entirely your own choice, wasn't it?"

Julian was stunned. He didn't fully understand the meaning of her words.

But she was right. From beginning to end, no one had forced him. He had chosen to believe Bianca; he had chosen to hurt Sera.

"I..."

He wanted to explain, but found himself speechless.

Just then, the shaking of the mansion intensified. A massive crack spread from the ceiling to the floor, and the entire house seemed on the verge of collapsing.

"This is bad! The house is coming down, we have to go."

Julian stood up quickly, trying to pull her away.

At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed from the entrance. Xavier burst in with a group of bodyguards.

He had just rushed back from the neighboring city upon hearing that Bianca had been kidnapped. When he saw the scene in the living room, his face turned ashen.

Bianca’s corpse lay on the floor, blood staining the ground. Julian stood nearby with a crazed look, while Sera stood there, alive and well.

"Sera Sterling? You're alive?"

Xavier was stunned, but a ruthless glint soon flashed in his eyes. "Fine! Since you're here too, you can all be buried together!"

With a wave of Xavier’s hand, the bodyguards lunged toward Julian and Sera.

"Stay behind me!"

Julian instinctively shielded her, clenching his fists and staring intently at the approaching men.

Sera watched the silhouette in front of her without a ripple of emotion. She gently pushed him aside, took a step back, and found a relatively safe corner to stand in, watching coldly.

Her mission was to buy time, not to participate in their brawl.

Pushed away by her, Julian froze for a second before letting out a bitter laugh. True, he no longer had the right to protect her.

He stopped overthinking and threw himself at the bodyguards.

The suppressed hatred, regret, and madness of the past few days erupted completely. Like an uncontrolled beast, he fought them hand-to-hand, every strike meant to be fatal.

Xavier joined the fray as well. Having been rivals for years, the new blood feud made them see red. They brawled desperately, their bodies soon covered in bleeding wounds.

Standing in the corner, Sera watched calmly.

System, how much longer until the repair is complete? she asked internally.

[Repair progress: 70%. Estimated time remaining: 30 minutes. Please continue to delay.]

Sera nodded silently.

Julian and Xavier continued their frantic slaughter. Bodyguards were either knocked down by Julian or caught in the crossfire, collapsing and howling in pain.

Julian’s strength began to fail. His wounds multiplied, and the constant flow of blood made his vision swim.

In a split second of distraction, Xavier seized the opening and slammed a fist into Julian’s chest.

Julian let out a muffled groan as a mouthful of blood sprayed out. He staggered back several steps, slamming heavily against the wall.

"You're finished!"

Xavier sneered, closing in step by step. "Today, I’ll make you pay for everything you’ve done!"

Julian struggled to stand but found his body devoid of strength. He looked at the approaching Xavier, then at Sera in the corner, his eyes filled with despair and regret.

"Sera..." his voice was raspy as he reached out toward her.

Sera looked at him, her gaze remaining calm, offering no response.

Xavier raised his fist, aiming for Julian’s head.

At that critical moment, Sera spoke: "Do you really think killing him means you win?"

Xavier stopped, turning to her with a raised eyebrow. "Oh? Does the eldest daughter of the Sterlings have some brilliant insight?"

"So what if you beat him?" she said tonelessly. "Everything you lost is never coming back. You spent all this effort on revenge, but in the end, you'll gain nothing but a void."

"Shut up!" Xavier’s eyes were vicious. "If it weren't for you people, how would I have ended up like this? I’m going to kill him!"

"Killing him won't change anything," she replied calmly. "Besides, do you really think you can kill him today?"

Her words successfully drew his full attention.

Xavier stared at her, his gaze sinister. "Don't think just because you're alive that you can meddle in my business! After I kill him, you're next!"

"Is that so?" she chuckled. "You're welcome to try."

Chapter 14

[Repair progress: 85%. Estimated time remaining: 15 minutes. Please continue to delay.]

As the system notification faded, Julian suddenly exploded with strength. Taking advantage of Xavier’s distraction, he landed a heavy punch on his face.

Caught off guard, Xavier stumbled back, blood seeping from his lip.

"Your opponent is me!"

Julian roared and threw himself at him again. The two were locked in a messy, chaotic struggle once more.

Standing in the corner, Sera could feel the collapse of the world worsening. The cracks in the walls widened, and the ground beneath her feet vibrated slightly.

System, can the repair speed be increased?

[The repair process cannot be accelerated. Host must persevere.]

Left with no choice, she continued to watch the two fight to the death. Both men were exhausted and covered in scars.

Xavier glared at Julian. "Today, we end this once and for all!"

He pulled a short blade from his waist and lunged at Julian. Julian couldn't dodge in time; a deep gash was sliced into his arm.

Suddenly, Julian turned to look at Sera, his eyes wild with obsession. "Come with me! I’m taking you away from here!"

Ignoring the fight with Xavier, he rushed over, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her toward the exit.

"Let go of me!" she struggled, but his grip was like iron.

"I won't!" his voice carried a frantic persistence. "This time, I will never let go of your hand again!"

Seeing this, Xavier roared, "Stand still!" He chased after them with his remaining guards.

Julian dragged her to the garage, shoved her into a sports car, climbed in himself, and sped away.

The car raced down the road at a terrifying speed.

"You've lost it! Stop the car!" she shouted, watching the scenery blur past.

But he wouldn't listen. He turned to her with an infatuated gaze. "Don't be afraid. I’ll protect you. Once we lose him, we’ll find a place where no one knows us and start over."

"I am not going with you," she said coldly. "It ended between us long ago."

"It’s not over!" he screamed. "As long as you're alive, it’s not over! I know you're still angry. After some time, you’ll forgive me."

Sera stopped talking. She knew there was no point in reasoning with a madman. She could only urge the system: What’s the progress?

[Repair progress: 95%. Estimated time remaining: 10 minutes.]

She breathed a sigh of relief. If she could hold on for ten more minutes, she could leave.

The car finally stopped in front of another of Julian's villas. He pulled her inside, locked the door, and activated the security system.

"From today on, you live here. You aren't allowed to go anywhere."

He looked at her with a paranoid intensity. "I will take good care of you until you forgive me."