Chapter 81 CHAPTER 81
Go home
The soft yellow bulbs strung above the narrow restaurant gave the space a perpetual twilight glow. Evening had fallen outside, and the lanterns along the narrow Tokyo street swayed gently in the night air, announcing to passersby that hot meals and warm tea awaited within. But Chloe could not enjoy the quiet charm of the setting.
She was pacing.
Her feet dragged a restless path across the wooden floorboards, moving from one corner of the restaurant to the other like a caged creature. A few tables were empty, the dinner rush not yet in full swing, but Chloe’s chest felt tight, as though every seat in the house were occupied by someone watching her, judging her, recognizing her.
She wrung her hands together, smoothing her apron with nervous movements. Her eyes darted to the door every few seconds, half expecting someone from her past to come through again, just as Ayisha had days ago. Ayisha’s sharp eyes and voice still rang in her ears—Chloe? You’re Chloe Langford.
She whispered to herself, “It’s just a job. Serve, smile, walk away. No one cares. No one sees.”
But her hands trembled despite the mantra.
The door chimed.
Chloe froze, her body stiffening as though the sound were a bullet. She turned slowly, her chest hammering, and saw a tall figure step inside. Dressed in a flowing black habit with a starched white veil that covered everything but the eyes, the new guest looked otherworldly among the ramen bowls and sizzling pans.
It was the nun.
Chloe had seen her once before, from a distance—opening the gate to the mansion next to Ares’s house. Expect Chloe had no idea it was Ares’ house. The image of her people laughing at the sight of the extravagant nun returned briefly, but now, up close, the figure exuded no humor at all. She carried herself with a gravity that demanded respect, though her movements tonight seemed tentative, almost nervous.
The nun selected a table near the back, her covered face tilted down as though she wanted no one to notice her presence. Chloe’s boss, Hana, gave a quick nod in Chloe’s direction. “Go. Serve her. Be polite. I heard she’s rich.”
Chloe swallowed. Something about the air shifted, a tension she couldn’t name. Still, she lifted her notepad, plastered a practiced half smile on her lips, and approached.
“Welcome,” she said softly. Her voice trembled, and she cleared her throat to steady it. “May I take your order?”
The nun’s head rose.
For a moment, the narrow slits of her eyes locked on Chloe’s face. In that instant, all the air in the room seemed to vanish. The nun’s entire body jolted as though struck by lightning. Her hand, gloved in black, trembled on the table edge.
“Y-you…” The nun’s voice cracked beneath the heavy cloth.
Chloe blinked, startled by the reaction. “Is something wrong, sister?” she asked carefully, leaning in just slightly.
The nun’s chair scraped violently against the floor as she shoved it back, standing abruptly. Her entire body shook, her breath coming out in sharp gasps. For a moment she looked like a trapped animal, pinned by the shock of recognition. Then, without another word, she turned and fled.
The door banged open, the bell clanging wildly as she shoved it aside. Customers turned in surprise as the black clad nun nearly stumbled across the street, fumbling for her car keys. She wrenched open the car door, slid inside, and slammed it shut, her chest heaving as she gripped the steering wheel.
From the restaurant window, Chloe could see her hands trembling violently. The nun’s head dropped forward as if she were trying to steady herself, but Chloe could also see the motion of panicked breaths, fogging the inside of the windshield.
Behind her, Hana stormed out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. Her eyes narrowed on the retreating nun, then darted back to Chloe.
“What did you do?” Hana hissed.
Chloe shook her head quickly. “Nothing, I swear. I just asked for her order.”
“Nothing?” Hana’s tone cut like a knife. “You walk over, and she runs like she’s seen a ghost. Do you want to scare all my customers away? I don’t care what your past is, girl, but I won’t let you ruin my business.”
Chloe’s throat tightened. She opened her mouth to protest again, but Hana cut her off with a sharp wave of her hand.
“Enough. Take off your apron. Go home. You’ve done enough damage for one night.”
The words struck harder than she expected. Chloe unclasped the apron strings with numb fingers, her chest caving in with a quiet shame. The other workers kept their heads down, avoiding her gaze as she laid the apron neatly on the counter.
She slipped outside into the night, the cool air wrapping around her. The nun’s car was still parked down the lane, headlights off, the figure inside motionless except for the faint tremor of shoulders shaking. Chloe didn’t linger. She pulled her jacket tighter around herself and walked quickly down the street, her mind spiraling.
Why did she react that way? Does she know me? How?
Her steps faltered. Did she see the trial? Did she hear the name Chloe Langford and connect the dots?
The thought made her stomach twist. The past she had tried so desperately to bury was clawing its way back to the surface—first Ayisha, now this strange nun.
As she turned a corner, the street suddenly narrowed into a busier intersection, and she nearly collided with a familiar figure.
Ayisha.
The one face she least wanted to see.
Ayisha was walking arm in arm with Ethan, her elegant frame draped in a designer coat that seemed almost too rich for the modest neighborhood. Her eyes landed on Chloe, recognition flashing immediately.
“You!” Ayisha gasped, stopping short.
Chloe’s breath hitched. Panic surged through her body like a wave. Her first instinct was to run, but her legs betrayed her, frozen in place.
Ayisha stepped closer, suspicion darkening her features. “You thought you could pretend you don’t know me? I know who you are. You’re Chloe. Chloe Langford. Don’t you dare deny it again.”
Chloe’s chest heaved. She stumbled backward, shaking her head frantically. “I—I don’t know you,” she whispered, forcing the fake accent she’d used before. But it cracked at the edges, weak and unconvincing.
Ayisha narrowed her eyes. “Liar.”
Chloe turned, nearly tripping as she bolted down the street. Her fingers shook as she fumbled her phone from her pocket, her lifeline in moments like this. There was only one person she wanted to hear: Lady Bianca.
Bianca had promised her escape, had been her silent ally in the shadows. If anyone could steady her spiraling fear, it was her. Chloe hit the call button, pressing the phone to her ear as she ducked into a narrow alley, chest heaving.
The line rang.
Then a cold, automated voice: The number you are trying to reach has blocked your call.
Chloe froze.
Her knees weakened, and she pressed her back against the damp brick wall, clutching the phone like it might still save her. She dialed again, desperation clawing through her veins.
The same message.
Blocked.
She slid down the wall, her body curling into itself as a wave of despair crashed over her. Ayisha’s accusing voice rang in her ears, the nun’s shocked eyes burned into her memory, and now Lady Bianca had cut her off.
Her hands covered her face as sobs shook through her chest. Alone, in the dim light of the alley, Chloe realized the truth she had been running from, no matter how far she traveled, her past was a shadow she could not escape.
And now it was catching up with her in Japan.
She had no where to go except the mansion she was illegally squatting in the boys’ quarters. The mansion was on same street with the nun.
Chloe coughed, realizing Chloe lived a few streets away.