Chapter 64 Heart-to-Heart Talk
Evelyn's POV
"You... let go of me..."
Robert struggled to speak, his eyes full of terror.
"Let go of you?"
Kane sneered, tightening his grip even more. "When you were spreading slander about Evelyn, did it not once cross your mind that there would be a price to pay?"
"I... I didn't..."
Robert was still making excuses. "That's the truth! She had injuries..."
"The truth? Did you see me hurt her? And what right have you to take photographs of Evelyn and me without our leave?" Kane roared.
"Kane! That's quite enough!"
Sensing the whole thing was on the verge of slipping out of hand, I rushed over and seized hold of Kane's arm. "YYou gave me your word! You promised me you wouldn't take a life!"
If Robert died here, Kane would be completely finished!
Kane looked down at me, and the murderous intent in his eyes slowly began to bleed away.
He took a deep breath and released his grip from Robert's neck.
Robert slid down the wall to the floor, gasping for air, the relief of one who'd come through alive written across his face.
He glared at us, thinking it was over.
But Kane didn't leave.
He looked down at Robert, his gaze as cold as if he were looking at a corpse.
"I promised Evelyn I wouldn't kill you."
Kane crouched down and grabbed Robert's right hand.
"But this hand took photos it shouldn't have and posted things it shouldn't have."
"Crack!"
A crisp sound of breaking bone rang out, echoing in my mind.
"Ahhh!!!"
Robert let out a scream, curling up on the ground, clutching his wrist that was now twisted at a ninety-degree angle, rolling in agony.
Watching him writhe on theground, his wails unceasing, cold sweat soaked my back and my hands and feet went ice cold.
"This hand is your lesson."
Kane stood up, pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his hands, his tone icy. "If I ever see you hurt Evelyn again, next time it'll be your neck that breaks."
My stomach churned violently, a strong wave of nausea rising in my throat.
"Ugh..."
I covered my mouth, fighting the urge to vomit, my face pale.
After saying that, he grabbed my hand and strode out of the restaurant under everyone's horrified gazes.
His palm was still warm, but now holding it felt like gripping a burning iron, scorching my skin.
I just mechanically stumbled along after him.
Back at the dorm, Kane wanted to come into my room with me. I tried to stop him, but he wouldn't let go.
We entered the room together, and Kane immediately pressed me against the door.
"Evelyn..."
He lowered his head, trying to kiss me, trying to confirm my presence, as if only this could calm the panic in his heart.
"Don't touch me yet!"
I shoved him away with all my strength. Kane froze.
His body went rigid, and for the first time, those orange-red eyes showed panic and confusion, like a child who'd done something wrong but didn't know what.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling sick somewhere? Or..."
He looked at my pale face, his hand stopping mid-air as he reached for me. "Did Robert's words scare you just now? I'll handle it..."
"It's you!"
I didn't want to hide it anymore, staring at him. "Kane, you're the one who scared me!"
"You just now—you lost control!"
"Why did you do that? You clearly promised me you wouldn't kill him, but you still... you still broke his hand! Do you know how I..."
I shouted hysterically, releasing all the fear, grievance, and disgust at that bloody scene that had been building up inside me.
"I..."
Kane opened his mouth, seeming to want to explain something, but in the end just helplessly dropped his hands, fists clenched tight, nails digging into his flesh.
"I'm sorry."
He said in a low voice, hoarse. "I... I scared you."
"Evelyn, look at me!"
He grabbed my shoulders with both hands, the force strong, making me look directly into those bloodshot eyes. "Tell me, when you saw those photos, saw those comments, how did you feel?"
"Why didn't you tell me? And all those times before when you were bullied, why didn't you tell me?"
"I... I was really upset."
I nodded through my tears, unable to stop them from flowing. "But... but that's still no reason for you to do what you did..."
"Even so, you didn't tell me anything!"
Kane interrupted me, his voice full of suppressed anger and pain, the agony of being betrayed and kept in the dark. "You'd rather hide alone in your dorm, rather make up lies to refuse my dinner invitation, than tell me you'd been wronged!"
"What do you take me for? A boyfriend who's only there for the good times? Or am I not worth your trust?"
"No..."
I shook my head desperately, hair messily sticking to my face. "I just didn't want you to worry, didn't want you to break school rules because of me, didn't want you to get involved with those dirty people... and I..."
"I know you didn't want me to do this, but I still broke his hand! I don't regret it! Even if I had another chance, I'd do it again! I'd even make him pay an even worse price!"
Kane's chest heaved violently, his eyes full of determination to protect me.
He looked at me, his eyes bloodshot, like a wounded beast—both fierce and pitiful.
"Evelyn, listen carefully."
He said seriously, each word carving itself into my mind. "I'm not a good person, and I'm not a gentleman."
"I try hard to control my possessiveness over you. I can't accept anyone hurting you in any way. You're mine, and absolutely no one else can bully you."
"Didn't you choose me? Didn't you promise me you wouldn't be afraid of me, wouldn't leave me?"
"This is my rule! My bottom line!"
"I won't allow you to be wronged, won't allow you to be bullied, and especially won't allow you to hide from me and bear all this alone! Do you understand? You're the most important person to me!"
"From now on, no matter what happens, tell me immediately! Tell me unconditionally!"
"You must trust me, and you can only have eyes for me."
Kane stared at me, laying out all his thoughts without hiding anything, with raw honesty, even knowing I might be scared.
I looked at him, looked at this man who lost control for my sake, who would give up everything to protect me.
His domineering nature, his violence, his madness...
All of it was because he cared about me too much. He was using this extreme, almost destructive way to tell me: he loved me.
I thought about those vicious comments, those helpless nights, those moments when I curled up in a corner silently hurting.
If I hadn't kept it hidden back then, if I'd told him the truth at the very first moment, would that post never have blown up? Would all this bloodshed and agony never have come to pass?
Maybe... maybe I was wrong too.
I thought I was protecting him, keeping him out of trouble. But actually, I was pushing him away, wearing down our relationship.
I reached out my hand, gently touching his trembling arm, my fingertips feeling his burning body temperature.
"Kane..."