Chapter 20 What If He Doesn’t Come Back?
Ten years.
He'd hated Trevor for a whole ten years, fought for ten years, thinking that once he dealt with Trevor himself, he could avenge his parents and lift the weight off his heart.
But in the end, he was told that there was another group who wanted his parents dead back then, and they were still hiding in the shadows.
His chest felt like it was being crushed by a boulder, so heavy he could barely breathe.
The car pulled up to the cemetery. James told Iron Wolf to head back and went to the cemetery alone.
Seeing his parents' gentle smiles on the tombstone, James couldn't help the ache in his heart.
James crouched down, reached out his hand, his fingertips lightly brushing across the photo.
"Dad, Mom," his voice choked, his eyes red.
"I thought I'd avenged you, but it turns out Trevor was just a scapegoat."
"But don't worry, no matter who's behind this, I'll drag them out one by one and tear them to pieces!"
He gritted his teeth, hatred filling his eyes.
Time ticked by. James stayed by his parents' grave for a long while, until it got dark, before heading back.
Meanwhile, at the hotel, Caroline sat on the edge of the bed, gripping her phone tightly, her eyes fixed on the door, her brow furrowed.
It was almost one in the morning, and James still wasn't back.
She'd been waiting here since after dinner.
From initial anticipation, to growing unease, to now full-blown panic.
Her heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, the pain making it hard to breathe.
She picked up her phone, wanting to call James, but her finger hovered over the dial button, unable to press down.
She was afraid of disturbing James, afraid he was handling something important, but the unease in her heart kept growing stronger.
"James, where are you?"
She murmured softly.
She remembered James covered in blood, his eyes cold, and her heart started racing with panic.
She couldn't sit still anymore. She threw off the covers, got out of bed, and hurried to the door, pulling it open.
The hallway lights were dim, with only a few Specter Syndicate members patrolling back and forth. Seeing Caroline, they quickly stopped and greeted her respectfully, "Ms. Collins."
"Where's Iron Wolf?" Caroline's voice trembled slightly as she asked urgently.
"James isn't back yet. Do you know where he went?"
"Iron Wolf is waiting in the lobby downstairs, Ms. Collins. Don't worry, Mr. Anderson should be back soon."
One of the team members quickly said, his tone as gentle as possible, trying to reassure her.
Before he could finish, Caroline was already hurrying toward the elevator, her steps rushed. She hadn't even put her shoes on properly, her heels scraping against the floor. It hurt, but she didn't notice.
The elevator doors opened. She rushed in and pressed the button for the first floor, her fingers still trembling.
The elevator descended slowly, each second feeling like torture.
As soon as the elevator doors opened, she rushed out and immediately spotted Iron Wolf sitting on a sofa in the lobby.
"Iron Wolf!" She ran over quickly, her voice breaking.
"Where's James? Why isn't he back yet? Did something happen to him?"
Seeing her, Iron Wolf quickly stood up, looking somewhat troubled.
"Ms. Collins, don't worry. Mr. Anderson is fine. He just went out for a walk by himself. He'll be back soon."
"A walk? It's so late, and he went out alone. How can he be fine!"
Caroline was so anxious that tears fell. She grabbed Iron Wolf's arm. "Where did he go? Tell me, I'll go find him!"
"Ms. Collins, I can't," Iron Wolf quickly held her hand, his tone firm.
"Mr. Anderson told us not to follow him. He just wants to be alone right now. If you go looking for him, he'll be upset."
"I don't care! I have to find him!"
Caroline struggled hard, tears streaming down her face.
"I'm scared something happened to him. I can't wait anymore. Iron Wolf, tell me where he is, please?"
She wasn't strong enough to break free from Iron Wolf's grip.
Seeing her crying so hard, Iron Wolf felt bad too.
But he didn't dare disobey James's orders, so he could only steel himself and say.
"Ms. Collins, I'm sorry, I can't tell you. Don't worry, Mr. Anderson is very capable. Nothing will happen to him. Let's wait a bit longer. He'll be back soon."
"Wait? I can't wait anymore!"
Caroline was shaking all over, her eyes red.
"What if he's in danger? What if he doesn't come back? Iron Wolf, let me go. I have to find him!"
Just then, the sound of a car engine finally came from the hotel entrance.
Caroline immediately looked up, a glimmer of light flashing in her eyes.
She quickly stood up and ran toward the entrance, not even bothering to wipe her tears.
James pushed open the car door and got out, surrounded by cold air. His hair and shirt were damp with dew, clinging to his body. His face was pale, his eyes full of exhaustion, even looking somewhat unfocused.
Seeing that familiar figure from afar, Caroline's heart tightened, and she almost flew toward him.
"James!"
She threw herself into his arms, her arms locked tightly around his waist, her voice shaking, filled with long-suppressed grievance and fear.
"You're finally back. Where did you go? I was so worried about you."
James's whole body stiffened.
The tension he'd been carrying for days, the hostility and irritation weighing on his heart, all vanished the moment he felt her warm body.
He raised his hand, his fingertips cool, gently landing on her soft hair, then brushing across her flushed cheek.
"I'm sorry for making you wait so long."
His voice was hoarse, hiding guilt that was hard to conceal.
Caroline shook her head, burying her face deeper into his chest, listening to his steady, strong heartbeat. Only then did her anxious heart slowly settle back into place.
"I don't mind waiting. I'm just scared something will happen to you."
She choked up, looking up at him, her eyes full of unconcealed worry.
"Where did you go? No matter what happens, tell me, okay? We'll face it together. Don't carry it all alone."
James's heart clenched sharply.
After ten years of going it alone, he'd long grown used to bearing everything by himself.
But now, being cared for so openly by her, he felt somewhat at a loss, and somewhat bitter.
He was silent for a moment, then reached out to wipe the tears from the corner of her eyes, his tone heavy as lead.
"Caroline, the people who killed my parents weren't just Trevor. There's another group, and they're still hiding in the shadows."
Caroline's body trembled, shock flashing across her face, then only heartache remained in her eyes.
She instantly understood why he'd been gone all night.
She gently gripped his hand, her palm warm, but her eyes unusually firm.
"It's okay."
"We'll investigate together. No matter how deep that killer is hiding, we'll find them and avenge your parents."
James looked into her clear eyes, and a warm current suddenly rushed to his eyes, almost forcing out tears.
After ten years of solitary courage, this was the first time he'd heard someone willing to share his blood feud with him, unafraid of danger.
Guilt and cherishing intertwined. He suddenly tightened his fingers, gripping her hand firmly in his palm, his tone forceful, almost stubborn.
"No, the path of revenge is too dangerous. I'm sending you abroad."