Chapter 104

Jordan sat on the edge of his couch in his apartment, elbows resting on his knees as he stared at the floor. The TV was on in the background, but neither of them was watching it. Sloane sat beside him, legs tucked underneath her, watching him quietly.

“It’s confirmed,” Jordan said, his voice low. “Yuki is leaving London with my brother tonight. Sad to say, but she’s made up her mind.”

Sloane exhaled slowly, leaning back against the cushions. “That must suck for Yuki and Kade. But come to think of it… you think we’ve been in the wrong all this while? If he really wanted to return her to her parents, then it’s a good thing, right?”

Jordan rubbed his temples, looking exhausted. “I don’t know. Part of me wants to believe that. If her real parents are alive and actually want her… that’s huge for her. But with Stefano involved? I can’t trust it. He doesn’t do anything unless it benefits him.”

Sloane nodded, picking at the edge of a throw pillow. “Still… if it’s true, she might finally have the chance to meet her real family. That’s something.”

“Yeah,” Jordan muttered. “Kade must be feeling down. He looked completely wrecked when I was with him earlier.”

Sloane turned her head to look at him properly. “Are you sad too?”

Jordan stayed quiet for a few seconds. He leaned back on the couch, staring up at the ceiling.

“I’ll kinda miss Yuki,” he admitted. “She grew on me. I just hope everything turns out well for her. She deserves some peace after all this mess.”

Sloane watched him closely. “Are you going to say goodbye to her? What about your brother? You won’t see him off?”

Jordan shook his head without hesitation. “There is no need to go there. Besides, I don’t want to see Stefano either.”

Sloane gave a small nod, understanding. She didn’t push him further.

_____

It was 7:30 pm.

Yuki stood outside her dorm building with Kade, the evening air cool against her skin. The streetlights cast a soft glow over them.

Kade held her hand tightly, his thumb gently stroking the back of her knuckles before he lifted it to his lips and kissed it softly.

“Promise me you’ll call me once you get there,” he said, his voice low. “Keep me updated on whatever happens to you, okay?”

“I will.” Yuki nodded, squeezing his hand back.

Their eyes met. The look between them was filled with everything they couldn’t fully say to each other.

“I’ll miss you,” she whispered.

“I don’t know why we keep getting separated. It’s you who’s leaving me this time.” Kade’s eyes softened with pain and love.

Yuki let out a small, sad chuckle. “I’ll come back. I promise. I’ll always keep you updated, Kade.”

He searched her eyes. “Promise?”

“I promise.”

Kade cupped her face with both hands and kissed her. The kiss was deep and desperate, full of fear and love. His lips moved against hers with raw emotion, tongue brushing hers as he pulled her closer.

Yuki kissed him back just as fiercely, her hands gripping his shirt, pouring all her feelings into it. It was heated and intense, almost painful, like they both knew this might be the last time for a while.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Kade rested his forehead against hers.

“I love you,” He said, voice deep. “I’ll never stop.”

Yuki’s eyes filled with tears. “I love you too. Took me long enough to say it but you should know by now.”

Kade chuckled softly, the sound bittersweet. He kissed her forehead gently, then pulled her into a tight hug, wrapping his arms around her like he never wanted to let go.

They held each other for a long moment.

Finally, they broke the hug. Headlights flashed toward them as a sleek black car approached and stopped.

Stefano stepped out of the driver’s side, looking calm and composed in his dark suit. He walked around and opened the back door for Yuki.

“Let’s go,” he said.

Yuki turned to Kade. “I’ll go ahead now.”

Kade nodded, still holding her hand. He slowly let go as she stepped toward the car.

“Ready?” Stefano asked.

Yuki ignored him completely and slid into the back seat. Stefano shut the door behind her with a quiet click.

He walked over to the driver’s side, pausing for a second to give Kade one last look. A small, cold smirk tugged at his lips. Then he got in, started the engine, and drove off into the night.

Kade stood there alone on the sidewalk, watching the taillights disappear.

\---

The black car rolled to a stop on the private airfield tarmac. The sleek white jet was already waiting, its stairs lowered and lights on. The pilot stood at the bottom, nodding respectfully as they arrived.

Stefano stepped out first, then turned and waited. Yuki got out on her own, ignoring his offered hand. Miguel followed closely behind them, silent and alert.

The pilot gestured toward the stairs. “Everything is ready, sir.”

Stefano turned to Yuki and held out his hand.

“Your phone,” he said.

“Why?” Yuki frowned, clutching her bag tighter.

“Don’t ask questions,” Stefano replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Yuki hesitated for a long second, then reluctantly pulled her phone out of her bag and handed it to him.

Stefano took it without a word. He dropped it onto the hard tarmac, raised his foot, and brought it down hard.

The screen cracked instantly. He stomped again, then again, crushing the phone beneath his shoe until it was nothing but shattered plastic and glass.

“What are you doing?!” Yuki’s eyes widened in shock and anger.

She lunged forward to stop him, reaching for the broken phone.

Stefano caught her wrist in a firm grip, stopping her mid-motion. His hold was tight but not painful — just enough to keep her in place.

“How could you do that?!” Yuki cried, voice rising with frustration and helplessness. “That’s my phone! You had no right!”

Stefano looked at her calmly, still holding her wrist. “You’re moving to Italy and you’re going to forget about the life you’ve lived and everyone you’ve known.”

Yuki stared at him, tears of rage and fear filling her eyes. “You can’t do that to me!”

“I can, and I just did.” he said simply, his voice low and final.

She tried to yank her arm free and run, twisting her body away from him. Stefano caught her again, his other hand moving swiftly to hit a precise point on the side of her neck — a vital spot that made her vision blur almost instantly.

“Sleep tight, princess,” Stefano murmured, catching her collapsing body in his arms before she could hit the ground.

Yuki’s eyelids fluttered, her body going completely limp against him. Stefano held her securely, one arm under her knees and the other supporting her back, as if she weighed nothing.

He carried her up the stairs and into the private jet without another word.