bChapter /bb323 /b

家园

Forcing my eyes open, I peered through the crack in the doorway. The little boy who’d been keeping watch jumped in surprise, spinning around to face a short, pudgy man who loomed over him. The man barked something in Amharic, his tone usatory. Even through my feverish state, I could make out his words, demanding to know why the boy was lurking outside instead of going home.

I watched as the boy instinctively hid his chocte behind his back, mumbling something about going inside soon.

“I heard you’ve been getting moneytely, the man said, his eyes narrowing as he looked the boy up and down with contempt. “Thought maybe you sold your grandfather’s apartment. Seems you’ve got some skills after all.

The boy shook his head vigorously, clutching the chocte tighter behind his back.

“No money? Then what are you eating?” The man grabbed the boy’s wrist, twisting it until the child winced in pain, forcing him to reveal the chocte bar. “Where did you get this?”

“A kind person gave it to me,” the boy replied, his voice barely audible, eyes fixed on the ground.

I slid my hand beneath the thin nket, fingers wrapping around the knife Ethan had left for my protection. The cool metal against my palm felt reassuring, grounding me through the fog of fever.

“Since you can earn your own money now, this apartment should belong to me.” The man shoved past the boy, pushing him roughly aside. “A little runt like you doesn’t need such a big ce. I can’t even find a woman because my ce is too small. No woman wants to live in that dump.”

The boy darted under the man’s arm with surprising agility, positioning himself between the door and his uncle. He spread his arms wide, a pathetic barrier against the adult’s bulk, his thin frame trembling but determined. “This is my grandfather’s apartment. He gave it to

me.”

“I’m your uncle,” the man snarled, jabbing a finger at the boy’s forehead. “I say this ce is mine now. Move.”

When the boy refused, the man shoved him hard. The chocte fell forgotten to the dusty floor as the boy tumbled to the ground.

My grip tightened on the knife as the man pushed open the door and flipped on the light, the sudden brightness making me squint. His eyes widened when he saw me, and something unmistakably lecherous crossed his face. His gaze traveled slowly over my body, lingering in ways that made my skin crawl despite my fever. I calcted exactly how much force I’d need to sh his throat despite my injured shoulder.

The boy rushed in behind him. “She’s sick! Please don’t hurt her,” he pleaded, pulling at the man’s shirt. “Her husband will be back any minute!”

The man pushed the boy away again with a backhanded swipe and moved toward me. I stared coldly at him, my expression betraying nothing of the lethal intent behind my eyes. Under the covers, I adjusted my grip on the knife, preparing to strike.

Just as he reached the edge of the bed, the door burst open with a crash. Ethan appeared like a dark avenging angelb, /bhis movements fluid and lethal. One powerful kick sent the man flying across the room, his bulk crashing against the wall with a satisfying thud. Before the intruder could recover, Ethan had him pinned against the wall by his neck, applying precise pressure to cut off his air supply.

“Are you hurt?” Ethan’s eyes found mine, urgent and concerned, even as he maintained his deadly grip on the man.

I shook my head slightly.

b10:34 /bFri, Oct 3 M

Ethan disposed of the man’s body efficiently. One less person in the slums would hardly be noticed.

800

The boy cleaned up the blood stains from the floor, tears streaming down his face as he worked. I studied him curiously. Was he crying from fear or mourning for his uncle? Despite the man’s cruelty, he was, after all, the boy’s only remaining family. fn1fef Newest update provided by FιndNovel/fn1fef

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