CHAPTER 313: DESPERATE SITUATION

At the abandoned house...

Athena peeled her eyes open only to find out she was no longer in the hospital. The last thing she could remember was a person grabbing her from behind, covering her mouth and nose. Being suffocated by the strong smell of the drug, she felt dizzy and fainted.

She struggled to move, but quickly realized her hands and feet were tightly bound. Panic rising in her chest, she glanced around the dimly lit room, only to freeze in surprise. She wasn’t alone. Her eyes settled on a familiar figure.

"Dominique?" She called out. "Wake up! Can you hear me?"

Athena tried to nudge Dominique’s body, who was also tied next to her.

Hearing her voice, Dominique groaned and tried to open his eyes. He still felt sick. But his concern for Athena’s safety gave him strength.

"Athena," he softly said. "Are you alright? Did they hurt you?" His voice was filled with worry and concern for Athena.

"What are you doing here? Where are we? Do you know who brought us here?" Athena bombarded him with so many questions. She had no idea who had kidnapped her.

Dominique shook his head. "I have no idea. I was chasing after you. But then... I saw those men trying to kidnap you. I attempted to stop them, but I failed."

Athena was so scared knowing that mysterious men were targeting her. But because of Dominique’s presence, she calmed down a little bit. At least, she was not alone in that house.

"I’ll try to get you out here... so don’t be scared. I’m here with you. They have to kill me first before they can touch you." Dominique tried to encourage her.

Athena didn’t know whether she should feel glad or just laugh mockingly. She was not blind. Given their current situation, Dominique won’t be able to protect her. They were both helpless.

"Are we both going to die here?"

She scoffed. "Of all the people... why does it have to be you? Your face is the last thing I want to see when dying. I’m really unlucky to get dragged here with you."

Dominique fell silent. He could understand that Athena still resented him.

Forcing a smile, Dominique chose to comfort her. "You won’t die here. I will never allow it. I don’t want to experience seeing you dying in front of me... ever again."

Athena was taken aback. His words brought her back to the moment she leaped over the bridge five years ago. She was aware that Dominique was referring to that scene.

"So that thing left a long-lasting impression on you. I hope my first death has haunted you for so long." She simply laughed it off as she made those meaningful remarks.

"Indeed. I have never forgotten it... and it always haunts me in my dreams... for these past few years. I’m just glad to know that you are well and alive." Dominique admitted to her. There was no point in hiding it from her.

"You deserve it." Athena coldly responded.

Before Dominique could utter a word, the door suddenly pushed open, and a man wearing a mask entered the room.

"Oh great, our sleeping beauty and the knight in shining armor are now awake." The man commented in a mocking tone.

Dominique glared at the man who suddenly showed up.

"Who are you? What do you want from us?" Dominique snarled at him. He struggled to free his hands from the binds, but his attempt was useless.

The man laughed sardonically. With deliberate steps, he moved closer, his presence radiating menace. Reaching Dominique, he seized his chin in a bruising grip, forcing his head up. His gloved fingers dug harshly into Dominique’s jaw.

"Ha! This is what you get for playing the hero," the masked man sneered. "You weren’t supposed to be here. But no... you

just had to interfere. Now look where that got you. Tied up like a fool. If you want someone to blame, blame her."

Dominique’s eyes burned with fury. He clenched his fists tightly, the ropes cutting into his wrists. Then, without warning, he spat directly onto the man’s mask, his defiance clear.

"Coward," Dominique growled through gritted teeth.

The man was enraged by Dominique’s action. In a flash, he punched him, his fist landing on his right jaw. Athena gasped upon hearing the impact of that punch. Her heart raced in fear of the man’s violent behavior.

"Dom, stop fighting back. Or else, you are going to get beaten up. You are still not feeling well!" Athena spoke up, scolding him. She got worried about him subconsciously.

Dominique gritted his teeth. He didn’t want to admit it, but Athena was right. They were in an unfavorable situation. Even if he wanted to do something for her, he was helplessly bound in a chair.

"If it’s money you want, just say the amount," Dominique said, shifting tactics as desperation crept into his voice. "Release us, and I’ll pay whatever you ask. Name your price—I’m willing to buy our freedom."

He tried to sound calm, but the tension in his voice betrayed him. The kidnapper’s identity remained unknown, hidden behind the mask and cold demeanor.

The man merely chuckled, a dry, sarcastic sound that sent a chill through the air. He waved a hand dismissively, as if the offer bored him.

"Trying to play the negotiator now, Mr. Hero?" he mocked. "Unfortunately for you, we never planned on letting either of you walk out of here. Your fates are already sealed here."

Dominique and Athena exchanged a glance.

Dominique’s voice was low but firm. "What are you saying? Are you seriously planning to kill us?"

The masked man tilted his head, as if amused by the question. "Do you want me to be honest with you?"

"Let me tell you a good plot twist here. We have already prepared a good narrative here to cover up for our crime. Once we get what we want, that woman sitting beside you won’t be spared. We will kill her and put the blame on you."

Athena and Dominique stayed silent, their confusion and fear barely masked behind tense expressions.

"Hahaha. You should be grateful to us because we are doing you a favor. This woman deceived you and seduced you, right? This is your revenge. You kidnapped her, assaulted her, and eventually killed her. And out of guilt, you also decided to commit suicide while confessing your crime with a suicide note. That’s our perfect plan!"

Athena’s face turned pale instantly upon hearing the man’s last remarks. Her heart raced even faster from both fear and anxiety. The man sounded so serious. She knew that she would die anytime soon, together with Dominique.

’Is this real? Is this how I am going to die?’ Athena thought to herself, holding back her tears.

On the other hand, Dominique’s face was covered by raw fury. The man’s words hit him like a punch to the gut. If only he weren’t immobilized by the rope, he would charge forward and kill this man before he could touch Athena.

"You sick bastard!" he roared. "Don’t you dare lay a hand on her! I’m going to kill you!" His eyes set ablaze as he lunged forward against the restraints, his muscles straining and veins bulging. The ropes dug deeper into his skin, but he didn’t care.

Athena flinched slightly beside him, not from fear, but from the emotion in Dominique’s voice. He sounded very fierce yet protective. She didn’t expect him to react like that.

Dominique continued to stare at the masked man, unblinking. "Whatever you’re planning, I promise you this: I will make you pay for every second of it. Even in my death!"

The man just laughed it off, completely unfazed by Dominique’s threats. In his eyes, Dominique was just useless and powerless.

"Well, we will see in the end. "For now, enjoy the last few hours of your miserable little life. I’ve got some errands to run, but don’t worry... I’ll be back soon," he sneered at them.

With that, he turned and walked out, the heavy door creaking shut behind him. As the footsteps faded, the tension snapped inside Athena. Her shoulders slumped, and her head lowered as if the weight of everything had finally crushed her spirit.

When the man left, Athena felt like every ounce of her energy was drained from her.

"I think... this is it," she whispered, her voice hollow. "There’s no way out of this. We’re not getting out alive," she added, her voice filled with helplessness.

She turned her head slowly toward Dominique, her expression a mixture of bitterness and defeat. "Dying beside the person I once hated the most... I never imagined it would end like this."