bChapter 62 /b

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    The night wind blew fiercely as the motorcycle driven by Rafe sped away from the restaurant. Aliana, seated behind him, felt her heart pounding uncontrobly.

    Suddenly, a sharp pain stabbed her chest. Aliana gasped, her body weakened, and without realizing it, she clutched Rafe’s

    waist tightly.

    Rafe felt the sudden pressure of Aliana’s grip and immediately sensed that something was wrong. He turned his head slightly, raising his voice to be heard over the rushing wind.

    “Miss, are you okay?”

    Aliana didn’t answer. The pain in her chest worsened, and tears began to stream down her cheeks behind her mask.

    Unable to bear it any longer, she tightened her grip on Rafe’s waist even more.

    Realizing the urgency of the situation, Rafe quickly pulled the bike to the side of the road, stopping in a rtively quiet

    and safe area.

    He swiftly dismounted and carefully helped Aliana off the bike.

    “Miss, what’s going on?” Rafe asked anxiously, gently removing Aliana’s mask. His eyes filled with concern as he saw her

    tears.

    IF I

    Instead of replying, Aliana began to sob harder, crying uncontrobly as if all the emotions she had long suppressed were finally bursting out.

    Her chest felt unbearably tight, the pain deeper than any physical wound she had ever endured.

    Rafe was stunned. He had never seen his mistress cry like this. The strong,posed woman he had always known now

    looked utterly fragile. He felt helpless and deeply concerned.

    After a moment of hesitation, Rafe gently stepped closer and embraced Aliana softly.

    At first, Aliana tensed in surprise, but then she leaned into his armsb, /bcrying even harder as she clutched his jacket tightly. It

    was as if Rafe’s embrace was the only solid ground beneath her feet.

    Minutes passed before her crying began ito /isubside. Her breathing calmed, though a dull ache still lingered in her chest.

    Carefully, Aliana released the hug and stepped back, gazing at Rafe with an expression that had returned to its usual stoicism–though her eyes still held traces of confusion.

    “I don’t know what’s happening to me, Rafe,” Aliana said softly, her voice faint and uncertain. “Tonight, Ipletely lost control of myself. And this is the second time it’s happened.”

    Rafe looked at her with quiet sympathy. After a pause, he offered gently, “Maybe it’s your subconscious, Miss–feelings you’ve been suppressing for too long. You’ve hidden your grief and pain over Miss Alicia’s death for so long. Facing Bianca tonight may have triggered all those emotions.”

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    “Maybe.”

    Aliana replied in a quiet voice. Her expression turned emotionless again as she tried to rationalize her condition.

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    “I did feel immense pain in my chest–but strangely… it didn’t feel like my own. It was as if I were feeling someone else’s pain,” she exined, her voice t but serious.

    Rafe frowned slightly, thinking for a moment before asking hesitantly, “Is it possible… that the pain you’re feeling came

    from Miss Alicia?”

    Aliana was silent, her gaze sharpening as she seriously considered the possibility. But she quickly shook her head.

    “No, Rafe. There’s no scientific evidence that someone who has passed away can transfer physical pain to the living. But…” she paused, then continued in a calmer tone, “It could be tied to my psychological state. The grief and anger I carry could be manifesting as real physical pain.”

    Rafe nodded slowly, understanding. “You mean something like a psychosomatic condition?”

    “Yes, exactly,” Aliana answered firmly, her gaze clearer now. “When someone holds in negative emotions–anger, hatred, sorrow–for too long, the brain can trante that into physical pain, even when there are no actual injuries. I might be experiencing a psychosomatic reaction. In my case, my guilt and thirst for vengeance over Alicia might be creating physical sensations of pain, as if I were feeling what she once endured.”

    Rafe sighed softly, slightly relieved by the logic in her exnation.

    “In that case, Missi, /iyou should take a moment to calm yourself. Holding onto vengeance like this could destroy you in the

    end.”

    Aliana looked at him with sharp eyes, then softened and gave a small nod.

    “I knowi. /iBut for inow/i, I can’t stop. Bianca still hasn’t paid for what she’s done.”

    Rafe remained silent, understanding her unwavering resolve. He didn’t try to argue, only nodded with a gaze full of

    understanding.

    “Very well, Miss. Whatever your decision, I will always be here to support and protect you,” Rafe said sincerely, making sure she knew she wasn’t alone in facing thisplex situation.

    A moment of silence passed–until suddenly, Rafe’s phone vibrated, breaking the stillness.

    He pulled the phone from his jacket pocket and nced at the screen,

    “Miss, it’s a call from Emilio,” he said, asking for permission to answer,

    Aliana nodded slightly, granting him permission.

    Rafe tapped the answer button, and as soon as the line connected, Emilio’s frustrated voice rang through the speaker.

    “Rafe, what the hell is going on?! Why did Nyx suddenly do something that brutal to Julian?” Emilio asked, emotional and confused. “The man just tried to kill himself. I barely managed to stop him.”

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    Rafe was stunned, not understanding what Emilio meant.

    “What do you mean, Emilio? Wasn’t Julian calm before? Why would he suddenly try to kill himself?”

    Emilio let out a frustrated sigh, clearly overwhelmed.

    “The man was desperate. How could he not be? His tongue and genitals were justpletely cut off by Nyx!“”

    Rafe recoiled in shock at Emilio’s exnation, his face a mix of confusion and disbelief.

    “What are you saying? Emilio, did you do something to Julian?” Rafe asked cautiously.

    Emilio sounded confused in return.

    “What are you talking about, Rafe? Didn’t Nyxe tonight and take her revenge on Julian? She tortured him–brutally!

    She cut off his tongue and genitals right in front of Lucas! Lucas is still in shock after witnessing it!”

    Rafe’s expression grew more rmed and confused. He nced at Aliana, who had also been listening to the conversation, her gaze sharp and filled with curiosity.

    “Wait, Emilio. Are you saying Nyx attacked Julian? Nyx hasn’t been there at all tonight.”

    “That’s impossible!” Emilio eximed.

    “I clearly heard it from Lucas. Nyx came and tortured Julian–he saw it with his own eyes! I’m still cleaning up the mess

    she left!”

    Aliana extended her hand, silently asking for the phone. Rafe handed it to her, and she spoke directly to Emilio.

    “Emilio, it’s me–Nyxi,/ii” /iAliana confirmed. “Is that man still alive?” she asked sharply, her tone urgent.

    Emilio’s voice immediately shifted to one of deference.

    “Yes, Nyx. Julian is still alive. I just administered medicine to stop the bleeding, but his condition is critical.”

    Aliana took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing as her thoughts raced. She hadn’t expected a fake Nyx to show up at the

    hideout.

    “Listen carefully, Emilio. Do not let that man die. I’ming there with Rafael immediately,” she said, her voice cold and firm. “And I want to speak to your son directly. Make sure he’s ready.”

    “Yes, Miss,” Emilio replied swiftly. “I’ll prepare everything for your arrival.”

    After the call ended, Aliana looked at Rafe, her expression filled with concern and unanswered questions.

    For a moment, they stared at each other, both realizing the situation tonight was far moreplicated than they had anticipated.

    Aliana and Rafe arrived at Emilio’s restaurant, entering through the back door and heading straight to the storage room.

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    “Miss…”

    Emilio greeted them nervously at the entrance. His face was pale, and his eyes revealed deep unease.

    “How’s Julian?” Aliana asked sharply, skipping any formalities.

    Emilio sighed and gestured toward the room.

    “It’s better if you see for yourself, Miss.”

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    Aliana and Rafe stepped into the room. The sharp scent of blood instantly assaulted their senses, causing Aliana to frown.

    A horrific scene awaited them: Juliany helpless on a small mattress, his condition far worse than thest time. His face was deathly pale. Blood–soaked bandages covered his lower body, and his mouth was tightly wrapped to stem the bleeding from his severed tongue.

    Aliana took a deep breath, trying to calm her inner turmoil. She turned sharply toward Emilio.

    “Where’s Lucas? I want to speak to him.”

    “Lucas is still in shock, Miss. He’s in the next room,” Emilio answered quickly.

    “Bring him here,” Aliana demanded firmly.

    Emilio moved without hesitation. A momentter, Lucas appeared, his face pale and eyes swollen from crying. He

    trembled upon seeing Aliana and quickly bowed his head in fear.

    “Lucas,” Aliana’s voice was cold andmanding.

    “What exactly happened? Tell me everything in detail.”

    Lucas swallowed hard, his body trembling with fear. He had already heard from his father about the fake Nyx who had shown up earlier. Lucas was terrified Nyx would punish him for failing to distinguish the imposter.

    He looked at Aliana with terror, but also deep sincerity. His voice shook as he tried to exin.

    “Miss, I swear,” he said, voice cracking. “I really saw you arrive earlier. You wore the same mask, the same hairstyle, even

    the same build and voice. She moved and spoke exactly like you.”

    He gulped again, continuing with difficulty,

    “She was dressed in tight ck clothes, wore the same nanofiber mask you always use. Even her eyes–her stare–it was just as cold and sharp as yours are now.i” /i

    Aliana narrowed her eyes at Lucas, clearly disturbed by his statement. Lucas continued with a frightened look.

    “I was so sure it was you, Miss. Please./, forgive my mistake,” he pleaded, terrified of being punished,

    Aliana stared at him.

    “Was there anything strange about the Nyx you saw tonight?”

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    Lucas frowned, trying to recall the figure he had seen. He struggled to remember, concentrating hard.

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    “That silver bracelet–I saw it clearly,” Lucas said suddenly, recalling something that had caught his eye when the fake Nyx

    tortured Julian.

    “At first I didn’t notice it, but now I realize… the Nyx who came earlier was wearing a bracelet. The silver bracelet glinted under the light while she was torturing Julian. I don’t know if that helps, but everything else about her was just like you.”

    “Bracelet?”

    Aliana’s eyes widened with shock. She exchanged a nce with Rafe, whose expression instantly turned serious. They

    both understood the implication.

    “It seems like it’s the same person, Miss,” Rafe said sharply.

    Aliana understood what he meant. It was likely that the fake Nyx who tortured Julian was the same person who had

    attacked Andrian earlier.

    “Is there anything else you remember about that fake Nyx?”

    Lucas frowned, trying hard to recall the brutal incident in detail.

    “She… forced Julian to give her someone’s number,” Lucas said hesitantly, narrowing his eyes. “Ke…strel? Yes, Kestrel. I vaguely heard that name mentioned.”

    Aliana stiffened at the name, her face suddenly tense and calcting.

    “Kestrel? Are you sure you heard her mention that name?”

    Lucas nodded quickly, still trembling. “Yes, Miss. I definitely heard it. Julian gave her the number after being tortured so

    badly.”

    Aliana clenched her fists tightly, struggling to understand the situation. Why would the fake Nyx want Kestrel’s number

    from Julian? She shot Rafe a sharp look.

    “We need to move fast, Rafe. It looks like the fake Nyx isn’t just targeting Andrian and Julian, but also Kestrel. We have to

    find Kestrel before she does.”

    b“/bI’ll start gathering information on Kestrel right away, Miss,” Rafe said firmly, ready to act on her orders.

    “But what about him?” he asked, gesturing at Julian. “Should we finish him off?”

    Aliana paused, gazing coldly and sharply at Julian who stilly weak and battered. After a moment, she shook her head slowly.

    “No, Rafe. Don’t kill him,” she said tly and firmly. “He doesn’t deserve a death that easy. Let him live with what he’s be. Let him suffer the consequences of his own actions.”

    Rafe nodded, understanding her intention clearly. “Understood, Miss.”

    Aliana turned toward Emilio and Lucas, who stood by with anxious expressions.

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    “I’m counting on both of you to keep Julian alive. Don’t let him take his own life. He needs to face every ounce of the pain

    and destruction he caused.”

    “Yes, Miss. We’ll make sure he stays alive,” Emilio said quickly, bowing respectfully.

    Lucas, still trembling, nodded as well. “I–I’ll take care of him too, Miss. I promise.”

    Aliana didn’t respond. She turned around and walked away, with Rafe following close behind. Meanwhile, Emilio and Lucas resumed tending to Julian, ensuring his survival.

    Meanwhile, in front of the Pelita Hati Foundation, Elena–still disguised as Aliana–smiled politely and nodded to the head of the orphanage and the staff who were seeing her off. Gracefully, she entered the car and sat down with an exhausted

    posture.

    As soon as the car door closed, Elena leaned back in her seat and shut her eyes, pretending to fall asleep so ino /ione would

    talk to her. She didn’t want anyone realizing that she wasn’t actually Aliana.

    Fortunately, Nathan, seated beside her, didn’t say a word. Assuming that “Aliana” was resting, he just kept busy with his tablet, asionally ncing out the window. The car ride was silent, interrupted only by the soft sound of tires rolling

    down the city streets.

    Elsewhere, after Aliana’s convoy hadpletely left the orphanage, someone who had apanied the group took out their phone.

    A message notification popped up on the screen.

    The person frowned slightly in curiosity. The message was from an unknown number. They opened it–and their previously calm face hardened instantly.

    Their jaw clenched sharply as they stared at the horrifying photo of a severed tongue and genitals, bloodied and brutal.

    Their eyes quickly scanned the short message below the image:

    “I’ming for you soon.”

    Their expression turned ice–cold, filled with fury and tension. Slowly, their fingers curled into a tight fist. Without another word, they pocketed the phone and silently stepped back into the orphanage building.

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