Chapter 57 Reunited
For a split second, Jean’s heart pounded like a drum
She locked eyes with Ludwig. And just for that one beat, she was sure–absolutely sure—he’d figured it out.
He knew she wasn’t the real Jean.
But then Ludwig’s expression shifted
He smiled faintly, his sharp, cool eyes softening under the glow of the streetlights.
“Of course,” he said, like it was no big deal. “I only doubted it for a moment.”
He added. “But then I realized… you haven’t really changed.”
Jean blinked. Hadn’t changed!
That did not make her feel better. If anything, it threw her into a deeper fog.
“Why would you say that?” she asked cautiously, trying to read his face. “How do I still seem like.. me?”
#Finished
She and the host couldn’t have been more different. The way she spoke, the way she acted, even the way she thought- completely opposite. Yet Ludwig still thought she hadn’t changed?
Ludwig scratched the back of his head. He looked relaxed, even a little amused.
“I don’t know little things, maybe,” he said, glancing toward her thoughtfully, “Like how you clench your fingers when you’re nervous. Stuff like that.”
Jean froze.
Clenching her fingers!
Was that something she actually did? She had no memory of it.
It was probably one of those unconscious habits, something buried in the body’s muscle memory. Things you don’t even realize you’re doing unless someone points it out.
Ludwig had noticed.
He was watching her that closely.
Jean lowered her eyes. Her lips pressed into a thin line
Wait a second.
Something didn’t add up.
If Ludwig was picking up on tiny habits from the host, and she was doing them without realizing it…
ja kat did that meant
Shitething left over in this body?
Or—F
A sharp pulse of pain exploded behind her eyes
Jean clutched her head.
Chapter 57 Reunited
It was like her mind was warning her–stop digging. Do not remember
“Jean!” Ludwig’s voice broke through the haze. “What’s wrong?
She shook her head.
Didn’t say a word.
She’d already asked enough questions tonight. Probably too many
Finished
Ludwig had answered all of them, some with surprising honesty. She still didn’t have all the pieces, but she had more than
before
One step at a time
She just wished the damn headache would go away.
Ludwig climbed onto his bike, sliding on his helmet like he’d done it a thousand times before.
Jean sat behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist without hesitation.
She wasn’t the type to get flustered over this stuff. He’d carried her before, and now he told her to hold on. She wasn’t about to play coy
She was a grown adult. If getting home safe meant clinging to a teenager on a motorcycle, so be it.
Ludwig drove her back toward home.
Not all the way to the front door, of course. Just close enough.
He parked on a quiet side street nearby and helped her off the bike, steadying her as she stepped down and took a seat on the curb.
“I’ll tip off your family,” he said. They’ll come here soon.”
He crouched beside her, his tone calm and measured.
“You can tell them whatever you want about what happened. Just.. make sorkething up when they ask how you escaped.”
Jean gave him a nod. She already knew what he meant.
Of course she wasn’t going to tell the Ginger family anything about Abyssal Choir. Or Ludwig. If they found out, they’d probably treat her like a monster.
“Thanks for everything” Jean saidd
Ludwig didn’t move right away.
Then, without warning, he dropped to one knee in front of her. His dark eyes met hers, steady and focused.
“Next time,” he said softly, “if something like this ever happens again–call me.”
The wind tugged gently at Jean’s hair.
Ludwig reached up, brushed the loose strands behind her ear.
For a moment, he looked almost unreal
Tall, dressed in black, his eyes cutting through the night–he looked like some kind of shadow knight
Chapter 57 Reunited
Finished
He was loyal to the organization. His orders came from them, not from her. If one day she clashed with Abyssal Choir–if he ever discovered the truth about who she really was…
Il hat then?
Jean didn’t dare imagine it.
This boy could destroy her without breaking a sweat
Probably best to keep him happy.
Ludwig got back on the bike and vanished down the road, off to alert the Ginger family.
Jean sat alone under the streetlamp.
A soft yellow glow pooled around her as she waited quietly, hugging her knees.
Then–footsteps.
Fast, uneven, coming closer.
Jean looked up.
And there–framed in the shadows–was a face she knew.
Sienna
Her
were pressed tight. Her eyes looked hollow and frantic, her face pale and drawn.
Emotion flickered violently behind her eyes–relief, pain, disbelief.
Behind her stood two tall silhouettes.
Dominic Winston.
“Jean!”
Sienna practically dropped to her knees, pulling Jean into her arms:
She clung to her daughter like she might disappear again if she let go.
The e past few days had been a nightmare.
Sienna had barely landed from her flight when she got the call–Jean had vanished. Kidnapped.
She threw everything she had at the search. All her resources. All her power. She even led a team to raid the estate where Jean had been held–but by the time she got there, Jean was already gone.
She’d screamed at the supposed owner, some old man with a spotless record.
Almost tore the place down herself.
She was ready to believe all hope was lost–until she found a handwritten note by the window. A message from someone she
Telling her to check near home.
“Jean. “Sienna’s voice shook “Are you hurt! Are you okay?”
Domani stood behind them, unmoving, his jaw tight.
