Chapter 613

Julien swallowed hard, his chest tight with an unbearable ache. Words failed him, so all he could do was hold her tightly. His hand gently stroked her hair, his lips brushing against her cheek as he murmured, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have hurt you." No matter how he looked at it, he was wrong. He had no right to treat her this way. He was the executioner, deserving of punishment. "Nothing you say matters now, Julien. Let me go. Don't touch me," Helen said, struggling in his arms. She pushed against him, but his grip was unyielding. She couldn't move. His strength was overwhelming as if he wanted to crush her bones. She gasped for air under the pressure. "Julien! Let me go!" However, Julien didn't budge. Instead, he kissed her lips again, almost instinctively, as if possessed. He didn't even realize what he was doing until it was already happening. It was a reflex, driven by the countless nights they had once shared. Suddenly, the metallic tang of blood spread in the air. Julien pa