Tachibana bit her lip so hard that a tiny drop of blood appeared. Her shoulders trembled as the weight of everything she had been holding back finally crashed down on her.
"I've met so many rich men before," she whispered bitterly, tears streaming down her face. "All of them were pigs wearing expensive suits. They only wanted one thing — power, pleasure, and control. They smiled sweetly, whispered empty promises of protection and love, and then used girls like disposable tools."
"Throw them away when they're bored or broken. I thought you were exactly the same. I was so sure of it. That's why I fought so hard… even when I was coughing up blood and dying. I didn't want to be humiliated again. I didn't want to lose the last piece of pride I had left."
Suddenly, the door slid open. Akane stepped inside quietly, carrying a fresh set of dark clothes folded neatly in her arms.
