[AFYC] Chapter 34

She couldn’t make sense of the situation, and fear crept in. She thought it might be better to pretend she was still unconscious, to observe a little longer before deciding what to do. 

“Is there no drug to wake her up?” 

The words spoken casually by someone threw her mind into chaos as memories surged back. 

“Take the drug. This is the perfect time.” 

Memories that had sunk below the surface flooded back uncontrollably. The memories crashed over her like a torrent, dragging her consciousness back to that moment. She couldn’t resist; she couldn’t stop it. 

She remembered the strange sensation as if a layer had been placed over all her senses, the laughter of that demonic man, the feeling of being pinned down on the bed, her body weak like a trapped insect, the lukewarm liquid that had been forced into her mouth, and the hands creeping up her thighs. 

It all returned to her in a rush, overwhelming her like a deluge. Her throat tightened. Unlike that moment, all her senses were now clear, yet she couldn’t move. 

“Ah, uh...” 

“Hey, she’s awake!” 

A startled voice pierced through her eardrums, but that was all. Seo Ah shuddered as if the world had shrunk into a narrow coffin around her. She couldn’t get enough air; even in the dim light, all she could see was darkness. 

A pitch-black darkness that enveloped her consciousness. 

“What’s wrong? Is she really awake?” 

Her body was shaken roughly. Even as the world blurred and trembled before her eyes, her mind was trapped in the darkness. 

The scent stung her nose, the acrid red light, the man who had stood casually by the door... 

“Do you want more?” 

Now that she thought about it, the cigarette had made his lips curl into a smooth smile. He had laughed as he smoked. 

“If you want more, you’ll have to wait.” 

He had been so casual as if the violence unfolding in the darkness was nothing to be concerned about, and that had terrified her. 

The despair and fear from that moment slithered back, cold and sharp, licking at her heart. She desperately pleaded. Please, don’t leave me in this darkness. Please, help me. 

“Help me, help me...” 

Simon, who had thought they could finally relax now that the woman had woken up, felt his patience snap the moment she appeared to lose consciousness again. 

The brothel owner, who had thought she was lucky to have survived the night, wished she could just die when Simon’s cold gaze landed on her. 

Simon approached her with long strides, grabbing her roughly and shoving her toward the bed. 

“Take responsibility. One finger won’t be enough if she’s lost her mind.” 

The brothel owner burst into tears as she looked at the woman who seemed completely broken. 

Help me, don’t leave me, please help me. 

The woman was muttering the same phrases over and over again. Her eyes were blank, tears streamed down her face, and her fists were clenched so tightly they had turned white. 

It felt familiar and surreal, as if she had seen or lived through it. 

The brothel owner, choking on her sobs, climbed onto the bed. She grabbed the trembling woman’s hand and lowered her head. 

“I’m sorry.” 

“....” 

“I’m sorry. I was wrong.” 

“Help me, don’t leave me, I...” 

The woman’s voice was filled with despair, echoing the terror of the night before. 

The brothel owner pulled the woman’s fragile body into her arms, holding her tightly. She stroked the delicate back she had once laughed at as she pushed her toward the abyss, now desperately pleading for forgiveness. 

“I’m sorry, miss. I’m so sorry.” 

Whether it was a desperate attempt to save herself or a flicker of conscience buried deep within, the brothel owner couldn’t let go of the fragile woman. 

She held onto her, telling her to return, that it was all over. Even as she made excuses, claiming she hadn’t done it out of malice, she shared her warmth. 

“I’m sorry, miss. I was wrong. I’m sorry.” 

To Simon, however, the scene before him was more grotesque than pitiful.