Chapter 100 - 102
Botan POV
The pull of revenge and the fragile threads holding my resolve together unravel in the face of one unshakable priority: knowing she’s alive. Until then, the world will balance precariously on a tip.
The Vacherons arrive, Colton and his sons striding into the room with an air of effortless privilege, the kind ingrained through generations, oozing entitlement. The waiting room has mostly emptied now, long-abandoned by other visitors.
At last, a nurse enters. She exchanges quiet words with the Du Ponts, and the room shifts as both of her brothers burst into tears. Alden erupts into movement, clutching his sons, who tower only slightly over his hunched frame. Tears stream down his face, unchecked. Colton, on the other hand, breaks into a relieved grin, a congratulatory hand landing solidly on Alden’s back as they exchange a few quiet words. Without hesitation, they are escorted through the doors to see her.
I’m left anchored in place. Her exact condition is a mystery. But knowing she’s alive? That’s enough for now—it has to be.
Akio appears at my side, his presence a quiet intrusion. "She survived," he says, his voice low, his tone quizzical.
I glare at him, the words biting as they leave my lips. "Don’t act like you care."
His expression doesn’t falter. "What hurts you discomforts me," he replies softly. "I don’t like her—that hasn’t changed. But I didn’t want her dead. In fact, I warned her about this."
The statement slices through me like a jagged edge. My gaze snaps to his, sharp and accusing. "Warned her?"
Akio exhales, unshaken. "On the drive to the restaurant. But of course, just like you, she had to learn the truth the hard way."
Anger ignites like a spark to dry tinder, and before I can think, my hands grip his lapels, dragging him forward with enough force to erase the space between us. His calm cracks for just a second as his hands come up, shoving my arms off with a snap of irritation.
"Haru’s right, the only person you’re angry at is yourself. And you should be because it’s your presence in her life is what draws so many dangers."