Lyra looked at Grace with a blank stare, then disappeared as quickly as a shadow from in front of Grace and Lucas.
Without saying a word, Lucas took Grace away from the forest. They were both awkward, neither one initiating conversation.
Grace also chose to bite her lower lip to endure the pain throughout her body from the hard impact rather than whimper in pain because the atmosphere between them was so awkward.
"Why were you there, Grace?" Lucas finally asked in a cold tone.
"I I-I was just walking around and—"
"Don't lie!" Lucas interrupted, as if he knew Grace wouldn't tell the truth directly.
"Alright, I'll be honest. I intended to meet you, but I saw you leaving, so I followed you."
Lucas immediately fell silent and didn't say anything else. He continued walking, his focus on the road, as he carried Grace's body. Lucas's expression didn't change, but his pupils contracted as if he was disappointed in something.
"I think I already can walk by myself, Lucas," said Grace, worried that Lucas would have trouble carrying her.
No response. Lucas didn't even glance at Grace, making her feel even more uncomfortable.
"I can go home by myself. You should go home and rest."
Again, Grace tried to break free from Lucas. Yeah, Grace is just pretending to be brave. In reality, she's still terrified and doesn't know what to do if Lucas lets her go home alone in such a painful condition.
"Ezra is already asleep at this hour. I'll see him tomorrow."
No matter how many words came out of Grace's mouth, there was no response from Lucas. His expression was flat, but for some reason, Grace felt that Lucas was angry with her for following him without permission and causing him trouble.
Finally, Grace gave up and let Lucas take her, whether to meet Ezra or somewhere else. Resisting Lucas was pointless if he had no interest in responding to her.
Grace moved her hand, but the pain spread throughout her body, causing her to hold her breath and try to control herself so she wouldn't scream in pain. She felt like her shoulder was dislocated because it hurt so much.
"You want to walk on your own in this condition?" Lucas teased.
"It's because you made me uncomfortable!" Grace snapped back.
"I didn't do anything."
"But you're just standing there. Lucas, if you're angry, it's better to yell at me than to stay silent like this."
Unable to bear Lucas' silence, Grace finally spoke her mind, occasionally letting out a hiss of pain.
However, Lucas remained silent. He also wanted to scold Grace for being reckless by following him to the most dangerous place for her. But instead of getting angry, he felt more disappointed in himself for involving Grace in his life.
"You're not listening to me, Lucas?! Ow..."
"Be quiet until you feel better," Lucas said.
Grace finally obeyed when she saw the streets leading to Ezra's house. Though confused because Ezra had been living in the same apartment building as her, Grace let Lucas take her there.
On the other hand, Lucas also began to feel his body burning as he approached Ezra's house. The closer he got, the hotter his body felt, but he kept pushing forward to bring Grace to Ezra. Even if Ezra couldn't heal Grace, he could at least take her to the hospital.
Because Lucas couldn't go to a place with such a strong smell of blood.
"Why is Grace with you?"
Lucas stopped in his tracks because Ezra had appeared in front of him.
Lucas finally lowered Grace from his shoulders.
"Grace is hurt. You have healing powers, so help her," said Lucas as he turned and walked away.
The burning sensation on his skin made Lucas unable to hold back any longer. Fortunately, Ezra found him before Lucas reached the gate of Ezra's house, or he would have rolled around in pain.
"I asked why Grace was with you and why she was hurt!"
As usual, Ezra's angry and impatient attitude came out. He pulled Ezra's shirt collar so hard that Ezra's neck was choked.
"If you have questions, ask Grace." Lucas pushed Ezra's hand away, trying to stay calm and not get provoked.
Lucas was angry at himself for putting Grace in danger. He didn't want to take his anger out on anyone else. That's why Lucas also chose to remain silent when Grace spoke to him.
Lucas tended to hurt others when he was injured himself.
"You're the one who hurt her, Grace!" Eric shouted.
"It wasn't me."
"It's you! You've always targeted Grace for your gain. You dragged her into your dark life. You pulled Grace into danger that threatens her life!"
"IT WASN'T ME, BUT YOU!"
Suddenly, it was silent. For the first time, Ezra saw Lucas shouting angrily, but his red eyes were not visible.
It felt like... Ezra was seeing Lucas's human soul and emotions. Lucas's heart, which had been dead, seemed to be coming back to life and trying to release everything that had been buried inside him.
"You know I'm dangerous to Grace, but you look away from her!" Lucas's voice slowly softened.
Grace, who had been watching the argument, approached them, trying to intervene.
"Can you two stop? It's already late," Grace said.
"All right. I'm sorry," Lucas relented.
Lucas sighed softly, feeling so frustrated. But he also didn't want to prolong the issue with Ezra. Grace was already in Ezra's hands, which made him feel a little calmer, so he chose to leave.
"You just left after hurting Grace?"
"Are you deaf that you didn't hear my apology?" Lucas replied angrily.
He turned back, but suddenly Ezra was already behind him and struck him in the face. It was always like this. Lucas tried to find a way to avoid fighting with Ezra, but Ezra always hit him first.
"EZRA!" Grace shouted angrily. "Your emotions are always out of control!"
"Shut up! You're just defending the person who turned you into a prostitute, Grace."