Sasuke's hungry wailing drilled into Mikoto's ears, making her scalp tingle.
She bit her lip and shot Evan a quick, flustered glare.
Of course I know he's hungry, she thought. I don't need you to tell me.
By now Sasuke's little hands were grabbing at her clothes, frantic.
Mikoto finally couldn't sit still.
"Th-then… Evan-kun, please wait here a moment," she stammered, cheeks burning.
Not waiting for his response, she hurried off, footsteps a little unsteady.
This child really picked his timing…
She moved quickly through the corridor and slipped into the bedroom in just a few steps.
There, in the privacy of her room, she drew a steadying breath and tended to Sasuke with practiced movements—
The raw, pressing cries gradually faded, replaced by soft, satisfied sounds.
Only then did she feel the tension drain from her shoulders.
"You almost made Mother lose face…" she murmured, though her tone was gentle.
Sasuke, of course, ignored her completely, focused only on his food.
Watching him, Mikoto's thoughts drifted—
and that heated gaze from earlier surfaced again in her mind.
It was strange.
When her husband was present, Evan had seemed so courteous and refined.
But the second they were alone, his eyes had changed—
Like a different person.
Like… a bad one.
Just then, a familiar voice sounded softly right behind her ear.
"Sister-in-law… he's eating so well."
"Ah—!"
The sudden voice made Mikoto jump.
She whirled around in panic.
Evan was standing behind her.
He was looking down—
not really at Sasuke, but at—
(｀Д´)ゞ
Mikoto's face flushed scarlet.
"Y-you—!"
In a panic, she tried to adjust her clothes and shift Sasuke in her arms, but the movement only made the baby cling tighter, protesting the interruption. Pain and embarrassment spiked together, making her eyes sting.
She turned away from Evan, back rigid, voice trembling.
"W-Why are you in here? You should not be here."
I didn't hear him at all…
He's a shinobi, but still… I should have noticed someone entering…
A chill crept up her spine.
Behind her, Evan smiled, teeth gleaming.
"Don't be so nervous, Sister-in-law."
He stepped closer.
Mikoto stiffened.
"Get out," she said, trying to sound firm. "Now."
Tears of frustration pricked her eyes.
Her opinion of him plummeted—
How could Fugaku ever say this kind of man is a 'good person'?
[Hatred Value from Uchiha Mikoto +5000]
But instead of leaving, Evan closed the distance.
Steel pressed lightly against her waist.
She trembled.
"You… what are you going to do?"
She tried to lift her arm, but suddenly a strange numbness spread through her body.
Her chakra vanished from her senses—
leaving her weak, her limbs heavy.
"You—what did you do to me?"
Panic clawed at her chest.
She was a kunoichi of the Uchiha clan.
Yet in front of this man, she couldn't even move.
Evan leaned closer, inhaling softly at her neck, his expression almost intoxicated.
"So fragrant…"
[Hatred Value from Uchiha Mikoto +5000]
Mikoto knew exactly what kind of danger she was in—
and yet, in this moment, she had no strength to resist.
She bit down hard on her lip and glared at him, eyes burning.
Evan's gaze slid to Sasuke, who was still nestled against her, calm now.
"Look at him. Eating so happily."
"Don't you dare touch him!" Mikoto snapped, voice shaking. "If Fugaku finds out, he will never spare you!"
Evan ignored the threat.
"Such a messy little boy," he said lightly. "You're all covered, you know."
Her heart hammered wildly.
What does he intend to do?
Stop. Just stop…
"You beast…" she hissed through her teeth.
[Hatred Value from Uchiha Mikoto +10,000]
"Relax."
Evan's tone suddenly softened.
He shifted Sasuke gently aside—careful but decisive—laying the child down on a futon nearby.
"Don't worry," he said. "I won't hurt him."
Mikoto's body shook. She wanted to lunge for her son, but her limbs wouldn't respond.
For a moment, Evan simply looked at her, then bent down and picked her up as if she were weightless.
She felt her stomach drop as he carried her toward the tatami.
"Please… don't…" Mikoto whispered, face going pale.
The terror in her chest swelled. She didn't know what he would do next, only that she was completely at his mercy.
"Sister-in-law, don't be afraid."
Evan lowered his voice, wrapping his arms around her.
"If you're unwilling, I won't force anything."
He set mother and child down carefully.
Sasuke lay peacefully to the side; Mikoto remained between him and Evan's shadow, eyes locked on the man, terrified he might harm her child.
"Leave," she begged. "Please. Fugaku will be back soon."
Instead of leaving, Evan pulled her into an embrace, his scent flooding her senses.
"Don't be scared," he murmured. "I want to show you something."
Before she could protest, his hand rose in front of her eyes.
Snap.
Kyōka Suigetsu—
Perfect Hypnosis.
Mikoto's vision rippled.
The bedroom faded.
The world shifted.
Night had fallen.
"Where is this…? Home?"
She saw Fugaku.
Her heart clenched.
He was kneeling on a tatami floor, back straight—
And beside him—
Was her.
Two figures: Fugaku and Mikoto, kneeling side by side, facing the wall.
"Genjutsu…" she realized instantly.
As a member of the Uchiha, she was acutely attuned to illusions.
"What are you trying to show me…?"
Her confusion froze in an instant.
Behind the kneeling couple, a shadow appeared.
Mikoto's eyes widened.
That was her son—Uchiha Itachi.
Older, but unmistakable.
And in his hand—
Was a sword.
A cold shiver ran down her spine.
Itachi… what are you doing…?
….
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