Under normal circumstances, Heather wouldnât show it, but at this moment, as fragile as a paper doll, seeing his face that had brought her so much pain, fear surged from deep within her heart.
This familiar feeling hadnât occurred for a very, very long time.
The last time she felt this way was over ten years ago.
Indeed, Night Hawk thought so too.
He hadnât seen Heather like this for a long time in his memory.
He had thought that, with time, she had slowly stopped fearing him. But those eyes looking to escape like a wounded animal told him that she hadnât stopped fearing him, but had hidden that fear deep inside her, locked away.
Until this moment, it was unlocked again.
So, after a few seconds of daze, his expression didnât change, as he called her, just like before: "Girl, come here."
Dust-covered memories surged like a spring, breaking out of that black box in her heart, all rushing to her mind.
Heatherâs gaze was somewhat blank and dazed, tears unconsciously spilling from her eyes.
Two crystal-clear tears flowed down her cheeks, making anyone who saw it feel an immense heartache.
But she still moved a bit closer.
Night Hawkâs hand reached up to her face, using his thumb to wipe away her tears, and said, "Itâs really exactly the same as before; back then, you cried like this too. The difference is, now youâve finally grown into a real woman."
"You know, aside from Helena, youâre my favorite child, so obedient."
Night Hawkâs words were the key to unlocking the memories in her heart. After all these years, he seemed to have not changed at all. He always wore a mask, she didnât know what he looked like, but she knew which person was him.
Heatherâs lips trembled, tears flowed to her lips, tasting a bit salty.
River Sparrow would never know, she regretted winning that competition.
She thought winning would mean a different future, so she worked very hard, very diligently.
She wanted to become as powerful as her sister, to go out into the world, but she could never guess what awaited her beyond that line.
There were many girls there, while they pandered to Night Hawk, they also admired him, and many even took pride in being able to serve Night Hawk.
At first, she didnât know what that meant.
It was only when she was brought to Night Hawk that she finally understood.
Some people died, some people survived, she was the latter.
Later, she grew up and when she emerged from that place without light, she saw a new batch of children being sent over, as if seeing her original self.
She didnât want to think about the past, and for so many years forced herself to forget. She pretended that nothing had happened and lived peacefully until she caught the chance to leave that place.
"But..." Night Hawkâs hand suddenly applied pressure, "When did you become so disobedient? Youâre the first to betray me and still survive, do you know why I didnât kill you? Because youâre too cute, I couldnât bear to kill you. I wanted to give you a chance to become the old Heather again."
Heather just cried, without making a sound.
Tears shimmering in her eyes, even her eyelashes trembled.
"Master, Heather requests the gift of death."
This time, it was stronger than ever before.
Night Hawk shook his head, denying her words, "No, child, I wonât let you die; you havenât yet seen Li Sinian die before your very eyes."