Saving You, Villain - Chapter 82

“It looks like something bit you,” Luke remarked, referring to the marks left by Camian’s teeth.

“They told me it was an old scar from an injury when I was young, but I don’t really remember what caused it.”

“Is that so?”

I brushed off the comment. Luke continued to touch the mark for a moment before finally pulling his hand away.

“Sorry, I touched you without permission. I’ve seen so many injuries from all the rough work I’ve done, and I can usually guess how they happened. But this scar piqued my curiosity since it’s unlike anything I’ve seen. I shouldn’t have let my curiosity get the better of me.”

“It’s fine. You’re not the only one. Other people find it strange too, so I’m used to it.”

I pulled my coat back on, letting my hair down from its tie.

“Is there anything I can help you with today?”

“No, thanks to you, I’ve been able to finish preparing the midterm exam questions, so I’m a bit more relaxed now. Would you like a cup of tea? I brought some back from the capital.”

“Sure, why not.”

“I’ll be right back.”

Luke soon returned with a pristine white tray. The teacup, adorned with a luxurious gold pattern, gave off the impression of something extremely valuable. I gripped the handle with extra care, not wanting to risk breaking it.

“It’s supposed to be calming. Please, drink.”

“Thank you.”

The light orange tea had a familiar, toasty aroma. I tilted my head in curiosity—it smelled like corn tea. I took a sip, but instead of the mild flavor I expected, a bitter, fishy taste spread across my tongue. Ugh. Still, it was better than the tea Lila had once given me. I forced myself to swallow it.

I couldn’t hide the grimace that twisted my face as I set the cup down.

“This is tea, not medicine, right?”

“Yes, it’s very good for your health.”

“Why do healthy things always taste so awful?”

“Does it not suit your taste?”

Is he teasing me right now? Instead of responding, I just let my expression do the talking.

“I see…,” Luke replied.

“Haah… Yeah, I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but I never want to taste this again. If you ever have other guests…”

A huge yawn interrupted my sentence. I rubbed my eyes vigorously, trying to wake up.

“Are you sleepy?”

“Yeah… I didn’t, haah… get much sleep last night…”

“If you’re tired, perhaps you should rest for a bit…”

My eyelids felt as heavy as lead, and my vision quickly blurred as drowsiness overtook me. Luke’s words were starting to fade. Oh no, I’m going to fall asleep. Thud. Darkness surged over me like a wave.

***

The loud, construction-like noise jarred me out of my sleep. Irritated, I opened my eyes. The moment I did, the noise stopped. After a few moments, I realized I’d woken myself up with my own snoring.

“When did I fall asleep?”

The familiar ceiling came into view. I remembered being in Luke’s study earlier, and suddenly feeling so sleepy…

“Oh crap!”

I bolted upright, throwing off the blankets in a panic. Camian was waiting for me! I rushed to the door, certain he must be furious. Sure enough, the familiar hallway greeted me.

“…I’m home?”

I was lying in my own bed. How did this happen? What had gone on while I was asleep? No matter how hard I tried to recall, the memory of that dark gap remained completely blank.

At that moment, I heard footsteps. I turned to see Camian at the far end of the hallway, staring at me. After standing still for a moment, he started walking toward me, his expression clearly angry. No wonder—he must have been waiting for me in the cold while I dozed off in Luke’s study. I wanted to apologize, but the words wouldn’t come out. Anxiety gnawed at me. I wanted to escape his icy glare. I wanted to run.

I quickly grabbed the doorknob.

“Stop right there.”

His sharp voice froze me in place. I couldn’t turn the knob, nor could I meet Camian’s gaze. I stood there, rooted to the spot.

A large shadow fell over me. I swallowed nervously and tried to pull the door open. But just as it cracked slightly, slam! Camian’s veiny hand slammed it shut again.

“……”

All my nerves were concentrated on my back. The silence and tension weighed heavily on my body. Instead of standing frozen like this, I knew I needed to say something.

“Did you wait long?” I asked, timidly, still staring at the closed door.

“Did you wait long?” His rough, low voice pierced through my head. He’s definitely mad. I expected this, but hearing the sharp tone in his voice stirred a wave of sadness in me. In the past, he wouldn’t have gotten this angry over being made to wait for a few hours. Maybe he’d have teased me a little, but not like this.

I had to admit it now: the endless forgiveness I used to get just because he liked me was gone for good.

The veins on the back of his hand, still pressed against the door, became more pronounced. I lowered my gaze to my feet.

“Sorry for making you wait in the cold. It wasn’t on purpose—”

“Quit being a teaching assistant. Right now,” he cut me off, dismissing my words without any regard.

I knew I’d made a mistake, but not one that warranted me quitting my job. I understood why Camian would be upset—he had been considerate, carrying me home every day, and now I had left him waiting for hours without a word. He must’ve been furious, especially since it meant he met with Lila only after the sun had set.

“I won’t make the same mistake again,” I promised.

But Camian didn’t respond. He was probably staring at me with distrust, just like when I was found hiding in the bushes near Lila’s house. I felt utterly pitiful again. Gritting my teeth, I stubbornly continued.

“If I make this mistake again, don’t wait for me. Just leave. Simple as that.”

“……”

“I’m not quitting my assistant job.”

Bang! His fist slammed into the door. Startled, I looked up, only to have my shoulders grabbed. Camian spun me around, his fiery red eyes locking onto mine.

“How can I… when you act like this!” His words were choked with suppressed anger. I stared at him, wide-eyed and shocked by his intensity. No matter how long I had made him wait in the cold, this reaction was excessive.

Seeing Camian, usually so composed, unable to contain his anger because of me made me feel miserable. Had he withdrawn all the love he once showed me, leaving only frustration? Did everything I did annoy him now, to the point where he couldn’t bear it any longer?

My chest tightened. I never wanted to give him a reason to resent me. I wanted to show that I could live just fine, whether or not he liked me. I wanted to live an ordinary life, where my existence left no ripples, until the day I quietly faded away, like a leaf falling into a pond.

“Okay. I’ve been too oblivious. You don’t need to carry me to and from school anymore.”

My throat burned as if I’d swallowed a hot coal. I tried to sound as nonchalant as possible.

“You think I’m doing this because I hate carrying you? Is that really the only way you can think?” he shot back.

“Then what is it? If you want something from me, just say it. Stop beating around the bush.”

“What do you take me for?” Camian asked, looking genuinely hurt. His face twisted, as if he was about to cry, and I had no words. He continued in a low voice.

“When you didn’t show up, I went to that guy’s study. As soon as I opened the door, I saw you lying there on the couch, completely still, with your arms tucked at your sides.”

“……”

I wasn’t known for being a quiet sleeper. Usually, I tossed and turned, or ended up sideways on the bed, blankets and pillows flung everywhere. When I slept next to Camian, I often clung to him like a bolster pillow.

“No matter how much I shook you or called your name, you wouldn’t wake up.”

Despair flickered in Camian’s eyes. He looked like a lone survivor on a dead planet, having lost all will to live.

“You were breathing, but you… you weren’t responding to me.”

I couldn’t remember being such a deep sleeper. I wasn’t overly sensitive, but I’d always woken up whenever Camian called me. Yet I had no recollection of hearing his voice or feeling his touch this time—only a black void loomed in my memory.

“…Why didn’t you realize how dangerous that was?” Camian’s voice was full of pain. Dangerous? Me? I was with Luke, the most harmless person imaginable. Sure, it was odd that I hadn’t woken up, but I chalked it up to being exhausted after staying up all night. I had no reason to believe anything else was wrong. Maybe I’d slept more quietly than usual because I was in an unfamiliar environment.

I didn’t understand why Camian was reacting so severely. Wait—if he went to the study…

“What about Luke?” I asked, suddenly concerned.

“……”

“You didn’t… hit him, did you?”

“You’re still saying that after what I just told you?”

Was he trying to scare me into quitting the assistant job?

“What would Luke possibly gain by threatening me? And if he really wanted to hurt me, he would’ve overpowered me already.”

I tried to keep calm, even while facing Camian’s accusing glare.

“You’re really going to keep doing that worthless job, aren’t you?”

I tried not to be swept up by his emotions. Logically, Camian had no right to demand I quit. In the past, I would’ve stubbornly refused to give in, if only to prove I wouldn’t be pushed around by his orders.

But now… his anguished expression tore at my heart. My resolve to stay rational vanished like smoke. What was that assistant job compared to this? Who cared about Luke Florence?

More than anything, I didn’t want Camian to feel anything for me anymore. If my job made him think about me constantly, that wasn’t good. I just wanted to live quietly, leaving no ripples behind.

“I’ll quit.”

“……”

“So stop being angry and get some rest.”