I stepped out of his car, my legs still shaking. Even now, standing in front of my house, the memory of what I saw kept replaying in my mind.
How can a normal human kill like that?
No hesitation. No mercy. No emotion.
He wasn't human—he was a beast wearing a man's skin.
"Thank you so much, sir… I really appreciate your kindness and help," I said quietly, my head lowered. I couldn't bring myself to look into his eyes again.
"No need to thank me," he replied, his voice calm. "Just make sure that little baby is safe in your hands."
His eyes dropped to the sleeping child in my arms.
I opened my mouth to speak, but the door flew open.
"Zara!" Mari rushed out, panic written all over her face. When her eyes landed on the man beside me, her entire body froze.
"S-Sir Marco," she whispered, bowing slightly. Even her legs were trembling. "I'm so sorry if my sister caused you trouble. She's new here. She doesn't know the rules… please… please spare her life."
"She didn't cause me any trouble, dear," he said with a small smile.
Then he reached into his pocket and handed her a card. "Take this. Use it if you need anything."
"Oh—thank you, sir… but I don't want—" Mari began.
"I wasn't giving it to you," Marco interrupted, his gaze sharp. "It's for the angel in her arms."
"I'm… grateful, Sir Marco," I murmured, staring at the ground.
He turned to leave. "See you some other time, Zara."
My heart stopped.
Zara?
How did he know my name?
I never told him. Did Mari say it? Or… does he already know who I am?
"Bye… and thank you," I said, but he was already walking away.
The moment he was gone, Mari grabbed my arm.
"Zara, what is wrong with you?" she snapped. "I told you to mind your business in this city!"
"Was I supposed to let them kill an innocent baby?" I fired back. "Her mother might have done something wrong, but the baby did nothing. Mari, you don't understand what it feels like to lose a mother or to be homeless. You still have your family."
"Zara, calm down," she pleaded. "I was trying to protect you. Imagine if Marco wasn't there—what would've happened? I can't even think about it."
"If he wasn't there, I still would've made it out alive," I said angrily. "I've been in worse situations and I survived. I always survive."
Mari stared at me, her expression suddenly serious.
"Do you know who you just met out there?"
"No," I answered truthfully. "I know his name is Marco, but… who is he?"
She groaned and slapped her hand to her forehead.
"He's Marco Dario. The Beast of this city—inside and out."
I froze.
"Hold on," I said, grabbing her arm. "You mean the Marco Dario? The one everyone whispers about?"
"Yes, idiot!" Mari shouted. "And you're telling me he saved you?!"
"Yes," I said, still confused.
"How?" she demanded.
"How what?" I snapped back. "Mari, I don't know anything. All I know is I'm safe, the baby is safe, and now she is our responsibility. We have to take care of her."
But Mari wasn't even listening anymore.