Jayden descended into the basement with the twin girls, where the two surviving men—those who had attempted to kidnap the girls—were being held.
As the three entered the dimly lit room, the men immediately recognized Jayden. Their eyes widened in a mixture of fear and awe.
"Mr. Jayden!"
"Boss!"
Jayden approached them slowly, his expression unreadable. He reached out and gripped one of the men by the hair.
"You were once my subordinates," he said coldly. "So tell me the truth—were you the ones who set fire to my house?"
"Fire? What fire?" stammered the man in his grasp.
Jayden struck him across the face, the force of the blow echoing in the basement.
"Don't play games with me," he growled. "You both know exactly what I'm like when I'm angry."
"Please, sir," the man pleaded, blood trickling from his lip. "We didn't start any fire. I swear!"
"And I'm supposed to just believe that? Like some idiot?" Jayden snapped.
The second man, still bound, chimed in desperately, "Please, boss, we're telling the truth!"
Jayden turned to him and landed another brutal punch.
"I won't hesitate to kill you both," he spat. "You tried to kidnap my friends. God only knows what you intended to do with them."
One of the men whimpered, "We weren't going to hurt them! We just… we needed them to lure you out."
The other nodded quickly. "It's true! We didn't set the fire, boss. I swear it."
Yuna stepped forward, her voice gentle but firm. "Jayden… it seems like they're telling the truth."
Jayden clenched his fist and slammed it against the stone wall, the impact sending dust flying.
"Hey!" Luna protested. "Don't go smashing the basement walls just because you're mad!"
"Calm down," Yuna added. "We'll find whoever did it. Don't worry."
Jayden exhaled sharply. "Damn it… I thought leaving it all behind would bring peace. But no—things have only gotten worse."
"So your expectations were crushed," Luna said dryly.
"Luna ! You're not helping " Yuna scolded then turned to Jayden
" Jayden, the investigators said they'd keep working on the case. Call them. Maybe they've found something."
"I just bought a new phone," he muttered. "Saved the detective's number in it. I'll call him later."
Suddenly, Jayden's phone rang. He answered and heard the voice of the woman who worked at his family's bakery.
"Mr. Jayden, someone's come to see you."
"Is it the same person who came before?"
"No, this one's different. He's your age. Black hair, blue eyes."
"Black hair and blue eyes?" Jayden repeated.
"Yes."
"I'll be there right away. Thanks for letting me know."
After ending the call, Yuna asked "What is it?"
"Come on," Jayden said, heading toward the stairs. "Let's go outside."
Once outside, he continued, "There's someone I told you about—a stone heir like me. His name's Chris. He might want to join us."
"We can't just let anyone into the team," Luna said. "He has to be trustworthy."
"Remember when we first met?" Jayden asked. "You didn't trust me either. But Yuna saw something in me. It's the same with Chris. I believe he's sincere."
"You'd better be right."
"He's waiting at the bakery. Do you want to come meet him?"
"We've got nothing else to do anyway," Luna shrugged.
"Wait," Yuna interjected. "What about your ex-subordinates in the basement?"
"Kill them if you want," Jayden replied coldly. "They tried to kidnap you. You have every right."
"Sounds good," Luna said with a grin.
"They didn't mean to hurt us!" Yuna protested. "They said they were going to let us go after using us."
Jayden's eyes narrowed. "'Let you go'? You believe that?"
"That's what they said…"
"I know my men," Jayden said darkly. "Those two would've do something really bad while holding you as hostage if they'd had the chance."
"Did they ever do something like that when you were their leader? " Yuna asked quietly.
"Yeah so many times " he replied. "I've punished them before for it."
"Well, that settles it," Luna said, turning toward the basement. "I'll kill them myself, and then we can go meet this Chris of yours."
"But they—" Yuna began.
"Shut up!" Luna snapped. "Didn't they point their guns at your stupid face, you idiot?"
"Fine! Just stop insulting me!"
With that, Luna descended into the basement once more and using her star-shaped weapon, decapitated the two men. Then she rejoined Jayden and Yuna and the three made their way to the bakery.
Inside, Jayden spotted Chris sitting calmly on a stool, waiting.
When Chris saw him, he stood and shook his hand.
"You gave me your home address," he said. "When I went there, I found the place burned down. I asked the neighbors where you might be, and they told me about your father's bakery."
"Let's go somewhere more private to talk," Jayden said.
The two of them headed toward a nearby park. It was a children's playground, but the cold kept it deserted. They sat on one of the benches, sheltered by the silence of winter.
"So," Jayden began, "you've decided to join us?"
"Yes," Chris nodded. "And I want to help you."
"Help me?"
"That fire—" Chris said darkly, "—was the work of members from the Fauvism."
Jayden's eyes narrowed. "And how are you so sure?"
"Because it happened to me too, Durbin. They waited until I left my house, then burned it to the ground. Everything I owned—gone. They tried to kill me too. I barely escaped."
"So you're not from this city?"
"No. I came from a nearby one. I fled here."
"Well then," Jayden said with a faint smile, "welcome to our sweet little town."
Just then, a voice called Jayden's name . He turned to see Yuna standing behind him, holding a small dessert.
"Here," she said, offering it to him.
"Thanks."
The twins had followed them and were now standing behind the bench.
When Chris turned and saw them, his face went pale. Shock and disbelief overtook him. He stood up abruptly.
"What is it, Chris?" Jayden asked.
"Yeah," Luna added. "We're not that scary, are we?"
Chris stared at Luna, stunned. "You… the girl with the mole on her forehead… Luna!"
Luna blinked. "That's me. How do you know my name?"
Two years ago
In another country, Luna and Yuna were volunteering at a university hospital. One day, a young man was brought in—his body torn by a horrific accident, wounds covering him, bleeding severely, his internal organs damaged.
That young man was Chris.
He lay helpless in his hospital bed, his mind clouded with despair. The nurses, seeing his deteriorating mental state, assigned a therapist to speak with him.
"Mr. Chris," the therapist said gently, "You need to let go of this sadness. You must stay strong, for your life."
"Live… for what?" he muttered. "Even if I survive, I might be paralyzed. My organs are damaged beyond repair. Some might never heal. And the cost…"
"Please," she tried, "focus on the brighter side—"
"There is no bright side!" he snapped. "I'm the worst case in this hospital. I heard the doctor say it himself."
"There are others out there suffering more—"
"No. No one has it worse than me. Trust me."
Suddenly, a calm voice interrupted them.
"Anyone who suffers thinks their suffering is the worst."
A girl had overheard them. She stepped into the room, carrying a pot with a strange plant.
The therapist looked at her, surprised. "Who are you? Why are you in Mr. Chris's room?"
"Relax," Luna replied. "I'm here doing volunteer work. These plants release scents that aid recovery. I'm just placing one by the window."
"How do I know you're telling the truth?"
"Ask the director. Tell him one of the twins is here to volunteer—he'll explain."
The therapist fell silent.
Luna looked at Chris . "I didn't hear much," she said, "but I can tell your condition is critical, Chris."
"You have no idea," he muttered. "I'm broken. Physically… and mentally."
"Stop comparing your suffering to others," Luna told him gently. "Anyone who suffers believes no one has it worse."
Something shifted in Chris's expression. Her words reached him—cut through the fog of his despair.
The therapist, irritated by Luna's effect, said sharply, "Hey, he needs privacy. Just place the plant and leave."
Chris looked at her and said flatly, "Leave us."
"What?"
"I said leave. She stays."
The therapist, humiliated, left the room. Luna smirked whispering
"Well, that backfired on her."
Chris said to Luna
" Could you tell me more useful things like what you said before, miss ? "
Luna : "To be honest, I can't stay long, someone waiting outside and she might explode if I make her wait."
"I don't care how long—we just talk. That's enough."
Luna nodded. "That's wise of you. You're getting better already."
Chris smiled for hearing her words
"Treat your problem like everyone has it," Luna said. "Try to find a solution. Don't compare. Just… live."
"You're right."
"I think your mental state's improving already Right?"
"Yes. Thank you."
"You're welcome. You didn't expect this, did you? That someone could come in and make a difference with just a few words?"
"No… but I'll never forget it."
"Then goodbye, Chris."
"Wait. What's your name?"
"It's Luna. Goodbye."
She placed the plant by the window and started to leave. Chris called after her.
"Miss Luna… what you did—it might've just been words to you. But to me, it was everything. If I survive… I'll repay the favor."
"Great! Do it by buying me lots of food."
"You got it."
"See you, Chris."
"Goodbye, Miss Luna."
That was two years ago. Luna had forgotten his face—his wounds had made him unrecognizable. But Chris had never forgotten hers. Her face had remained etched into his memory ever since.
And now, he told Jayden and the twins the story of how he and Luna had first met.