Kayla’s legs gave way, and she slumped down, but Amelia quickly caught her and whispered in her ear, “Kayla, don’t be afraid. We’re right here with you.”

“Amelia, he’s a devil…” Kayla sobbed, tears streaming down her face. Her ghostly pale skin made the scars stand out even more, creating a truly horrifying image. One half of her face was breathtakingly beautiful, while the other half was grotesquely scarred, like that of a demon.

This stark contrast intensified the madness in Jonny’s eyes. He effortlessly shoved Aiden aside, his long arm extending to caress the scars on Kayla’s face. “You’re still so beautiful…” he whispered.

“Don’t touch me!” Kayla shouted as she mustered the strength to push Jonny away with all her might. The force of her shove caused Amelia to stumble back a few steps.

“Oh? Fighting back now? Good, I love it when you’re stubborn,” Jonny grinned, reaching for her chin again.

Kayla struck him hard without warning. The sound of his finger snapping made Amelia shudder, goosebumps rising all over her arms.

But Jonny didn’t even flinch, as if he were immune to pain. He laughed maniacally, his eyes fixed on Kayla.

Kayla’s scalp tingled with fear as she released Jonny’s finger, which now hung grotesquely at an unnatural angle.

“Come on, why’d you stop?” Jonny asked.

“You psycho! You, total freak!” Kayla doubled over, gagging.

Jonny’s eyes narrowed. “Are you pregnant?”

“It’s because you make me sick!” Kayla yelled.

Amelia caught sight of her, feeling a sharp pang of sympathy. ‘Just how much does she hate him to react like this?’ Amelia wondered, her heart aching for Kayla. ‘Landon, why aren’t you back yet?’

Aiden grabbed a vase and smashed it forcefully against the back of Jonny’s head. The vase shattered with a loud crash, yet Jonny didn’t even flinch. He remained steady as a rock, touched the blood at the back of his head, and then began walking toward Aiden.

“Aiden, run!” Kayla screamed in terror.

The oppressive presence of his unhinged older brother made Aiden’s legs tremble uncontrollably. Memories of childhood, filled with being hit and yelled at by Jonny, flooded back to him like dark storm clouds gathering, leaving him paralyzed with fear.

Jonny seized Aiden by the throat, slowly tightening his grip. His large hand, with veins bulging, squeezed harder. Aiden’s face began to take on a worrying shade of blue.

“Aiden! Aiden!” Kayla struggled to her feet and threw herself at Jonny, desperate to save Aiden.

Amelia’s heart raced with overwhelming fear, but she refused to be intimidated by Jonny. She made a conscious effort to remain calm and rational. Spinning around, she dashed into Kayla’s old room, reached under the pillow for the gun, then rushed back out and fired a shot.

“Let him go! Everyone, stay still!” she shouted. It seemed the gunshot had the desired effect—Jonny slightly relaxed his hold. Aiden barely managed to draw in a few desperate breaths, clinging to life.

“Let him go, or I swear I’ll shoot you dead!” Amelia shouted. Thankfully, Night Owl had taught her how to use a gun. However, her aim was still poor, so she had never really attempted to shoot Jonny for real.

“Oh yeah? Then go ahead and shoot!” Jonny just stared her down, totally fearless.

Amelia gripped the gun, torn between panic and uncertainty. If she pulled the trigger, she might miss, but if she hesitated, Jonny would only become more aggressive. ‘This guy’s insane. Is there nothing that scares him?!’ Amelia thought, chills running down her spine.

“Amelia, shoot!” Aiden rasped, his voice barely above a whisper. He understood that even if it meant getting hurt himself, he had to eliminate Jonny. If he didn’t, Kayla would never find peace for the rest of her life. And then there was Landen—still so young. “Shoot!” Aiden screamed, his voice raspy and hoarse.

Amelia’s palms were clammy with sweat. She couldn’t bring herself to pull the trigger. If she missed, Aiden would be the one who got hurt.

“Come on, shoot!” Jonny taunted, seeing right through her bluff and daring her to pull the trigger. In response to Jonny’s provocation, Amelia’s hands were not only sweaty but shaking uncontrollably.

“Amelia, don’t be afraid. Just shoot!” Aiden rasped, attempting to comfort her even as he struggled to catch his breath.

The profound sorrow in Aiden’s eyes intensified Amelia’s heartache. The bond between the siblings was so strong that Aiden would willingly sacrifice his life for Kayla without hesitation. Amelia couldn’t bring herself to pull the trigger.

“Amy, don’t shoot,” Kayla rushed over and grabbed her hand. She knew Amelia had never even handled a gun before—there was no way she could hit her target. That last shot had probably been fired at random, purely a stroke of luck, if anything.

Amelia instinctively handed the gun to Kayla, believing that if she couldn’t aim, Kayla surely could. “Kayla, you do it!” Amelia urged, her eyes filled with expectation.

Kayla offered a bitter smile and let her hand fall. “I can’t either… He’s too strong. If I shoot, it would only get Aiden killed for no reason,” she said softly.

They said there was only a thin line between madness and genius, and Jonny had undoubtedly been on the genius side. He had been an exceptional marksman, moved with the grace of a cat, and possessed an incredible sharpness of mind. In comparison, Aiden had been entirely overshadowed.

That was why their parents consistently favored Jonny, grooming him as the heir while leaving Aiden to fend for himself, as if he were just a stray they had picked up. Before Jonny feigned death, Aiden was effectively invisible within the Kington Gang and the underworld. It was only after Jonny’s absence that their parents were forced to start preparing Aiden for a similar role.

“Kayla, just shoot!” Aiden shouted, his voice desperate.

But Kayla said, “Jonny, let Aiden go. Isn’t it me you want? Take me instead.”

“Right!” Jonny grinned, clearly pleased. “Kayla, you’re still so decisive. I freaking love you for that!”

Kayla handed the gun back to Amelia and then walked toward Jonny, her entire body exuding a sense of defeat. Amelia bit her lip as anxiety clawed at her chest, feeling utterly helpless. All she could do was desperately pray in her heart for Landon to return soon.

“Kayla, no…” A tear rolled down Aiden’s cheek, his face twisted in agony. No one understood the fate that awaited Kayla if she went with Jonny better than Aiden. He was filled with fear.

“Aiden, you must stay alive,” Kayla said, her voice steady, though her eyes were filled with sorrow. She gave him one last lingering glance, her gaze imploring him to take care of Amelia. Then, she reached out and placed her hand in Jonny’s.

Jonny laughed with satisfaction and pulled Kayla into his embrace. Kayla’s face was ghostly pale as she struggled to keep her composure.

Aiden fell to the floor, gasping for air. The sudden rush caused him to cough and choke uncontrollably. Amelia hurried over and began patting his back, trying to help him regain his breath.

“Get out of here before I change my mind!” Jonny sneered.

Aiden looked at Kayla, his eyes filled with sorrow. Kayla managed a tearful smile, her voice gentle yet firm. “Please, just go.”

“Jonny, please don’t hurt her,” Aiden choked out, tears streaming down his face as he desperately pleaded.

“She’s my wife, so I call the shots,” Jonny scoffed. “If Kayla didn’t care about you so much, you wouldn’t be walking out of here alive.”

His heart felt like it was being torn apart. With great effort, Aiden struggled to his feet, leaning heavily on Amelia as they stumbled out together a step at a time. They left the only place he had ever truly called home since childhood—the one place that had always felt like it belonged to him.

“You really can’t beat him?” Amelia exclaimed, struggling to believe it. ‘Wasn’t Aiden supposed to be pretty strong, too?’ she wondered.

Aiden shook his head in silence. Amelia, feeling lost, scrolled through her phone as they walked. ‘Landon, where on earth are you? Why haven’t you come back yet?’ she thought, her heart racing with worry.