Henry shook his head slightly, feeling too drained to think about food. All he wanted was peace-a long, unbroken peace.

"Please, don't say that. You have to eat something," Diois insisted, his voice tinged with worry as he gently pushed a stray lock of hair behind Henry's ear.

Diois watched Henry closely, his expression a mixture of frustration and concern. The silence between them was thick, filled with unspoken fears and unacknowledged feelings. Henry's eyes were heavy, as if the weight of his emotions made it hard for him to hold them open.

"Henry, please," Diois pressed, leaning closer, his voice lowering to a gentle whisper. "I can't stand seeing you like this. Just a bite. For me?"

The way he said it made Henry more frustrated.

After a moment of internal struggle, Henry reluctantly nodded, feeling a tightness in his throat from the unexpressed pain swirling inside him. He didn't want to eat, but he also couldn't bear the thought of hearing Diois's voice any longer.

Diois's face brightened at Henry's response, his worry momentarily fading. "Great! I'll be right back." He quickly stood, grabbed the tray laden with untouched food, and rushed out of the room, his movements quick and purposeful.

As Henry lay back on the bed, he closed his eyes again, trying to relax.

How long i have to suffer?
Why always me?

He focused on his breathing, letting the rhythm calm his racing heart. A few moments later, he heard Diois returning, the sound of footsteps bringing him back to the present.

Diois re-entered the room, carrying a steaming bowl of soup, the aroma filling the air.

"Here we go," he said, a smile breaking through the remnants of tension in his demeanor. He set the bowl down on the nightstand and grabbed a spoon, ready to feed Henry.

"Sit up for me," Diois instructed gently, moving to support Henry as he lifted himself.

With a bit of effort, Henry propped himself up against the pillows, feeling a bit of strength return as Diois held the bowl close.

"Just a few spoonfuls," Diois encouraged, scooping the soup and bringing it to Henry's lips.

Henry hesitated for a moment, but the warmth of the soup was inviting. He opened his mouth slightly, allowing Diois to feed him. The first spoonful was comforting, the warm liquid soothing his aching body.

"See? Not so bad, right?" Diois said, watching him with those intense eyes that seemed to hold a world of emotion.

As Diois carefully fed Henry, the gentle movements of his hand drew Henry's gaze. He noticed the bandage wrapped around Diois's hand and the scratch on Diois's face. Despite everything that had happened, a flicker of concern for Diois welled up inside him, and Henry hated himself for feeling this way. He shouldn't care about someone who had caused him so much pain, yet the feeling persisted, gnawing at him. It was as if his heart betrayed his mind, unable to suppress the empathy that bubbled to the surface.

After Henry finished eating, Diois collected the empty dishes and left the room without a word. As the door closed behind him, Henry's phone began to ring. The sound drew his attention to the bedside table, where his mobile was vibrating. He reached out and saw Sofia's name flashing on the screen.

Henry hesitated, his heart sinking. He didn't have the strength to answer, nor did he feel he deserved to. Shame washed over him as he thought about facing her and the inevitable questions she would ask. Sofia had always been his rock, someone he could lean on when things got tough. She had been there for him through his darkest moments, offering comfort and support. And yet, he had betrayed her.

He knew Sofia loved Diois. It was an unspoken truth that made him feel even worse. By letting things spiral out of control with Diois, he had shattered her feelings, taking something precious away from her.

Henry sighed deeply, his guilt weighing heavy. Unable to face the call, he placed the phone back on the nightstand and decided to clear his head.

Walking out to the balcony, Henry inhaled deeply, taking in the fresh, crisp air. The view was breathtaking. The house was surrounded by vast greenery, a stark contrast to the tall, suffocating buildings he was used to seeing from his apartment. The usual noise of traffic was replaced by a serene silence, broken only by the soft rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. It was peaceful here-an oasis he hadn't realized he needed.

As he looked down from the balcony, his gaze fell on a large swimming pool in the backyard. The clear water shimmered under the fading sunlight. Henry had never been a fan of swimming-he didn't even know how-but for some reason, he felt drawn to it.

The thought of stepping into the cool water was tempting. He hesitated, knowing it was rude to use someone else's pool without permission. But the idea of asking Diois was even more unappealing. The tension between them was suffocating, and he wasn't sure he could handle another confrontation. Still, the thought of the pool lingered, its calm surface offering an escape he desperately craved.

"Henry." Diois's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Henry turned abruptly, startled to see Diois standing at the balcony door.

"Your phone is ringing," Diois said, holding the device in his hand. "It's Sofia."

Henry froze, his heart sinking at the mention of her name. His gaze flickered to the phone, still vibrating in Diois's hand, but he couldn't bring himself to reach for it.

Henry finally grabbed the phone from Diois's hand, silencing it before shoving it into his pocket. He turned back to the balcony, gripping the railing tightly as if to steady himself.

Diois tilted his head, his expression unreadable. "Not going to answer?" he asked again, his voice deceptively calm.

Henry swallowed hard, his throat dry. "No..." he muttered, keeping his eyes fixed on the horizon.

Diois stepped closer, his presence looming behind Henry. "Why not? She seems persistent."

Henry's fingers tightened on the railing, his knuckles turning white. When he felt Diois's warm breath behind him, disgust churned in his stomach. "It's none of your business," he said coldly.

Diois ignored the sharp tone, wrapping his arms around Henry from behind. His grip was possessive, unyielding. "You're avoiding her," he murmured, his tone laced with accusations.

Henry clenched his jaw, biting the inside of his lip to suppress the surge of anger. He knew better than to lash out-it would only fuel Diois's twisted sense of control.

Diois's hands moved up Henry's chest, his lips grazing the nape of his neck before trailing wet kisses along his jaw. His actions were slow, deliberate, designed to unnerve.

"You can't keep running away," Diois whispered, his voice low and taunting. "It won't fix anything. But if you're too afraid to face her, maybe you've already made your choice."

Henry spun around sharply, his eyes blazing with anger and frustration. "So you know how she feels about you?" he snapped, his voice trembling with fury.

Diois chuckled, a low, mocking sound that only deepened Henry's frustration. He gripped Henry's nape firmly, bringing their faces close. "Of course, I knew," Diois said, his smirk widening. "It wasn't hard to figure out. She practically wears her heart on her sleeve."

Henry glared at him, his fists clenched at his sides. Diois's eyes showed no guilt-only amusement, as if he found the situation entertaining.

"You're bad for her, though," Diois continued, his voice dripping with condescension. "But it doesn't matter, does it? You already chose me, Henry. So go ahead, tell her. Just say it's me you want. Simple, isn't it?"

He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against the corner of Henry's mouth, a gesture that felt more like mockery than affection.

Henry's entire body tensed, his fists trembling with the urge to punch Diois in the face. But he knew better-he couldn't win against him, not in this twisted game.

Diois's thumb brushed over Henry's trembling lips, his voice low and commanding. "Open your mouth for me," he ordered, his tone brooking no argument.

I want to sincerely apologize for not updating my novel for such a long time. Life has been a little hectic, but I truly appreciate your patience and unwavering support. Your love and encouragement mean the world to me, and I promise to do my best to update regularly from now on.

Thank you for sticking with me through it all. I'm excited to continue this journey with you!