With your lips pressed into a thin line, you stood in the hallway, still dressed and stared at Marcus. Your breath was trembling but you forced yourself to stay calm.

In his eyes shimmered an expression that seemed to be impossible for Marcus. There was so much pain, so much fear. He was weak, felt weak, wanted to be weak. All that kept him from falling apart was the desperate wish to fix this.

But it was too late. He had fucked it up.

"(Y/N).", his voice was shaking as he called you. "Please... let me explain. Come in and we can talk about this. I'll make you tea."

Calmly, you shook your head.

"I don't need tea, Marcus.", you said, remaining as motionless as a rock. "All I have to know is do you or do you not work for Silco?"

His eyes jumped over your face. Fear tied his throat. All of a sudden he felt more restless than he had been talking to Silco. This was it, that one moment, the point before breaking.

He could see it on your face, read it in your eyes. Swallowing hard, he had to suppress a whimper.

As he took a step towards you, you did not back away.

But you made it very clear with your facial expression that one touch would make you loose it.

"I love you.", he said, trembling.

"You lied to me."

A desperate expression appeared on his face. His eyes showed how helpless he felt.

"What was I supposed to tell you? That a few years back my younger self made a stupid mistake and now I'm trapped working for the man that killed your parents?"

A bitter smile appeared on your lips.

"That makes it sound even worse.", you growled. "So tell me, did you try to keep me from solving the issue because he told you to?"

"I had to."

Closing your eyes, you shook your head.

"There are always other options."

"I'm deeper in than I wish to."

"I can't believe you're stupid enough to play this game. You have a daughter!"

"The deal was made before I knew! And now it's too late. I- I can't get out. I tried but... Ren. And you.", his breath was restless as he grabbed you by the shoulders so you had to look him in the eyes. "I fell in love with you again and Silco knows. He doesn't have morals. If I don't play by his rules he'll..."

Taking a deep breath, you had to force yourself to not slap him. This felt like the biggest betrayal.

"That's not excusing your poor decisions.", frowning, you glanced at the door to Ren's room.

You shook his hands off, rough and hateful and pushed past him. Your hand was already opening the door as he slid in the way.

"What are you doing?!", he asked, close to panicking. "Talk to me!"

Your face turned grim.

With your eyes full of hate, you looked up at him, raised your chin and threateningly grabbed him by the collar.

"I'm doing you a favour.", you hissed.

He frowned.

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

"I'm taking her somewhere safe."

He hesitated.

His eyes jumped through the crack in the door, catching a glimpse at his little girl playing by herself. For a moment he thought.

"No.", he finally said. "I have to protect her."

Angrily, you pulled the door shut and slapped him right across the face.

Struck by surprise, he stumbled back, holding his reddened cheek.

"You have to fix this, Marcus!", you screamed in his face. "You need to get out of this shit or your daughter will be an orphan. Or worse, dead! Is that what you want?! Do you want her to die for your stupidity?"

Swallowing hard, he squeezed his eyes shut. He hated the thought of letting his daughter go, it made him feel like he failed as a father. However, he knew as well as you that this was the safest option. His only option.

"I'm... I'm taking care of this.", he assured, his eyes watery at the though. "(Y/N). I love you. I will fix this."

But as he tried to pull you into a hug, you backed away.

"Don't.", you said in a cold voice. "I'll take care of her. And you take care of your issue."

He wanted to say something, wanted to object but swallowed the words. He sighed, so painfully sorry. He felt like everything was falling apart, like he was about to loose everything.

Again.

"Where will you take her?", he asked.

Your gaze fell on the white flowers that were standing on the sideboard in the hallway.

"Somewhere safe.", you said.

As your eyes locked with his, something inside your chest pulled together. It was so painful to look at him. You felt so betrayed.

"How will I be able to find you?"

"You will know. She picked the place. A field of flowers with stars above. That's what she wants."

It was easy for him to get the hint.

"(Y/N).", his arms wrapped around you, pulling you close.

You let it happen but couldn't bring yourself to hug him as well.

It felt wrong.

"Make sure to stay alive, Marcus. She deserves at least one person to be there for her."

"I love you."

You swallowed hard.

"This city is tearing everything apart. Again. We can't stay here. Not if we want a happy ending. Or an ending at all."

"(Y/N)...", his voice was shaking as he called for you as if he was praying. "Please take care of her. I'll fix this. For us."

Taking a deep breath in, you freed yourself.

"I'll do what I can. And if I have to I'll die for her too. I owe you that. For all the years that I failed to be your best friend."

His lips curled. There was this shimmer in his eyes, this desperation.

"Please don't leave me without saying it.", he begged. "Please. Let me hear it once more. One last time."

You hesitated. Your heart hurt. It felt like it was about to shatter.

"I loved you.", you whispered. "Marcus."