---- Chapter 11 Kyle's men brought Rose and her mother before me. The woman in front of me had a bare face, deep lines at the corners of her eyes, and silver streaks at her temples. She looked like an old lady now. Rose was haggard and lifeless, her former delicate beauty long gone. They'd clearly been through hell. Seeing them like this? I felt satisfied, but the satisfaction came with a strange hollowness. Once upon a time, Kyle and Jones had spoiled Rose beyond measure. They adored her mother as if she were royalty. Because of their blind favoritism, I suffered all those years. But the moment I left? They turned on Rose and ---- her mother, blaming everything on them. Their love and their hatred were so cheap, so fickle. Yes, I hated Rose and her mother. I looked down on them with absolute contempt. However, I despised Kyle and Jones even more. Rose and her mother were simply selfish, petty, and cruel. Kyle and Jones? They were fools-arrogant, destructive fools who enabled everything. I didn't want to look at Rose's miserable face, and I didn't want to see them anymore, either. "You wanted me to see this. I've seen it. Can I go now?" Jones looked at me, hollow and broken. Kyle waved his hand, motioning for the two women to be taken away. He gave me a bitter smile. "Even if you hate me, even if you loathe me, ---- I won't let you leave again." They forced me to stay and brought me back to the hotel. What followed were endless attempts to win me over-sweet words, gifts, and gestures. Nonetheless, I said nothing. I didn't even eat. Eventually, they gave in and let me go. After two weeks, I boarded my flight home. I knew they were on that plane too. Back home, I slept better than I had in years. When I woke, I found out the neighbors next door had changed. No surprise-Kyle and Jones had moved in. From that day on, we "ran into" each other often. One night, walking home from work, I saw Kyle standing alone under a streetlight. He looked ---- hollow, like someone left behind by the world. When he saw me, he straightened his back and forced a smile. "Grace... you're back." lignored him. He stepped in front of me, opening a velvet jewelry box. "I made this for you myself. It's your favorite-ruby." It was a beautiful necklace with a rose-shaped pendant glowing crimson under the light. His hands were covered in fresh cuts. I glanced at them, then looked away. "I don't want it." "Grace, what do I have to do for you to forgive me? " His voice cracked, desperate. I turned to him, my eyes sharp. "You want forgiveness? Then disappear."