175: 174 Greyson thought. The fact he had been vaguely aware of for the past few days, no, much longer than that, he now knew clearly. Dane Striker would risk his life again someday. No matter how much he threatened to die, no matter who cried and pleaded and clung to him, it would be the same. Dane would throw his whole body into the flames again and again. Again and again, again and again. Greyson bit his lower lip firmly. It felt like his chest was on fire. This pain would probably continue forever. As long as he loved Dane, as long as Dane threw away his life without hesitation before his eyes. His love and my love are so different. His love is so big and wide that it's not limited to just me. The moment he realized that fact, only one thought came to Greyson's mind. I want to kill you. The single desire that had been repeating endlessly consumed his brain. If I kill you, everything will be mine. Greyson could no longer think of anything else. Yes, this is right. I should have done this long ago. I was wrong. I shouldn't have hoped for this man to get better. It would have been better if Dane had died long ago. And then I would follow and die too. So that only I alone could possess this man. So that you can never again throw away your life for someone else before my eyes. Greyson slowly reached out his hand. Dane's neck was right in front of him. Pressing down on it wouldn't be difficult. In the morning, the medical staff would come to this room. And he would discover them. Greyson Miller lying on the bed with Dane. Peacefully, fallen into eternal sleep… Right then, Dane opened his mouth. "Who is it?" In an instant, Greyson's whole body froze. * * * …? Suddenly feeling a strange presence, Dane woke from sleep. Something was there. Sensing the presence of someone other than himself, he moved his head. He slowly turned his head to one side, but even so, he couldn't see anything. Feeling frustrated by the thick bandages and eye patch covering his eyes, he bit his lips. Even if his eyes could see, since his body wasn't free yet, it wouldn't help much, but it would still be better than knowing nothing. What the hell is it? Unable to do anything about his frustration, Dane opened his mouth. "Who is it? Is someone there?" It felt like his voice echoed and resonated in the quiet hospital room. Lying there bewildered, he briefly thought. Am I mistaken? In reality, am I just lying here alone…? If that were the case, how ridiculous would it be? Imagining it, he almost burst into laughter, but that would be better. Hoping he had sensed wrong, Dane carefully raised his hand. Though he wasn't well enough to get up and walk around yet, moving his arms and legs while lying down was possible. He moved his hand that had been waving in the air to the side, but as expected, nothing was caught. As expected, it was a mistake. He had to admit it was all a ridiculous clown show. But at that moment, at the very moment when he should have accepted his stupidity, felt relieved, and tried to sleep again, he unconsciously opened his mouth. "Greyson?" Dane immediately noticed. The fact that the quality of the air had changed very subtly. Instead of his eyes that couldn't see, his heightened senses throughout his body felt it. The fact that 'he' had reacted to Dane's quiet voice. "Greyson? Is that you?" Dane asked again. The other party didn't answer. It could be someone else. There was plenty of possibility for that. In the first place, Greyson hadn't visited this hospital room for quite some time. Why did he suddenly call his name? Dane couldn't understand it himself. "…?" Suddenly he felt a presence. This time it was certain. Because he heard footsteps. "Damn it, who is it? Answer me!" This time Dane shouted in a louder voice. But the other party didn't respond. The footsteps soon quickened, then he heard the sound of a door opening and closing. The footsteps that had quickly moved away soon disappeared completely, and Dane was left in silence again. * * * "Dane, my goodness. To be injured this badly…" Yeonwoo, who had rushed over as soon as he heard that visits were allowed, immediately teared up upon seeing Dane's condition. At his appearance of not knowing what to do with his pale face, Dane said nonchalantly. "It's nothing much, anyway I survived, so that's what matters." And it's tremendous luck that my limbs are intact. Dane thought to himself. It seemed like he had used up all the luck he'd need for a lifetime. Otherwise, he couldn't be this unharmed. "How's your body? It must be very difficult, right?" When Yeonwoo asked worriedly, Dane reacted indifferently this time too. "I have to endure this much. Well, anyway, maybe because I've gotten a lot of medication, my head feels foggy, but the pain isn't too severe. It's bearable enough." "That's a relief…" Seeing him stroke his chest as if relieved, Dane readily changed the subject and asked. "What about you, nothing wrong? How's Darling? She must be doing well, right?" He thought he could trust Yeonwoo, but still couldn't be completely at ease. Even if Yeonwoo did his best, he couldn't help the cat being anxious in an unfamiliar environment. Just as he was feeling guilty toward Darling, he realized that Yeonwoo's reaction was strange. "What's wrong? Did something happen?" Seeing him unable to speak as if flustered about something, his voice naturally became sharp. Yeonwoo, receiving the sharp gaze, was startled and blinked awkwardly. "No, well… wasn't that discussed…?" "What? Speak so I can understand, quickly." When Dane pressed repeatedly, Yeonwoo still looked bewildered and started with "Well…" "Miller-san took her." "What?" At the unexpected words, Dane contorted his brow. "Miller? What Miller? Don't tell me." "Greyson Miller-san." What the hell is this about all of a sudden? Seeing Dane make a dumbfounded expression, Yeonwoo became even more flustered and continued. "He suddenly came and took her away. When I briefly went out, he came and took her… He told Charles-san, the butler, that it had already been discussed, so he didn't suspect anything… He couldn't imagine that Millersan would lie to take a cat…" "…Hah." Dane was so flabbergasted he could only let out a helpless sigh. What the hell was this about all of a sudden? He hadn't shown his face at the hospital room, but suddenly kidnapped my Darling? Why? "That son of a bitch…" Dane cursed through gritted teeth. Seeing him like that, Yeonwoo was startled and frantically apologized. "I'm sorry, Dane. You trusted me and left her with me, but this happened… I even went to Miller-san's house, but they wouldn't even open the door, so there was nothing I could do…" "What did that bastard say?" Blocking Yeonwoo who was about to apologize again, Dane asked. Yeonwoo hesitated then honestly answered. "He said it was fine and to trust him, that Dane knew about it too… That was a lie, wasn't it?" Though he added a question, instead of answering, Dane made a groaning sound and pressed his forehead with one hand. What's that bastard plotting? He couldn't guess at all. To kidnap someone else's cat without permission and then not say a single word. Wasn't the purpose of kidnapping usually to demand what you want? But what's the reason for not showing his face at all? To Dane, who kept thinking of questions without answers, Yeonwoo opened his mouth as if determined. "Dane, if it's certain that this wasn't discussed, I'll go get Darling back." When Dane slightly opened his eyes and looked at him, he continued with a resolute face. "It's my fault that Darling was taken by Miller-san. Of course, I'll be careful not to startle Darling, so don't worry and wait. I'll go out right now and find a way." Yeonwoo was completely serious. From his firm expression and tone, Dane could fully understand his feelings. Finding a way probably meant through Pitman. Of course, the result would be certain, but… Haa, Dane let out a deep sigh. "No, forget it." At the muttered words as if resigned, Yeonwoo was surprised and blinked. "Forget it?" "Yeah, forget it." When he repeated Dane's words, Dane also repeated the same words. "I'll handle that myself. Now that I know, don't worry about it anymore." Yeonwoo looked at him with a puzzled expression. He wouldn't understand. Of course, I don't understand either. Dane thought that but didn't bother to explain further. Anyway, he wouldn't have harmed Darling. Though it was a baseless thought, Dane found it rather difficult to imagine Greyson doing anything to Darling. Rather, it means he wants something from me. In short, Darling had been kidnapped as a hostage. Then what exactly was he trying to demand? Boobs boobs… "Damn it!" The moment that terrible song played in his head, Dane couldn't help but curse loudly. Yeonwoo, who was startled, looked at him with wide eyes, but Dane didn't bother to explain. And Yeonwoo had to leave when visiting hours ended. Leaving only the words to contact him anytime if there was anything he needed to do. * * * "Congratulations!" "Congratulations, Striker-san! You really went through a lot!" "Congratulations on your return! Our hero! Dane Striker!" At the medical staff's cheers celebrating his discharge, Dane couldn't hide his embarrassment and smiled awkwardly. Though he still had to rely on one crutch, walking out of the hospital was tremendous progress. The hospital even recorded Dane as a special case. They'd all be surprised if they knew it was because of the extreme Omega bond… Dane vaguely realized that it was Koi who had saved him. When he was completely unconscious, he realized one day after waking up whose voice it was that had been calling him. What made him more certain was after Koi came once more and poured out pheromones when his condition still wasn't good. That was probably healing possible due to the compatibility between extreme Omegas. It was still unknown what would happen if used on other phenotypes. Anyway, in the case of the same extreme Omega, it seemed possible to pour out pheromones to maximize self-healing or share some energy. I should visit separately someday to thank him… Dane thought this as he completed his discharge procedures. Since Ashley Miller had covered all medical expenses, all he had to do was sign the discharge papers. He said it was 'natural compensation for saving my son.' Of course it is, Dane readily accepted. When Dane drawled, the secretary who had conveyed Ashley's words was flustered then soon reported to his superior. After a moment, he returned with a troubled face and delivered the answer. 'No.' Stingy bastard. Dane grumbled as he walked. Anyway, he couldn't drive in this condition, so he'd have to take a taxi. Should I go get Darling first? Just as he was limping out of the hospital, an unexpected man was standing in front of the entrance waiting for him. "Hello, Dane." It was Greyson Miller. 35 Dane slowly stopped walking. The fresh California wind brushed past his body. When Dane stood leaning on one crutch and looked at Greyson, he smiled brightly and held out the bouquet he was carrying. "Congratulations on your discharge, this is a gift." The red rose bouquet suited Greyson perfectly. Dane glanced at what was held out in front of him and opened his mouth. "Wouldn't it be better if you kept carrying it?" Along with those words, when he looked toward his crutch, Greyson soon withdrew his hand and obediently answered. "Then I'll hold it for you. Where are you going now?" At the ready question, Dane put the thought that came to his mind directly into words. "I need to go get Darling first." I already know where she is. When he looked with narrowed eyes, Greyson readily spoke. "Then let's go to my house." "Your house?" He's saying it this easily? Dane was dumbfounded, having prepared to throw a punch while thinking he might pretend not to know. When he asked toward the back of Greyson's head as he walked ahead, he soon turned to look at Dane and said. "Darling is at my house. Didn't Yeonwoo tell you?" "No…" I did hear about it, Dane blinked in confusion. He had even guessed that he would have already heard from Yeonwoo. Then what? What was this situation? To the confused Dane, Greyson said with a smile. "Don't worry, Darling is doing very well." That wasn't the end. He added as if he knew everything. "Don't you want to see for yourself? Come on, Darling must be waiting too." And Greyson turned around and walked with large strides. Dane followed behind Greyson with a dumbfounded expression, limping. Greyson, who had parked as close as possible to the hospital building, first opened the passenger door and waited for him. After Dane got in the car, Greyson got in the driver's seat and started the car without saying much. Whew, with a sigh, Dane closed his eyes and tilted his head back. Just from walking that much, sweat was already flowing down his whole body. After sitting like that for a while to catch his breath, once his breathing had somewhat stabilized, he suddenly remembered something. Who was that visitor that night? He had asked the medical staff who came to the room after dawn, but no one knew. Since they didn't even know that someone had visited, he couldn't ask further. There was a way to check the CCTV, but since there was no particular damage, demanding that much would be excessive. In the end, Dane couldn't solve the mystery until today when he was discharged. But somehow, he felt like he knew now. Dane, who had glanced to the side, opened his mouth. "It was you, wasn't it?"