100 Days to Seduce the Devil



Day Seventy-One…

~~*****~~

"Helena is, in fact, Monica." Those words, uttered so matter-of-factly by Jane, reverberated in Nathan's ears like a relentless echo. His initial response was an overwhelming shock that seemed to jolt every fiber of his being.

Nathan froze in his spot but the ground beneath him felt unstable as if the very foundation of his understanding had been overturned. Nathan found himself in a whirlwind of emotions, his mind and heart engaged in a fierce battle of disbelief and acceptance as Jane's revelation hung heavily in the air.

The questions swirled relentlessly in his mind: How could this be possible? How could the woman he had believed to be dead, the very person he had mourned for an agonizing span of years, have somehow managed to stay alive and conceal her true identity and exist under an entirely different persona? What circumstances had led her down this path and abandon him and their son, Ethan?

For years, he had carried the heavy burden of grief, convinced that Monica, the woman he had cherished and lost, was gone forever.

Nathan's emotions– a mixture of shock, disbelief, and a profound sense of betrayal, threatened to engulf him entirely. It was a bittersweet revelation as if an old scar was being reopened from the recesses of his mind.

No wonder that certain gestures and actions exhibited by Helena bore a striking resemblance to those of Monica. The reason for this uncanny familiarity was now abundantly clear—Helena was, without a doubt, none other than Monica herself.

As the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, Nathan found himself reflecting on those subtle moments when Helena's mannerisms had triggered a sense of déjà vu. It was as though he had glimpsed Monica's spirit by just watching Helena.

In the midst of Nathan's inner turmoil, Jane could only watch him silently as he clutched the document in his trembling hand, his fingers clenched involuntarily, crumpling the once neat paper into a tangled mess. 

Jane bore witness to the chaos raging in Nathan's soul right now. It was a rage born not only from the shock of Monica's deception but from the hurt that welled up within him, threatening to consume him whole. Jane couldn't help but feel sorry for him. 

Monica's betrayal cut deeper than any knife, striking at the very core of his being. It was a betrayal not just of trust but of the bond they had built over the years, a bond he thought was unbreakable. Her actions had torn through the fabric of his reality, leaving behind a rift that seemed impossible to mend.

"I took the lives of your comrades," Nathan finally broke the silence, his voice heavy with regret and remorse.

"I resented you for so many years… I inflicted pain upon you and I almost killed you, all because I believe you were responsible for Monica's death." He slammed his eyes shut as he gritted his teeth. It was hard for him to enumerate all the bad things he did against Jane.

"I perpetrated countless cruel acts in the name of my vengeance, only to now confront the bitter truth... that Monica, the very reason for my resentment against you, is still alive."  As the weight of his admission settled upon him, a storm of emotions surged through his being and threatened to consume him.

He could feel the burning currents of rage coursing through his veins, a relentless reminder of the harm he had inflicted upon Jane, the real Shining Star. At the same time, guilt preyed on his conscience, its claws digging deep into his soul, a reminder of the cruel things he had done to her in his pursuit of vengeance.

"I'm sorry… Jane," Nathan mumbled in a low whisper. It was a moment of painful reckoning, as he struggled with the harsh reality that his actions, driven by misguided rage, had not only cost the lives of innocents but had brought immeasurable suffering to his real friend, Jane.

Jane stood in silence, her world momentarily frozen in disbelief. Her lips remained sealed, her voice rendered mute by the weight of what she had just witnessed. 'Nathan is apologizing to me. Sincerely.' 

With Jane's silence, Nathan continued to ponder in his mind. 'So… is this the reason she said she no longer wants me in her life?' His heart ached as he considered the possibility that his own actions, driven by anger and vengeance, had driven a wedge between them that could never be bridged. 

He longed to turn back time, to undo the harm he had caused, and to apologize for the damage he had brought her. But he also knew that some wounds ran too deep to heal completely.

Without a second thought, Nathan dropped to his knees, his eyes downcast, his posture humble and contrite. He took shallow breaths and his hands trembled as he fought to find the words to express the depth of his regret. 

His voice, when it finally emerged, was tinged with a quiver, laden with sincerity. "Jane," he began, his voice barely above a whisper, "I can't undo the terrible things I've done, the lives I've shattered. But I am so deeply sorry. I was blinded by my own rage and I let it lead me astray, causing pain to you and to your comrades."

Meanwhile, Jane, the person he had wronged so deeply, stood before him, her face a mosaic of emotions—pain, shock, confusion but also a glimmer of hope. Her eyes were locked onto Nathan's bowed head. She was torn between anger and the desire to forgive.

Jane continued to listen, her heart aching as she observed the genuine torment etched on Nathan's face. She had seen him transform from a friend into a vengeful stranger, and now, in this moment, she saw the shattered remnants of the man he had once been.

Nathan added, his words heavy with remorse. "I know that my apology can never truly make amends for the pain I've caused, but I want to try. I want to make things right, to atone for my actions, and to earn your forgiveness, if you'll allow me the chance."

Jane hesitated for a moment, her emotions in turmoil. She had never expected this turn of events. Her goal was just to reveal the truth to Nathan and warn him not to get in her way because she planned to settle the score with Monica. Who would have thought Nathan would acknowledge his mistakes and even ask for her forgiveness? She was overwhelmed by his words. 

Jane even lost hope that Nathan would fall for her as the scars ran deep. But beneath the layers of hurt, there was a flicker of the friendship they had once shared. After careful consideration, she took a deep breath. She reached out a trembling hand and gently lifted Nathan's bowed head, their eyes finally meeting.

For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath as their gazes locked. Jane saw the sincerity in Nathan's eyes, the profound regret etched on his handsome face. As a faint smile tugged the corners of her lips, she whispered, "I don't know if I can ever truly forgive you, Nathan, but I'll try." It was a fragile step toward healing, a glimmer of hope in a room filled with the weight of their shared past.

"It depends on how you will perform and show me your commitment and sincerity," she added, her lips curling into a playful, enigmatic grin. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, and her words carried an air of intrigue.

Nathan blinked several times in amusement as he stared at her charming face. Her mischievous smile was both a tease and a test, a glimpse of the exciting yet uncertain road ahead. Her statement was not a mere declaration. It was a challenge, an opportunity for him to step up and prove himself. She expected action, proof of his resolve to match his words.

At that moment, the once-oppressive heaviness that had pervaded the air was effortlessly replaced by an atmosphere brimming with lightness and ease.

"Alright, please stand up," Jane gently urged, her hands wrapping around his shoulder as she tugged his body upward. 

A playful smile danced across her lips as she continued, "We wouldn't want people to misinterpret your gesture. They might mistake it for a wedding proposal!" She chuckled lightly, sharing a moment of light-hearted humor with him.

Nathan, still caught in the gravity of his emotions, rose to his feet, a sheepish grin playing on his lips as he joined in the laughter.

Jane breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing his laughter, fully aware of how difficult it had been for Nathan to absorb that shocking revelation.

"I have more questions about this. Do you know how and why Monica started to live as Helena Carlsen?" Nathan inquired, his brow furrowing with confusion and curiosity. "Who died in my arms?"

Jane's once cheerful expression vanished, replaced by a complex swirl of emotions that flickered in her eyes. "I don't have the answers to those questions," she admitted with a sigh, her voice tinged with a sense of uncertainty. "This is a puzzle we'll need to unravel together. But before we dive into this mystery, there's something crucial you should be aware of."

"What is it?" Nathan's interest was piqued, and his full attention was now fixed on Jane.

Jane's gaze swept across their surroundings, her eyes scanning for any prying ears or watchful eyes. After a moment of assessment, she turned to Nathan and spoke in a hushed tone, her words covered with caution.

"We can't talk here," she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur. "Let's find a more secure location to discuss this." Her words were a subtle signal that they needed to move to a place where their conversation could remain discreet and free from unwanted listeners.

"We can go to my office," Nathan suggested.

"What office? SYP Twilight Corp or Syphiruz Mafia?" Jane asked back, lifting her eyebrow.

Nathan let out a soft chuckle before answering, "I'll leave it to you."

Jane: "..."

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