The Villain's Sister - Chapter 28

“Got nothing to say?”

I had checked my face while washing up earlier, and it was a real mess.

My eyes were so swollen I could barely open them, and my nose and lips were puffy and unsightly.

It was laughable to demand an explanation looking like this, but I was holding back the urge to lunge at Johan right then.

“I’m sorry.”

“You sound pretty confident.”

“I had no choice. My employer is Mr. Raphael.”

“I’m the one who has to be with you all day.”

“……”

No matter how much this world runs on utility and necessity, this level of disregard was absurd.

There’s no way someone like Red Shadow couldn’t handle a stalking case alone.

He leaked it to Raphael on purpose.

To gain Raphael’s trust.

‘What could Red Shadow gain from Raphael? What’s he trying to do after winning that trust?’

This world was suffocating, yet I couldn’t escape it. It was driving me mad.

“Put this in the car.”

When I handed him the suitcase I used last time I ran away, Johan frowned.

“I’m a bodyguard, not a porter.”

“You’re not much of a bodyguard either. I’m leaving. Get ready.”

“Where are you going?”

“Raphael told me to stay at a friend’s or a hotel for a while. I’m planning to be somewhere else until the move is done.”

I wasn’t the one choosing the new place. That was up to Raphael.

My role was probably just picking out the interior and furniture.

While we were driving, I closed my sunglass-covered eyes and focused on the radio.

― There’s been a surge in reports of nerve disorders, and testimonies indicate a new drug is involved. Authorities are…

Johan turned off the radio.

If I’d heard ten seconds more, I might’ve exploded. It was a wise move.

“…What are you thinking about?”

When I opened my eyes, Johan was glancing at me.

It was surprising to hear such a normal question from someone who always wore a cold expression.

This was the same man who had shown zero interest in me unless it concerned safety.

I thought he saw me as no more than a dog or a fly in the same space.

“Take a guess.”

“……”

“If you asked out of pity, keep your mouth shut.”

“Pity, huh…”

“You heard everything yesterday.”

Everyone has at least one thing they never want exposed.

It deeply annoyed me that this man knew a past I wanted to cut out of my memory.

“I might feel sorry, but I don’t pity you.”

My head snapped around.

Johan kept his eyes on the road as he turned the wheel. The car smoothly made a right turn.

“If there are a hundred people, there are a hundred kinds of misfortune. Your story is just one of them.”

“……”

Something hot rose to my throat, and I bit the inside of my cheek with my molars.

One of a hundred misfortunes.

It was ironic that such a callous statement brought me comfort.

Because he didn’t pity me, and because he genuinely wasn’t the type to.

“If I were to have any feelings for you, it wouldn’t be pity. It’d be compassion. But I have no intention of getting involved in your affairs.”

“Cold. I like that.”

My grip tightened, crumpling my skirt.

The fact that I was mulling over Red Shadow’s words made me feel ridiculous.

“Drop me off in front of the police station. I want to see that guy.”

“The safety issue was just twenty-four hours ago.”

“The stalker’s probably sleeping with the fishes by now, and Raphael’s taken care of the gang from Big Bear who was after me. Even if someone else is targeting me, that guy’s a cop.”

“…Are you serious?”

“Yes. I’m serious.”

I can’t just sit around waiting for the future to happen.

Even if Raphael scolds me for ditching Johan, I have to approach Tristan.

“If I end up staying at his place, tell Raphael I’m at a hotel. If you rat me out again, I’ll make sure you’re fired—whatever it takes. Manipulation, sabotage, anything.”

Judging by the look on his face, he was going to let it slide this time.

I pulled out some cash from my wallet and shoved it into Johan’s pocket.

“You’ve got nowhere to go, so head to a hotel. I’ll see you in a week. Got it?”

The police station came into view in the distance.

I closed my bag and checked the mirror one last time.

The swelling on my face had gone down a bit, but I still looked like I’d cried my eyes out.

It’s better to throw myself at Tristan like this than stay at a hotel.

Johan silently watched me moving my luggage, then left.

***

Should I go to the waiter’s funeral?

‘No.’

That man’s level of stalking was not normal.

So there’s no need to go that far.

If he knew my past, then he must’ve known Raphael was my brother. And even knowing that, he threatened me without fear. Maybe things unfolded as they were always meant to.

‘He was the one at fault, so why do I have to feel this way?’

In this depraved city, I don’t know if common sense or morality has any meaning.

‘This is sick rationalizing. I feel like throwing up.’

My head spun, so I buried my face into the café table.

Before contacting Tristan, I planned to cool off alone at the café.

I was also considering whether I should send Raphael back to prison, and there were minor tasks to take care of.

「Sister Anna, how are you doing?

I’m relieved that Willow and Zara were able to safely enroll in college thanks to the support money I sent.

I’ve thought about the issue you mentioned last time, about putting my name in the Hall of Donors, but I don’t think it’s right for me.

I’m not qualified, and I don’t want to.

This is something I should do, and something I want to do.

Above all, the money isn’t clean.

All I ask is that you pray my brother won’t make money through illegal means anymore.

That alone is enough. I hope God takes pity on me and shows me mercy.

Please always be healthy and happy.」

Helping people with dirty money is absurd, but it was my way of atoning for the way I lived.

I didn’t care if it was anonymous.

What good is my name to be placed in the Hall of Donors?

I enclosed money to be used for surgery for a newly admitted child with a heart condition.

Now all that’s left is…

‘Is this really okay?’

Should I use the police again to stop Raphael?

Given the situation, I’d have to report an even bigger case this time.

What I want is to stop Raphael. So if I can get him detained temporarily, or interfere just enough to slow him down without being fatal, that’s enough.

‘Maybe it’d be better to use the Hero instead.’

It’s right before the original story begins, and if he goes on a rampage out of anxiety, we’re all in danger.

For both Raphael’s and my safety, I need to stay quiet until Black Pistols and Red Shadow figure out the source of the blue gas and completely take care of the other villains.

Once the original story ends, I’ll leave for another country with Raphael.

Just in case, I already had fake IDs made and filled a bank account with emergency funds.

“If Raphael were willing, we could leave today…”

But Raphael won’t give up on Death Adder.

It’s not a question of whether he can escape, but that he believes Death Adder is the only way to protect both me and himself.

He doesn’t even realize how heavy that makes my heart.

Like a fool.

‘The more you do that, the bolder I have to become.’

I steeled myself and put the documents into an envelope.

It detailed where Death Adder’s smuggled weapons came from, which factory in which city they were siphoned from, and who in the factory colluded with the organization.

I included supporting evidence.

Of course, this alone won’t bring down Death Adder.

It’s not an organization that collapses just because of a whistleblower like me, and Raphael isn’t someone so easily shaken.

But if I can make him stumble even a little, that’s enough.

‘Raphael mustn’t think I’m doing this out of anger or revenge.’

I briefly left my luggage at the café and stepped outside.

Thankfully, there was a small mailbox in front of the police station.

I placed the envelope with the documents and letter, stamped, into the box.

Now I just have to hope it arrives properly.

This city is so dark and damp, someone might intercept it midway or the report might be buried, but if it reaches its destination, a proper investigation will begin.

Because he’s a hero who fights every night with his helmet on for justice.

I chose to believe in Tristan Lindbergh, not the city.