’Fuck! I slipped up out of annoyance. I will just act like I didn’t hear her,’ Dapper thought, swallowing a mouthful of saliva. Still, he could see Belinda whispering something to Ruth.
"Heyyy, I dwont ehwven knouw you," Thiago slurred through his bloodied mouth, his face so battered it was nearly unrecognizable.
"Yeah? Well, now you do know me. Fuck you!" Dapper spat, punching Thiago once more, venting his frustration for slipping up.
Trying to calm himself, Dapper reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He dialed a number, and after just one ring, someone picked up.
He ended the call. Within minutes, the flat’s front door opened, and five burly men stepped inside, grinning like devils. They wore white singlets and tight, almost feminine underwear that left little to the imagination.
"Boogie Woogie men at your service, Lord Dapper. Who shall we pleasure today?" one of them asked, flexing his muscles theatrically.
"I want this man right here to feel true bliss. Make use of his asshole... thoroughly," Dapper said with a wicked smile.
"Wait... This wasn’t part of our plan," Belinda muttered from behind.
"If you perform well, there’s extra pay in it for you," Dapper added.
"Hehehe, we’ll exceed expectations, Lord Dapper," they all said in unison, their eyes gleaming as they looked at Thiago.
Dapper slapped a tape over Thiago’s mouth. "Too late for that. Enjoy yourself," he said coldly, exiting the room with Belinda as the men locked the door from inside.
Outside, Dapper looked around and noticed the unconscious thugs were gone. He glanced at Belinda.
"Where’s Ruth? And the thugs we knocked out?"
He gulped when he saw Belinda’s expression wasn’t as satisfied as he had expected, her face was laced with sadness.
"The management likely took care of the thugs. As for my sister..." Belinda looked up at the sky. "She went home."
"What?! Why?" Dapper asked, though deep down, he already had a feeling why. Still, it wasn’t like they were caught red-handed, he could have come up with an excuse.
"When you slipped, I told her everything," Belinda replied softly.
"Ugh... fuck me sideways," Dapper muttered, rubbing his face with his palm as he walked off. He could still hear Thiago’s muffled screams from inside, but he was too disoriented by Belinda’s words to care.
Dapper and Belinda now stood before Ruth, who had her arms folded, a harsh scowl etched onto her face. Lena stood silently at the edge of the spiral staircase that led to their rooms.
"How long has this been going on?" Ruth asked in a quiet, controlled voice.
"It’s my fault, sister," Belinda cut in. "The truth is, I have liked Dapper for a while. I felt hurt when you decided to marry him, but I didn’t want to ruin your happiness. It was the first time in a long while I saw you truly happy. I didn’t want to ruin that. But I couldn’t let go of my feelings and started making moves on him. When he rejected me, I lashed out, framed him, and even forced myself on him. It’s all my fault. If you’re angry, direct it at me—not him."
"When was the last time you two were... intimate?" Ruth asked, her eyes locked on Belinda.
"Yesterday. We had sex yesterday," Belinda cut Dapper off again.
Silence swallowed the room. Ruth stared at the ground, her hair veiling her face like a curtain.
"Lena... did you know about this?" Ruth finally asked, turning to the quiet girl.
Lena glanced at both Dapper and Ruth before letting out a quiet sigh.
"Yes. I found out yesterday. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I couldn’t betray my master," she said, bowing slightly.
"I see..." Ruth’s voice was low, her face still downcast and unmoving, as though frozen by disbelief.
Dapper looked up at the ceiling and sighed.
’I knew this day would come eventually. I guess I failed to keep a relationship in this world too, even though I laid out all my flaws honestly. Time to pack up, I guess,’ he thought, lowering his gaze.
"Ruth... I’m sorry. I’ve been a terrible husband to you. I lied, I betrayed you, and I did something unforgivable. Honestly, I don’t even know what to say anymore... but thank you. Thank you for everything you have ever done for me. I’ll take my leave now. I hope that someday, I’ll be able to repay your kindness."
"Also, I forfeit half of the assets you willed to me. Thanks again... for everything."
Ruth didn’t speak. Her face remained dark, her body frozen in place like she still couldn’t believe what she’d heard.
"Let’s go, Lena," Dapper said, turning for the door.
"Okay, master," Lena replied, quietly following behind.
"Wait!!" Belinda suddenly shouted, dashing forward and hugging Dapper tightly from behind.
"Are you really going to leave me here? If you’re going, then I’m going too! You don’t understand how much I love you, Dapper. After helping me get rid of that long-time nightmare, are you seriously planning to abandon me now? I’m sorry—but no! We’re in this together! I’ll marry you, even if it means going against my whole family. I don’t care!" Belinda cried out, wiping her teary eyes on Dapper’s shirt.
Dapper didn’t say a word. He just sighed softly.
’I always knew Belinda was crazy, but I didn’t think she was this crazy. Why would she want someone like me? She’s only going to get hurt... I can’t settle down with one woman,’ Dapper thought. He wanted to say something, but decided it was best to stay silent.
Suddenly, Belinda let go and dashed upstairs with such explosive speed that Dapper stood frozen, the gust of wind she left behind rustling the furniture.
’What the fuck? If she had that much power, why didn’t she deal with Thiago herself?’ Dapper thought. But before he could dwell too long, Belinda returned in another flash, blasting another wave of wind across the living room. She was now wearing a black jacket with a small bag slung over her shoulder.
Without saying anything, Dapper turned and continued toward the exit, Belinda and Lena following close behind.
Just as his hand touched the door handle to open it, Ruth’s voice rang out sharply behind him.
"Stop. Did I say you two could leave?"