In the blink of an eye, one can be thrown into chaos, even harmed at the core.
Selene Kane grabs the chieftain’s hand, her fingers tightly clutching his wrist, her palm scorching hot.
She swears with such heartfelt sincerity.
Caleb Shaw stands not far away, his mouth twitching.
If he hadn’t known her for three years, having witnessed countless of her deceitful performances.
He might have believed this act of deep affection.
The slums are located at the outskirts of the Star Sector, far from the prosperity of the main star.
Resources have been scarce for years, security is chaotic, and bandits run rampant.
Black market transactions are frequent, even patrolling guards care little.
The chieftain’s territory is relatively stable, with several shabby energy barriers barely maintaining order.
Other areas aren’t so peaceful.
Screams can frequently be heard at night, and during the day weapons and bloodstains are often discarded indiscriminately.
A pungent, fishy stench permeates the air.
Various animal remnants litter the roadside.
A few Beastmen lie on the ground, their deaths unclear, clothes in tatters, and a deep cut on their necks.
Selene Kane covers her mouth, her fingertips pale, her knuckles trembling slightly.
Her stomach churns with nausea, her throat sour.
She can barely endure the sight of animal corpses.
After seeing so many, she has grown numb.
But upon seeing the bodies of her kind.
Especially those who died with unresolved expressions, the psychological impact is overwhelming.
The car is parked far away, hidden around the corner of the street, afraid of trouble, unwilling to get closer.
Her face is pale, as if drained of blood, she squats by the roadside, unable to recover.
The baby in her belly senses her emotional turmoil and starts to move restlessly.
"Hmm..."
She frowns and lets out a low moan.
Her hand rubs her belly continuously, her palm pressing against her skin.
Caleb Shaw stands before her, blocking the scorching sunlight that slants down.
He remains motionless, his expression stern, his gaze heavily on her.
After a while, wind sweeps dust across the ground.
She still hasn’t recovered, her body slightly trembling, her fingertips cold.
Only then does Caleb Shaw step back a half step, bending lightly, one hand steadfastly slipping through her knees, the other supporting her back.
With a smooth motion, he lifts her horizontally.
Her body suddenly off the ground, center of gravity instantly unbalanced, that strong sense of weightlessness makes her heart tighten.
Instantly reminded of the car-sickness from her past life.
Stomach surging, throat sweetening, unable to control herself, she begins to vomit.
Warm liquid splatters on Caleb’s dark clothes, spreading quickly wet around the chest.
She vomits until her face is bright red, weakly gasping, lips trembling slightly.
"Sorry... I didn’t mean to."
She murmurs softly.
Weakly resting in his arms, her small face wrinkled, forehead against his shoulder, breathing erratic.
The usual fierceness is gone.
Instead, she exudes a sense of helplessness and vulnerability, tugging at the heartstrings.
Caleb Shaw doesn’t speak, continuing silently towards the car.
Steps steady, without any hesitation.
His brows slightly furrowed, not out of disgust,.
But because his heart inexplicably tightens, as if an invisible thread binds it.
He doesn’t understand what is happening to him.
Back in the military he had been restless, distracted during missions.
Obviously he didn’t need to return, as more important combat tasks awaited him, yet he inexplicably appeared here.
Standing amidst the stench and chaos of these slums.
Holding a just-vomited, pale woman.
Until a slight sound came from her room.
He realizes sharply.
That deep inside, he has always hoped she would return, hoped to see her again.
Even if his mouth doesn’t admit it, spending this day by her side, following her closely.
Watching her cause trouble, watching her stubbornness, watching her laugh wholeheartedly.
He finds an unexpected calm.
Because of this, he silently allows her rebellion.
Letting her break rules time and again, even indulging her to take risks.
His back straightens, muscles slightly tense, even his breathing becomes controlled.
He ponders privately, needing to visit the military medic for a thorough check-up, wondering about his recent restlessness and emotional fluctuations.
Skillfully, he carefully places Selene Kane into the passenger seat.
Still bending over, reaching to fasten her seatbelt, fingertips inadvertently brushing her shoulder.
"Female Master, we should head home."
Selene Kane nods, her voice hoarse, "Alright."
Alza stands beside the car, his face pale as if transparent.
His eyes rimmed with red, fatigue and disappointment etched underneath.
He looks at Selene Kane, eyes full of concern, almost overflowing with unabashed tenderness.
Caleb Shaw glances at him sideways, eyebrows instantly knotted, and a burst of inexplicable irritation wells up inside.
A big male, standing improperly, walking awkwardly.
Speaking softly, weakly, even less than an ordinary female.
If this kind of person really entered the team, he must personally oversee, train rigorously several rounds.
Otherwise, where’s the vigor?
"Sit in the back."
Caleb Shaw’s tone is cool, yet not deliberately insulting.
Raised with proper manners from youth, even if he dislikes someone, he won’t show a hard attitude outwardly.
Saying so, he raises his hand, casually opening the rear car door for Alza.
Alza hesitates, instinctively shrinking his shoulders.
"Thank you."
The car starts slowly, the engine humming softly.
The wheels roll over the ground, gradually leaving the bustling streets.
Selene Kane rests against the seat, her gaze unfocused, staring at the scenery speeding past outside the window.
Her thoughts slowly returning.
It’s maddening, she originally just wanted to get some fresh air, to unwind.
How did things escalate so absurdly?
First Caleb Shaw was inexplicably attacked, hanging between life and death.
She hasn’t yet recovered, when suddenly a mysterious person claiming to be her Beast Husband appears.
Speaking of destiny, soul bonds, leaving her confused.
Now her mind is a complete mess, unable to sort anything out.
Originally, she wanted to personally handle and quickly resolve the issue.
But not only did she fail to calm the storm, she escalated the situation, trouble snowballing bigger and bigger.
The household is now as chaotic as an explosion.
Servants whisper, bodyguards remain vigilant.
Even the smart housekeeper has begun automatically upgrading the security system.
She originally wanted to focus on her career, to expand her brand line.
But now look what’s happened, the house is practically a wild zoo.
A "partner" could pop up any time claiming kinship.
She turns her head slightly, secretly looking at Caleb Shaw’s profile in the driver’s seat.
Sunlight slants through the window, casting on his face.
She cannot help but admit, this guy’s looks are ridiculously unreal, unlike ordinary people.
The celebrity idols she pursued before, top-stream popular actors.
Pale in comparison in front of him, appearing mere wallpaper, far inferior.
Caleb Shaw seems to sense her gaze.
Suddenly turning his head, his deep gaze directly meeting her eyes.