The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)

Standing at the bow of a boat inching towards international waters, Elisea remained silent, her eyes fixed on the undulating sea. The waves seemed to play back the dreadful scene she had caused - the scene where she mercilessly killed Jonas.

The crimson tide of his blood had sprayed like a scene straight out of a horror movie, and she had been the cold-hearted specter behind the act. Her heart was as hard as stone.

Never before had Elisea despised herself as much as she did in this moment. She even considered leaping into the depths, to drown the part of herself that had stabbed Jonas, over and over, in a frenzied rage. But it was too late for regrets. Time wouldn't reverse its relentless march, and the unforgivable act was carved in stone.

Defeated, Elisea crouched down, her legs no longer able to support her. She covered her face with her hands, refusing to look at her own reflection in the water, the image that made her stomach churn. Tears slipped through her fingers, each drop hitting the deck and spelling out her sorrow and remorse.

Memories of Jonas haunted her - his laughter, his arrogance, his brazenness, and the way he always looked at her with indulgent eyes, cooking meals for her and always chiding her for not eating enough. These memories cut through her like knives, each one stabbing into her heart, causing her pain so intense it felt like eternal damnation.

Elisea clutched at her chest as if trying to hold together a gaping wound. The pain was so acute that breathing became a struggle. Landon was right; she was no longer fit to be an assassin. After just a few short days with Jonas, she had lost her heart without realizing it.

She pounded her chest, feeling suffocated as if the air itself were being squeezed out of her lungs. Suddenly, her fingers brushed against the gold key Max had given her, tucked safely in the pocket close to her heart. Pulling it out gently, Elisea studied the key and thought of the calm and collected little boy, allowing a faint smile to cross her face despite the darkness within her.

Holding the golden key, Elisea felt a momentary sense of peace. In her darkest hour, the kindness of a little angel seemed like a stroke of luck.

The golden key twirled in the sea breeze, its reflected light catching Landon's eye as he stood behind her. He approached with a look of mingled surprise and curiosity. "What's that you're holding? You didn't actually fall for Jonas, did you?"

Elisea quickly hid the key and turned away, not wanting to meet Landon's gaze. After securing the key, Elisea sensed a change in Landon's tone. It was less biting and less caustic than before.

Spinning around to face him, she scrutinized him closely. "What's with you? You sound different. What's going on?"

Landon, caught off guard, immediately put on a cold facade. "You should worry about yourself! Remember, an assassin can't afford to have feelings!"

Looking away towards the vast ocean, Elisea replied defiantly with a sprinkle of guilt, "You needn't concern yourself with my affairs! As long as I execute the boss' orders, nothing else matters. Emotion or not, I killed him, didn't I?"

Landon stood quietly, his deep gaze fixed on Elisea's forlorn silhouette. He had seen her cry, regret, and the guilt that racked her.

He spoke calmly, "Stop lying to yourself. You couldn't bear to see him die, could you?"

Her defenses crumbled under

Landon's words. Tears she'd been holding back spilled freely. Elisea wiped away her tears in a futile

attempt to hide her vulnerability net

from Landon, saying defiantly, "You don't understand! You're colder than Iam. How could you understand feelings, or love?"

"Ha. You don't understand. I don't understand. We both don't. But he did!" Elisea continued, her voice loud, as if speaking to Landon and herself all at once. "He was different. He was like warmth and light, exposing all the darkness within. His heart was like the ocean, vast and

forgiving. If he hadn't let me kill him,

how could I have succeeded?!"

Overwhelmed, she could speak no more. She turned away, her back to Landon, not wanting him to see her break down - though she already had.

She had made up her mind. Once she had taken care of her mother, she would descend to Jonas, to seek his forgiveness, to be with him even if it meant being in hell itself.

Watching Elisea from behind, Landon clenched his fists, struggling to contain himself from reaching out and wrapping her in his arms.

The wind howled as if mourning for Elisea. Her figure, frail but stubborn, stood at the bow, silent. She felt like a shell of herself, already damned alongside Jonas. "I'm sorry, Jonas... I will return the life I took..."

After a day's journey, the boat finally reached the port in Country C. Elisea didn't spare.Landon a glance as she leaped from the boat and headed toward the headquarters of the NK organization. Landon followed closely, his eyes scanning the

surroundings, ever vigilant.

Elisea led the way, bringing them to the doorstep of the NK organization, the place that had shaped them into what they were - and what they were trying to escape.

Elisea's heart tightened as she stood before the brooding black gates of the compound. The sense of foreboding was as palpable as the chill of an unexpected cold snap.

Fishing out her ID, she cleared the scrutinizing gaze of the sentry and, alongside Landon, made her way to the grand hall. Her anxiety was as thick as the fog rolling over San Francisco Bay.

Inside the grand hall, Jarvis lounged in an extravagant armchair, his icy stare locking onto Elisea and Landon as they entered.

With a voice tinged with urgency, Elisea began, "Boss, the job's done. Jonas is out of the picture, please..."