Seeing the sudden paleness on her face, the neighbor couldn''t help but show concern, "Hey kiddo, you alright?"


    Summer managed to maintain herposure, shaking her head, "I''m fine, thank you, Marian, for showing me the way."


    "No problem." The neighbor waved a hand dismissively and quickly walked away. Summer stood frozen, unsure whether to leave or stay.


    She had no idea why Nick was here, nor if he had overheard that remark about being distant rtives...


    Feeling increasingly agitated, Summer dared not look at him again, knowing it would only make her more fearful.


    Nick, carrying a bottle of soy sauce, took a few steps forward,ing closer to Summer. His gaze was indifferent, as if he were looking at a stranger, "People change, but their true nature doesn''t. Haven''t seen you in years, and you''re still as insincere as ever."


    Summer''s face turned even paler, realizing he had indeed heard that remark. She took a deep breath and asked, "Nick, when did you get back from abroad?"


    "Who gave you permission to address me so casually?" Nick''s eyes narrowed, his voice suddenly turning icy.


    Summer involuntarily shivered, stepping back, "I..."


    She wanted to say more, but his piercing gaze left her speechless.


    She still remembered the look in his eyes after that kidnapping incident years ago - full of hatred, a look that haunted her to this day.


    Now, yearster, the hatred seemed to have faded, but there was something else, something even more terrifying.


    "Have you forgotten how cruel you once were?" Nick''s lips curled slightly as a chilling breeze swept across, biting at the skin.


    Listening to him, Summer''s mind was flooded with memories she had tried to forget.


    She remembered being caught as a child, the kidnapper brandishing a knife, threatening to slice her flesh off piece by piece.


    She was terrified, and just when it seemed all hope was lost, Nick had appeared to rescue her... What happened after that was a blur, but she had managed to escape.


    Out of fear, she didn''t tell her parents about the incident until it was toote, and by the time they learned Nick had been kidnapped, much time had passed.


    How Nick was eventually found remained a mystery to her, but from that point on, their rtionship had turned icy cold.


    The only silver lining, she supposed, was that the trauma of the kidnapping had left Nick withdrawn, spending his days in silence, never revealing to anyone what had really happened.


    She was young then, her memories hazy, and not long after, her family had moved. Nick was sent abroad for school and never returned.


    Struggling to push these memories aside, Summer stammered out an apology, "I...I''m sorry, I was scared back then. I know I shouldn''t have put you in that position, but I didn''t see any other way out. I wanted to survive..."


    The instinct to survive was fundamental, and despite her guilt, she didn''t believe wanting to live was wrong.


    Nick looked at her coldly, her apologies falling on deaf ears. He couldn''t see a hint of remorse for her actions from years ago, confirming his belief in her inherent cruelty.


    Biting her lip, Summer continued, "I was young, I definitely shouldn''t have done it, but it''s been so many years... Besides, aren''t you here now, safe and sound?"


    After rewriting this a few times, I''m drained... Let''s all get some rest.