The Bride Who Read the Contract novel · Chapter 16 of 24

Chapter 16: Free

"If I want it," Fumika said.

"Yes."

"And what do you want?"

He didn't answer.

He knelt there with his hands on his knees, his horns black and shining.

He looked healthier than she had ever seen him, and he didn't say a word.

"Ibuki."

"I can't," he said at last.

"Can't what?"

"Ask you."

His jaw was tight. "Ask a Hinase for anything. Ask you to stay in that room with my name on you, because it suits me."

"I'm not a cord."

"I know you're not."

He looked at his bare wrist again.

"I've spent my whole life being kept alive by people who didn't choose it. I won't do it to you."

"That's not fair."

"No. None of it's fair."

He got up.

"So I'm not asking. You're free. Go where you like. I'll pay your wages to the end of the year wherever you are."

"I don't want your wages if you won't ask me to stay."

"And I won't ask you to stay," he said, "if the only reason you'd stay is that I asked."

They stared at each other.

Fumika had never been so angry with anyone in her life. Not even her father.

Her father had never given her anything to lose.

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