CHAPTER 300: IS HE BIPOLAR?

Augustine didn’t answer right away. He looked at Nathan, studying him with quiet intensity. This man clearly had no clue what kind of monster he had just stepped into the room with.

Augustine was worried Nathan wouldn’t be able to handle the truth. Finally, he spoke evenly. "I live simply. But when the situation demands it, I can be dangerous. And if someone threatens my family, I won’t hesitate to become lethal. I don’t forgive those who cross me or put my loved ones at risk. I gave Megan more than enough chances, told her to stay away from Anne. But she ignored every warning. She tried to kill my wife not once, but twice."

His tone hardened.

"There was no way I’d let her walk free after that. When I deal with a threat, I make sure it’s wiped out completely. I don’t believe in leaving loose ends."

Then Augustine turned and walked out.

Nathan stood there, numb, Augustine’s words crashing down on him like a landslide. His thoughts raced in circles.

’What the hell did he just say? Who even is this man?’

A chill crept down his spine, followed by a wave of unease. For the first time, a question twisted in his gut: ’Is Augustine really safe for Anne?’

The calm way he spoke about killing someone, the ease with which he orchestrated violence... it wasn’t just unsettling. It was terrifying.

Nathan’s legs buckled slightly. He stumbled back until he hit the wall. A cold sweat broke out across his neck.

If Augustine could do this to Megan, what else was he capable of?

The sinking realization that whatever he thought he knew about Augustine, it wasn’t enough. Panic flared in his chest as he thought Augustine could be a danger to his sister in the future.

His pulse thundered in his ears. ’Should I warn Anne? Would she even believe me?’

When he came to the earth, he realized Augustine had already gone out. He was afraid he would be left alone in that secluded area.

"Augustine. Wait," he called out urgently. "Don’t leave me out here alone."

When Nathan came outside, the night hit him like a thick, still, and pitch-black wall. Augustine was nowhere in sight. A jolt of panic surged through him.

The trees loomed like shadows, and the only sounds were the steady hum of crickets and the rustle of leaves in the breeze. His heart pounded as he pulled out his phone, fumbling to turn on the flashlight with shaky fingers.

"Augustine?" he called again, his voice cracking slightly.

"Stop yelling," came a voice from the right, sounding irritated.

Nathan whipped the light toward the sound and nearly dropped the phone.

"Fuck, man, turn that off," Augustine snapped, turning his back to him. "Can’t I even pee in peace?"

"Oh—uh—sorry," Nathan muttered, quickly switching off the light and turning away, face burning in embarrassment. "I just thought you had left."

From behind him, Augustine let out a short laugh. "You are jumpy. What, are you scared?"

Nathan tensed. Of course, he was scared, but admitting it would hit his pride. "Scared? No way."

"Really?" Augustine stepped up beside him, zipping up his fly. "You sounded like you were about to cry."

Nathan fumbled for a response. "You walked out so fast—I thought maybe something happened, or you were gone already, so..."

"I was about to explode," Augustine said flatly. "Bladder couldn’t wait another second."

Nathan stole a glance at Augustine, his features faintly lit by the dim light spilling from the building behind them. It was strange, unsettling even.

Just minutes ago, this man had overseen a brutal act with chilling calm, radiating authority and menace. But now he was teasing him like nothing had happened. The contrast was jarring.

’Is this really the same person?’ Nathan thought. The shift in demeanor was too abrupt, too extreme. ’Is he bipolar?’

The thought lodged deep in his mind, growing heavier by the second.

Augustine’s unpredictability made Nathan uneasy. He didn’t say a word, but a silent resolve formed: ’I’ll talk to Anne once all this is over.’

Augustine chuckled. "Planning to camp out here?" he asked, breaking the trail of Nathan’s thoughts. "Feel free if you want. But I’m heading home. My wife is waiting."

With that, Augustine turned and started walking.

"Wait—hold up, I’m coming," Nathan called out, quickening his pace. He threw a nervous glance over his shoulder, fearing someone or something would step out of the shadows.

The air out here felt wrong. Too quiet. Too isolated. He stuck close to Augustine, not wanting to be left behind.

When they reached the road and spotted the car, relief hit Nathan like a wave. As he slid into the passenger seat, it felt like stepping back into the world of the living.

Augustine got behind the wheel and started the engine. As they drove off, Nathan couldn’t help but look over again.

Augustine’s face was stone now, expression tight, eyes locked on the road. The playful demeanor was gone. That cold, focused man was back.

Nathan hesitated, then asked, "What are you thinking?"

Augustine didn’t look at him, just kept his eyes forward. "Nothing," he said flatly. He wasn’t ready to share his full plan yet. "All I want is to make sure anyone who harms Anne pays for it. No one gets to hurt her and get away with it. Hugo might come after the Granet family to take revenge for what happened to his daughter."

A chill ran down Nathan’s spine. "What are you saying? Hugo is in prison. How could he come after us?"

Augustine’s eyes narrowed. His tone sharpened. "Don’t forget he still managed to turn your entire family upside down from behind bars," he reminded Nathan. "Your father was tricked, your sister was kidnapped, and your parents divorced. All orchestrated by Hugo while he was locked up."

He shot Nathan a cutting glare. "Did you already forget all that?"

Nathan looked away, shame twisting in his gut. He had forgotten, or at least pushed it aside. But Augustine was right.

Hugo had sent Susan to her father with a plan already in motion, even while he was behind bars. If he could tear the Granet family apart from a prison cell in the past, what would he do now, after learning about Megan’s fate?

’He’d stop at nothing,’ Nathan thought.

With his ties to the mafia, Hugo was more than dangerous.

"What’s the plan?" Nathan asked seriously, all traces of nervousness gone.

"Hold a press conference tomorrow," Augustine said firmly. "Lay everything out."

Nathan blinked, confused. "A press conference?"

Augustine scoffed. "What else? You invited half the damn city to that party. People saw the chaos. Rumors are going to fly. If we don’t get ahead of it, the media will spin their own story. You need to address what happened."

He paused, taking a sharp turn as he drove. "And your father... whatever he did tonight, it redeemed him. I think Anne has already forgiven him. The world should see that. But more importantly, they need to see who Hugo really is. His crimes, his manipulation, the danger he still poses – everything should come to light. Expose him fully. He shouldn’t come out of jail in this lifetime."

Augustine hadn’t forgotten what Megan had said. Since Hugo had connections with the underworld, he had to be even more cautious and stay one step ahead to protect Anne.

Nathan nodded, determination settling on his heart. "I’ll do anything to protect my family."

~~~~~~~~~~~

It was midnight when they arrived home. Augustine stepped quietly into the bedroom, and the soft glow of the bedside lamp revealed Anne curled up under the covers. He moved silently, peeling off his blood-stained clothes and tossing them into the laundry bag.

He was tired and wanted nothing but to sleep beside his beloved woman. But he needed to wash away the grime that clung to him.

He slipped into the bathroom, took a quick shower, then returned, gently closing the door behind him.

Dressed in clean pajamas, he climbed into bed and slid beneath the blanket, carefully wrapping an arm around Anne’s waist.

She stirred and shifted to face him.

"You are finally back," she murmured, eyes still half-lidded as she blinked up at him.

"Didn’t mean to wake you," he whispered.

"It’s okay," she mumbled, nuzzling into his chest. "I was waiting, but didn’t realize when I dozed off."

He held her closer, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Have you got the chance to see Dad?" she asked.

"He is still in the ICU. We only got to see him from afar. Once they move him to a room, we’ll be allowed to visit."

She hummed faintly, already fading back toward sleep.

But Augustine couldn’t sleep yet. His arms tightened around her. "I’m sorry, Anne. I failed you tonight. I should’ve been more careful. I should’ve kept you safer."

His thoughts spiraled back to the chaos, to the moment Megan burst from the crowd with a knife in hand. His heart pounded at the memory.

"She was hiding here," he continued, not noticing that Anne had drifted off already. "She escaped the hospital and came straight to this house. Hid in the basement, waiting... She was planning to attack your father first, but the staff moving around, preparing for the party, stopped her. So she waited for the right moment."

A shudder crossed his spine as he recalled the madness in Megan’s eyes when she charged at Anne.

"I saw her coming at you with that knife... I’ve never felt fear like that in my life. If she had hurt you, if I had lost you, I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself."

Anne was unaware of the storm still raging inside him.

He glanced down and finally noticed she was fast asleep. Her breathing had slowed, her features soft and serene. She looked effortlessly beautiful, almost angelic.

He chuckled softly, gently brushing a few strands of hair away from her cheek.

"I’m so relieved that you are fine."

He tilted her chin up and leaned in, meeting her lips.

"Good night, my love," he whispered against her mouth. Then he pulled her closer.