UNDER HIS RULES

The gust of wind in the quiet public cemetery messed up her hair even more. But the girl didn’t care. All she felt was a painful emptiness. Her tears had dried up, grieving the departure of half of her heart.

Although they hadn’t been in a relationship for long, Anne and Tony had known each other for a while. Growing up and spending most of their time at the Twin Dragons headquarters had made them close. Even though Sam often asked Tony to oversee the construction of one of the malls, Tony regularly visited the large white-painted house. Besides reporting on the progress, he also came to meet Anne, who rarely left the house.

“I’m too lazy to deal with the streets again,” Anne joked, stating her reason. “My issues with the police never seem to end.”

” Sam will take care of it for you, An,” he replied.

“Sometimes I wonder, what does Sam actually do? Always cleaning up his subordinates’ mess.”

“That’s why, An,” Tony approached, tidying up Anne’s messy hair. “Let’s not cause trouble anymore.”

“I won’t, really. Sam helped me that one time, and I won’t forget his kindness.”

Tony agreed with that.

“Help Sam with whatever you can. I do the same, you know.”

Anne nodded obediently.

“Wait until I have enough savings, okay? I really want to bring you to meet Mom and Hera, but not just a meeting, An.”

“Then?” Anne became confused.

“To propose to you, of course.”

Anne blushed, feeling extremely embarrassed. Tony always had a way of making her blush. “That’s possible.”

“I’m serious.” Tony took Anne’s hand and held it tightly. “Don’t you want to?”

“I do,” Anne said with a lowered face.

There were no flower exchanges or fancy dinners like other couples. They simply sat on a bench in the park. Sam’s koi fish pond in one corner of the house served as a silent witness to their understated romance.

Far from being romantic in the traditional sense, it still made Anne find it hard to forget how fleeting time was for weaving togetherness. Once again, tears fell from Anne’s eyes. Their promise was only an illusion. Losing Tony made her feel even more alone, despite having many people at Sam’s house to keep her company.

“I can’t handle it, Tony,” she said as she knelt, wiping the wooden tombstone that still bore Tony’s name in a simple manner. “I miss you.”

She didn’t know how long she cried and knelt near Tony’s grave until she realized there was someone else nearby.

Hera.

“Anne?” Hera called softly, making sure that the girl next to her brother’s grave was indeed Anne. Tony’s girlfriend. As the girl looked up, a sense of empathy also spread in Hera’s heart.

It turned out that it wasn’t just her who was in pain from losing Tony. Anne was hurting too.

Anne, whom she knew as cold and quiet, turned out to be this chaotic. The gaze in her eyes had already revealed everything. Her love for her brother was immense. Her brother often talked about the girl he was dating. Occasionally, he brought her home because Tony himself was busy with work.

“Hera,” Anne immediately wiped her wet cheeks. “How long have you been here?”

“Not long, Anne.” Hera approached. “Mom… sometimes asks about you, An.”

Anne just smiled. “I’m sorry I can’t go there yet, Ra. It feels like there’s still Tony at home. I can’t handle it.” She closed her eyes softly.

Trying to compose herself in front of Hera. Anne hadn’t forgotten that Hera was just as hysterical as she was during the funeral. Tony loved his younger sister. Sometimes Anne felt envious, but Tony said they should love each other.

“It’s okay,” Hera understood why Anne was like that.

No one spoke to each other afterward. They let the wind blow stronger.

“The police still can’t provide any updates on Tony’s death,” Hera started the conversation.

She herself was a bit confused about what to talk about with Anne. But it seemed that silence was the best choice. Anne and she were the same. They both missed Tony.

Hera’s remark was only met with a faint smile from Anne. She knew that the police wouldn’t be able to do much about Tony’s death. Only Sam could. Considering this case seemed to involve certain individuals. Unfortunately, Anne’s movements were restricted. But what Eland said yesterday had some truth to it.

If Anne’s movements were discovered by the Quassano group, it wouldn’t just be Anne in danger. The entire household, including Sam, would be at risk. She didn’t want to take such a huge risk. However, she wasn’t a patient woman waiting for results and seeking revenge for Tony’s death.

Anne was certain that this was not just an ordinary shooting case.

“Let’s just wait then.” That’s all Anne could say. She didn’t want to make Hera worry. She remembered Tony’s message about this beloved Hera.

“I remember Tony often talking about you, Ra.”

“Oh, really?” Hera blinked. “Ah, most of the time he says I’m a spoiled child. Usually when he wants attention.”

Anne chuckled. “Yes. He said you’re a spoiled child, unable to be independent, but brave.”

“See, right?” Hera laughed. “I’m sure Tony made my image worse in other people’s eyes.”

“But you know one thing, Ra?” Anne asked softly. “Tony loved you so much. His younger sister.”

Hera’s eyes welled up. “Really, An?” It was more than just words; Hera knew that what Anne said was the truth. How much Tony loved her? “I… I miss Tony, An.”

Anne couldn’t hold back her tears either, but this was Hera. She had to hold back her tears so Hera could lean on her. That’s exactly what she was doing now. She embraced her late boyfriend’s sister. Sharing tears together besides this still-warm meal.

Her promise in her heart, “I will find Tony’s killer. I promise. With or without Sam!” she said determinedly.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.