THIS WAS THE FIRST time Knight had seen SM angry. She was always smiling happily, and even when irritated, there was still an air of kindness around her. But today, there was no niceness or kindness visible.

She kept clenching her fists while gritting her teeth. Her face darkened. Her body posture resembled that of an animal ready to pounce and devour its prey in one swift movement; one glance of her sharp, cold eyes could make a grown man tremble in fear.

She was exuding a threatening aura. Knight could feel the dangerous air around her, and it was enough for him to conclude that he wouldn't want SM's anger pointed at him.

He knew that he wasn't the only one who could feel the unsettling aura surrounding SM. Cloud could feel it too, by the way he would steal glances at her. She was silently sitting beside the butler in the van they were currently in.

"Please calm down, Lady SM—"

"Trust me, Cloud, I am calm," SM said through her gritted teeth.

"No, you're not—"

SM's sharp eyes held Cloud's. The butler flinched a little and stopped talking, which meant one thing—the glare she shot at Cloud, who wasn't easily shaken off, was terrifying. He looked at his girlfriend, who was constantly clenching her jaw.

My baby... she didn't seem like an ordinary woman.

For Cloud to flinch just by her sharp glare meant she was no joke. Now he asked himself, What kind life did she live before meeting him?

Not once since they met did he investigate what life she had because he didn't want to overstep her boundaries. He wanted to hear everything about her from her own mouth. He wanted to respect her privacy because she respected him. But now his curiosity about her just heightened.

"Turn left," Love told Midnight, who was driving the van.

"Fuck," Midnight hissed. "We're heading out of the city—"

"Just listen to me," Love cut him off. He was busy with his laptop, his fingers quickly tapping the keyboard. "I'm the one who's navigating."

"Why didn't you ask for help from Mr. Kim?" Cloud asked Knight. His butler knew about Shun's skills. "These two are arguing again."

"He's busy with his honeymoon," Knight replied.

"You better not fall asleep, you fucker," Midnight hissed at Love, who was still telling Midnight where to turn and go.

"Hopefully..." Love tsked. "I'm tracking her phone number, and as of now, she's not moving."

"Where is she?" Shockingly, SM was calm, unlike a few moments ago when she panicked.

"Your friend is in an apartment outside the city," Love answered SM. "This is based on the GPS on her phone, which is connected to yours."

"Good thing your GPS devices are interconnected," Midnight remarked. "We won't have a hard time finding her."

SM looked outside the window. "It was Eli's idea. After what happened to me when I got kidnapped, she was worried sick."

Knight reached for his phone from his pocket. "I'll call my friend. He's a police of—"

"No, don't," SM held his hand, stopping him. Knight looked up at her. "We can save her without the police."

He stared at his girlfriend. "Baby, this is kidnapping—"

"Precisely." Her eyes sharpened. "No Police, Knight."

He stiffened. He felt fear when he met her piercing gaze. The way she looked at him told him it was not a request—it was a command. Her eyes... they were commanding him.

And it caught him off guard. He never thought that her always kind eyes could make that ferocious glint.

"Okay." He intertwined his hand with hers. "No police."

SM looked relieved. "Thank you, Knight!"

"Calm down, Sweet Monday," he whispered in her ear. "We'll save your friend."

SM nodded silently because her grip on his hand tightened.

"Stop here," Love suddenly exclaimed, causing Midnight to stop the car in front of a huge apartment building. A number of men, who were playing basketball on the court outside the building, blocked their way when the five of them got out of the van. By the way these men carried themselves, he could feel that they were not normal citizens.

Hmm... So SM's friend was kidnapped by a gang.

"Who are you?" the man holding the ball asked arrogantly. "Answer!"

The burly man in the group placed his hands on his hips, seemingly imposing authority. "Whoever you are, get out of here before we teach you a lesson. Get out!"

Knight kissed SM's temple before letting go of her hand. "Close your eyes for a second, baby."

SM nodded before casting a subtle glance. "Make sure to hurt him."

Surprised by his girlfriend's suggestion, Knight asked, "What?"

"You're pissed."

"I'm expressionless at the moment," Knight replied.

"I know you, Knight," SM remarked before looking at the huge man whose hands were on his hips. "Didn't I say that I've accepted you for who you are? So, go on. Do what you want to do in front of me. I won't close my eyes. Even if you become violent, it's still you, and I wanna see all of you."

Knight smiled. What an odd woman. And she's mine.

"I said get out of our territory! Get out!"

Faster than the blink of an eye, Knight rushed to the guy and, without a word, punched the man's rib with all his strength and struck the man's belly hard with his knee.

This attack was enough to render the person incapable. The man staggered back as he coughed blood. Not shocking. I broke one of his ribs, after all. Knight might have pierced the man's lungs.

He turned to the other guy who was urging them to leave. "Wanna go next?"

The guy took a step back. "W-what do you need?" he said arrogantly, but now with a hint of fear.

SM showed the guy the picture on her phone. "We're here for my friend. Where is she?"

"I don't know," the guy quickly replied. "I don't know anything! Leave this place right now!"

Cloud gripped the man's jaw and lifted him a foot high from the ground. "Just say it." Cloud's grip tightened even more. "Don't waste our time."

The man started choking, but Cloud didn't let go of him until he spoke. "I-i-ins-side..."

Cloud then smiled before letting go of the man. "Not so hard, eh?"

The guy stepped back as he held his neck. Meanwhile, the other men who were playing basketball earlier shot them a piercing glare.

When the five of them walked toward the apartment, the men suddenly attacked them.

"Love, continue tracking Eli's phone," Knight commanded as he blocked the attacks from the unfamiliar men, along with Cloud. "Midnight, protect my Sweet Monday!"

When he saw from the corner of his eyes that the three had entered, he no longer held himself back. Knight let out his monstrous side.

He used his fists and feet, hitting their enemies in the most vulnerable parts of the body, rendering them unconscious. One strong punch to the rib and a powerful kick to the neck could cause his opponent's death. Cloud did the same.

When they finished, some were coughing blood, others were already unconscious.

Knight tsked and ran toward the entrance of the apartment building, together with Cloud. They thought everything was resolved—until they saw Love fighting with one hand while the other held his laptop, clearly trying to protect it.

"Fuck." Knight tsked as he blocked their opponents' attacks. "Where's Midnight?"

"Up! Fourth floor! With SM!" Love shouted. He was now using his laptop to hit the head of his attacker. "I'm gonna kill you for making me use my precious laptop on your head!"

Knight kicked the man blocking the stairs that would lead him to the upper floors of the apartment building. "Cloud! Stay with Love!"

He no longer waited for Cloud's answer. He directly ran up the stars until he saw Midnight fighting with a goon on the third floor.

Another guy was about to attack Knight from behind, but Midnight swiftly blocked the attack, his hand intercepting the man's fist, and kicked the attacker on the side three times, causing the guy to fall on the ground.

"SM is on the fourth floor," Midnight said while tying his hair, making a top-knot.

"Your hair is getting longer," he commented. Midnight had been staying in his mansion these past few weeks, which was why he was not conscious of how he looked. "Cut it before Father sees it."

"Tomorrow," Midnight replied as he finished tying a knot on his head, his fists ready to fight.

"Take care," Knight replied before going upstairs, toward the fourth floor.

Knight was stunned to see men lying in the hallway of the apartment building. They were alive but unconscious. Someone clearly had beaten them up hard.

But only SM got to the fourth floor, right? Was this SM's doing? He took large strides toward the room where he heard the sound of things breaking.

Fear consumed him. Sweet Monday! I will kill them all if they hurt my SM!

Without any hesitation, he thought to end the lives of anyone who might be hurting SM inside the room where the noise was coming from. His mind was already picturing SM hurt from being thrown multiple times on the floor and walls because of the crashing sounds coming from that room.

Her fragile and slim body... No! SM!

Knight quickened his pace as he ran toward the room and then burst through the open door, out of breath.

He was relieved that SM was unharmed but at the same time surprised to see what was happening inside the room.

SM was not getting beat up. It was SM who was beating up three men as if it were nothing.

Knight was frozen in place as he witnessed how SM attacked and defended herself against three men, effortlessly moving her body. She was graceful, perfectly executing different styles of fighting put into one movement—a self-defense and fighting system known as Krav Maga.

"This is for kidnapping my friend." Her sharp ferocious eyes were glaring as she swung her hand, palm facing up, onto the enemy's neck, followed by a strong palm heel strike on the chin and a strong knee kick on the gut.

When one of her attackers had fallen down, she continued fighting with the other two.

He just looked at her... fascinated at the way she fought and moved her fragile-looking yet strong body. He didn't even feel scared that she might get hurt.

My girlfriend... is indeed a badass.

She was a police officer after all.

But Knight snapped from his reverie when one of the men she was fighting touched her waist.

"You motherfucker!" His voice thundered inside the room. "Don't touch my woman!"

He flew toward the man, kicking his neck. He held the man on the head, pulled it down, and hit him on the face using his knee. The man stepped back, his hand covering his bloody nose and mouth.

Knight held SM's waist and lifted her into the air.

Their eyes met.

"Kick him," he said.

SM smiled at Knight before holding onto his shoulders and moving her body midair to deliver a strong kick on the man's head, with Knight supporting her as she stretched her legs. Once her feet touched the floor, they turned their backs to each other and took fighting stances, their eyes settled on the remaining conscious men.

"He's mine," SM said with gritted teeth. "He kidnapped my best friend."

"Fine. But don't let him touch you." Knight sighed before putting his hands in his pockets. "I'll get jealous."

The corner of SM's lips tugged upward. "Of course, my lord."

Knight smiled and watched his girlfriend knock down another guy without being touched, just like what he wished for. The powerful kicks to the side and knee strikes on the ribs and abdomen were enough to knock the man unconscious on the floor.

And Knight couldn't help it. He was fucking turned on watching SM fight.

He liked the fact that his baby was not fragile and weak. He adored how strong and good she was in fighting.

Knight closed the distance between them. He cupped her face and passionately kissed her lips, which SM quickly responded. Their tongues battled and teased each other before their lips parted.

"Where did you learn to fight like that?" he asked.

"My dad trained me since I was a kid. For self-defense."

"That was hot and sexy."

Smiling, SM kissed him on the cheek before she left him to open the only closed door in the room.

"Eli! Thank God!" She looked relieved as she entered the room.

Knight beamed. It was reassuring that they immediately found SM's friend.

Knight followed SM into the room with his hands in his pockets to meet and introduce himself to her friend. He had to be on her friend's good side after all.

But when he stepped inside the room and saw the woman who was hugging SM tightly, he froze. His world stopped.

After searching so long... he found her in the most unexpected way.

"Elizabeth..." It had been so long since he called out that name. "Mi hermanita..."

Knight was still rooted in place when the women let go of each other and faced him. When his eyes met Elizabeth's, he wanted to run to her and gather her in his arms, but the way she looked at him as if he were a stranger made him stop.

"H-have we met before?" was the first thing Elizabeth asked him, leaving him dumbfounded.

Even after so many years, he wouldn't be able to forget the face of her younger sister. No matter how much she had grown or changed, he would always remember her.

But it looked like it was just him who didn't forget. So near... yet so far away.

Maybe this was a sign from above—a sign not to drag his sister into the life he had. After all, he planned to hide her from their father as soon as he found her.

Because he was certain that their father would treat their younger sister the same way he had treated Midnight. His father will use Elizabeth against him as well.

He already had too many weaknesses.

If his father finds out that he found Elizabeth, her life now would be ruined. His little sister will be dragged to hell.

My little sister... I will not let her suffer the same fate as me and Midnight.

Maybe by pretending that he didn't know her was a way to protect her from his father's wickedness and greed.

Knight forced a smile at Elizabeth. "I'm everywhere." He offered a hand. "Knight Velasquez. SM's boyfriend."

"We have the same surname!" She grinned happily as she accepted his hand. "I'm Eliza Velasquez, Eli for short. Aren't you my cousin or relative? You look really familiar."

He gave a faint laugh while looking at his younger sister. "Definitely not."

"Too bad," Elizabeth said with a grin before hugging SM once again. "I'm so happy that you came to my rescue, Sweet Monday! I didn't know Ben would kidnap me."

"Who is he?" SM asked as she let go from their embrace.

"A suitor." His younger sister sighed. "A suitor-stalker who is the leader of a gang. Gosh! Who would've thought this beauty could attract weird suitors?"

SM laughed. "Yeah, yeah..."

Elizabeth laughed as well. "Wait, how did you know I was kidnapped?"

"Aunt called."

Elizabeth frowned. "Now I don't feel like going back to my condo. Can I stay in your house?"

SM looked at Knight as though she was silently asking for help. Knight cleared his throat. "She's temporarily staying at my house."

Elizabeth's mouth gaped open. "Woah... living together already?" She gasped. "Isn't it too early?"

"Something happened, so I'm staying at his house for now," SM immediately explained, her cheeks flushed red.

"Ooh la la! Seems like you have a lot to share, Sweet Monday," Elizabeth cheerfully teased as she poked SM's cheeks. "We should schedule another staycation and tell me the gossip."

SM rolled her eyes. "Crazy."

SM and Elizabeth—looking at them talking and laughing, they were really close friends. His girlfriend and his little sister.

Fate really has a twisted sense of humor.

Fuck!

He slightly flinched when Eli met his gaze. "Knight... is that really the color of your hair?"

Knight froze. "Why do you ask?"

"Nothing much." Elizabeth grinned. "Just curious."

Could it be that she really did not recognize him? But for her to ask him that, could she remember him? Even slightly? He was blond when Elizabeth was still in the palace.

"Yosh!" Elizabeth stretched her arms. "Let's go home. Those bastards scared the hell out of me. Anyways, thank you for saving me."

Elizabeth hooked her arm around SM's as they walked out of the room. Knight followed.

Why couldn't Elizabeth remember him? What happened after they left? I have to know everything about her.

As they exited the apartment, Cloud, Love, and Midnight happened to be walking in. Midnight and Cloud froze when they saw Elizabeth as SM introduced them to her.

"My lord, isn't she—"

Knight shook his head at Cloud and Midnight. "For her safety," he whispered, "pretend that you don't know her."

The two nodded at the same time and silently made their way out the apartment after the introductions.

Once Elizabeth and SM were inside the van, Knight called Dimitri to silence everyone involved in the kidnapping of her younger sister.

"Leave no survivors," Knight ordered.

"Yes, Boss," Dimitri replied. Knight then ended the call and went in the van.

They dropped Elizabeth off at her condo first. Midnight got out of the van not far from Elizabeth's location after Knight discreetly instructed him to watch over their sister.

Cloud took the wheel and drove the van until they got to his mansion in BV.

SM and Knight headed to his room. To his surprise, SM suddenly hugged him and looked into his eyes.

"I know you're not okay," SM said, catching him off guard. "You know I'm just here for you... so don't bottle it up. I will listen."

So, Knight wrapped his arms around SM, burying his face into her neck.

His mask was on. He made sure that no one would notice that he was having a hard time, but SM—she knew. She could tell that he was just pretending, and he was relieved that someone could tell that he was not okay.

Since then, even before, no one could tell if he was fine or not if wore his mask. But he knew deep down that he wanted someone to notice that he was just pretending. He wanted someone to notice the real him. To notice, embrace, and care for the suffering monster behind his mask.

Knight clung to his salvation—to Sweet Monday. He spoke with no lies and no mask on. "It was a sudden decision when I saw her earlier ..." he whispered while his chest felt as if it were being twisted. "For her safety... fuck! I'd been looking for her half of my life, and now I found her, but... b-but I couldn't even h-hug her... and introduce myself, afraid that my father will use her against me. And she doesn't even remember me... I can't drag her to my messed-up world... I can't do that to her. It would be enough if just one of us siblings could live a happy and normal life. I won't let her suffer the same fate as me and Midnight. I want my little sister to be happy and continue with her life, but I didn't realize making that decision would hurt like this..."

SM gently ran her fingers through his hair and held him close. She didn't speak. She just remained by his side, offering support. Knight hugged her back tightly, feeling her warmth as he soaked himself in SM's care.

"Elizabeth..." he whispered after a while. "My missing sister... It's Eli."