Chapter 578

Alfredo's fingers clenched the bloodstained scissors,her face carved from stone. Her eyes bore into Kayce, who lay sprawled across the floor, her expression twisted between years of buried anguish and savage satisfaction. "This day has been far too long in coming. The image of my mother's final moments burns in my memory still. Her death was all because of you!" The accusation tore from her throat.

Kayce's breath came in ragged gasps, crimson trickling from his lips. Meeting Alfredo's gaze, his mouth curved into a smile tinged with relief. "So you remember everything..."

"Every detail lives within me! Not one day has passed where I allowed myself to forget!" Tears carved paths down Alfredo's cheeks as her voice cracked."Tonight marks the first time you've dropped your defenses and turned your back to me. At last... At long last, I could strike you down. Mom's spirit can finally rest!"

The final words erupted from her like a battle cry.

Hannah's understanding dawned like a cold sunrise.

"Your mind was always clear."

"Crystal clear!" Alfredo whirled to face Hannah."The innocent act was my only shield. Playing the damaged child was the sole way to breathe beside such a beast. Through all these endless years,I've held my patience, waiting for the moment his blood would stain my hands. Tonight, fate delivered!"Madness danced across her features.

Kayce's lips curved into something deeper than mere acceptance. His voice barely rose above a whisper."Good... This ending is good..."

He even thought that Alfredo's blade hadn't pierced deep enough for swift death. Summoning his final strength, he pushed himself upright, wrapped his fingers around Alfredo's trembling hand, and drove the scissors deeper into his own flesh. A strangled sound escaped Kayce's throat as his vision began to blur. "Alfredo... find happiness in life... I'll beg your mother's forgiveness in whatever comes after..."

"No!" The words ignited Alfredo's fury. She lunged forward, fists hammering against his failing form."Leave my mom alone! You have no right to find her!You ruined her life, and now you seek redemption?Dream on. Hell's flames are your only destination!"

Hannah's instincts kicked into motion. Shé darted forward and wrapped her arms around Alfredo,dragging her back from Kayce's still form. "Alfredo,stop! Look at him! He's gone! It's over!"

Alfredo crumpled earthward, her breathing wild and desperate. Her hollow stare settled on Kayce's lifeless form while she whispered, "Death grants him mercy, far more than he deserved..."

When Hannah reached out to offer comfort, Alfredo recoiled with venom in her eyes. "Keep your hands away! You are close to him! The sight of you sickens me!" Hannah's outstretched hand hung frozen in midair.Reading the storm in Alfredo's expression, she spoke with quiet understanding. "My closeness to him served one purpose only. He begged me to help you escape this place."

"Stop painting him as noble!" Alfredo's voice cracked with fresh rage. "His desire to send me away stemmed from guilt alone! Every crime he committed haunted his conscience. He deserves a fate far worse than rotting in hell!"

Hannah's composure never wavered. "I won't speak in his defense. Your judgment rings true-he owed a debt that only suffering could repay." Her eyes locked onto Alfredo's with unwavering focus. "What matters now is your choice. Will you come with me?Leave this ship?"

Alfredo's laugh held no warmth, only bitter suspicion."Leave? After this bloodbath? Do you truly believe escape remains possible?"

"It is possible." Hannah's gaze was determined.

"Why should I trust you?" Alfredo's voice trembled with raw emotion. "What guarantee do I have that you won't become another Kayce? Wearing a mask of compassion while harboring darkness underneath? Every act of kindness feels like deception now."

"Because tonight's bloodshed unfolded exactly as l intended." Hannah met her gaze without wavering.I gambled everything to return for souls like you,imprisoned in this nightmare. Place your faith in me just this once, and beyond these walls awaits a completely different existence. Youth still flows in your veins. Countless possibilities stretch before you.You can start over."

"A different existence?" Alfredo echoed the words,hope and uncertainty dancing in her gaze. "Someone stained with blood like me can truly start over?"

"Absolutely!" Hannah caught that spark of vulnerability and pressed forward. Steel rang through her voice as she declared, "The choice lies entirely in your hands. Trust me just once!"

While Alfredo wavered in indecision, Hannah dropped to her knees beside Kayce's corpse. She soon found the crucial key to the second-deck cell.

"My word is my bond!" Hannah brandished the key before Alfredo's startled eyes. "Every prisoner walks free tonight!"

Suddenly, a furious voice exploded from the third-deck stairwell. "Hannah? You're not dead?"