Caden, holding Alicia tightly, rolled down the slope. His sole focus was on her safety, neglecting his own. His head struck a rock, knocking him unconscious.

They finally came to a stop. Alicia opened her eyes and dimly saw the distant lights of a house. Spotting a beacon of hope, she gripped the man next to her, struggling for air as she called out, “Caden… Caden…”

Caden remained unresponsive. Alicia tried to remain composed. She took deep breaths, checked his pulse, and assessed his injuries. She noticed blood on the back of his head. Quickly, she removed part of her clothing to bandage his wound, attempting to staunch the bleeding. Her energy was fading fast.

Moreover, the environment was freezing and pitch-black. Uncertain if she could endure until Caden regained consciousness, she called his name once more. Unsure of the extent of his injuries, panic began to set in.

Fear clenched her heart, and tears filled her eyes. “Caden…” she cried weakly. “Please… Please wake up.” She carefully examined his face, ensuring he could breathe. She cleared any mud from around his mouth and nose.

Then, she touched his eyes. Under his eyelids, his eyeballs moved slightly. Though it was subtle and brief, it offered a glimmer of hope regarding his condition.

She knew she had to act swiftly to save him. In such severe conditions, even a healthy person wouldn’t survive long.

Suddenly filled with a burst of adrenaline, she managed to stand. With great effort, she lifted Caden onto her back and began moving toward the light.

Exhausted, with Caden’s weight proving too much, Alicia trembled as she tried to stand. She hadn’t even taken a step before she stumbled and fell harshly to the ground.

She lacked the strength to scream. All she could do was open her mouth in a silent cry.

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Determined, she pulled Caden to his feet once more, pressing forward step by step.

She lost count of how many times she fell, how cold it was, or how much pain she felt. Little by little, the cold seeped into her bones, leaving them numb. Her eyelids grew so heavy that she struggled to keep them open. With the last of her strength, she collapsed onto her knees.

As she fell, she caught a clearer view of Caden’s face. A wave of emotion overwhelmed her, and tears flowed freely down her cheeks. “Caden… Please don’t die,” she whispered silently.

She slipped into a turbulent dream.

In her dream, she felt groggy and sore all over, confined in a small room. Caden was there, sitting in front of her, unscathed.

“You’re awake?” he inquired. “This is hell.”

Alicia was taken aback. She stared at him incredulously. “We’re dead?”

“Yeah,” Caden answered casually, his demeanor more like that of a handsome yet merciless ruler of the underworld than a mere ghost.

Alicia wasn’t afraid of death. After all, they were already deceased. There was no returning from that. She just hadn’t anticipated that hell would be so unlike her expectations.

Her thoughts were utterly chaotic, and she continued to stare at Caden as if spellbound.

“When do we get reincarnated?” she asked.

Caden’s face remained impassive. “If you choose to reincarnate, you won’t remember anything. Are you certain that’s what you want?”

Alicia’s gaze dimmed. “There’s nothing in this life worth holding onto anyway. Preserving my memories seems pointless…”

“Really? Are you prepared to forget about me?”

Alicia’s eyes flickered. She experienced a brief moment of bashfulness. But since they were supposedly dead, she felt there was no need for timidity. With newfound boldness, she met his gaze. “No.”

There was a subtle shift in Caden’s expression, though Alicia didn’t catch it.

“What about me are you unwilling to forget?” he asked.

Alicia was so drained that she could barely gather her thoughts. She simply said what came to her, “Because you’ve been kind to me.”

“And?” Caden pressed.

“And… I like you,” she whispered softly.

Caden hesitated for a moment before asking, “How much do you like me?”

“A lot. You’re handsome, fit, and exceptionally skilled in bed,” Alicia admitted, unable to hold back her words. “I love having sex with you. It makes me feel incredible. I love being in your arms. I love the way you fuck me, the way you look at me, and kiss me.”

At her blunt honesty, Caden arched an eyebrow. He reached out and touched her forehead, checking if she still had a fever. Clearly, she wouldn’t speak so freely unless something was off with her.

Alicia grasped his hand, feeling slightly clearer now. She forced her eyes open to focus more clearly.

Noticing the bandage on his head, she asked, confused, “Aren’t there healers in hell? Why are you still injured?”

“I just died. They won’t treat me; I’m not considered a priority.”

“Does it hurt?”

“No.”

Alicia rested her cheek against his palm, closing her eyes. “Then why am I in so much pain? Am I being punished for my sins?”

Caden let out a soft laugh.

“Do you think you’re a sinner?”

“No, but I’ve made plenty of mistakes,” Alicia said, her voice fading into a sob. Caden gently wiped away her tears with his thumb.

Alicia looked up at him, her expression vulnerable. “What about you?” she asked hoarsely. “Do you like me?”

“Yes,” Caden responded with a mischievous smile. “Of course, I enjoy fucking you.”

Alicia was at a loss for words.