Kris stepped into the room and watched as Mr S applied ointment to Lee Sung-kyung’s back. It was red, blistered and damaged. No longer perfect. No longer smooth, an imperfect canvas. He looked away, it was too much for him. He had failed her, and he had failed himself. 

“Where were you?” Mr S demanded softly, “you left us in there with that monster.”

“I had a job, I had to stay with Lee Jongin and try and save the situation.”

“And did you save it?” Tao looked down at the unconscious girl, “what will we do with this?”

“You should never have allowed the Lee boy to be attacked,” Kris whispered as he stared down at Sung-kyung.

“If shifting the blame makes you feel better, then you and I are no longer friends.”

“Huang Zitao.” Kris was shocked at how angry his old friend was.

“I have always stood by your side and you know what I realised tonight? You have never stood by mine. You watched when the Madame ridiculed me, made me a fool, beat me, you did nothing.” He shook his head, “but this girl, I have done nothing for this girl, but she took a beating for me tonight. What does that mean to you?”

“It means you have a new Master.” Kris said and crossed to the window, “Are you admitting that you no longer work with me?”

“I will always be on your side Wu Yifan, but this girl is innocent and I will not stand by and watch her hurt again. I will be stronger for her; I will use my skills to work for her. I will save