"Damn it! I have to finish off that trash before he starts talking!" Victor cursed in frustration at Jake, unconscious on the floor with blood oozing from his head.
"Ugh…" Mary groaned, eyes still closed, but her face showed some movement. Victor noticed and approached her again.
"It'd be such a waste to leave Mary like this. I've waited so long to have her body," he thought. His twisted desire distracted him from killing Jake. Lust now ruled him.
Victor moved closer to Mary and caressed her face. "Don't worry, my dear Mary. I won't let this chance slip away. Even just once, I'll be grateful. And you will be too, sweetheart…" he whispered into her ear before kissing her face greedily and groping her again.
"Wah… wah…" Elsa's cries interrupted Victor's perverse pleasure. His hands stopped unfastening Mary's pants.
"Stupid baby! Shut up or I'll throw you out!" he barked at Elsa as if a baby could understand. The harsh yelling only made her cry louder.
"Shut up, you cursed child!" he shouted again, then walked toward the sofa where Elsa was.
The devil's lust overtook Victor. Before he reached Elsa, he glanced at the cushion and picked it up. With a twisted smile, he approached the baby. "Little ones sleep better, hehehe…"
The pillow moved closer to Elsa's face—just ten centimeters away—when suddenly, 'Thud!' Victor's body was knocked aside by Jake's powerful kick.
Jake winced in pain from the throbbing wound on his head but managed to stand. He rushed to check on Elsa, calming her down, then turned to Mary, who was sobbing in fear after what Victor had done.
"Ma'am?" he said, holding Elsa. "Don't be afraid. I'm here now." He also helped straighten her clothes.
But the calm didn't last long. Victor struck again, throwing Jake back to the floor—this time while he was holding Elsa.
"You poor trash! I should've killed you and your cursed baby first!" Victor growled. He moved closer to torment Jake again, but Mary grabbed his hand.
"Stop… Don't do this," she pleaded, her body trembling.
"I'll stop once they're dead. Then I'll enjoy every inch of you, my sweet Mary," he sneered, shoving her down.
Victor turned back to Jake, but before he could act, Jake punched him square in the face. Blood poured from Victor's nose and lips. He cried out in pain—Jake's strength had hit its mark.
After placing Elsa somewhere safe, Jake didn't hesitate. He unleashed all his rage on Victor. The thought of someone defiling the woman he cared for — and threatening the life of his daughter — sent Jake into a fury. He wouldn't let Victor breathe freely any longer.
"Jake…" Mary called, still afraid. She grabbed Elsa and held her tightly, sobbing.
She saw the fury in Jake's eyes, and part of her wanted him to finish Victor for good. But reason returned. If Jake killed Victor, he would go to jail. What would happen to Elsa then? Jake and Elsa were inseparable. Mary didn't want to be the reason they were torn apart.
She called out to him, "Stop, Jake! Please!"
"Why? He assaulted you and nearly raped you! I'm going to kill this bastard now!" Jake shouted, still furious.
"Think about Elsa. Don't stain your hands. Don't ruin your future with her. Please, Jake… stop." Mary begged, now approaching him.
Jake realized she was right. Killing Victor would destroy everything he lived for. But he had to be sure. "Are you sure about this? He might do it again if I let him go."
Mary hesitated, then shook her head. "I'm sure. I'll be fine. Don't worry about me—just protect yourself and Elsa."
'Thud!' Jake dropped Victor's limp body.
"Leave now. Don't ever show your face to me or Kody again, or I won't let you live next time!" Mary said firmly. "Keep your mouth shut about today or your own words will kill you!" she added.
"F-fine…" Victor replied weakly. Jake, losing patience, dragged Victor to the door.
"Listen to her or I'll make you vanish from this world," he hissed, then kicked Victor out of Mary's apartment.
'Thud.' Mary collapsed to the floor, weak, holding a crying Elsa.
Jake approached and took Elsa in his arms. Mary hugged Jake from the side. "Thank you, Jake…" she sobbed, breaking down.
"Cry as much as you want. I'll stay quiet like always," Jake said with a sad smile. "I'll be here until you're calm."
Lying on the soft fur carpet, Jake comforted the two women he loved. It took several minutes for their tears to end.
Still leaning on Jake's chest, Mary finally spoke again, "Thank you for everything. If not for you, I might've—"
"Shhh… don't say that. It hurts my ears—"
"Three times. You've saved me three times. How could I not thank you?" Mary cut him off. She sat up, her face still wet with tears.
Jake tried to remember, but he only recalled two times. "Only twice. And there won't be a third. I won't forgive anyone else who hurts you again, Ma'am," he said, upset.
"The first was when we met. The third was today. I should've kept the second one a secret like you did, but I think it's time I admit it and thank you properly," she said softly. Jake still looked confused.
"Still pretending to hide it and make me feel awkward about admitting it happened first?" Mary teased.
"I don't know what you mean—"
'Smooch.' Jake's words were cut off by Mary's sudden kiss. It started soft but quickly deepened, catching Jake by surprise. Slowly, he gave in to the feeling.
"The second time was when I was drunk… and kissed you like this."
Jake is still petrified after Mary acted so spontaneously and bravely. But what is happening to Jake is actually a great internal conflict.
He was silent because he was choosing which one he should believe, the love that was starting to grow for Mary or the fact that he and Mary had just done something wrong.
Even after Mary took over Elsa and breastfed her until the baby fell asleep again, Jake still looked quiet.