Novel Catchup
Chapter 145 Where Will I Go?
Asuka gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles white as she circled the neighborhood aimlessly.
The storm outside mirrored the turmoil in her chest, wind howling and rain slamming against her windshield in relentless waves.
She had no destination in mind—no sanctuary, no solace—just the open road and her spiraling thoughts.
Her marriage to Isamu, Kota's father, had been a cage built on lies and obligations. It wasn't as simple as him assaulting her; their union was forced the moment she discovered she was pregnant.Nôv(el)B\\jnn
Her father, a man of unyielding principles and cold pragmatism, had idolized Isamu, seeing him as the perfect son-in-law.
Even when Asuka had begged on her knees to terminate the pregnancy, her father's response was resolute.
The Furukawa family wouldn't tolerate scandal. Any rebellion on her part would mean exile—not just from her home, but from her future.
Especially at that time, her job as a porn actress has been found by her mother who got a heart attack upon knowing it. Her father became even more strict.
Her company, her inheritance, everything she'd worked for—all of it was tied to her father's 51% control over the business.
So, she had capitulated. Married Isamu. Carried Kota to term. Endured years of hollow existence in a house devoid of love, tethered to a man who symbolized her lost freedom.
But tonight, as the storm raged on, she felt a peculiar sense of liberation. Confessing her affair with Haruto—though brutal—had lifted a weight off her shoulders. Yet, guilt clung to her like a shadow.
She couldn't erase the image of Kota's face, the raw betrayal and devastation in his eyes. It haunted her now, etched into her mind.
"I wish I could've loved him," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Tears blurred her vision, but she didn't slow down. The car sped forward, the rain a blur against the glass.
"He's just a boy… a boy who wants to be loved."
Her regret swelled, but so did her desperation. She had no one to turn to. Friends? None close enough to understand, much less comfort her.
Family? They were all gone, save for her brother, who had always been more judge than confidant.
The storm grew fiercer, yet her resolve only sharpened. She needed a direction, any direction, and in her fragmented mind, only one name surfaced.
"Haruto…" she murmured, the word a plea, a lifeline.
Turning sharply, she steered the car toward the only person who might listen—even if it was the last place she should go.
***
Haruto strummed the final chord on his guitar, letting the soothing melody linger in the air as his sister, Haruka, swayed gently to the tune.
But the moment was interrupted by the sharp chime of his phone. Each woman in his life had her own ringtone, and this one was unmistakably Asuka's.
The sound made him pause, his fingers stilling on the strings.
"Why did you stop? Keep playing, brother!" Haruka protested, her lips forming a pout.
"Hold on, this might be important," he said, rising from his seat and heading toward the door.
Stepping into the hallway, Haruto answered the call. "Hello? What's up?"
"Haruto…" Asuka's voice was sluggish, her usual sultry tone replaced with something hollow, almost lifeless.
"Can you meet me at the usual hotel?"
His brow furrowed, her tone setting off alarm bells in his mind. "Sure, I'll head over right away."
As the line went dead, Haruto leaned against the wall, running a hand through his hair.
Memories of earlier that day flashed in his mind—the fight with Kota, the accusations, the punches, and the confession about the affair.
"Don't tell me…" he muttered, dread settling in his stomach. "Did Kota tell her about the videos? If he did…"
Before he could finish the thought, the familiar chime of the system interrupted him.
[Ding!]
[New Quest Triggered!]
[A Failed Mother: Something has happened to Asuka that makes her feel like she is a failed mother and wife.]
[Objective: Calm Asuka down and cheer her up—without engaging in any sexual activity.]
[Rewards: 15,000 Sex Points and 800 EXP.]
"Shit," Haruto hissed, pacing in frustration.
"She knows. Kota must've told her everything…" His fingers found their way to his lips, biting anxiously at a nail.
"Would she hate me if she knew everything?"
He shook his head, pushing the thought aside. "Forget it. I need to talk to Asuka first."
He returned to his room, making a quick plea to Haruka. "I have something urgent to take care of. I'll be back soon, I promise."
Haruka's expression darkened, her silence speaking volumes. He knew this would earn him her cold shoulder tomorrow, but there wasn't time to dwell on it.
Grabbing his keys, Haruto drove through the storm, the relentless rain pelting his car as he navigated the slick roads.
When he arrived at the hotel, he hurried to the room Asuka had booked. His heart pounded as he opened the door, bracing himself for the worst.
"Asuka…" The sight before him made his breath catch.
She was sprawled on the bed, her dress clinging to her skin, damp from the rain. A half-empty bottle of whiskey sat precariously on the nightstand, and a glass lay tipped over beside her.
Her face was flushed red, tears streaking down her cheeks as she hiccupped softly.
"Asuka, what happened to you?" Haruto asked, his voice laced with concern as he closed the door behind him.
Her glassy eyes turned to him, and she let out a bitter laugh, her voice trembling. "Haruto… I'm a cruel mother… I couldn't even love my own child."
Her words broke into sobs as more tears spilled down her face. "Poor Kota… having a mother like me…"
She buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with the weight of her guilt. Haruto stood frozen for a moment, the gravity of her pain pulling him down like an anchor.
"Asuka…" he began softly, stepping closer, unsure of how to even begin unraveling the mess before him.