Chapter 1606: It damn hurt

Penny, for Dean, was someone so close yet always just out of reach.

They had both graduated early and trained under Professor Singh, entering college at an unusually young age. And while many would assume their shared experiences meant they understood each other well, the truth was quite the opposite.

Dean quickly rose to popularity — thanks to his early achievements, towering height, and striking appearance — while Penny struggled. She wasn’t bullied, exactly, but people often treated her like a novelty. It took time for others to warm up to her. To most, she was either a child to be coddled or a quirky mascot.

And Dean was always there, watching it unfold.

Now that he thought about it, he had always been there — not too far, not too close, just enough to be in her world without fully belonging to it. Whenever he tried to become a more significant part of her life, something always seemed to get in the way.

So instead of showing her his heart, he chose to irritate her. Teasing her, provoking her — it was the only way to get her attention, and the only way the world seemed to allow him in.

For the longest time, Dean had believed that it was the world interfering.

But now, he was asking himself,

Was it really the world? Or was it just me—my own lack of urgency, my failure to try harder-that lost me every chance I had?

---

[PRESENT TIME]

Dean pulled into the driveway of his villa, his eyes immediately spotting a familiar car parked a few meters away. A heavy sigh escaped him, followed by the click of his tongue in irritation.

But this time, he didn’t turn the wheel and drive away.

This time, he parked, shut off the engine, and stepped out.

He walked straight to the front door, then stood there, staring at it as if it didn’t belong to him. As if Belle wouldn’t be waiting inside to greet him.

Click...

The door unlocked from within and creaked open. Belle stood there, tilting her head slightly.

"Done running away?" she asked.

He didn’t respond, only stared at her.

"If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine," she said gently, stepping aside and opening the door wider. "But at least let me look after you. I know you’re not sick, and technically you’ll be fine, but—"

"I don’t think I’ll be fine," he interrupted, catching her off guard.

The corner of his mouth twitched as he tried — and failed — to force a smile.

"I don’t think I’ll be fine, Belle."

A tight lump formed in his throat, choking his breath. His eyes reddened at the edges, glistening with unshed tears. He rocked his head slightly as he tried to exhale.

"It hurts," he whispered. "It... damn hurts."

Belle pressed her lips into a tight line, her shoulders softening.

"I know," she whispered, stepping forward and wrapping her arms around him. "I know, Dean."

Because no matter how strong a man is, heartbreak doesn’t spare him. Dean could deny it all he wanted, but Belle — someone who had been like a sister to him — saw through it all.

Zoren knew it, too.

And for now, the best he could do was stay out of it and let Belle be there for Dean.

It wouldn’t fix Dean’s broken heart, but it was something.

---

[Back at the Laboratory...]

Penny didn’t think much about Dean as she busied herself writing up the experiment report. But no matter how focused she tried to be, she heard the door open again.

Her face lit up the moment she saw Zoren walk in.

"Baby~!" she squealed. "I’ll just finish this, then we can go!"

Her grin and giddy laugh said everything — she was thrilled. She quickly resumed writing while Zoren made his way to her.

Penny sat on a lab stool, pen in one hand, notes in the other. Zoren came up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and rested his chin on her shoulder, watching her write.

"You seem really happy," he observed, earning a chuckle from her.

She shot him a knowing smirk. "We found the right combination for the antidote," she announced, her voice buzzing with restrained excitement.

"Really?"

"Yep!" she giggled. "Once I finish this, I’m sending it to Mint. Homeland Security’s been investigating the drug for ages. I’m sure this will help her."

Zoren hummed in response, arms still loosely around her as he watched her finish her notes. Then his eyes lingered on her a moment longer.

"Penny."

"Hmm?"

"How should we celebrate this?" he asked, his gaze fixed on her side profile.

She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she smiled as she penned the final word. Turning her head, she smirked.

"How about... we take a walk? Or maybe play with Renny and Chunchun?" she offered. "I’m so hyped right now, and if I don’t burn off some of this energy, I won’t be able to sleep."

Just like Dean said.

Zoren pressed his lips into a line and pulled away slightly, leaning against the counter beside her.

"Do you want to ride a bike home?" he suggested. "Cycling at this hour doesn’t sound too bad."

Penny’s brows lifted in surprise, but her eyes sparkled at the idea.

She nodded enthusiastically. "I’ve always wanted to, but never had the chance. Let’s do it!" She giggled. "Darling, I think we’re perfect for each other! How did you know I’d love that idea?"

It wasn’t my idea, he wanted to say — but didn’t.

Instead, Zoren just smiled and held her hand.

There was no need to tell her whose idea it really was. Dean had wasted years and passed up every opportunity. And while Zoren sympathized, he wasn’t going to give Penny up for his sake.

If anything, Zoren would break Dean’s heart a hundred more times if it meant keeping her.

Dean had a lot of time to ask her to do something as simple as cycling, but he didn’t. He missed, and all his opportunities were exhausted. His fault, not Zoren.