What about Michel?

He feels he is completely useless.


He had placed all his soldiers where he wanted, but he didn't know what to do with himself.

Michel has contacted their attorney to arrange all the contracts and property agreements so that they are ready to write to Mr. Aiden.

But it won't be easy. These things take time, and the wait drove Michel mad.


Leaning his forehead against the cool glass, he closed his eyes and let out a deep breath.

Fanny.


He let her down.

He failed to protect her. But he didn't give up.

He will do anything and give up anything to bring her back.

Hearing someone come in and sit down, he was too tired to scold them for not knocking on their boss's door, so turning around, he noticed that Carlos had finally come to him.

Michel had known for a long time that it would only be a matter of time until his cousin could start seeing things clearly again, and he wouldn't give Carlos a hard time for it.

Anyway, Carlos has had enough.

Michel was speechless, poured them both a drink, and sat down across from him, the two quietly finishing the glass before Carlos cleared his throat and finally spoke.

"Any news on Shortlegs?"

A familiar pain cut through Michel's chest at the name.

Just a few weeks ago, that nickname would have driven him mad and furious with jealousy.

Now, he wishes he could hear someone in the house call or address her by that pet name.

Because that means she's still with them.

Feeling defeated, he shook his head, seeing Carlos looking down at his lap in shame.

Michel didn't have to hear those words from Carlos to know that he was feeling guilty for the way he behaved when he first discovered Gwen.

But Michel knew better.

Carlos or anyone else in his position would not be able to act appropriately or reasonably.

"I want to help but I..."

Michel stopped him by raising his hand.

"No, Carlos. I get it. You slept with a snake and it will take time to restore your faith. Take your time, okay?"

For the first time since they were children, Michel saw his cousin in tears.

He didn't cry, but the moisture in his eyes was definitely visible, and after the difficult upbringing the two had, Michel knew exactly how deeply this whole thing affected Carlos to have this kind of reaction.

Michel is really not a man who can deal with so many emotions.

The situation with Fanny alone is significant proof of that.

But it's also why he no longer wants to run in the other direction whenever he has to deal with his own or someone else's feelings.

Michel knows that if he wants to fix what he did to Fanny, he needs to admit that it was his emotional immaturity that led him to this.

"I don't think I can kill her. I know it's disloyal to our family, but it's more than that - I just don't think I'll ever look at her again." Carlos suddenly spoke.

Michel's cousin looked at Michel with tired orbs as his skin looked ash and dull.

Michel nodded as he got up from his chair and walked to the window again.

No matter how hard he tried, the scenery outside could not calm the storm raging inside his head.

"Honestly, I wouldn't do it for you anyway." Michel sighed.

"You won't have?" Carlos asked, uneasy by Michel's soothing voice.

His cousin and leader turned and leaned back against the glass.

"Yes, but not for your sake. For my own selfish reasons. I need to kill her myself."

Carlos stared at Michel as he spoke the next few words, their weight and value seeping into his veins like hot lava.

"I'll kill her first... then Mr. Aiden." He gritted his teeth, his voice laced with venom.

---

Stepping down to the basement, Michel was immediately struck by the smell of blood.

He stared at Gwen tied to a chair. Or better yet, what's left of her.

She collapsed with her eyes closed as her breath hitched.

Michel was surprised that she was actually still alive after what Charles and Vengo did to her.

He himself was busy with tracking down Mr. Aiden and Fanny, so he doesn't want to come down here and listen to her bullshit, but now, now he finally wants to deal with this.

Hearing his footsteps, Gwen struggled but eventually raised her head, facing the leader of the Black Roses.

Her face was bloody and badly bruised, one eye was swollen and her lower lip was broken in several places.

Gwen didn't speak to him, but seeing his expression, she was sure as hell knew what Michel had come for.

Looking at her without any emotion, he reached inside his jacket to get his gun and took out a few bullets from the remaining pocket to begin to slowly load it up.

"Can I at least grant my last wish now?" She said, stammering because the injuries on her face prevented her from communicating them properly.

Michel ignored her request as he continued to put bullets in his gun.

"Please." She pleaded, looking desperate as her eyes frantically followed his movements.

Like he hadn't even taken note of her words, he continued to load and then pointed the gun at her, pulling the trigger.

"Michel." She shouted.

A bullet.

It only takes one bullet to finish her off.

Dropping the hand and holding the gun aside, Michel felt almost frustrated that it took so little time to silence her forever.

Gwen did a lot of damage to their family, but her end was short-lived.

Stepping out of the basement, Michel was sure as hell hoping that when the time came, he'd feel more content pulling the trigger with Mr. Aiden.

Four weeks passed.

He lost it.

Michel is slowly but surely losing his mind.

His attorney is getting closer to completing the legal paperwork, and while Kaylin has also succeeded in establishing the connection she has with a member of Phoenix, he still feels like not enough happened.