Jane burst into laughter as she recalled Cain’s words.

Cain, who had just put Joseph to bed after he cried himself to sleep, hesitated as he saw Jane’s back.

He couldn’t believe he was in Jane’s space, that she had allowed him to be there.

Moreover, traces of him were scattered throughout her space.

Bierstadt’s book, Osgur’s painting, and Cain’s ashtray and fountain pen occupied the side table near the fireplace.

Did she miss him too?

As much as he had missed her, or even half as much?

Even if Jane’s longing for him was only the size of a fingernail, it would be enough. Even if that time was just 1 second, it would be fine.

Cain’s ribcage felt tightly filled.

The desire to hold her and kiss her right away stirred. But Cain remained still, watching Jane’s occasionally shaking shoulders and neat back.

Feeling that if he reached out now she might disappear, Cain leaned back against the wall instead of moving forward.

Jane, noticing Cain’s gaze and movement, turned her body.

Their eyes met in mid-air.

Neither Cain nor Jane said anything.

The exchanged glances were enough.

To share the joys and sorrows of the past 3 years between them.

How much time had passed?

Cain brushed back his disheveled hair and spoke first.

“You’ve been through a lot.”

The corners of Jane’s mouth curled upwards. Cain’s heart beat wildly at her faint spreading smile.

She was just as pretty now as when he saw her as a child, or when she left him.

So some insignificant mayfly must have gotten entangled.

Cain remembered the worthless fellow who had asked Jane out on a date. His jaw clenched tightly as anger belatedly surged.

But the anger didn’t last long.

With Jane right in front of him, there was no time to waste emotions on useless things.

“Have you been well? Has the confinement order been lifted?”

“That story is a bit long… may I come closer?”

Cain pointed to the sofa where Jane was sitting. The small sofa, fitting for the modest house, was too narrow for two people to sit.

Jane hesitated, then shifted her hips slightly to the side, as they would inevitably have to sit very close.

Cain clenched his fist nervously, then relaxed it as he sat down beside Jane. Just brushing arms set his body aflame.

“Ah, Jane.”

Her scent, body heat, and breathing.

He had missed everything. The urge to sense her with all five senses fueled Cain’s instincts.

But Cain wanted to start properly, as much as their reunion had been difficult.

He would approach slowly, confirm her feelings, go on a proper date, and become a true part of her life.

With that resolve, he had even planned out a date course.

But his instincts were urging him to embrace Jane and kiss her right away.

Cain frowned painfully at the battle between reason and instinct.

Jane noticed Cain’s subtle change in expression and asked,

“You must be tired from the long journey? Do you want to wash up and rest?”

Seeing Jane’s clear and transparent eyes, Cain’s conscience pricked him.

Her innocent words offering to let him rest sounded to him like an invitation to roll around in bed.

“It’s alright. More importantly Jane, the confinement order has been lifted. Cedric and Lloyd helped.”

And quite a lot of money was spent.

There were tens of thousands of places needing money in a country establishing its foundations, and no politician refused donations.

“What happened was…”

“The details can wait.”

Jane cut off Cain’s words. Then she cupped his cheeks with both hands.

Jane’s hands were hotter than usual. And a subtle look had seeped into her eyes as they drew closer.

“…Jane.”

Cain called her name, exhaling hot breath as he squeezed his eyes shut.

Jane placed one hand on Cain’s chest and brought her face even closer.

Cain and Jane’s noses brushed.

“I missed you.”

It was what Cain had wanted to say. Jane continued speaking as she gently caressed his cheek.

The news Cedric had delivered that Cain had been doing well even in prison seemed to be true, as he looked better than when he had pointed a gun at the queen.

So his handsome face shone even more. The intelligent eyes Jane had loved so passionately had grown deeper, and a healthy color stood out on his lips.

Jane gazed long at Cain, who was trembling with his eyes closed.

The longing that had built up layer by layer did not easily disappear even with its object right in front of her.

“You’re back for good?”

“Yes.”

“What if you have to leave again?”

Cain shook his head.

“That won’t happen. From now on, I’ll always stay by your and Joseph’s side. For life.”

“Is that a promise?”

“It’s an oath.”

“Open your eyes, Cain.”

Cain’s eyelashes fluttered, then lifted. At that moment, Jane captured Cain’s lips.

Cain froze at the hot, soft sensation.

He couldn’t believe what was happening to him.

He and Jane were kissing!

As soon as he realized this fact, Cain threw off the chains of reason that had bound his instincts.

He picked Jane up and sat her on his thighs, then kissed her deeply.

As if to compensate for the long time he had held back, Cain greedily ravaged Jane’s mouth. He stole all of her saliva and breath.

“Mmph, Cain… Let’s go to the bedroom.”

Jane barely managed to push Cain’s shoulders and speak.

“Where?”

His eyes were hazily unfocused. Even so, he moved as Jane said.

“Upstairs. Joseph’s room is across from it, so we need to be careful.”

Jane blushed. Cain hugged her tightly.

Jane and Cain’s reunion continued for quite a while.

* * *

“Are you alright?”

Cain, who had hastily put on pants and a shirt, held out a glass of water to Jane, who was lying face down and breathing heavily.

After their intense reunion, Cain, who had barely come to his senses, felt sorry seeing the exhausted Jane.

Jane nodded with difficulty. Her exposed shoulders were covered in Cain’s marks.

“I’ll sit up to drink. Can you help me up?”

Cain stretched out his neck as Jane wrapped her arms around him. Cain lifted her upper body, helping Jane sit up. She emptied the offered glass of water in one go.

Cain put away the glass and naturally took the spot beside Jane. Jane rested her head on his chest.

As they shared the warmth of bare skin, Jane listened to Cain’s breathing, and he stroked her hair.

Only as she embraced his hot body did Jane truly realize that Cain had returned.

Then she felt like talking about the things she had put off.

“How have you been all this time?”

“I’ve been fine.”

“Tell me in detail. Was it bearable?”

Cain smiled bitterly. Life without Jane and Joseph was hell for him, no matter how comfortable the environment.

Prison was a place that hastened mental death.

Food said to be delicious was no different from dirt to him, and a soft bed was a bed of thorns.

It was rather fortunate to feel pain.

As the time apart from Jane lengthened, Cain lost his senses.

He couldn’t taste food, couldn’t feel pain when hurt, and the world was only black and white.

He endured by thinking of Jane and Joseph. But Cain’s heart was gradually chipped away by the harsh prison environment.

Even the future he had dreamed of, thinking of meeting Jane and Joseph after his release, faded little by little.

Then, when he wondered if she would really wait for him, if her heart had already changed, everything felt worthless, and even breathing became bothersome.

One day, staring at the empty wall, he thought maybe it would be better to die.

He lost more and more weight, and his appearance became unsightly with unkempt long beard and hair.

Around the time the guards began to worry, he was released.

The day Cain left prison, the weather was not good.

A bitterly cold wind blew fiercely, and snow fell, making the roads a mess.

He needed to go to Jane, but could he make it?

Wouldn’t it be better for her life if he just disappeared like this?

As he was pondering, Cedric approached.

“You look terrible.”

Cursing while laughing, he threw Jane’s letter at Cain’s chest.

Jane’s letter contained only one word.

The moment he saw that one word, Cain regained his senses.

Colors that he thought were only darkness poured in like rain through an open window, flooding his surroundings.

His ears ached from all kinds of bird songs. He shivered from the cold he belatedly felt, and the tears flowing from the corners of his eyes were hot.

Jane raised Cain up, made him run.

And finally called him to her side.