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Claire lay on the bed, chest rising and falling unevenly. Her breathing was rapid, shallow, and exhausted, as though every breath required effort. Her entire body felt as if it had been crushed repeatedly by a heavy truck—sore, aching, trembling faintly with residual weakness. Even lifting a finger felt difficult, and for a long moment she could not bring herself to speak at all.
Jack lay beside her, unhurried, his posture relaxed, as though nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. He looked down at her, eyes bright, filled with unconcealed vitality.
"Wife," Jack said casually, his tone still energetic, "let's fight another thousand rounds."
Claire forced herself to turn her head slightly, glaring at him with what little strength remained. Her eyes were filled with fury, humiliation, and helpless resentment.
"Beast," she said hoarsely. "Are you trying to wither me to death? Come on… just kill me and be done with it."
Jack's expression softened slightly, his voice lowering, almost gentle.
"How could I bear to let you die, wife?"
"Don't call me your wife," Claire snapped, shame and anger burning hot in her chest. "I'm not your wife. You're a swindler."
Jack's hand moved slowly, resting against her abdomen. Claire stiffened instinctively, but her body no longer obeyed her will. She clenched her teeth, enduring, knowing resistance was pointless.
"This is rape," Claire said stubbornly, her voice firm despite her condition. "I'll just think of it as being bitten by a mad dog."
Jack chuckled, unbothered, clearly amused.
"That might've been true at the beginning," he said lightly, "but I remember you becoming more enthusiastic later. You urged me on, used your strength, even went a little crazy."
Claire's face flushed instantly, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"No," she shouted weakly. "You're talking nonsense. I never said that. Never."
Jack calmly reached out and produced a small recorder, holding it up between them.
"I have a recording," he said. "Want me to play it for you?"
A surge of anger gave Claire sudden strength. She reached out and tried to snatch it from his hand.
"Give it to me, you pervert!"
Jack leaned back effortlessly, avoiding her grasp.
"This," he said calmly, "is evidence."
"You're shameless," Claire said bitterly. "You actually recorded it. Disgusting."
"Of course I did," Jack replied without embarrassment. "Your voice was loud, clear, and… beautiful. Like heavenly music. Something worth collecting."
Claire took several deep breaths, trying to steady herself, forcing her thoughts to slow.
"Jack," she said finally, "what exactly do you want?"
Jack's gaze hardened slightly as he looked straight into her eyes.
"What do I want?" he repeated. "I want you to be my woman."
Claire fell silent. The room felt heavier, as if the air itself had thickened. After a long moment, she spoke again, her voice low.
"Are you serious… or are you lying to me again?"
"If I lie, I'm a dog," Jack said firmly, pulling her into his arms. "Claire, you are my woman."
Her expression grew complicated. Anger, hatred, confusion, and something she didn't want to admit all tangled together.
"Jack," she said slowly, "I hate you."
"I don't care," Jack replied immediately. "I want you. I want you as my woman."
"Give me time," Claire said coldly, staring directly at him. "You've done too many excessive things to me. And now you want me to accept this so easily? I've never seen someone as shameless as you."
Jack laughed quietly.
"I'll give you time," he said. "But don't make me wait too long. Otherwise, when the time comes, I'll grab you, throw you on the bed, and take you again."
"Beast," Claire muttered, reaching out weakly and pinching his waist.
Jack smiled darkly.
"You're still strong. Looks like you're recovering. Wife, shall we fight another three thousand rounds?"
"No!" Claire recoiled instinctively, fear flashing across her face. She knew she wouldn't survive another round.
"Alright," Jack said generously. "I won't push you."
"Hmph," Claire turned her face away, refusing to look at him.
"Let's get up," Jack added after a moment. "That little loli is probably getting impatient."
"You keep calling her little loli," Claire said suspiciously, turning back. "You're not planning to do anything inappropriate to her, are you?"
Jack immediately straightened, his expression righteous.
"How could I?" he said seriously. "Am I that kind of person?"
Claire snorted internally, unconvinced.
"She stays under my watch," Claire warned. "You're not allowed to get close to her."
With unsteady legs, Claire followed Jack out of the lounge. Outside, White Queen stood nearby, arms crossed, her expression filled with quiet resentment.
Listening to hours of strange noises had nearly driven her insane.
Claire felt a wave of embarrassment and quickly pulled White Queen to her side.
"Come," she said softly. "Stay away from this shameless person."
White Queen silently complied, standing close to Claire.
Jack suddenly looked toward the distance.
"They're here."
"Who?" Claire asked.
"Alice and the others. Let's greet them."
Below the steamship, a small boat approached. Alice, Chris, and Luther climbed aboard using ropes.
"Look," Luther said, pointing upward. "The helicopter's still here."
"So they arrived already," Chris said calmly.
"Correct," Jack said casually, appearing behind them.
"Jack!" Alice and the others turned around instantly.
"Calm down," Jack said lightly. "Why so excited? Just the three of you? Where are the others?"
"They're dead," Luther snapped angrily. "You saw people in danger and did nothing. Jack, you'll pay for this."
"Calm down, Luther," Alice said quietly.
"Elder brother," Claire said, approaching with White Queen.
Chris smiled when he saw her.
"Claire… looks like you've already distanced yourself from that guy."
"Brother-in-law," Jack said with a smile, "those words don't sound very pleasant."
Claire stood beside Jack.
"Brother, if you make him your enemy, you're not his opponent."
Alice stared at her in disbelief.
"Claire," she said coldly, "after everything he's done to you, how can you forgive him? Why are you standing with him?"
Claire hesitated, her expression conflicted.
"I…"
"Claire, come here," Chris said in a low voice.
"You won't understand," Claire replied firmly. "I know exactly what I'm doing."
Chris frowned, confusion clouding his face.
Jack shrugged.
"We're arguing over meaningless things. It's a waste of time."
"This ship is an Umbrella Corporation trap," Claire said seriously. "In Alaska, they captured us. I was the only one who escaped."
"A trap?" Luther said, shocked.
Alice nodded.
"Only Umbrella still has this kind of influence. Looks like we really walked straight into it."
Jack looked down at his hand calmly.
"If you want to fight me, this place will be your battlefield. But if you're smart—"
Chris met his gaze.
"We have no choice. Temporary cooperation."
"A wise decision," Jack said, raising his eyebrow.