Dopamine Addiction - Chapter 64

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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64.
The sound of running water reached him from nearby. Liam changed direction toward it, sliding down the slope before wading across shallow water.
Splash, splash.
The pain intensified on the uphill stretch. When he bent forward, a sharp ache streaked down his spine.
He drew a breath. Liam froze in place, swallowing the mounting agony. Once the wave passed, it became bearable again.
As he took another step, something on the ground caught his eye. Liam reached down slowly.
“…….”
A shirt button. Hee-ju’s shirt button. There was no mistaking it—he’d unfastened each one himself.
The dark thoughts he’d pushed away came rushing back. Looking down at the button, Liam’s hand slowly curled into a fist.
His face had gone cold.
The CIA was at Melpis’s Cabin. Then who had taken her?
The Russian Mafia.
They must have taken Hee-ju.
“Don’t jump to conclusions.”
He murmured the words to himself, low and deliberate. Perhaps it had caught on a branch when she fell. Or snagged on a tree.
He scanned the ground carefully, searching for any trace of her passage. But the thick carpet of fallen leaves made footprints impossible to find.
Gritting his teeth, he quickened his pace. Just to the park entrance. Once he reached the restaurant there, Hee-ju would be waiting for him, untouched and safe.
He felt the color drain from his face. Cold sweat traced his spine. Heat radiated from his side, spreading outward.
His vision blurred again. Liam shut his eyes tight and shook his head.
When he opened them, the world came into sharper focus. Then his cell phone vibrated in his pocket.
“!”
He fumbled for it. Hee-ju? Had she reached the restaurant and called him?
But the screen showed a familiar number. Liam’s brow furrowed as he brought the phone to his ear.
“Yes.”
—Where are you?
He quickened his pace and opened his mouth. His voice came steady and measured between clenched teeth, just as always.
“What’s the matter, sir?”
—Utah. Where are you?
Liam made no effort to hide his suspicion. His grandfather couldn’t see his face anyway.
“So you’ve been tracking my location.”
He remembered now—he’d called his grandfather early that morning as they drove into Utah, trying to stir Hee-ju’s sympathy.
—Don’t make me ask the same question three times.
“And you haven’t answered mine.”
—We’ll talk in person.
Liam considered this in silence, then nodded quietly. Perhaps his grandfather’s help would be necessary after all.
“There’s a small diner called Seven Star at the entrance to Wasatch State Park. Let’s meet there.”
—Understood. But you…….
“Yes?”
—……Never mind. It’ll take me about an hour.
“I’ll need about the same amount of time.”
Liam gazed up through the canopy of tall birches, said “See you then,” and ended the call.
As he slipped the phone back into his pocket, he stopped short. Something foreign was tumbling around in there.
He closed his fist around it and withdrew his hand. He already knew what it was, but he stared at his palm as if seeing it for the first time.
“Damn you, Hee-ju.”
A USB drive. The one her father had left her.
The one both the CIA and the Russian Mafia wanted.
He recalled her holding him in the kitchen. Her voice, urgent with warning.
What had he said in return? That he’d be careful, and then he’d kissed her.
While he’d been distracted, Hee-ju had slipped the USB into his pocket.
‘No, you have it. It’s your lifeline. When things get dangerous, just hand it over to them. Then they’ll leave you alone.’
If they discovered she didn’t have it—what would those brutal men do?
“Damn it.”
Liam cursed under his breath and hurried forward. As the campground drew closer, more people began to appear on the trail.
They greeted him casually at first, then gasped when they noticed his ribs soaked with blood.
He didn’t care. They barely registered on his awareness anyway.
He had lost all sense of time. Minutes blurred into what could have been hours. Ten minutes or a full day—he couldn’t tell anymore.
Even sitting still, his jaw chattered. His body temperature was dropping rapidly.
The pain was no longer sharp; with each step, it throbbed dully. Sensation was beginning to numb. That wasn’t a good sign.
But he couldn’t stop. His mind held only one thought: reach the restaurant. He had to confirm Hee-ju was safe.
She’d flash him that relieved, brilliant smile, then notice his condition and her eyes would go wide. Worry would bloom in her trembling gaze.
Then he’d collapse looking pathetic, filling her thoughts with nothing but him.
So she had to be there.
At last, the restaurant came into view. Liam crossed the dirt path, his face ashen and drained.
Branches whipped at his face; twigs caught at his clothes. But nothing could slow his pace.
The door chimed as Liam pushed it open and stepped inside.
“Welcome to…….”
The staff member’s greeting died midsentence. Her eyes widened.
Liam stood in the doorway, scanning the dining room.
Please.
A couple in hiking gear. A lone man having a meal. Raucous children and their father staring wearily out the window.
Please.
Liam squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them again to survey the room once more.
Please.
But Hee-ju was nowhere to be found. His gaze settled on the staff member’s face.
She spoke with concern.
“The hospital……. Did you meet a bear?”
“Yesterday morning.”
Liam’s words came slowly, deliberately, as if chewing each one. Saying it aloud meant accepting that she wasn’t here.
“I had breakfast here yesterday morning.”
“Now that you mention it, you do look familiar…….”
“The woman who was with me—didn’t she come by? Korean.”
The staff member shook her head.
“She didn’t come.”
“Think again, please.”
“There’s nothing to think about. No Asian customers came in today. I’m sure of it.”
Liam drew in a long, slow breath. His throat constricted.
He shut his eyes tight. It felt like someone was carving out his heart with a knife.
That was the strange part—it hurt more in his chest than in his side.
What was this? Had his mind broken?
Click, click. The sound of teeth chattering. He realized, belatedly, it was coming from him.
His vision clouded. His whole body burned. His breathing grew ragged, his hands trembling.
“Wait, let me call 911…….”
Through his dimming sight, a luxury sedan pulled into the parking lot.
Liam turned slowly. His upper body swayed. He reached out blindly, gripping a display cabinet. It was crammed with record sleeves.
‘I just thought……anything had to be better than that music.’
A soft laugh escaped him. He straightened up, released a long breath, and walked toward the door.
It felt as though iron fists were tearing his heart from his chest. A chill swept across his body.
Liam stood frozen for a moment. Slowly, he looked down at his chest. He half-expected to find a gaping hole, but everything seemed intact.
Just then, his grandfather emerged from the car. Seeing Liam, he frowned out of habit. Their eyes met.
“Making me come to a place like this…….”
In that instant, Liam’s body went rigid. He bit down hard on his lower lip, fighting to stay conscious.
He couldn’t give in. Not when Hee-ju was waiting.
But his body wouldn’t obey. Damn it. He was losing too much blood.
“Liam Klove!”
Through the fading haze of consciousness, his grandfather’s voice rang out. For a moment, it struck him as worried.
That was impossible. Why would he worry over a spare part going missing?
Yet Hee-ju would worry about him. She’d never admit it, but she couldn’t turn away from those in pain or in need.
Hee-ju.
He had no time for this. He had to find her. Without her, he would…….
“Ah.”
Liam nodded to himself with sudden clarity. It wasn’t that she needed him. He needed her.
Irreplaceable. Singular. Irreplaceable.
Thud.
“Liam!”
His grandfather rushed up from the dirt path and caught Liam in his arms as he fell. He turned to the Secretary.
The grandfather started to shout, then stopped. Liam’s lips were moving. Urgently, he pressed his ear down.
“What?”
Something strange flickered in his eyes. Hearing the words again, the old man felt something shift inside him.
“I need you?”
“…….”
Then, suddenly alert, he turned to the Secretary and Driver approaching beside him and snapped orders at them.
“Get him to the hospital, now!”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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