As he sat in his car on the way home, the echo of Caitlin's words, "He's not your son, and never will be," resonated in his mind.

The day's shocking events left him reeling. The revelation that Caitlin had a son for him struck him deeply, leading to a newfound understanding of the struggles and pain she had endured. The realization that she likely faced hardships due to a pregnancy resulting from sexual abuse caused his ego to crumble, replaced by a profound sense of shame.

For the first time in his life, he felt lost and adrift, as if Karma was seeking retribution for his past mistreatment of women. Uncertain of what to do next, he grappled with a sense of aimlessness.

Despite his turmoil, Caitlin remained unforgiving. He sighed heavily, touching the still-bleeding scar on his left cheek, his blood-stained fingers a stark reminder of the day's events. Sensing his master's intense stress, Darian chose to remain silent, opting not to provoke Kane's potential outburst of anger in his current state.

In a taxi on her way home, Caitlin stared out the window, tears streaming down her cheeks. Sultan gazed at his mother with a pained expression, recognizing her distress. Although he couldn't comprehend the earlier events or the man's identity, he was shocked to see his gentle mother strike him so forcefully. It was the first time he had witnessed her raise a hand in anger, sparking a mix of fear and curiosity within him.

"Mommy... Who was that man?" Sultan asked innocently.

"Just someone, my sweet. I'm sorry you had to witness that," Caitlin replied, her voice tinged with remorse.

Sultan tenderly wiped away her tears with his tiny hands, offering solace. "It's okay, mommy... Please don't cry..."

Caitlin smiled warmly, cupping his face. "I love you so much, my dear."

"I love you too, Mommy," he whispered, and they shared a heartfelt hug.

That night, Kane found sleep elusive as the nightmares returned with a vengeance. In the dark recesses of his mind, he heard the anguished cries of women he had wronged, and amidst the cacophony, the heart-wrenching sobs of a child stood out. It was then that he recognized the source of the child's cries - the son Caitlin had borne for him.

Jolting awake from the torment of his dreams, Kane sat up in bed, his troubled thoughts propelling him to the wine cellar. With trembling hands, he reached for a bottle of potent alcohol, uncorking it hastily and drowning his sorrows in a futile attempt to quell the pain.

However, the numbing effects of the alcohol only served to intensify his inner turmoil. Consumed by desperation, he continued to drink, one bottle after another, until he could no longer stand. Collapsing onto the sofa, the nightmares persisted, haunting him in his intoxicated state.

Clutching his chest in a mixture of physical and emotional agony, Kane let out a guttural groan, tears mingling with the remnants of his shattered resolve. As he wept like a lost child, he lashed out, smashing the bottles in a futile display of his inner turmoil. It became glaringly clear to him that he was now facing the harsh consequences of his actions, and the path to redemption seemed bleak without Caitlin's forgiveness.

The following day, Darian entered Kane's room and was taken aback by the chaos before him. The floor was littered with shattered bottles and glasses, while the pungent scent of alcohol hung heavy in the air. Kane lay sprawled on the sofa, his anguished groans echoing through the room. The pain he experienced was not physical but rather a deep ache in his heart.

"Master! Are you okay?! Have you been drinking?" Darian exclaimed in alarm.

Kane seized Darian's shoulders, his eyes bloodshot and filled with torment. "Help me... Darian! She's tormenting me!" he groaned.

"Who, master?" Darian inquired, perplexed by Kane's distress.

"C... Caitlin! Please... help me make her forgive me!" Kane groaned once more before losing consciousness. Concerned, Darian enlisted the assistance of other staff members to transport Kane to the hospital.

After a half-hour consultation, the doctor diagnosed Kane with an emotional breakdown and severe stress.

"Will he be all right?" Darian inquired anxiously.

"Yes, he will recover with some rest and by stopping his tendency to overthink."

Darian felt relieved that the situation wasn't serious, but he understood that Kane's well-being had been permanently affected. The recent events in his life had left a lasting impact on him.

Despite facing financial difficulties, Caitlin actively sought out a new job. Fortunately, luck was on her side, and she quickly landed a great position as a bookkeeper at a large bookstore. The owner, a wealthy elderly professor, needed assistance to sustain the business. Caitlin was grateful for the opportunity and the owner promised her a good salary. Things were looking up once more, and Grace was relieved to hear about Caitlin's new job.

 She was a determined and resilient young woman who would go to great lengths to achieve her goals, and Grace admired her for that.

Kane was released from the hospital later that evening. Darian was dismayed by Kane's excessive drinking and intoxication.

"Why would you do such a thing, sir?! You nearly harmed yourself!"

Ignoring Darian, Kane got into the car. The journey home was silent, and upon their arrival, Darian confronted him.

"I was... very depressed. I was trying to numb my pain. That's why I drank so much," he explained softly.

"Drinking won't solve anything, sir."

"It doesn't matter. Caitlin will never forgive me," he said sorrowfully, thinking of her and their son. He closed his eyes in anguish, and Darian sighed.

"I believe you should give her some space."

Nevertheless, Kane had different intentions.