Common Sense Hijack System-Chapter 115

One Week Later

The snow kept falling endlessly, covering the world in a cold, unyielding silence. The wind pierced through the cracks of the old building, creating eerie whistles. Inside the small room, dimly lit by the flickering flames of a portable stove, three souls clung to what little strength they had left.

Karl stood by the frosted window, his gaze blank and his thoughts elsewhere. The creeping cold made everything feel frozen, but that wasn’t what truly bothered him. It had been a week since he and Layla got stuck in this situation. While they shared warmth to get by, there was an unspoken need between them—something deeper than just sharing blankets.

Jane, sitting on an old sofa with a worn blanket draped over her shoulders, watched Karl. She stayed quiet for a while but eventually sighed deeply.

"Sorry if I’m intruding," she said softly, trying to lighten the tension. "I know this must be hard for you two... a young couple like yourselves. If you want to, you know... do what couples do... I can just step into the closet or pretend I didn’t see anything."

Layla, curled up on the floor under a thick blanket, immediately turned red. She glanced at Jane, her expression a mix of shock and embarrassment.

"W-What are you talking about, Mrs. Jane?!" she exclaimed, her voice rising as she tried to hide her nerves.

Karl cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to keep his composure. He raised a hand as if to explain but ended up laughing nervously instead. "Mrs. Jane, it’s not... we’re not... like that."

Jane shrugged nonchalantly, though a faint smile tugged at her tired face. "Just saying, if you want to. I might be old, but I’m not deaf. I know what it’s like to be your age."

Layla pulled her blanket tighter around herself, almost hiding her entire face. Karl scratched the back of his head, staring at the ceiling as if it held all the answers. This situation was definitely unexpected.

---

After a few moments of awkward silence, Jane got up from the sofa and headed to the small kitchen in the corner of the room. She opened a can of food that Karl had just summoned using his system and began preparing something to eat.

Karl sat on the floor, stealing a glance at Layla. She was still hiding her face behind the blanket, but he could see the corners of her lips twitching—either from embarrassment or trying not to laugh.

"You know," Karl finally said, breaking the silence, "Mrs. Jane has a unique way of cheering people up."

Layla peeked out from behind her blanket, her eyes still sparkling with embarrassment. "I can’t believe she actually said that..."

Karl chuckled softly. "Well, maybe it’s her way of trying to make us feel more relaxed. I mean, she’s probably feeling just as stressed as we are."

Layla nodded slowly, her gaze falling to the small fire flickering in the portable stove. "You’re right... I just hope this all ends soon."

Karl looked at her, a pang of guilt tugging at his heart. He knew Layla was trying to stay strong, but he also knew how exhausted they all were. Deep down, he promised himself that he would do whatever it took to protect her—and Jane—from any harm.

"Don’t worry, Layla," he said softly but firmly. "I’m here. I won’t let anything happen to you."

Layla gave him a faint smile, but there was more to it than simple gratitude. There was a warmth in her eyes that made Karl’s chest feel lighter, even if only for a moment.

Jane returned with a bowl of warm soup, handing it to Layla before settling back down on the sofa. She looked at the two of them, a gentle smile on her face.

"You’re both good people," she said in a quiet, sincere voice. "I don’t know where I’d be without you. So... thank you."

Karl and Layla exchanged glances before nodding slowly. Outside, the snowstorm raged on, but Jane’s words felt like a warm blanket, soothing their hearts.

That night, for the first time in days, the three of them shared a small laugh together. Despite the cold and merciless world outside, within that tiny room, they found a flicker of warmth—and hope.

---

The night deepened, but the small fire on the portable stove continued to burn, keeping the biting cold at bay. Karl leaned against the wooden wall, while Layla had already fallen asleep in the corner, wrapped tightly in her blanket. Mrs. Jane, on the other hand, was still awake, her tired eyes fixed on the flames.

Karl noticed her expression. There was something heavy there, hidden beneath the faint smile she had worn earlier. Taking a deep breath, he moved closer to her, sitting on the floor in front of the sofa.

"Mrs. Jane," Karl called out gently. "Can I ask you something?"

Jane snapped out of her thoughts, turning to look at him. "Of course, Karl. What is it?"

Karl lowered his head briefly, as if gathering his thoughts before speaking. "I just... I just want to know. How are you really feeling? About... everything that’s happened?"

The question made Jane fall silent. She stared at the small fire, as if searching for answers within the flickering flames. The howling wind outside the window was the only sound for a few moments.

"I..." Jane finally spoke, her voice barely a whisper. "I don’t know, Karl. It’s... hard to put into words. Everything happened so fast."

She clutched the blanket in her lap tightly, trying to stop her hands from trembling. "I can still see their faces. Those people. How they broke into my home, ruined everything. I can still hear their laughter... and those awful sounds..."

Karl nodded slowly, giving her the space she needed to continue. He knew this wasn’t easy for her.

"But..." Jane’s voice cracked slightly. "They’re gone now. You... you dealt with them. And what else can I do? I just have to accept it."

Tears began streaming down her cheeks, even though she tried to hold them back. Karl looked at her with deep guilt. He knew what he’d done to handle those people was necessary, but the impact it left on Jane was undeniable.

"I used to think about what I’d do if I ever got the chance to take revenge on them," Jane continued, her voice shaking. "But... when I saw them lying there, defeated, I just felt empty. No satisfaction. No joy. Just... nothing."

Karl reached out, placing his hand gently but firmly over Jane’s trembling one. "Mrs. Jane, I know this won’t be easy. I never thought I could ever replace what you’ve lost. But I want you to know—you’re not alone. Layla and I are here. We’ll help you get through this."

Jane stared at his hand over hers. More tears fell, but there was a faint warmth in her eyes that hadn’t been there before.

"Thank you, Karl," she said, her voice trembling. "Thank you for not giving up. For staying here. I... I don’t know how to move forward, but I’ll try. For you two."

Karl gave her a small smile, though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. He knew this would take time, but at least Jane was starting to open herself to acceptance.

That night, amidst the biting cold and relentless storm, Karl and Jane talked for hours. They shared their grief, fears, and hopes. While the road ahead was still uncertain and filled with challenges, at least they wouldn’t have to face it alone.

Karl leaned back against the wall, watching Mrs. Jane as she tried to calm herself down. The once tough and sharp-tongued woman now seemed fragile, like a glass about to shatter. He couldn’t help but think about the stark contrast between her past self and the person sitting in front of him now.

"Who would’ve thought," Karl thought to himself, "Mrs. Jane, the strict and sarcastic woman I used to know, is actually... this vulnerable."

He rubbed the back of his neck, gathering the courage to ask a question that had been lingering in his mind. "Mrs. Jane, can I ask you something? It might be a little personal."

Jane, her face still puffy from crying, looked up at him. "Of course, Karl. What is it?"

Karl hesitated, then spoke carefully, "Why were you so strict and... well, kind of harsh with me back then? Even before all of this happened, it always felt like you didn’t like me."

The question made Jane pause. She stared at Karl, as if trying to figure out whether he was serious or just teasing her. After a moment, she let out a long sigh and clutched the blanket around her tighter.

"I..." Jane began, her voice soft. "I used to feel... unappreciated. In my own home."

Karl frowned slightly, not expecting this answer. He stayed quiet, waiting for her to continue. freёweɓnovel.com

"My husband," Jane said, her voice heavier now. "He was... unfaithful. I knew about it. I knew all about the women he was seeing behind my back. But I never said anything. I thought that if I just stayed patient, maybe he would change. But he never did."

Jane wiped her tears with the corner of the blanket and gave a bitter smile. "And my son... he wasn’t much better. He spent his time chasing women, defying me, and treating me like I was some stranger in my own house. No respect, no love."

Karl felt a pang in his chest. He had no idea Jane’s life had been like this. She continued, her tone growing more somber.

"Maybe... maybe that’s why, when I saw you, Karl, I felt like I had someone I could take my anger out on. I looked at you and thought, ’Here’s someone I can blame. Someone I can scold.’ And I didn’t even realize I was just dumping all my emotions onto you."

She lowered her head, looking utterly exhausted—both physically and emotionally. "And for that... I’m truly sorry, Karl. You didn’t deserve to be treated that way."

Karl stared at her, his emotions a jumble. He’d always thought her harshness came from disdain or dislike. But now he realized it wasn’t hatred—it was pain. Before he could respond, Jane said something that left him completely stunned.

"But, you know?" Jane said, her voice dropping to almost a whisper. "In a way... I’m kind of glad they’re gone."