Taming SSR And UR RANK Superwomen-Chapter 38 — The Truth That Divides Us

"I can’t believe you started lying from the very first second," Thomas said as they walked up toward an elevated park.

His tone was light, barely masking the exhaustion that had piled up inside him. Angel let out a nervous laugh and placed a hand over her chest.

"I didn’t think you’d forget that all my cards are frozen," she replied softly. "If I hadn’t invited you to eat, you probably wouldn’t have agreed to talk to me. I’m sorry."

Thomas let out a quiet scoff.

"Honestly, I’m still here only because I’m too tired to argue."

"Even so," she added with a faint smile, "once they restore my accounts, I’ll buy you what I promised."

They didn’t speak again until they reached the nearby park.

From there, a large portion of Ark stretched out before them: skyscrapers glowing in the distance, avenues like bright veins cutting through the city, and their own neighborhood below, its lights dimmer but persistent.

Couples leaned against the railing, families sat on benches, and a few people stood alone watching the horizon. No one made much noise. Each group kept a certain distance, as if respecting everyone else’s privacy.

Thomas leaned against the railing, letting the night wind tousle his white hair. His expression turned nostalgic.

"Why did they freeze your cards?" he asked calmly. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Angel rested her forearms on the cold metal and answered,

"They’re keeping a close watch on me."

Thomas turned toward her.

"What kind of person are you, exactly?"

She brushed her white hair behind her ear as the wind stirred it again. She looked at the city before responding.

"I explore the deep Abyss." Her tone was firm. "They suspect I’m involved in something dangerous... but everything’s fine."

Thomas frowned.

"Is it really?"

Angel smiled and looked away. Her voice dropped slightly.

"Yes. Sooner or later, they’ll realice I’m not guilty of anything."

He didn’t look convinced. Before he could press further, Angel asked,

"Why were you investigating Abyss sales?"

Thomas shifted his gaze to the distant lights.

"If you don’t answer my questions, I won’t answer yours either."

Angel let out a small laugh, as if she enjoyed that faint maternal undertone in the exchange.

"We both have our secrets."

"That’s why I hate you," he shot back, turning toward her. "Why did you abandon us? I don’t want to waste my time with you."

Angel looked at him directly. She didn’t dodge the blow.

"I have no excuse for abandoning you," she said calmly. "But it was for the best."

She stepped closer and positioned herself in front of him.

"Give me your hand. I’ll show you."

Thomas hesitated... but eventually extended it. Angel held it carefully.

"I’ll tell only you. You mustn’t tell anyone. This could put me in danger."

He gave a slight nod. Angel continued,

"My gift was cursed in the Abyss," she confessed. "Every time I try to use it near my own blood... the cells begin to die."

Thomas frowned.

"How convenient."

Angel activated her power without reproaching his distrust.

Instantly, Thomas’s skin began to darken from the point of contact. The veins beneath his wrist stood out in a blackened hue. A sharp sting pierced his finger, as if something were drilling into him from the inside.

Angel withdrew her power at once. The darkness slowly receded. She stepped back as she explained,

"As one of the most renowned heroines, if someone attacked my home... I wouldn’t be able to use my gift without killing my own children."

Thomas looked at her in silence.

"That’s the main reason I left, but there’s another." She lowered her gaze for a moment. "During an expedition, I was captured for a sacrificial ritual. My team saved me... but since then, my consciousness has been bound to the god those monsters worship."

A chill ran down Thomas’s spine.

"What does that mean?"

"Anomalies, visions, fragmented images of the Abyss." She sighed. "I think they’re premonitions." She closed her eyes for a second. "I hate the idea of being far away from you."

"You thought you had killed us...," Thomas said.

Angel opened her eyes in surprise.

"The collapse of our old house...," he finished.

She stared at him, her pupils trembling. She was surprised he had guessed so quickly. Then she decided to explain what had truly happened behind the scenes:

"A monster came directly for me. I had to defend myself. That’s when I realized they could track me no matter where I was. I don’t know how... but they can sense me."

Thomas stepped back.

"Is it related to the monster that invaded Ark two days ago?"

"Yes. It was probably looking for me," she replied gravely. "But Belle intercepted it before it could find me."

"Is that why Iris and I were in a coma for three days?" he asked, his voice tense.

Angel clenched her fists.

"I thought I had killed you. I blamed myself countless times..." Her voice barely trembled. "Two years later, I learned you were alive... but by then, I had already lost all trace of you. I searched for you this whole time, until I finally found you."

Thomas ran a hand through his white hair, confused. Angel lowered her gaze.

"I can’t stay with you... even if I want to with all my heart. But I needed you to know the truth. And somehow... to be able to forgive me."

She paused before continuing.

"I’m also aware of the recent anomalies in the Abyss. And I feel they’re connected to you."

Thomas lifted his head sharply.

"To me?"

"I’m sorry," she replied softly. "If you were looking to sell Abyss materials... have you been there these past few days?"

He didn’t answer. His mind spun wildly, unable to settle on anything. Before he could form another question, Angel’s stomach growled audibly.

They both fell silent. Angel blushed faintly and let out an embarrassed little laugh.

"I’m sorry..."

"Have you eaten anything?"

She shook her head gently.

"I don’t have any money... I only had breakfast with you this morning."

Thomas pulled out the small wad of bills he had earned that day. It wasn’t much, but it would be enough for something hot. He glanced at a nearby street food stand, where steam rose from the grill beneath yellow lights.

"Would you... like to eat there?" he asked awkwardly.

Angel’s eyes widened in surprise.

"That’s not necessary... I can wait until—"

Her stomach protested again, louder this time. She lowered her gaze.

"Thank you... and I’m sorry. I’ll accept your invitation..."

Thomas didn’t reply; he simply walked toward the stand. For the first time since the conversation had begun... the silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable.

’There’s too much information to process... and what does she mean by saying I’m connected to the Abyss? The only explanation I can think of is that it’s because of this system.’