Chapter 37: Dragon tattoo

Alsen stood amidst the chaos, his heart heavy with guilt as waves of regret crashed over him.

He felt like the architect of the peril that now loomed over everyone around him, and tears spilled down his cheeks as he cried out.

"I'm sorry! All this is happening because of me. I've put you all in harm's way."

His voice trembled with the weight of his emotions, and he cast a helpless glance at Masha, whose face was ashen and frail.

He leaned closer, his own voice dropping to a whisper, thick with remorse.

"It's my fault. I should've protected you better. I shouldn't have dragged you into this mess. Now everything is spiraling out of control, and I can't go back to my previous life. I miss my kids so much. I really should have stayed in Country A."

The longing for his children wrapped around his heart like a vice, intensifying his sorrow.