Reborn Through Fire

Chapter 1591
From that day on, every evening Mia would tend to Jensen's wounds, and afterward, they would spar and share their hard-
earned experiences with each other.
Slowly, Jensen's injuries became less frequent, and their bond deepened.
They became inseparable, like two halves of a whole.
Some even teased them, joking that they resembled a pair of devoted lovers.
Mia would always retort, while Jensen remained silent, returning to his room with a distant look in his eyes.
Mia knew there was someone else on Jensen's mind; she had seen him staring out the window, lost in thought, his eyes filled
with longing.
One night, when he had too much to drink, he suddenly embraced her, calling out a different name — Kisa.
In that moment, Mia was consumed with jealousy, yet she could not help but wonder what kind of girl Kisa was to have captured
Jensen's heart so completely.
Three years flew by, and winter returned to the McCray residence compound.
The training ground featured a large pond, and during the coldest months, every trainee had to endure an hour-long soak in the
icy waters.
Those who could not handle it were eliminated.
This had never been an issue for Mia - until now.
Mia was experiencing her period, and the discomfort was unbearable.
She had hoped to ask for the day off, but Hayes, who had been absent for a month, was suddenly there by the pond.
Obtaining permission for a day off from Hayes was nearly impossible.
Once, another girl found herself in the same situation as Mia, and with a fragile demeanor, she tried to ask Hayes fora day off.

But Hayes seemed to have a deep-rooted disdain for women, showing no compassion or mercy toward them.
He rejected the girl with a mocking smile, saying, "Sure, you can take time off — along, long break."
The message was crystal clear: if she wanted a day off, she would have to give up her place in the compound.
There were only two ways out: either excel among the trainees and rise above them all or survive the trials of the Velvet
Vagabonds.
If the girl chose to take the day off, she would have to face the latter.
Escaping the McCray residence might be possible after surviving the Velvet Vagabonds, but it would leave her broken, a mere
shadow of her former self.
In the end, the girl did not ask for the day off.
She gritted her teeth and endured the hour-long soak in the freezing pond.
When she emerged, she passed out from the pain and exhaustion.
Hayes' subordinates, on the other hand, were far more lenient when it came to taking time off — as long as he was not around.
Thinking about the girl's harrowing ordeal, Mia clutched her aching stomach, her mind in turmoil.
Hayes lounged on a plush couch, lazily and smugly watching the young trainees enter the frigid waters one by one.
He was a dark and twisted soul, taking pleasure in the torment of others — even his own friends.
As Mia stood at the edge of the pond, clutching her aching abdomen, Jensen noticed her pale complexion.
"What's wrong?" he asked softly.
Mia hesitated, then whispered, "It's my period.My stomach hurts."
Jensen glanced at the pond, its surface coated with a thin layer of ice, and urged her, "Ask for a day off.He might agree."
Mia frantically shook her head and whispered urgently, "I can't even mention taking time off in front of him.If only he hadn't shown
up today, his underlings would have been more understanding."