Chapter 554 - Her Cry For Help

PRESENT TIME

"That's why even now, Inigo wants me dead." Zoey muttered as she gripped on the can of beer tightly. Her grip shook as she recalled the root of Inigo's anger and his determination to exact his revenge.

He successfully did in their previous life. Matthew died; an eye for an eye. However, that didn't stop there. The schemes and torment continued. One after another, she lost her loved ones. The pain Zoey caused him, Inigo returned it ten folds -- thousand.

But now, they were even. Thus, Zoey was prepared to fight Inigo head-on. She wouldn't let him do as he pleased anymore nor did she plan to kill herself this time.

This was the war she started. Thus, she wanted to end it herself. This war, Zoey was aware to end it, would be either her death or Inigo's.

Matthew stared at Zoey's side profile, keeping his silence as he absorbed the root of her problem. After a beat, Matthew sighed and chugged the beer in one go.

After consuming the entire can of beer, Matthew opened another one and took another mouthful of drink. Neither of them talked for a while as Zoey also consumed hers.

'No, Zoey. Inigo knew.' When Matthew gulped down the beer, he let out a heavy sigh as he tilted his head back. 'He knew what you've done was to save him from the pain of being betrayed. That's why he didn't kill you right there and then.'

Matthew added in his thoughts. He knew Inigo; it was safe to say Matthew knew Inigo's train of thoughts more than anyone. They were more or less similar, after all. Thus, Matthew discerned what Inigo was thinking back then.

"You said to trust you, but to be honest, I didn't put my complete trust in you earlier." Zoey let out a faint scoff as she spoke her thoughts aloud. "How can I put my trust into someone who didn't even know what was the real problem?"

Zoey added as her tongue touched her inner cheek. She then released a heavy sigh, showing how exhausted she was living in two timelines with the same problem she already solved with her death.

"I planned to take him on, to be honest. End what I started. Live peacefully? I actually laughed inside my head when I heard that. It just sounds… silly. A far fetched dream that I don't deserve." Zoey shook her head as she drank another mouthful of beer.

After the acidic feeling traveled down her system, Zoey cleared her throat. "You knew Niko, right? He was at the party. Apparently, he strangled Clara which traumatized her. If I came a little later, the news tomorrow was the death of the rising star."

Zoey waved as she imagined the headline tomorrow if she didn't save Clara. The thought of it made Zoey chuckle; not because of Clara's death, but the possible cause of death that would be written.

"The cause of death would probably ruled out as suicide or an accident or whatever. Those bastards are veterans in this game. I wouldn't be surprised if Niko's name would never be mentioned near Clara's name. They didn't know each other, after all. He just did what he did for fun. Haha." 

Zoey let out a ridiculing chuckle and shook her head sideways. The effect of the beer slowly kicked in and her body felt heavier than usual. Still, it was not enough for Zoey to lose her thoughts.

"Then, I remembered Niko is far worse than Inigo. Inigo was not like that, initially. But Niko… he is a natural Silvestri. Ruthless, remorseless, and wicked. It's funny how I even considered making an alliance with him to fight Inigo." Zoey chuckled once again as she recalled the glint that flickered across those hazel eyes when she confronted him.

"The meaning of my alliance will surely be different from him. He will think that it was him helping me. And thus, he will have a reason to take me under his wing again. My extreme means of cutting ties with him wouldn't work if that happened."

Zoey added as she only realized it just earlier. She was so blinded on taking Inigo down that she didn't consider the consequences of shaking hands with the devil. Well, Zoey didn't truly think she would be back in Matthew's arms.

She didn't consider her happiness. As long as Matthew would live, that was enough for her. As long as Cora, Zion, Vivian, Enzo, and Matthew would live their lives to the fullest, Zoey could live with that.

Even if she was out of the picture -- out of their lives-- she would be satisfied. But now that she had a taste of Matthew's presence, gentle words, and determination to help her, her resolve began to waver.

"I can't…" Through her gritted teeth, Zoey whispered as she hung her head low. "I don't want to lose them nor do I want to be out of their lives.

Tears began to build up on her eyes as she bit her bottom lip. The chain that bound the feeling of hopelessness in her heart broke.

If she was going to be honest, she didn't want to choose. She didn't want to lose them or be out of their lives. She wanted to be part of them; be there during their happy times and be a strong pillar of support during their sad times.

But how? There was only a certain amount of burden one could carry, and the burden she was carrying was far heavier than ten or hundred people combined.

Before Zoey could realize it, her tears streamed down and landed on her hand and on the lid of the can of beer. Her vision clouded as her shoulders trembled with her muffled cries resonating across the silent office.

"Matty…" In between her muffled cries, Zoey called him out softly as she raised her head, sensing him standing before her.

"Help me…" Without any pretense or hesitation, Zoey finally cried for help.

Matthew gazed down, staring at the eyes full of tears and desperation for a helping hand. Seeing her without the mask of anything, Matthew felt a painful pang in his heart.

"Say less.." Without thinking, Matthew leaned down and sealed her lips with his.