In Matthew's private mansion where Zion and Katherine were staying…
Zion jogged down the stairs with his phone in front of his ear.
"Yes, Dad. I'll be attending Mr. Xi's declining health. It's classified information." Zion said as Zachery called him about Zion's sudden arrangement.
"Yes. I'll be staying here for a little while." Zion nodded, walking towards the kitchen to grab a glass of water. "Yes. I'm fine. I'm sorry if this is a little sudden. Alright."
Zion talked to Zachery on the other end of the line like usual. Surprisingly, Zachery didn't get mad about it. Well, his son was attending the Xi Family. Why would he get mad for such a fiasco that befell the Kwan General Hospital?
"Thanks, Dad." Zion said before hanging up the call. Just as he did, he jolted upon the loud shattering noise coming from the living area.
With furrowed brows, Zion carefully walked towards the living; to the place where he had heard that noise coming from. As soon as he reached the living area, Zion's furrowed brows creased even more.
There, Katherine was standing still, watching the news. The glass of orange juice was all over the floor, yet, she didn't seem to care as she had her attention on the huge television screen.
"Hey, you don't just break other people's stuff." Zion sighed as he approached her. "Are you okay?"
He asked, gazing down on the juice that was touching her bare feet. When he raised his gaze, Zion was slightly caught off guard seeing her horrified reaction.
"Hey," Zion called out, tugging her elbow slightly. Yet, Katherine didn't bulge as her eyes on the television screen.
"Brother Ken…" She whispered, the veins in her eyes reddened as tears built up on the corner of her eyes.
"Huh?" Zion moved his gaze to the television.
As soon as he did, a photograph of Kenneth was shown and then transition pictures of the incident. It didn't take long until Zion grasped what the news was about.
"What…" He gasped under his breath, couldn't understand how it turned out like this when they were just eating breakfast this morning.
"How…" Katherine took a step, but her entire body was shivering.
Fortunately, before she fell, Zion caught her arms by his arm. "Brother Ken, he…"
Katherine's lower lip shuddered as she raised her teary eyes up to Zion. She unconsciously clenched her hand on Zion's forearm before biting her lower lip as her tears rolled down her cheek.
"No, no, no — " Katherine choked. "Tell me he… Brother Ken didn't die."
Katherine shook Zion's arm but the latter couldn't look her in the eye.
"I'm… sorry." were the only words Zion could say.
****
Still outside the operating room despite everything, Zoey, Matthew, and Ivan perched in silence. Zoey looked at the floor, her fist trembling.
After a long silence, Zoey finally spoke.
"Who?" She asked under her breath. But she received no answer from both men. "Who did it?"
Zoey repeated. She wouldn't forgive whoever did this to him. She just wouldn't or couldn't let this one go.
"Sis," Ivan called out softly, gritting his teeth as he sensed the darkness emanating from her.
"Is it Niko?" Without looking away from the tiled-floor, Zoey probed.
"Zoey, please." Matthew pleaded under his breath, letting out a heavy sigh.
Matthew reached for her hand, rubbing it gently. However, unlike usual, Zoey was unmoved. She just felt cold, like someone else had manifested her body.
"Matt, is it Niko?" Zoey inquired, slowly shifting her eyes to Matthew, who was sitting beside her. "Tell me, please."
"Z, Ken wouldn't like this if you put yourself in danger for him. So please." Matthew let out another sigh, hoping he would go through with her.
However, Zoey's gaze didn't bulge. She fixed her gaze on him, no trace of any emotion in her eyes.
"Is it him?" Again, she asked in the same solemn yet low tone.
"What will you do?" Instead of giving her a direct answer, Matthew answered her with another question.
Zoey rocked her head back and forth lightly. She bit her lower lip, heavily breathing in and out.
"I have to go." said Zoey as she carefully pulled her hand away from Matthew.
Slowly, Zoey assisted herself up. This incident reminded her of what happened in her previous life.
This was almost like how she lost Matthew. The only difference was, she could've stopped it from happening. She already had instincts, but she didn't do anything about it.
"Sis." When Zoey stood up and turned her back on them, Ivan suddenly sprung up to his feet. "You can't just go there alone and…"
"Don't worry about me. I'll just go for a walk." Zoey interrupted him midway and took another step away from them.
She needed to do this herself. Be it Inigo or Nikolai, this wouldn't happen to Kenneth if not because of her. Therefore, Zoey figured she wouldn't let anyone fall victim to those men's hands.
She couldn't wait anymore. The ending would be the same if she acted now or tomorrow -- or the day after. Who knows if something like this happened to one of her loved ones tomorrow?
They wouldn't stop. They would give her hell. Before they could do that, Zoey thought they'd just all go to hell together.
Zoey wasn't thinking straight. This anger and regret in her heart was slowly consuming her. If she didn't do anything about it, she might actually lose it.
Just as Zoey was halfway through the corridor, a hand held her wrist and it pulled her back.
"Love," Matthew breathed, embracing her gently as he stroked her head. "Can't you trust me?"
He understood Zoey's reasons even though she didn't say them aloud. However, he wouldn't let his wife go out there and put her life at risk.
Matthew was just as furious and impatient as her. However, he didn't want to act out of impulse and put everyone in danger. Nikolai had shown his fangs, announcing he didn't care less nor was he afraid that he was in someone else territory.
Hence, targeting Kenneth, the son of the general.
Zoey's heart sank as she raised her hand, clasping his back tightly. "I trust you… but, don't let me go because if you do, someone else will die tonight."
Through her gritted teeth, Zoey buried her face in Matthew's chest. Yes, someone else will die… and that would be her.
---------
Author's Note:
Support my new work, Wild Young Princess: Mister, let's sleep? Synopsis in Author's Note below. Please send powerstone to my new work instead <3 Thank you!