Chapter 657 - Quick Vacation

"Oh, hello, sweetheart." Nikolai greeted playfully from the other end of the call. "I heard what happened. I thought you and that guy were pretty close, so… I wanted to know my fiancee's well-being!"

Zoey scoffed upon hearing his ridiculous fakery. What a douche. The nerve to even pretend but not even try to conceal his enjoyment about this entire ordeal.

"What do you want?" Without beating around the bush, Zoey inquired. "What the heck do you want from me, Nik?"

Zoey repeated. In her previous life, she didn't have such a problem until seven years later. But that problem was not even about Nikolai; it was about Inigo.

But in this lifetime, Nikolai was causing her unnecessary problems. Why? Just what changes did she make?

Contacting him again? Trying to make peace with him? The knowledge about Inigo's fake death?

If only Zoey knew Nikolai would just be a part of the problem instead of the solution, she wouldn't have accepted them in her life. Yet, it was too late.

"What do I want?" Nikolai chuckled as he shook his head. "You know what I want, sweetheart."

Zoey let out a scoff. 

"You know me, Zia. I told you back then, didn't I?" Nikolai's tone grew solemn as his hazel eyes glinted. "Back then, when you cut ties with me. I told you don't ever try and come back yourself because if you do, I won't give you another kind opportunity."

Zoey remained silent, recalling those exact words uttered in the past. Niko, indeed, told her that. The reason why Zoey never made any contact with them in her previous lifetime.

But because of what happened in her previous lifetime and the sudden time-traveling, Zoey acted on impulse. She didn't care about herself, initially. 

All she thought about was protecting Matthew from the distance. She didn't plan on coming back into his life to protect him from harm.

In the end, Zoey couldn't stop herself and her heart. She deeply loved him and being with him was all she ever wanted. But now, she couldn't help but wonder if her decisions in love were nothing but her greed.

"Ivan wanted to cut his ties with me. Should I let him?" After a long tense silence, Nikolai spoke once again. Zoey kept her silence.

"After some digging, it seems like Ivan has grown into a man and found an interesting partner: Cora Ma." Nikolai stressed Cora's name with a vile smirk on his lips.

As soon as Zoey heard him, a shiver ran down her spine. "Don't touch her." 

"Ohh! Why would I do that, sweetheart?" Nikolai chuckled, finding this conversation entertaining more than ever. "I just tried digging up since I am curious what made my little brother change his mind and beliefs."

"Nikolai." Zoey called out solemnly. Nikolai's tone told her he was hinting at who was next.

The thought of it made her hand ball into a tight fist. Her jaw tightened as she ground her teeth.

"Haha! Chill, sweetheart. I heard that your boyfriend is very powerful. I'm just wondering if he's smart enough to stop me." Nikolai let out another gleeful chuckle.

Zoey kept silent once again. Letting out a heavy sigh as her entire body was shaking hearing more of his voice.

"Oh, hold on." Nikolai remarked.

Zoey then heard scratching noises before a faint knock followed from the other end of the line.

"Delivery for Miss Ma?" Zoey heard Nikolai and her eyes slowly went wide.

"Ah, yes?" Upon hearing the female voice, Zoey's heart sank. "I didn't order anything."

There's no doubt it was Cora. Nikolai… he wasn't done yet.

"But it's addressed here." Nikolai explained briefly.

Zoey didn't know what was happening. But after a beat, she heard Cora's voice softened.

"He's such a silly guy."

"Your boyfriend seems like a nice guy, Miss." Nikolai humored and all Zoey heard was Cora's genuine chuckle.

"He is weird. But the type of weird I'd fall for." Cora humored back before Zoey heard the door closing after saying her thanks.

"Ohh… What a nice girl." Soon, Nikolai's voice volumed up upon placing the phone in front of his ear. "It makes me feel bad--"

"Where are you?" Before Nikolai could finish his sentence, Zoey interrupted him midway.

"Ohh, why? Would you see me?" Nikolai smirked.

"Just... don't touch her." Zoey pleaded under her breath. If she didn't do something right now, Zoey was afraid she'd hear the news about a woman's disappearance or worse, death by tomorrow.

Nikolai wouldn't stop. That fact came clear already. 

"Tsk." Nikolai clicked his tongue. "But I'm currently busy, sweetheart. I may not give you the affection that you want!"

"Please." Through her gritted teeth, Zoey swallowed her pride despite knowing he was purposely doing this.

Nikolai let out another wave of chuckle, pleased at Zoey's obedience. "Alright, then. If you insist. You know the do's and don'ts, right? Sweetheart?"

"I'll go alone." Zoey reassured as she glanced at Ivan who was jogging his way to her.

"Alright, then. I'll see you tonight." Nikolai smirked before cutting the line short.

"Sis!" As soon as the line was cut short, Ivan reached Zoey.

He only jogged from a short distance. However, Ivan was panting and sweating as if he ran a mile.

"Go to her." Before he could speak, Zoey cocked her head to a direction.

"Huh?"

"Cora. She's his next target, right?" Zoey let out a sigh as Ivan's expression told her he thought the same.

"Don't worry." Zoey extended her arm and patted Ivan's shoulder. "He wouldn't do anything to her just yet."

After lightly patting his shoulder, Zoey withdrew her hand and shoved it inside her pockets.

"Tell Matty I'm going on a vacation for a quick while."

"Sis…" Ivan trailed off as Zoey offered a half smile.

"He won't hurt me." Zoey reassured and turned around. "You know him better than anyone."

"Sis you can't --!" Ivan abruptly halted as Zoey waved while walking away.

He wanted to stop her. However, knowing Zoey, once she made a decision, no one could ever stop her. Hence, Ivan could only watch her leave… to her misery.

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Author's Note:

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