Chapter 701 - Auction XXI

Again, Zoey found herself repeating the cycle of endless shooting and running. The yacht felt larger the more she ran around, finding shelter to avoid the bullets, then firing back.

Because of the enemy chasing her, Zoey was pushed back down. She had no option but to go back to the lower deck.

Zoey knew Matthew wouldn't be there. She thought he was on the upper deck, because she had been in the lower deck earlier, searching for him but to no avail.

Also, she went through hell in the middle level of the yacht. She stayed longer there but she didn't encounter Matthew. Therefore, she concluded that Matthew must be on the upper deck.

Soon, Zoey reached the lowest part of the yacht where she came from. As she went on, the shooting of bullets grew distinct in her ears.

"There's more people --" Zoey couldn't even finish her sentence as she immediately hid behind the corridor wall as bullets were fired in her direction.

"Sh*t." She ground her teeth tightly, flinching at every bullet penetrating bouncing off the wall. "I need to…"

With gritted teeth, Zoey shot back at them. She heard a thud, but also footsteps. Zoey settled her ragged breathing, blinking to get a grip of her vision.

When the footsteps came close, Zoey raised her gun, waiting for the people to turn to where she was hiding. As soon as people appeared, Zoey aimed her gun, ready to pull the trigger in a heartbeat.

"Zoey!" Just before she could pull the trigger, Zoey heard Matthew's voice. "It's us!" 

Slowly, Zoey raised her head to see Matthew surrounded with Owen and Carter along with several men. That second, her eyes softened as soon as her eyes landed on Matthew.

He seemed alright in her eyes. Although his eyes were a bit swollen, Matthew was in a better state than she thought. This relieved her.

Meanwhile, Matthew heaved a sigh of relief. His eyes skimmed through her from her disheveled hair, and worn out dress. His heart clenched as soon as he saw the bandage wrapped around her shoulder.

"Matty!" Zoey called out under her breath, leaping onto him as she instantly melted into his embrace.

As soon as her arms wrapped around his shoulders and felt his warmth, Zoey's violent heartbeat calmed. "Oh, thank God you're safe."

She mused in relief. She didn't expect him to stay on the lowest deck of the yacht. She had been here earlier, but never saw him. Did he come down here for her? 

Zoey closed her eyes, smiling in relief. She was never thankful to heaven until now. She was too grateful that her eyes started to sting.

She couldn't stop the trembling of her shoulders as coldness seeped into her bones. She could finally breathe knowing he was fine.

"Zoey," Matthew wanted to hug her. But for some reason, when he placed his hand on the side of her hip, he felt thick, sticky liquid upon his contact.

Since her dress was dark red, blood wasn't obvious in the eyes. "You're shot."

"No, I'm fine. Are you?" Zoey shook her head, drawing back and immediately caught his surprised and worried gaze.

"Zoey…" Matthew trailed off as his eyes saw the trail of blood from behind her.

Zoey was too focused on fighting that she didn't know that blood was dripping down from her dress, pooling under her feet. Be it her strong will to survive or just adrenaline rush, Zoey had been bleeding out all this time.

"What?" Zoey asked. But the second she did, her vision worsened as she nearly lost balance.

Fortunately, Matthew was able to catch her before she could land and she clung to his shoulder.

"I'm fine." Zoey explained. "Just a little dizzy, fatigue." 

But deep down, all the open wounds and fatigue had slowly taken a toll on her. Her body experienced shock from everything that's why she lasted long, but now, it started to affect her.

"Master, the enemies would soon catch up to us." Owen informed, still had his guard up.

"Let's get out of here. Have you made contact with Ivan on the upper deck?" Matthew tried to keep his head clear despite watching Zoey catch to her breathing in front of him.

Carter shook his head dejectedly. They'd lost all contact after all the fierce battle they went through. The Silva Family that came for Nikolai's rescue had given them hell of a fight.

"Let's just…"

"Zia!" Just as Matthew could speak his command, Nikolai's voice reached their ear.

Matthew and everyone raised their heads. Zoey also turned around as NIkolai came from where she came from.

Seeing Nikolai made them feel time stop ticking momentarily. He had his handgun up, aiming directly at Matthew.

"You left me no choice. So, I'm leaving you none, as well." Nikolai uttered and within that same time frame, he pulled the trigger.

Zoey's eyes widened and so was Matthew. Matthew immediately pushed Zoey, but it was too late. Zoey leapt towards him, hugging him to the safety of her embrace.

Seeing it, Nikolai's eyes widened as he was certain the bullet would tear her flesh. But it was too late. That second felt like forever; everything moved in slow motion. He watched with his own eyes when Zoey took that bullet for Matthew.

And then time clocked to normal. The second Nikolai pulled the trigger, Matthew's men riddled his body with bullets as a response. No mercy until he dropped to the floor.

"Zo… ey," Nikolai gasped for air as his eyes stared at the ceiling light shone directly on him. He knew he wouldn't make it alive this time.

He felt hot, on fire as bullets burned his flesh from the inside. His every breath, no matter how short they were, suffocated his lungs.  Dark spots appeared at the round edges of his vision.

Now in moments like this, he couldn't think of good memories to recall. It was… empty.

He blinked his eyes weakly, struggling to breathe every second that passed. As he closed his eyes, the scene of Zoey taking that bullet meant for Matthew repeated like a broken record in his head.

Regret. 

Nikolai succumbed to the darkness with nothing but regret. Inigo was right.. There's nothing more tragic than having no one mourn for your death.