Not this time. There had to be a way this time.
I wouldn’t let it happen.
Could you really hurt her? Break your promise to her?
I didn’t!
You were cruel and crazy, Zioh.
I forced my eyes back to my phone screen. Screamed. Objects crashed, curses filling the room. Zeraiah kept spitting rage at her, and Zaeem’s voice roared for the guards.
Security stormed in and dragged Cindy away. Zaeem threatened her, warning that this was her last chance before he escalated things.
But Cindy, like a possessed witch, shrieked louder as two guards yanked her back.
“He’s mine! MINE!” she screamed, fighting, her voice ragged. “You all want a fucking game? FINE! LET’S PLAY THIS GAME! Do you hear me?!”
She pointed at Zeraiah. “It’s not just you I’ll destroy!” she spat, before her voice rose to a scream. “But that woman too!”
Zeraiah exploded, trying to hurl himself at her again, but Zaeem dragged him back. I gasped for air, forcing my eyes shut and counting each breath.
In. Hold. Out.
Count.
When I opened my eyes again, the feed was empty.
Where did they go?What were they saying?What were they doing?
I scrolled, flicking through camera after camera—until I found it.
Dad’s study. I tapped it open. And there.
Dad and Zaeem.
My finger slammed the speaker icon.
Zaeem’s jaw locked, and his fists clenched tight. “What is wrong with you, Dad?!” he shouted, pointing at him.
Dad sat behind his desk, sipping vodka while pinning Zaeem with a cold stare.
“You’ve gone too far this time!”
“Watch your mouth,” Dad snapped, his tone sharp as a blade. His gaze cut upward. “I’ve had enough of your brothers’ curses, and now you, too? You want to defy me, too?!”
Zaeem’s chest heaved, his hands dragging down his face in frustration. “Why did you invite that woman here?” His voice was like ice, but his eyes burned. “I told you what that mad bitch did to my brothers!”
Dad rose, stepping past him. “I know,” His voice remained calm, narrowing at him. “That’s why I let you deal with her when you begged me to trust you.”
His voice darkened as he stepped closer. “But you lied to me, Zaeem!” His voice snapped like a whip as he jabbed a finger at him. “You said your brothers were cured, that they were better, improving, et cetera!”
He gritted his teeth. “But what do I see? Zeraiah’s pathetic, disgusting behaviour hasn’t stopped. And Zioh—” His words struck like knives— “Still swallowing pills. They’re still crazy!”
“Don’t call them that—”
“Then don’t blame me if I call her here to tell me the truth about my own sons!” Dad hissed, his breath sharp. “Turns out that lunatic knows more about them than I do!”
His glare flared darker. “How patient have I been, Zaeem? I even refrained from interfering in your brothers’ treatments at your request. And what did you do? You gave him a worthless doctor, and he’s still defective!”
