Stillness took Zaeem completely, his face hardening.
I dug my nails into my palms.
Zaeem’s voice cracked with fury. “You know why Zioh was terrified of treatment and why he finally agreed—” He looked at Dad as if searching for him, searching for our father. “And you know exactlywhatthat bitchdidto find out about them!” His voice shattered into a roar. “So why? That woman already—”
“I know,” Dad replied, swirling his vodka as he sank onto the sofa. “And I told you to deal with her. But what happened? Nothing.” A cold stare pinned Zaeem to the spot. “You even barred your grandfather and me from interfering.”
Zaeem’s breath tore out from him, his glare burning deeper. “So what’s your solution? Silence Cindy? Bribe her? Threaten her?” He leaned in, his eyes narrowing. “You think I haven’t tried? Years, Dad. Years! I even filed restraining orders. But she always slips through! Her father had her committed, the courts dismissing her as mentally unstable. And when she’s out? She comes back again and again. Zioh has had to move a thousand times becauseof her!”
His voice broke into another scream. “And now what? Is your solution to kidnap her? Kill her?” His nostrils flared. “Who’s crazy here?!”
Dad’s glare sharpened, but Zaeem’s fury surged. “Do you even hear yourself?!” he cried. “This isn’t fiction, Dad! This is reality! And you brought her here? Are you serious?!”
Zaeem’s eyes blazed. “I explained everything. She’s holding something I can’t—”
“So my solution is vile but true, isn’t it?!” Dad’s voice exploded. “Burn her house. Poison her. Do whatever it takes to make sure my name and this company aren’t destroyed! Just do something!”
Zaeem stood frozen, staring in disbelief. He shook his head slowly, looking at the ceiling for a long moment before turning back to our father. “It’s always fucking company!” His voice exploded, shifting from rage to a desperate tremble. “That’s all you care about?! Dad, your sons are dying!”
Dad’s gaze stayed fixed, cold. “Your grandfather loves you, doesn’t he? That’s why he held back, because you begged him not to interfere.”
Zaeem drew in a sharp, broken breath, dragging his hand down his face. “Grandpa doesn’t know,” his voice cracked. “He doesn’t know about Cindy. Only we do, Dad. Zioh didn’t want anyone to know. He feels solow, so broken that he can’t bear it.”
My brother’s eyes reddened. “That’s why I told you, becauseyou’reourfather.” His voice came out low and shaking, and it felt as if a thousand sharp stings were hitting my chest. “But this? What the hell is this?”
Zaeem dropped to his knees before our father, gripping his shoulders and shaking him with raw despair. “Look at him!” he cracked. “Look at my little brothers, Dad! How can you do this to them?!” He shut his eyes. “He’s always afraid—”
“You hear that?” Dad thundered, his eyes blazing. “His accusationagainst me?!”
“Dad—”
“If I knew he was still crazy.” He scoffed. “Still defective. I would’ve done worse than this!” His voice sliced cold. “To make sure he was fine!”
“No.” Zaeem cut in, low but fierce. “Not to make sure he was fine.” His eyes stabbed into him. “But to make sure he didn’t shame you!” he roared, shaking with fury. “And I can’t do that to him!” My brother’s voice broke into a whisper, aching. “My little brother’s been through enough…”
“They’re in so much pain, Dad.”
Dad’s face stayed stone. “And I’ll be destroyed if my image, the company I built with my blood and sweat, is ruined because of them. Especially your youngest brother, who’s always been a disappointment. Now get out.”
50
Zioh
After cleaning myself and trying to calm down, I stepped out of the room I’d been using. As I came out, the light in one of the rooms was still on—Tshabina hadn’t gone to sleep yet.
If I were her, I wouldn’t be able to sleep either.
In truth, I hadn’t had a proper night’s sleep since I returned to Indonesia. Every night, I would wake up drenched in sweat, my breath ragged, haunted by nightmares that refused to let me go.
The only peaceful sleep since arriving here was when Tshabina was with me, at my side, and holding me close. That was why, after what happened, my instincts begged, my entire being cried out, everything inside me roared for her to stay with me tonight. If possible, always. Even though it’d also make me feel… quieter inside.
I strolled through the common space. It was dark, all the lights switched off, leaving only the faint glow from the windows to reveal the city beyond. It felt dark, empty, and hollow—feelings that had become far too familiar.
I stopped before the tall, expansive windows that were thrown open. From this height, the city stretched beneath me, and every time I looked down, my chest grew loud and heavy.
If only the window could open up, and you could end everything.
I clenched my fists tight, my breath turning shallow, but the sound of a door opening behind me pulled me back. I immediately caught her scent—sweet and warm—and at once, the air around me shifted.
