But still… no reply.
My trick didn’t work.
I chewed my lip and wiped my eyes. Kept releasing breath after breath, hoping the heaviness within me would slip out with them.
Everyone knew how strangely possessive Zeraiah was about his father. He usually shared everything with me, giving in to my requests (with plenty of grumbling), but mention his father, and jealousy always flared. Usually, that was enough to provoke a reaction.
But not this time.
Tshabina:Zer… I miss you. So much that I’m willing to listen to your weird rock songs till my ears go numb.
The memory of how we were laughing happily only weeks ago made my tears flow uncontrollably.
I didn’t want to be here.
And then—a notification.
Zioh!
My heart leapt. My fingers flew faster than my thoughts. I opened his message while holding my breath.
Zioh my hero:I’ll be back in about two weeks. We’ll talk then.
My lips curved into a big smile.
I wanted to reply straightaway, but then a shadow passed before me. It was my brother. He had returned from lessons, but his appearance made my body stiff.
His glasses were gone, his clothes and hair dishevelled. Faint traces of blood stained the corner of his eye and lips.
Mas Bibu walked fast, hurried, his breath uneven, and went straight into the hospital.
I rushed after him, fear and dread tightening around me with every step.
56
Zioh
No.
Impossible.
I had made myself clear, giving the order and repeating it to the security staff that this woman was forbidden.
To avoid this kind of nightmare, I’d given strict instructions: anyone wishing to come up to the penthouse, other than Tshabina, had prior permission. Even if they technically had access, like Zaeem or Zeraiah. It didn’t matter. Permission was required.
So then… how?
How the fuck is she here—
Of course.
This cursed witch could do whatever the hell she pleased. I wished, desperately, that this was a dream, because the sight of her hammered against the inside of my skull.
For a moment, I slipped a few steps back from myself. The world around me blurred and thinned, dissolving into something… unreal. Those glittering eyes staring back at me triggered a wave of nausea, splitting my head until I wished I could gouge out my own eyes so I wouldn’t have to see her.
My breath quickened. My knuckles blanched from the force of my clenched fists.
Cindy opened her mouth to speak, but before she could release a sound, I seized her throat in a crushing grip and slammed her backwards.
