Allison's Point of View
I nodded to the doctor before he left the room. I looked at Zein, who was sitting on the hospital bed. His left arm was wrapped in white gauze, a stark contrast to his skin. He was staring blankly out the window, his thoughts clearly miles away.
I bit my lip, a wave of self-loathing washing over me. Disgusted with my own actions, I stepped outside to catch my breath. I stared at the flowers in the hospital garden, but their beauty was lost on me.
"How is he?"
I looked up to see Jazz. I simply shook my head. My heart was still pounding against my ribs. When that explosion rocked the room and the glass shattered, I felt like the world had gone black. I thought I had lost him.
"Looks like your savings are going to take a hit," Jazz said, attempting a lighthearted laugh to break the tension. "The damage to the wing—"
"And you think I care about that?" My voice rose, thick with heavy breathing. He went quiet instantly. "You think I wouldn't spend every cent I've earned on my brother? Do you think money matters more than his life?"
"No... that's not what I meant. I'm sorry."
I turned to leave. "This is about my brother. My own blood. I love him. I don't care about material things because if he's gone... all my dreams go with him." My voice trembled, so I hurried back inside.
It was my fault. I shouldn't have pushed him that hard. I shouldn't have put him in that position. I want to curse myself for being so reckless. Because of my "training," my brother was almost killed.
I found him in the same position, facing the window. Was he angry? I wouldn't blame him.
"Z-Zein..." I sat beside him and hugged him from behind. "I'm sorry... Sissy is so, so sorry," I whispered.
I felt him pat my hand, and the crushing weight of my guilt eased just a fraction. I love him so much.
"It's okay," he said softly.
He turned to me with a small smile. He reached out to touch my cheek, and only then did I realize it was wet. He wiped away a stray tear.
"You're crying... I thought big girls didn't cry."
I managed a smile, remembering I'd told him that once. I never wanted him to see me weak, but here I was.
"Y-You won't tell Ace about this," I said.
"I already did."
I shook my head. In my panic earlier, I had called the man. I could hear his ragged breathing on the other end when I told him what happened. He cares for Zein deeply. In that moment, I finally understood why a Shion would fall for an Ace Craige.
The door slammed open. Ace was there, his lip caught between his teeth, eyes wide with worry. I gave them space and walked out.
Zein's Point of View
My heart raced as I looked at Ace. He was still standing by the door, his eyes puffy and filled with obvious distress. He rushed to my side.
"You're hurt," he whispered, pulling me into a tight embrace.
I smiled, comforted by the sound of his voice. He was saying so much, but I was focused on the frantic rhythm of my own heart—a scream of love.
"You're hurt, and I wasn't by your side."
He pulled back and stood up, gasping for air as he struggled to contain his rage. Suddenly, he kicked the small bedside table. It made a deafening crack, and I knew it was ruined. A nurse peered in, hesitant to enter.
Ace stood like a silent sentinel while the nurse checked my bandage. "Y-You can go home later today, since the injury is minor," the nurse stammered before scurrying out with the tray.
"Does it still hurt?" Ace sat back down, his demeanor calmer as he looked at my arm. "Just tell me, darling. I'll get you the best doctor in the world."
I shook my head and sighed. He reached out to cup my cheek. I felt a jolt of electricity at the contact and reflexively pulled back.
"Are you mad?" he asked softly. "Darling, I am so sorry."
I swallowed hard. I thought about our conversation the other night. I was jealous, sure, but I wasn't angry. I couldn't control him; he belongs to himself.
"You're mad... I understand."
I looked into his eyes. They were heavy, underlined by dark circles. He was clearly exhausted.
"I'm not mad, Ace. Just jealous," I admitted. I have that right—we are together. I'm not a shallow person. I will try to understand him as long as I can.
Later, as we were leaving, I saw Ace's car and frowned. He moved to block my view and hurried me past it.
"That's your car..."
"That's not my car," he replied shortly, reaching for his phone to call someone.
I glanced back. I wasn't wrong. It *was* his car, but it was riddled with bullet holes. My blood ran cold. Who did that?
Ace finished his call and turned back with a tired smile. "I'll talk to your sister later," he said.
"No... she might say something mean to you again." I knew Allison was just trying to protect me, but her methods were harsh.
"No matter what they try to do, they won't destroy us," Ace said firmly. "I'll fight for this love."
"No," I corrected him. "We'll fight for us together."
A car arrived to pick us up—driven by a man Ace called Sebastian.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Zein," Sebastian said with a respectful smile.
When we finally got home, I went straight to my room. My mother was there, crying with relief, so Ace stepped out to give us a moment.
Ace's Point of View
I found Allison sitting on the sofa. We both knew we needed to talk. We walked out to the back of the house, near the swimming pool. The night air was chilly.
The anger was still simmering under my skin. She had put Zein in a situation he wasn't prepared for. She had risked the life of the person I love most.
"I won't apologize," Allison said, her voice steady. "I did it because I was worried about Zein."
"But you almost broke him."
Silence fell between us.
"Don't play the saint with me," she said firmly. "I know your secrets. I know you already know who is behind the things happening to you."
She was good—dangerously observant. It was no wonder she was one of the best in her field.
"Stay away from Zein," she added. "You'll only ruin him."
"Sorry, but I don't take orders from anyone but my queen," I replied. "I am his knight, and he is my world."
"I am his sister," she countered. "And I will do anything to protect him... even if I have to kill you."
I laughed, a cold, dry sound. "Why are you so protective, Allison?"
"Because he's my brother," she emphasized.
I shook my head. I knew a secret—one that very few people were aware of.
"You're just acting out of guilt," I whispered.
"W-What?"
I turned away, my fists clenching. I didn't want to say more; I was afraid of losing control. Zein admires his sister so much, and the last thing I want to do is shatter that image. But the truth is a heavy burden, one that threatens to pull everyone into the abyss.
"Samantha..."