Chapter 3
It wasn't until I finished speaking that Zack finally responded, his voice chillingly clear, laced with cruelty.
He said, "The flaw in the experiment data was something I left on purpose, to test if the new assistant was sharp enough. Nina was the first to step up and claim the credit.
"As for my stomach," he paused, his eyes locked onto mine. He continued, "I called you thirty-seven times that day, and you didn't pick up once. I was on my way to your place when the pain got so bad I couldn't drive anymore.
"She insisted on taking me to the hospital."
My heart suddenly sank.
That did happen.
That night, I was pulling an all-nighter gaming with my bestie, phone on silent.
The next morning, I saw a bunch of missed calls and figured it was some debt collector blowing up my phone.
"So," Zack said, stepping closer, his eyes nearly crazed. He demanded, "You're really trying to pawn me off on some woman I barely remember? Sophia, what is your heart made of?"
His wounded hand clamped down on my shoulder once more. Blood seeped through the bandage, staining his white shirt red, and it felt like it was bleeding into my eyes as well.
I was screwed. No amount of explaining would clear my name now. Panic clawed at my chest.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
The crisp chime echoed through the eerily silent living room, sounding almost jarring.
Zack's brows knitted together, clearly annoyed. But for me, it was like a lifeline.
No one else but Nina could find this place. The plot gods were finally smiling on me. Relief washed over me.
I shoved Zack aside and rushed to open the door.
And sure enough, standing outside was Nina.
Nina stood at the door in a sleek, tailored suit, her makeup impeccable, holding a thermos.
Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of me, but she recovered instantly, lips curving into a polished smile. She said, "Sophia? This is a surprise."
Her eyes slid past me to Zack, and concern instantly flashed across her face.
"Zack, I heard you hurt your hand, so I made you some soup. Are you okay...?" she said softly.
But before she could finish, Zack cut her off with icy indifference.
He demanded, "Who told you to come here?"
Nina's smile stiffened on her face.
She was clearly caught off guard by his reaction.
Embarrassment flashed across her features for a moment, but she quickly slipped back into her usual graceful composure.
"I was worried about you. Your mom called and said you got hurt at school today," Nina said.
She raised the thermos, her voice syrupy sweet, almost dripping with concern. "I made you some chicken soup. Drink it while it's hot," she added.
Here it was. The classic scene. The female lead showed up with a warm gesture.
I shot Zack a frantic look, my eyes urging him, "Hurry! Take the soup! Then tell her she's your angel."
But Zack didn't even spare the thermos a glance.
His gaze was like a blade, slicing back and forth between Nina and me.
Then, he suddenly smiled.
That smile sent a chill down my spine.
Zack closed the distance in two strides, arm snaking around my waist, pulling me flush against him.
Right in front of Nina, he dipped his head and kissed my forehead. Intimate. Possessive. A clear claim.
"I hurt my hand because I was trying to keep my girlfriend with me," Zack said.
His voice wasn't loud, but every word struck Nina like a slap to the face.
Zack added, "As for the soup, don't bother, Ms. Sterling. My girlfriend can make it for me."
As he spoke, he shot me a look, his eyes practically daring me to say otherwise.
I couldn't cook. If I tried, I would probably set the kitchen on fire.
I went completely stiff, managing a smile even uglier than tears, all while he held me close.
Nina's face instantly drained of color.
Her hand shook as she clutched the thermos, her eyes growing watery. She said, "Zack, aren't we..."
"What?" Zack cut her off, his voice sharp and frosty. He said, "Ms. Sterling, aside from the fact that our fathers are colleagues, there's absolutely nothing between us.
"From now on, don't ever show up at my home again. Out."
That last word was cold, ruthless, and utterly merciless.
This was basically a public execution.
I could practically hear Nina's heart shatter.
That was savage. Treating the heroine like this, Zack was practically asking for karma.
But I had to admit, there was something weirdly satisfying about it.