/Madison's POV/
Like the turbulence of a whirlpool on a stormy sea, my thoughts raved and my pain soared after Zane's news.
I couldn't bury my spiralling guilt, doubts, and self-blame.
After 13 years of being apart and Allison finally reaching out, I thought maybe…just maybe we could actually fix all that was broken between us and recover the childhood we never got to spend together but I guess not.
Maybe I could have reached out first but she made it clear I was unwanted in their lives.
Was it pride that stopped me from trying harder because I knew the excuses I'd piled up every time the thought of reaching out to her ever surfaced were nothing more than that—excuses?.
I could have spent more time with her had I just swallowed my fucking pride and reached out either way.
"Are you okay?" Zane asked as I was brought over to the hospital room where I'm supposed to pretend to be the recuperating Allison.
"Crap, that was stupid of me to ask; of course you're not. You just lost your sister," Zane pointed out with shameful murmur, a hint of regret, and remorse in his captivating green eyes as he gently placed down the hospital gown I was supposed to change into.
"Can I really not see her? I didn't even get to say goodbye because I thought I didn't deserve to be right next to her," I requested from Zane, who had already informed me on our way downstairs that Allison's body was already being moved out of the hospital to lessen suspicion and perfect the theatrics we both agreed to play.
"It's too risky. We can't afford anyone finding out you're not Allison herself; I'm already working on having every record of your presence erased. The slightest suspicion of Allison's death could break the whole plan," Zane explained.
Although his expression remained pained with rage tinting his eyes, Zane's tone was calm, his demeanour an expression of his intelligence and maturity.
I did think he was smart to come up with the plan on the spot, but I could feel down in my bones Zane Antler was a dangerous man, especially since his thoughts and actions were fuelled by revenge, maybe because I've grown used to working with people like him—outspoken, confident, smart, but secretive—not like I'm any different.
"I'll get changed," I voiced, tearing into the awkward silence that enveloped the whole room after nodding to his words in understanding.
"Yeah, yeah, sure." He blurted in response, his gaze hardly meeting mine before allowing me to pick the patterned hospital gown he'd gently placed on the bed, then I vacated to the bathroom, where I first had a shower before slipping into the gown.
Zane was gone by the time I returned, leaving the room encroached by an eerie and heavy silence, a perfect environment for my deafening thoughts to dominate.
It still didn't feel real; losing Allison like that, left nothing but an empty feeling of anguish and despair.
Sure, I still felt an indescribable rage towards whoever was responsible for snatching her life and tarnishing her dreams.
She was gonna get married for fuck's sake! She had a life, a pretty damn good one I sometimes found myself envious of, her luck, which I wish I had but I was happy for her either way, glad she never had to live the way I lived.
I couldn't sleep even if I tried but I left my eyes closed either way, nursing my wailing heart and imagining the different ways I could torture the culprit.
Which I'm guessing was the reason the rat sneaking into my hospital room had the nerve to move closer.
I was gonna let him get close enough but something swiftly grabbed him, an unfamiliar figure appearing from the shadows where the peeping moonlight left ungrazed.
And for a man of his frame and bulk, I have no clue how he fit into the tiny, shadowy corner of the room.
Was I too engrossed in my thoughts not to have caught his presence?
Keeping my eyes barely opened, the huge man instantly subdued the guy who had managed to sneak his way into the room by slamming him hard into the floor and a pained groaned ripple through his throat before my mystery protector zip tied his hands behind him and dragged him out.
Zane came running in after that while I rose from the bed wondering what just happened.
"Are you okay?" He asked in a shaky voice, hands on my shoulders but still barely holding me.
He was trembling.
Even with the faint moonlight barely lighting the room, the fear in his eyes was vivid.
I'm inclined to believe his reaction was exaggerated but the sincerity in his voice as he said. "Thank God," After I gently shook my head to his question, sowed seeds of doubt.
It got me wondering, that look… the worry on his face and the concern laced into his voice—who was it directed to? Who does he think I am right that instant? Was it really me he saw or my sister?
"Sorry, I didn't mean to—" Zane paused, taking a step back after releasing my shoulder, his eyes nervously shifting from mine as if scared to meet my gaze after suddenly freaking out on me.
"He wasn't able to get close enough. Who was that, the big guy?" I asked as I gently adjusted my back against the pile of pillows stacked against the headboard.
"Oh, that's Jeff. He's your bodyguard. I had a feeling something like this might happen, so I decided it's best to have someone guard you. Didn't think they were dumb enough to strike immediately after the press release," Zane replied, his thick brows in knots from frowning too hard.
"Press release?" I arched a brow, wondering what he meant.
"Oh, about that… I just informed the public about the attack and mentioned Allison was recuperating here but they move fast." He snickered.
"Yes but I doubt it, though; he looked far too inexperienced to be the culprit," I hinted while his lids flicked up at me with suspicion.
"We should probably let the police determine that," I added as his interrogatory gaze lingered on me for a while longer.
"I think you should come stay with me. It's too risky leaving you here by yourself. I have a security team that'll ensure your safety," Zane suggested.
"But it'll be suspicious for me to Just move, especially since people are now convinced Allison's recuperating here," I pointed out.
"I can handle that. If news that someone was sneaking into Allison's room leaked, they wouldn't question why I have her moved to my home for treatment." He countered and I shrugged.
Although I can handle myself, maybe staying with him a while will get me what I needed, even though all he's ever done since we met was in my sister's benefit; I still can't be so sure he had no hand in her death.
"Sure, as long as it gets us what we want," I replied with a forced smile, my mind calculating how to visit the intruder some time later but even then, I didn't realise what Zane meant until the ambulance came and moved me while I was still pretending to be the unconscious Allison.
I lost count how much time passed as I lay there silently in the van, waiting quietly until the long journey came to a halt.
It took everything in me to stop my body from going into defensive mode as I was moved from the ambulance with a transport stretcher to another location.
The movement wasn't the smoothest and had me wondering how long I have to keep my eyes closed.
Unable to hold back my curiosity, I peered through my lashes, my eyes had barely opened halfway when I backed away as I felt Zane's face being ridiculously close to mine.
"I apologise. I didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted to confirm if you were asleep." He immediately defended the proximity, putting a considerable distance between us almost instantly while also giving me the time to process that I was on a bed, in a room—a pretty plain but spacious room.
"Oh, I…yes." Feeling flustered, I stuttered my response.
"I've brought over the stuff you had with you during your visit. You should find your phone amongst them. This is my guest room; you can rest for today. I'll show you around tomorrow," Zane informed me before handing me a bag, which I quickly went through its contents.
Not only did it contain my clothes, but it also had with it my wallet and phone, which I'd forgotten during the commotion.
Turning on my cell phone, I quickly realised what Zane meant by handling the press.
News of Allison's attack was trending.
"I'll have dinner delivered soon," Zane informed as he quietly left the room while I scrolled through the news.
Articles about Allison's Fiancé and also the CEO of Bambi entertainment, informing the press of the attack and also telling the press she was in critical condition but had safely crossed the danger threshold was also amongst the trending news.
It also had a video of him. I found myself playing it, although he still looked all dishevelled and disgruntled as he handled the press but even amongst the chaos, he remained composed, his expression bland as if he was used to that sorta situation.
Zane returned with my meal but I could hardly stomach anything he brought because I had far too much on my mind to consider food a priority right that moment and Zane seemed to understand as he came later to get the dishes but met quite a bit of leftovers.
Leaving me to my harrowing thought, he disappeared outside the room I never had a chance to explore but eventually my body gave in to the exhaustion and slowly found myself drifting off but as the door to my room gently eased out, creaking as Zane's shirtless form dawdled into the room, my eyes unconsciously fluttered open.
His frame swayed as he approached the bed.
"Allison," He called out affectionately, his voice, despite the deep resounding undertone, was gentle and soothing—alluring even. "Ally," His voice came again, in a low, slurred drawl as if halfway between sleep and waking.
And then he slipped into my blanket, moved his hands over my waist and trapped me in his arms as he dragged my body into his before enclosing his arms around me.
"What the—" I blurted in disbelief. Didn't think a man of his station could sleepwalk.
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