His Hidden Treasure (Completed)

Seventeen

My mind spun in a dizzying whirlwind of confusion as I frantically reread the page, scanning every word for any hidden meanings or loopholes. But the words were crystal clear - this was all a part of the contract. How could he have done this to me? Memories flooded back: his careful and attentive care, ensuring my healing was quick and painless. It all made sense now. Fueled by a fiery mix of anger and exhaustion, I stormed into his office next door, my heart pounding with each angry step. My hand clenched tightly around the pages of the contract, ready to throw it in his face and demand an explanation. But to my frustration, the room was empty. Not knowing the layout of the house well enough, I headed back to the kitchen where Orillia had been moments earlier. But she too was nowhere in sight. Turning to one of the maids, who seemed almost afraid to make eye contact with me, I asked about Zephyr's whereabouts. All I received was a timid shrug in response. On the verge of giving up, my eyes caught a glimpse of Luca walking down a corridor on the opposite side of the house.

Curiosity piqued, I followed him and found myself in another spacious living area, almost identical to the other one but with darker walls and more expensive furnishings. A grand staircase led upwards, and without much hesitation, I ascended it - assuming that's where Luca had gone since there seemed to be no other place he could have disappeared to.

At the top of the stairs, I noticed several closed doors along the hallway. Not wanting to disturb anyone unnecessarily, I opted for an open room and stepped inside. To my surprise, it was a lavish media room equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and even the latest gaming consoles. "I didn't know the mafia had time for video games," I muttered under my breath, a mix of sarcasm and disbelief in my tone. As I turned to leave, ready to continue my search for Zephyr, I froze in my tracks when a familiar voice spoke up behind me.

"We do it between murder and dinner," Zephyr's smirking face greeted me as he lounged on the plush sofa, his amusement growing at the sight of the contract in my hand.

"You changed the original contract," I seethed, shaking the document at him in anger.

"And?" He responded with a nonchalant shrug, as if changing a legally binding agreement was no big deal.

"And? What do you mean 'and'?" My voice rose to an almost screeching pitch. "You manipulated me into this agreement, Zephyr! You lied!" He simply chuckled at my outburst, shaking his head lightly as he made himself even more comfortable on the luxurious sofa.

"I never lied, Nila," he said, his voice smooth and irritatingly calm. Now it was my turn to laugh, although it was more of a bitter scoff than anything else.

"Really? Then explain this pregnancy clause to me!" Fury and desperation coursed through my veins as I shook the contract papers at him, hoping to somehow convey my anger. Zephyr's expression remained stoic, his brows furrowed in frustration as he took the papers from my hands and studied them with a measured gaze. The weight of his gaze only fueled my annoyance.

"What about it, Nila? It states clear as day, you either produce me an hier or be pregnant by the one year anniversary. If not, your brother will be forced to join us, whether he wakes or not." He said threateningly, forcing me to grind my teeth in anger.

"I'm not some fucking broodmare!" There was a flash of something in his eyes then - regret? Pity? I couldn't tell. But as quickly as it came, it disappeared. His expression hardened again, into that cold indifference I had grown to despise.

I watched him stalking towards me, every step calculated and deliberate, until he stood right in front of me. His hand reached out to brush a stray hair from my face, but I pushed it away before he could make contact.

"Don't you dare try to sweet-talk me now," I spat, my voice laced with venom. In that moment, I knew there was no getting through to him.

The silence in the room was stifling, the tension between us palpable. It was then that we heard the sound of gunshots echoing outside. Both of us froze for a second before Zephyr sprang into action. He grabbed me and pulled me behind the safety of a solid oak bar, shielding me with his own body.