Chapter 18(Zayn P.O.V)

I jolted awake, drenched in sweat, my chest heaving like I’d been running for hours.

The nightmare again.

The same one.

I dragged my hand through my hair, trembling. “What kind of nightmare is this?” I whispered, still panting.

Ever since the day I locked Tori away and had her drugged in the hospital, the dream wouldn’t leave me alone. Every night, it got worse.

In the dream, I was chained down- thick, rusted chains binding my arms, my neck, my legs. I couldn’t move, couldn’t scream. Then I saw them… Mom and Dad walking toward me.

For a moment, I felt relief, stupid relief- thinking they had come to save me.

But Dad’s voice thundered through the darkness.

“You don’t deserve to live, Zayn. I’m coming for you.”

Mom’s face twisted into something monstrous as she stepped closer and- laughing- chopped my arms off. Dad joined her, their shadows dancing around me while I screamed.

And screamed.

And screamed.

I glanced at the clock.

4:00 AM.

I sighed and turned. Iris slept peacefully beside me, curled against the blankets like an angel. She was sweet, caring, gentle. How someone like her could fall for a monster like me… I would never understand.

I slipped out of the bed quietly and headed toward the bathroom, but my phone rang. The shrill sound cut through the silence like a blade.

Dr. Kingston.

I picked up. “Yes, Dr. Kingston?”

His voice was shaky. “Zayn… Tori has escaped.”

My heart stopped.

“What?!” I roared. “How did that happen?!”

“I-I think she escaped with Adrian,” he stammered.

“She was supposed to be DEAD!” I yelled, slamming my fist into the wall. “Explain! NOW!”

“I’m sorry, sir… I can’t this time.”

“You’re fired!” I snapped and ended the call.

My pulse hammered in my ears.

Tori alive meant disaster- for everything. She must NOT live. And Dr. Kingston… he knew too much. He had become a liability.

I dialed another number.

“Cedric,” I said the moment the call connected.

“Yes, sir?”

“Get rid of Dr. Kingston.”

“As you wish.”

“Be here in an hour,” I added before hanging up.

A pair of arms wrapped around me from behind, and I almost jumped out of my skin. I turned quickly—only Iris.

I exhaled shakily. “You scared me.”

She frowned. “I heard you shout… what’s wrong, babe?”

“It’s nothing. Work.” I lied, because the truth would shatter her.

“You need a break,” she whispered, cupping my face. “You’re stressing yourself too much.”

“You’re right,” I murmured, hugging her. “Don’t worry. I’ll be okay.”

She tugged me gently. “Come back to bed.”

I nodded and followed her. We lay down, her head resting against my chest. I held her close, staring at the ceiling.

But my mind was far from peaceful.

I remembered Adrian- the handsome doctor Kingston once praised. The one I had acknowledged, even admired for a moment.

Now?           

That b@stard had run off with my sister.

He thought he could hide her from me?

Hide himself?

No one hides from Zayn Jordan.

I am a demi‑god in this world. I take what I want, I destroy what I want, and no one stops me.

I would find Adrian. I would kill him slowly. I would kill his little sister too- painfully.

And Tori?

She would suffer until I was satisfied. Until she begged for death.

The world believed I was the rightful heir of the Jordan family- and it must stay that way. If the truth came out…

No. It won’t.

Not when I’d already silenced everyone who knew.

Dad’s lawyer.

The second lawyer he hired to guard the will.

Judith.

My parents.

Now Kingston.

The bodies were piling up, but I didn’t care. I’d spill a thousand more before losing what’s mine.

My phone vibrated.

A message.

Kingston is dead, sir.

A cold, satisfied smile stretched across my face. I pulled Iris closer, breathing in her innocence like a drug.

Now, nothing stood in my way.

Too many bloodstains on my hands- but I felt nothing. No guilt. No fear.

Just fulfillment.

Morning would come soon, and with it, my next move.

I glanced at Iris’ sleeping face and whispered to myself,

“Everything will be mine.”