Chapitre 7: Answers, Awakened Nature, and Regret (Prologue 7-Last) 2,6K Words
"Charlotte, actually-"
"Excuse me, young master."
Just as Zayn was about to speak, Mira's voice echoed from the other side of the living room door.
Zayn immediately turned his attention toward the sound and found Mira carrying a tray with tea and snacks.
She smiled and gazed at Zayn with softness in her eyes, as though he were the sole focus of her attention at that moment.
Zayn returned her smile and spoke softly, "Mira, please come in."
Mira gracefully entered and placed the tea and snacks on the table.
Charlotte, who had been observing Mira, remained silent, casting a cold gaze upon her.
She was well acquainted with Mira, as she served as Zayn's personal maid and attended to his daily needs.
Unquestionably, Charlotte harbored resentment towards Mira, given her close relationship with her beloved Zayn.
She couldn't bear the thought of any woman getting close to her beloved fiancé.
While she couldn't openly display her disgust in Zayn's presence, a troubling feeling gnawed at her.
She suspected that he might have other women in his life, with Mira being one of them and his younger sister, Chloe, potentially another.
Charlotte knew that Chloe's feelings for her beloved Zayn were not just affection for her brother, but more than that!
Charlotte couldn't explain how she knew, but perhaps it was a woman's instinct.
She was determined not to let anyone take away the man she loved, even if it meant resorting to violence.
In her mind, Zayn belonged to her alone.
These thoughts consumed Charlotte as she kept her unwavering gaze fixed on Mira.
Sensing the intensity of the gaze and the underlying hostility, Mira furrowed her brow.
She turned her attention toward Charlotte, who sat there, her gaze cold and unwavering.
Mira responded with a polite smile and greeting, "Welcome, Miss Charlotte."
Even though Charlotte's engagement with Zayn had been called off and she was no longer his future wife, maintaining a veneer of politeness was essential.
After all, she was to become Zayn's wife and the lady of the house among his spouses.
Elegance and composure were of the utmost importance.
Yet Mira harbored her own resentment toward Charlotte for having ignored her young master back then.
After all, who was this young master?
He was the most talented and esteemed man in the entire capital, possessing qualities and a background that were virtually unrivaled.
If Zayn hadn't been so laid-back and believed that it wasn't the right time to assume control of the Welston family, he could have transformed it into a formidable force that could compete with the world's top families.
On the other hand, who was Charlotte to ignore her young master?
Despite her stunning looks and remarkable business acumen, was she so conceited that she disregarded her obligations toward her young master?
After all, Charlotte hailed from a family that had only recently ascended to first-class status, and that was primarily due to her engagement with her young master.
Therefore, Mira harbored resentment towards Charlotte and was secretly delighted that her engagement with Zayn had been severed.
Mira kept her feelings hidden and emitted a cold snort.
Charlotte merely nodded and shifted her attention away from Mira.
If it weren't for this woman, she would have continued her warm conversation with her beloved fiancé.
Regrettably, this woman was disrupting her precious time with Zayn.
Zayn, noticing the tension between them, softly expressed his gratitude to Mira.
"Thank you, Mira, for your hard work."
Mira's face reddened at Zayn's words of appreciation, and she responded with a smile, "It's my pleasure, young master. It's my duty to tend to all your needs."
Charlotte immediately recognized the implied provocation in Mira's words and clenched her fists, seething with anger.
"A mere maid by my fiancé's side makes you so arrogant, doesn't it? When I marry my beloved Zayn, I'll take over all responsibilities for his daily life. We'll see how you'll attempt to steal him from me!"
However, she quickly regained her composure and sneered inwardly.
Charlotte didn't consider Mira a serious threat due to her role as Zayn's personal maid.
However, Charlotte was unaware that the underestimated Mira was the top candidate for the future Lady of the Welston family.
Mira promptly finished arranging the tea and snacks and lowered her head as she addressed Zayn, saying, "Young master, I'll take my leave."
Zayn acknowledged her departure with a nod and gave her a sly wink, causing Mira to blush before she hurriedly exited the room.
She gave a slight nod in Charlotte's direction as a gesture of politeness.
As she was leaving, Mira couldn't resist a mocking smile aimed at Charlotte, who was sitting in the room.
Although Charlotte concealed it, she felt a burning hatred for Mira.
Nevertheless, she quickly suppressed her irritation and directed her affectionate gaze toward Zayn.
She was eager to hear what he wanted to discuss with her.
Was it about their engagement? Or perhaps even marriage?
If it was the latter, her heart might not be prepared for it.
However, she was willing to agree if Zayn proposed marriage.
After all, she loved him deeply.
She even fantasized about their future together—how many children he might want, whether one, two, or even five!
It didn't matter to her; she was ready to grant his every wish.
With excitement, Charlotte envisioned the bright future she'd share with her fiancé.
But Zayn's response to her would shatter her fantasies like a nuclear bomb.
"Charlotte, our engagement has been officially broken, and we no longer have any connection. However, if you'd like to continue working together, I'd be more than happy to do so." Zayn finally gathered the courage to speak.
Despite Charlotte's deep affection for him, the engagement had ended just the day before.
Zayn's priority at the moment is his three new engagements.
He had considered the possibility of reinstating the engagement, but he was certain Charlotte wouldn't agree to those terms.
Regretfully, he had to let her go.
Charlotte's smile faltered, but she managed to force another flirtatious grin.
"Zayn, since when have you become so good at teasing me? Fufu, don't joke like that, my love. It makes me feel hurt, you know."
Zayn could only lament her inability to accept her love.
While he had initially been disinterested in Charlotte due to her stoic demeanor, his perspective shifted as he learned more about her.
The once-aloof Charlotte turned out to be a genuinely beautiful soul when she expressed her emotions.
Her spoiled and flirtatious side had taken him by surprise.
Nevertheless, sooner or later, the Welston family would officially announce the dissolution of their engagement, along with Zayn's three new betrothals.
Had he known earlier about Charlotte's feelings, he might not have cared whether she knew about his new engagements.
"I'm sorry, Charlotte, but I'm not joking. This is the truth. Tomorrow, the Welston family will officially announce the end of our engagement and introduce my new fiancées," Zayn explained gently, hoping she could come to terms with reality.
Upon hearing Zayn's answer, Charlotte's eyes suddenly lost their spark.
She felt weak all over, and a multitude of questions raced through her mind.
"Why? How did this happen?"
"I was the first to meet him, and I loved him before anyone else!"
"Why did our engagement really come to an end?"
"Was it because of my distant attitude toward him?"
Tears streamed down Charlotte's cheeks as she gazed at Zayn, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
"Is there truly no way to salvage our engagement, my love?"
"You do love me, right?"
"You asked me out just yesterday for the day after tomorrow, didn't you?"
"I'm sorry, Zayn. I'm sorry for always making you take the initiative."
"It's because I'm clueless about relationships with men, but I promise I'll change. We can still be together, right?"
"Please, Zayn."
Charlotte looked up at Zayn, her tear-filled red eyes revealing the depths of her emotions.
Zayn couldn't bear to see her cry, but he knew he had to tell her the truth firmly.
"I'm sorry, Charlotte, but the decision has been made, and I know it's impossible for you to accept me having another engagement, isn't it?" Zayn expressed regret.
He wanted to give her a chance, hoping she might be open to discussing it with her family.
However, he was aware of her proud and possessive nature.
Charlotte firmly replied, "No! I won't share you with another woman. I'm meant to be your wife."
Her red eyes looked lifeless as she stared at Zayn with determination.
Zayn was taken aback and briefly considered the similarities between Charlotte and Luna, as if they both thought they were the only ones for him.
But he quickly dismissed the thought, thinking that he had only been with Charlotte for two years, while Luna had been a part of his life since childhood.
Seeing Charlotte looking so distraught, he said helplessly, "Regardless, our engagement is already over."
With her head bowed, Zayn couldn't discern Charlotte's thoughts.
He decided to give her some time and said, "Charlotte, I need to check something in my workspace. I'll be back shortly."
With that, he left the living room.
Charlotte gazed at Zayn's back, then softly murmured, "I won't ever let you go, my love~"
"You're mine, and mine alone!"
She redirected her attention to Zayn's tea, flashing a scary smile.
After three minutes had passed,
Zayn entered the living room and was taken aback as he witnessed Charlotte's new look and her transformation from her previously exhausted appearance.
He felt a mix of relief and sadness for her.
Once he took a seat, he glanced at Charlotte and asked in a gentle tone, "Charlotte, how are you feeling now?"
Charlotte returned Zayn's gaze with a gentle smile, tinged with sadness.
"I've been giving it some thought, Zayn, and I realize I can't be selfish, and I'm ready to accept that," Charlotte said.
Zayn sighed and continued to listen as he sipped his tea.
"I also understand that it's challenging for us to be together right now, whether it's due to family issues or other factors."
"I blame myself for not expressing my true feelings for you earlier, Zayn."
Charlotte's voice softened as she gazed at Zayn with affection.
Her intense love for him shone through her red eyes.
Zayn set down his empty teacup and spoke gently, "Indeed, but we can still be the best of friends, Charlotte, and collaborate in business in the future." His tone exuded an overwhelmingly positive aura, oblivious to the danger he was presently facing.
"You're right, Zayn. However, you seem to have misunderstood something," Charlotte suddenly said playfully, her eyes fixated on Zayn.
"Because I'll never let you go, honey~"
Zayn was taken aback and looked at Charlotte in confusion.
"What do you mean, Charlotte?"
Charlotte didn't respond; she just flashed a charming smile and began counting down.
"3."
"2."
Zayn had a sinking feeling, and just as he was about to rise, he heard Charlotte's seductive voice.
"1~"
"Boom!"
He collapsed onto the sofa, his body suddenly limp and unresponsive.
"What's happening?"
"What's happening? I can't move at all!"
Zayn was startled, his mind racing with questions.
He immediately recalled the tea he had consumed and glanced at the cup.
"Am I under anesthesia? But who could have drugged me?" He thought swiftly and gazed at Charlotte in shock.
"Charlotte! Is that really you?!" He exclaimed with a mixture of horror and disbelief in his voice.
Charlotte stood and whispered, "Yes, it's me, honey~"
Zayn was truly taken aback.
"Why are you doing this to me, Charlotte?"
It appeared she was as obsessive as Luna!
Perhaps even more than Luna herself, who had now terrorized him.
For the second time, he felt frightened and powerless.
First, it was Luna who kidnapped him, and now Charlotte has drugged him as well.
"What on earth is wrong with the women in my life?"
He felt a strong urge to cry and confront the one responsible for orchestrating his fate.
Charlotte didn't answer his question but approached him with a seductive smile.
"Honey, I've finally got you~" She sat down beside Zayn and affectionately caressed his face.
"Do you know how much I love you~"
"When I heard that our engagement had ended, I was afraid that you would soon disappear and leave me." Charlotte's blood-red eyes fixed on him possessively as she expressed her strong affection.
Zayn shuddered at her words, regretting that he had let his guard down earlier.
However, regrets offer no solutions in this world.
He regarded Charlotte with mixed emotions.
She reminded him of Luna, who had a similar appearance back then.
But his fear had led him to evade the issue and avoid confronting it entirely.
Now, he found himself in a similar, if not worse, situation.
Zayn took a deep breath, attempting to calm himself, and then he gazed at Charlotte with a pleading expression, saying, "Could you please not act like this, Charlotte?"
"We can have a proper conversation, you know?"
In response to his plea, Charlotte remained silent and continued lightly, "Honey, I didn't intend to do this to you initially, but when you decided not to reconcile our engagement, I felt compelled to take this step."
She offered a flirtatious smile and pressed her face against his.
Zayn was now completely helpless as Charlotte held his body firmly.
Furthermore, Charlotte possessed a relatively tall and stronger physique compared to other women.
"I had originally intended to merely confine and tie you up, my love~" She continued speaking while retrieving something from her handbag.
Zayn broke out in a cold sweat and felt a grip of terror as he saw Charlotte hold a fruit knife in her hand.
"However, the Welston family's influence is bound to track us down, and then we'll never be able to be together again~" Charlotte smiled, her crimson eyes devoid of the spark of life.
"So, we shall depart to heaven together, and no one shall disrupt our love, my love~"
Zayn was extremely anxious and had no desire to meet an early demise!
"Charlotte, please, stop!" Zayn managed to utter it, but the fruit knife suddenly pierced his heart.
Zayn was in agonizing pain, and his vision was blurred.
In his final moments, he gazed at Charlotte, hearing her soft voice say, "I'll be with you soon, my love~"
"No one will disrupt us! No one~"
Shortly thereafter, darkness overtook his consciousness, and he recalled nothing more.
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I have corrected every grammatical error and will then start correcting each chapter error.
If you don't wanna read the prologue, just start it from chapter 8.
Thank you.
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone