Chapter 185: Not A Coincidence

"I came across some CCTV footage from the cameras along the road. It took some time because it was buried, but I got my hands on it. It showed proof of what really happened," Julius explained, closing the distance as he stared at me intensely.

"What do you know about the accident? Surely you remember what happened, unless you chose not to speak of it. Either way, I understand. It must’ve been difficult."

He spoke more concerned, as though my accident was traumatizing for me and I didn’t wanna talk about it.

He doesn’t know I lost my memory.

I figured that was the one thing he couldn’t uncover. He mentioned what caused my accident. I thought it may have been what it was... a car accident.

Things like that happen, don’t they? And I was unfortunate to experience something like that at such a time.

Time.

The timing of my accident was not a fucking coincidence, was it? Especially when it conveniently happened at that time.

Something doesn’t add up. The entire events of my accident, even though I can’t recall it, felt like a carefully thought-out plan.

I released a shaky exhale. Annabeth must have caused my accident; it must have been how she tried to kill me.

But... Why did I get those flashes of her pointing a gun at me? Wasn’t that when she tried to kill me?

A cold chill swallowed me whole as though I had been dipped in ice. If the accident wasn’t Annabeth doing it, then who did it?

"Anastasia?"

I darted my eyes to Julius; he was still waiting for my reply, and there was worry in his eyes. I finally had a grasp of the situation. I must have stumbled somehow because I was in his arms and he held me in a way that reminded me of Zade.

That sensation of possessiveness.

Spooked by it, I yanked myself off him. "Wha-What are you doing?"

"I called your name five times, but you weren’t responding."

"F-Five?"

"Then you almost lost your balance when you tried to move."

"You should have let me fall." I still felt uncomfortable by the way he held me.

Julius’ eyebrows furrowed. "Your reaction... I asked a question, but you didn’t reply and went blank."

"How do you expect me to react when you come in and drop a bomb like that?"

"You don’t remember... Do you?"

"I-I don’t know what you’re—"

"You don’t remember the accident."

"I do."

"No, you don’t..." he affirmed. "I see what this is now. Explained why I tried to dig into your medical records from that day, and came up with nothing."

"What gave you the right?!" I seethed at him. "You’re not my uncle!"

"I’m family..." he responded smoothly. "And your wellbeing is my concern, whether you accept that or not."

I scoffed at his ridiculous words. "I’m stunned by how much you’re trying to insert yourself in my life by finding me all sorts of information."

"Your father was a sorry excuse for a man. Ever since your mother died, he cared less for his daughters and watched like a fool as you got tangled with the Salveros. I know he sold you to Zade."

I scoffed looking to the side.

"I heard the rumors too. I know that the woman they talked about was you, and not your sister. You had a relationship with Zade two years. It’s amazing how he tried to hide it and soiled your sister’s name instead."

I knew for a fact that everything Zade had done was to protect me. They were all questionable things, but they were made for the sole purpose of keeping me safe. I knew that more than anything else.

"We should focus on the Syndicate and not the past," I said sternly. "All I want is to uncover them and find out who they really are."

"One can’t simply forget the past, especially one as yours."

I swallowed a thick lump in my throat.

"The main question is... Do you remember the past, Anastasia?"

My throat grew tight, like a ball was wrapped around it. I heard a soft squeak and looked toward the cleaner, wheeling supplies and disappearing toward the next corridor, though I could tell that was one of Zade’s men.

The security guard I passed earlier was one too.

"You have my loyalty, Anastasia," Julius said. "You can trust me."

"I’ll find a way to attend the ball without my husband finding out. I’ll see you," I replied as I turned on my heels to walk away.

"I’ll show you the footage of the accident tonight."

His words stopped me.

"When that time comes, it’s up to you to watch it or not. Whatever decision you make."

I threw a look over my shoulder.

"If you ask me, I have a feeling you’re dying to see it."

Without another word, I left the gallery. Stepping outside the door, I could finally breathe.

I walked to my car and got in, slamming the door shut before burying my face in my hands for a minute.

Exhaling, I leaned back, closing my eyes, trying to regulate my shuddering breaths.

This was it, wasn’t it? This was possibly what Zade didn’t want me to know, what he wouldn’t tell me.

~☆~

The dull, muffled bangs filled the air as I neared the shooting range. I hadn’t been back here ever since before the hunt.

It set a nostalgic feeling as I stood in the lobby. It was the indoor shooting range, and the sight of the targets, the bench, and the bullets on the floor made my chest tighten.

This was the place where my control cracked; despite learning the reason why he killed my sister, I still recklessly succumbed to my desires, and thinking about it now, I realized it wasn’t just about that.

My feelings for Zade were just so strong.

I stared at Zade’s wide back, muscles straining as he shot at the paper targets until he was out of bullets.

He dropped the gun and turned.

I smiled, but it seemed forced on my end. He tilted his head as he observed me closely, but I quickly moved closer, rose on my tiptoes, and kissed him.

I traced my hand along the back of his neck, then sank my fingers into those soft strands; the silky texture felt as though they were melting between my fingertips.

I dragged my lips up his, and we locked them back again more passionately, the heat skyrocketing by the second until I stood on my heels, but our foreheads remained connected. Our heavy breaths were in sync.

"Do you know why I called you here?" he asked, almost breathless.

"Is there another hunt coming?"

He chuckled. "No, kitten."

He reached for the gun and handed it to me.

"You were quite good with the rifle, even though it was too big for you. I reckon this will be easier."

"W-Why?" I stuttered as my grip tightened against the weapon as though I held something too big for me.

It wasn’t exactly heavy because this was a smaller size, something that could be concealed.

I shot my eyes up at Zade as realization struck me.

"You’re joking."

He came up behind me and concealed my ears with the earmuff and then fitted the safety glasses. Then he held up my arms and positioned me in a shooting pose.

"You need to learn to defend yourself," he said, his hot breath tingling my skin. "I’m gonna teach you all you need to know."

I gave him a side eye. "Gonna make a soldier out of me?"

He chuckled, kissing my neck, and I closed my eyes, letting out a sigh.

"T-There might not be time; the ball is tonight."

"I don’t need to make a soldier out of you, my little kitten. All I need is your aim."

My breath hitched.

"Shoot."

I did.

I was stunned. It took me that simple command to do it, and I...

"I hit the target," I mumbled in shock, seeing the headshot.

Woah.

"See? I might make a soldier out of you."

"I thought that wasn’t the point." I set aside the gun and faced him.

"I can’t help myself if you’re such a good shot, and I haven’t even started yet."

When he leaned to kiss me, my mind quickly flashed to what Julius told me.

I’ve been meaning to tell Zade about it, but I haven’t. I mean, what if he tells me not to take the proof Julius has?

I knew Zade wasn’t telling me something about the accident. He never liked it when I tried to bring up the past.

I had thought it was something sensitive, given that he had to let me go because I lost my memory. Now... I’m beginning to doubt that wasn’t it.

"If you’re worried about tonight, you shouldn’t be. Everything will be under control as long as you follow the plan," he said, holding my chin. "Trust me."