Zena allowed the nurse to lead her out of the nursery and her gaze was directed at the finger that was gently stroking the scar on her belly through the patient's uniform she had on. She didn't see the mob approaching. And the first thing that alerted her to impending danger was that baritone voice. You could never forget such a deep timbre and rich, unique tone.
"What the hell are you doing here, Xian?" She looked up and her gaze landed on this man... he was absolutely breathtaking. How can a person be so good-looking? She also noticed his scalding glare.
'Xian Mina. Wake up, you bitch!'
She shut her eyes as the words that tethered her to life flooded back into her conscious mind. She didn't need anyone to tell her that this man hated her. Just from his eyes, it was clear.
"Are you just going to keep staring?" He said, and she blinked.
"Oh... um no. I'm sorry," she apologised. 'Is he the reason everyone keeps referring to me as Mrs Zhen?' Zena wondered silently. Deep in her thoughts, she didn't notice the slight shock that crossed his features when she apologized.
"What did you say?" Xerxes asked and she looked up at him.
'Damn, this man is fine!'
"I beg your pardon?"
Zena covered her mouth as her eyes widened. "I said that out loud didn't I?"
"You did."
She laughed nervously. "Well, you shouldn't be surprised. You are my husband... am I wrong?" She added when she noticed his surprised expression.
Xerxes could not understand a word that was coming out of this woman's mouth. She couldn't have really lost her memories right? Too confused and overwhelmed by the situation he chuckled bitterly, a rich timbre tickling her ears in a pleasant manner. She was a sucker for deep voices. However, Xerxes did not share the same sentiments. Closing the distance between them, he grabbed her upper arm, pulled her to him, and leaned down to whisper in her ear. He was speaking, but Zena could not hear anything, not with his body so close to hers and he smelled good!
"Will you still not answer me?" He growled, and she blinked and looked at him.
"Sorry, I didn't get that come again."
"I asked you how long you intend to keep up the farce this time, you wench."
Wench?
"I know you are shameless, but how low would you really stoop this time?"
Zena snatched her arm away from his grasp and stumbled backwards. "I don't understand. What are you saying."
"Drop the act Xian, how long do you think you are going to be able to keep this up? Before your true nature reveals itself? You may be a wonderful actress but a snake can only hide its scales for so long."
Zena stared at him speechless. That was a lot to unpack but even she, a stranger could tell, from the hostility in his words and the detest he glared at her with. This man hated her.
"President Zhen?" The vice director coughed softly. Desperate to ease this tense, awkward situation.
Zena's brows furrowed, this man... that name Zhen. It's still the same name the fake nurses that tried to kill her were talking about. She suddenly felt a wave of alarm coat her entire body with fear and anger. How dare he try to kill his wife, the woman that just gave birth to his children?!
Ignoring the vice director he asked. "What the hell are you even doing here?" He gestured behind her and Zena turned around towards the entrance of the nursery.
"What does it look like?" She replied to his question with one of hers. "What does that sign say?" She asked again.
"Nursery?" Xerxes replied.
"And what are nurseries for?"
"What is the point of these useless questions?"
She smiled. "You can just say it if you don't know. I will tell you," she said with an obnoxious grin on her face and his brow twitched.
"Nurseries are used to hold babies," she began as he refused to speak. "What do you really think a woman who just gave birth is doing there?"
"Sorry?"
She shrugged. "I was simply trying to help you deduce an obvious answer since the question was so stupid." The gasps following her comment were anything but subtle.
His reaction, however, was unexpected. What was up with that twisted grin?
"That's right, that's the Xian I remember." He said and her jaw tightened with annoyance. "You don't have a right to go near those boys."
"The reason being?"
"Are you daft? Are you going to say you don't remember signing away the boys?"
Zena's eyes widened and her lips parted in shock. 'This woman gave up her children? What kind of mother would do that?'
"I am looking at her." He responded, and she sighed. Why does she keep voicing her thoughts?
"I don't remember anything of the sort, so it does not apply."
"That is not how the law works, Xian. So drop the act and get out of my life already. Sign the divorce papers."
"This is not an act!" She exclaimed.
"I don't give a shit. You will sign those papers and get out of our lives." He ordered.
Zena did not understand where the adrenaline came from, or the motivation even, but before she could stop herself she was already screaming at him.
"No! I will not abandon my sons! I refuse to sign any divorce papers or abandon my children before their mother has the opportunity to fight for them. Whether you believe me or not, I don't remember anything that happened in the past but for the singular moment of watching my boys be removed from my belly. So I will hold on to them even though it may cost my life and I am ready to go to court. There is a specialist who has settled on my diagnosis and that has to count for something in the court." She spat back at him.
Xerxes was beyond outraged. "You have no right to my sons!"
"Oh, what makes you think that if I don't have rights, then you do? I was the one that carried them in my belly, the one who birthed them at the cost of my sanity. No one can even think to doubt those are my children. Can I say the same for you, man..." she spat, emphasizing the 'man'. "You basically contributed five minutes to the conception process?"
His jaw dropped. "Five, five minutes?"
"Oh sorry, my mistake. Was it shorter?" She retorted, instigating him even further.
"You bitch!"
"Yes, call me anything you want. I am the mother, you? You could be the father, so don't get snarky with me."
"Could be?" Xerxes laughed. "Are you saying those boys aren't mine?"
It took Zena a moment to realize what he implied and before she had the chance to take back her statement, Xerxes spoke.
"Vice-director? I want a DNA test and I want it asap."