His Hope [Zayn][Completed]

Chapter 28-Louboutin's

Hope could not wait to step over the manors threshold and never look back. However, a thought struck her. There were items she'd like to take with her.

"I'd like to collect all my clothing before I go. I never want to come back here again." Hope said before they made it to the front door.

Zayn looked uncertain, glancing up at the second level which held the bedroom's. He didn't want her out of his sight. He could buy her a whole new wardrobe. Just as he was about to suggest the idea, Sammy grabbed Hope's hand and started leading her towards the staircase.

"We ain't leaving designer behind for nobody! You know how much work and time it cost me!"

"I will assist you." Zayn insisted.

"Don't bother, I'll do it." Announced Sammy. "You'll just wrinkle the heck out of the designer and my OCD will kill me. I hate ironing shit."

He started to follow them when Sammy glanced over his shoulder and said, "I'll handle it, lover boy. We'll be down thirty minutes tops!"

"Call for me if you need me." Zayn called after them.

Hope sent him a rueful smile and continued to lead the way up the stairs. She didn't want to leave his side any more than he did.

Not until they were out of his sight down the hallway did he breathe deeply.

"Don't know how far emergency services are in these areas but the authorities should be here shortly. We should stick around. . ." Brett suggested taking a seat on one of the tufted benches in the entry, slipping his cellular phone into his jacket pocket and crossing his legs causally.

Lily was seated in a chair in the far corner, her shoulders hunched and her eyes were closed as though she was in pain. It hurt just looking at her.

Colin lay unconscious, bloodied and broken like he deserved. The only indication he was still alive was the soft rise and fall of his chest.

He deserved far worse, Zayn thought. He felt so much bitterness towards him he could taste it. For what he did to Hope and his wife Lily, no less, was monstrous.

"Do you need some water?" He asks Lily, reaching her side and crouching beside her chair.

The woman lifted her head weakly and opened her eyes slowly. She tried to speak but her lips were dry and cracked, her throat likely parched.

"Do not say a word, I will fetch some. Please rest and try not to move."

Lily nods and closes her heavy eyelids.

Zayn meets Brett's eyes. He nudges his head in Lily's direction in silent communication. Brett nods in understanding.

One last glance at the stairwell, Zayn makes quick strides to the kitchen.

*****

Hope's blood ran cold as the items in her arms dropped to the floor. Jack's hand clamped down on her shoulder, shoving her at the wall, terrified, as she reeled back against the wall.

"I should have known Colin would have failed." He whispers in her ear, his breath hot and heavy.

Hope was in too much shock to speak but her body responded in a violent shudder.

She was completely blindsided by his presence. How did she not hear him enter the room? It had scarcely been a minute since she called out to Zayn that they needed more time to pack her belongings. It was moments earlier she was humming to herself, happy, believing she was finally free of the toxic life she lived, the manor, Jack and Colin.