《Beneath the surface - ZhanYi version》

《Chapter 10》

"Don't be afraid of the dead, be afraid of the living . . ."

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Wang Yibo's POV

"Wang Yibo, the reason I decided to keep this a secret is because the little prince is Xiao Zhan. And I know Ice tried to cover everything up, but I knew." I stared at my father, the man I had known all my life, but staring at him, I felt like he was another person.

I always knew him as honest, and he never lied to me, but now, I shook my head, unable to believe his words.

"Why would you keep this to yourself?"

"Sit down, Yibo." I knew it wasn't an invitation, but I still shook my head, "Not unless you tell me everything now." My father sighed, running his hands through his hair, which seemed like a bird's nest.

"There's a passage in the little prince's or rather Xiao Zhan's past." I slammed my hand on the table as my father looked up, his eyes tired.

"Stop talking in circles, Dad!" He leaned back, nodding to himself, his gaze distant.

"Yibo, he was a murderer in his life." My eyes widened as the words replayed inside my mind, but I couldn't wrap my head around, unable to believe it.

"Yibo, you're smart, and you should know shaking your head won't change anything. Your mom tried to take him away from you for that reason. When I fought against her decision, she confronted me and gave me a choice; it was either her or your little prince, and I think you see what the decision became."

I still couldn't do anything but shake my head as I stepped backwards, "Mom wouldn't do that!" My father looked up, his gaze clearer as they pierced through me.

"Yibo, think. Think clearly. What are the handful of memories you recall of your mother; how old were you? You're looking through a rosé tinted glass at your mother!" I stumbled back against the wall at my father's sharp voice.

He had never raised his voice to me before, even when I once broke his favourite vase an old friend had given him before their passing.

My father sighed, ruffling his hands through his hair as he stood up, pulling away the chair opposite him as he motioned for me to sit.

I felt frozen to the ground, staring at him.

"Sit down, Wang Yibo." My body started moving on autopilot as I sat down, wishing I had the little prince to ground me.

Or was I supposed to call him Xiao Zhan?

Even calling him Xiao Zhan inside my mind sent shivers down my spine. It felt weird; it felt wrong.

"Your mother was convinced that Xiao Zhan-" My dad looked at me, and I stared at his glasses, refusing to meet his gaze.

"She swore that he knew, that he would influence you, and nothing I said got her to snap out; she became paranoid. I know you don't recall a lot from that period, especially since you went into therapy after your mom left, but she tried to take you away from me."

I let his words sink in, still unable to wrap my head around all the information my mind couldn't recall.

"Her mental state deteriorated over time, and by the time she confronted me with the dilemma, I knew you were in too deep for me to choose to take the little prince away, and your mom had become a danger to herself and you. I had a choice, and I admit, I am not proud of it, but I would do it again in a heartbeat."