Swamp Murder

Swamp Murder. 44

Wang's pov

We walked through the cold, elegant halls of the house, portraits of past judges and military men lining the walls, their stern eyes watching like they approved of everything she did. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the soft tap of her heels and my echoing footsteps.

She stopped in front of a door at the far end of the hallway, one I remembered. It had once been a guest room, rarely used secluded, and soundproof.

"He's in here," she said, her hand resting on the knob. "But I suggest you be calm. He's been difficult."

"What does that mean?" I asked, heart, lurching.

"He refuses to eat. Barely speaks. He's being dramatic."

"Because you kidnapped him!" I snapped.

Her lips thinned. "Lower your voice."

But I was done playing nice. I pushed past her and opened the door myself.

The room was dimly lit by a single lamp on the nightstand. The curtains were drawn tight, blocking the view of the ocean outside. And there, on the big bed in the corner, was Zhan.

He was curled up, facing the wall, his back to me. His shoulders looked smaller somehow, his frame thinner than I remembered. The tray of untouched food sat on the bedside table, exactly as she'd said. But it wasn't dramatics, it was survival.

"Zhan," I called softly, stepping into the room.

He didn't move at first. But then he slowly turned his head, eyes squinting in the light. When he saw me, his lips parted slightly in disbelief.

"Wang..." His voice was hoarse. Cracked. Like he hadn't used it in days.

I rushed to his side and crouched down, heartbreaking at the sight of him. "I'm here. I'm sorry I wasn't there earlier. I didn't know."

His eyes welled with tears, and he quickly turned his face away, hiding it in the pillow.

"She said you were in the hospital" he whispered.

"I wasn't," I said immediately. "She lied. I went to the station to find you, but you'd already left with her and the lawyer."

He exhaled a trembling breath. "I thought you sent me with her, that you were coming too. But by the time I realized what she was doing, it was too late. I'm sorry... I told her everything."

My throat tightened. "No. Never. I came for you as soon as I found out."

He didn't respond, but his body trembled slightly beneath the thick blanket.

I sat beside him and reached out, brushing his hair back gently. "You're safe now. I promise."

From the door, I heard my mother's sharp voice, like a blade cutting through the moment.

"He's weak. He needs to toughen up if he's going to survive what's ahead."

I stood and faced her. "Then you'll stay the hell away from him."

Her eyes narrowed. "Watch yourself."

"I am," I said. "And I see clearly now."

She didn't reply, just gave a cold smile and turned away, her heels clicking as she disappeared down the hall.

I turned back to Zhan and pulled the blanket higher over him.

"You're not alone anymore," I whispered. "I've got you now."