Golden Melody (Editing)

Chapter 73

Chapter 73

The Next Morning

Capital City Veterinary Clinic

Zatariel slowly opened his eyes. The ceiling above him was unfamiliar.

White. Bright.

He sat up groggily.

Then he realized he was lying on a couch.

Beside him, little Zadriana was curled up against his side, still asleep.

Zatariel blinked.

"...Hospital?"

Memories slowly returned.

Ethy.

The injured cat.

He stood up quickly.

Across the room, Margery sat beside a small hospital bed.

Ethy lay there.

Her body was wrapped in bandages.

One leg missing.

"...Ethy."

He walked closer.

When he saw the space where her leg used to be—

His vision blurred. Tears spilled down his face.

But the cat was breathing.

Alive.

He gently stroked her head.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I should've protected you better."

Ethy stirred weakly.

Zatariel wiped his face and took a deep breath.

"I promise," he said quietly. "I'll take care of everything you need from now on."

"I'll be more responsible."

After a moment, he looked around.

"Where's my phone?"

He checked his pockets.

The couch.

The nearby table.

Nothing.

Zatariel frowned.

He walked out of the hospital room and looked around the parking lot outside.

Their car was gone.

"...That's weird."

Confused, he went back inside.

Margery was now half-asleep in her chair.

"Margery," he said, nudging her shoulder. "Where's the car?"

She groaned lazily. "The driver went to buy breakfast."

Zatariel blinked.

"And our phones?"

"In the car," she muttered sleepily. "Just wait for him to come back."

Zatariel nodded slowly.

"Okay..."

Margery slumped back into the chair and immediately fell asleep again.

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Wov Residence — 9:00 AM

Zaren Wov stepped through the front doors of the mansion.

Morning sunlight poured through the tall windows, but he barely noticed.