Chapter 12: GHOST OF PAST

**ZALEY || NOW**

"That’s a low blow, Z. That girl’s been through enough, and you throw her right in front of her abuser?" Only Remi dares to point out Zaley's mistakes. He certainly didn’t say anything when Zaley hunted down and killed the Mayor’s men just days ago.

“I don’t recall asking for your opinion,” Zaley responded calmly, his focus on the accounts of Z Club. Numbers had always appealed to him, ever since he was a kid. Watching the zeroes at the end of his bank balance grow gave him a rush. Yet, no matter how high they climbed, it never satisfied the darkness inside him. No amount of bloodshed sated his hunger, but the power that came from it did. Power was what kept him on top, and he was just one step away from securing it for good. All that stood between him and total control was the Mayor. And for that, he needed Layla.

“What’s your plan for her, Z?” Remi’s voice broke through.

“For Max, family comes first. Everything—business, politics, crime—it's all in the family. If Lilly is his grandchild…”

“He’ll kill both mother and daughter and marry off his son into a powerful family,” Remi cut in, his tone sharp.

“Not if Jeremy becomes infertile.” Zaley’s response made both men gape at him.

"That's when our golden goose comes into play," Zaley added, eyes cold.

“Why not just kill the Mayor and his son? It’s simpler—and better,” Remi suggested, a clear sign he was siding with Layla.

Zaley shook his head as he closed his laptop. “I can’t kill him. Not yet. There’s too much I still need to learn.”

“Why?” Remi asked.

Zaley didn’t have an answer. Something deep inside him told him to wait, to learn more before crushing the Mayor. It was instinctive. It had gotten him this far, so he followed it.

“She was trembling when she saw him. Do you really think she can do it?”

Zaley’s jaw clenched, the image of Layla in the parking lot flashing in his mind. His fist tightened, and a surge of rage boiled within him. Should he destroy Jeremy? Or burn the entire city to the ground?

His urges came uncontrollably, without warning or pattern. He’d spent six years trying to figure out what triggered them, but the only constant he found was the sea. And now, Layla had entered his life. She stirred the same chaotic emotions the ocean did. The sight of her tear-filled eyes made him want to tear the world apart. But why?

“Don’t use her, Z,” Remi insisted. “I read her file. That girl’s been through hell.”

Zaley didn’t like his tone. He didn’t like how the old man was suddenly so concerned about Layla after meeting her just twice.

“When did you become the good guy, Remi? It doesn’t suit you.” Kirill defended Zaley, as always, without hesitation. Remi used to be the same—until Layla.

But Zaley wasn’t here to please anyone. He had his own goals. Soon, he thought as he looked out the window. Soon, Ylumia would be in his clucthes. Nothing and no one can save this city from his wrath.

A commotion outside pulled his attention when Remi opened to door to walk out. Short red hair caught his eye, and he was on his feet in an instant. There she was—the redhead that had been haunting his thoughts—struggling against a man who clearly didn’t know who he was dealing with.

Without hesitation, Zaley pushed through the crowd, grabbed the man’s collar who is trying to grope her, and punched him so hard that the music stopped, and the crowd collectively gasped. The man crumpled to the floor, blood pouring from his nose. Zaley’s rage swelled, and all he could see was red. He was about to strike again when small hands wrapped around his waist, tugging him back.

“Please... please, I need you. Lilly collapsed. We need you, please.”

For the first time, Zaley stepped back. For the first time, his eyes softened as they met Layla’s tear-streaked face. For the first time, he felt conflicted because he wasn’t supposed to feel anything at all.

**LAYLA || THEN**

One, two, three, four… Layla counted to ten, waiting for him to pick up.

“No, no, no…” She dialed again, but the phone just kept ringing. No answer.

“What do I do, Raya? He’s not picking up.” Layla paced outside the ICU.

“It’s Friday, Layla,” Raya reminded her.

It's Friday. He would be at that club, the one she dreaded stepping foot in again. Her stomach twisted as she remembered the last time she was there. Glancing at the raw, red skin on her forearm, a result of scrubbing herself clean after her last visit, Layla bolted from the hospital and hailed a taxi.

Wrapping her jacket tightly around herself, she fought her way through the crowd at the club. Tears blurred her vision, and her heart pounded in her chest. She found the familiar bouncer, the one she had spoken to before, and once again pushed through the throng of sweaty bodies. Someone grabbed her waist, ignoring her protests, and fear gripped her.

Then everything shifted. The man who had haunted her nightmares nearly killed another guy, sending him to the ground with a vicious punch. Layla stood frozen, her gaze locked on the bleeding man as though her stare alone could crush him.

Zaley’s eyes met hers, softening in a way that made her knees weak. She pointed weakly behind her. “Lilly…” she choked, tears spilling over. Zaley just stared at her, his chest heaving, before he turned and walked. Layla followed silently.

Raya ran more tests, advising Zaley not to eat until morning. To their surprise, Zaley complied without argument, following every instruction and drinking water as told. Layla fidgeted outside the ICU, her mind racing with fear. What if things went wrong? What if Zaley hadn’t agreed?

She was all alone, waiting for the outcome of her daughter’s fight for life. Why her? Why her daughter? Why did no one ever sit beside her when her world fell apart?

But then Zaley came. He sat next to her, his gaze fixed on the wall ahead. He didn’t offer comfort, no soft words or reassurances. He simply sat there, silent, sharing her pain. And for the first time since Lilly’s diagnosis, Layla didn’t feel completely alone.

He said nothing, but his presence made a difference. She believed she could face this. She looked at his bloodied knuckles. Her hands itched to touched them, carass them like his presence did for her.

"Why did you punch him?" She questioned him, her words cutting through the silence.

"He touched you." His reply came at once; simple, small, and startling.

'Why do you care?' She wants to ask hum, 'When you put me before my nightmare.'

But Layla didn't push it. He wouldn't have answered that.

"How do you that I call her Sprinkles?" She changed the topic. "I never told you her nickname."

"You don't have to tell me for me to know about you."

It's not a surprise anymore. Zaley knows things. But her stupid heart hoped otherwise.

Hours passed, and the surgery was scheduled sooner than expected. Layla waited as Zaley was taken into the operating room. When the news finally came—the transplant was a success without complications—Layla sobbed in relief. She knew there is another battle ahead. But for now, she felt the weight on her shoulder lessen. She will pick the battle tomorrow. This is enough for one day.

She clung to Raya, thanking her over and over. But then her friend pulled away, her eyes serious.

"Tell me something, Layla, who is Lilly’s father?”

The question shocked Layla. Raya had never asked her that, not in all the years they’d known each other. Because everyone knew what happened to Layla and her friend didn't bring the subject out of goodness of her heart.

“What do you mean?”

“Is Zaley one of them?”

Layla blinked, her heart pounding. “Why are you asking that?”

“Because I am your friend. And I am fucking worried about you. I know that your were..." Raya took a deep breath before she chose the next words. "That you were assaulted. Is Zaley one of them?"

Layla took a step back, suddenly the urge to disappear heightened. She trembled, her voice breaking. “Why are you asking me this?”

"I took a DNA test, Layla. It’s a 99.9% match. Is he one of them?”

Layla shook her head,

“Oh, Layla,” Raya said, her expression full of pity, “you don’t even remember, do you? I’m so sorry." She hugged her friend. "I am sorry that you had to go through it. I am so sorry that you had to face him again. Zaley is Lilly’s biological father.”

Raya thinks she didn't remember anything about that night. Everyone did. But that was far from the truth. Layla remembered. She remembered that night all too well—the night she and Zaley created Lilly.