Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace

Colin was always a few paces behind me, close enough to feel safe, yet far enough to give me space.

With him there, I felt a sense of calm inside.

"Slut, stop your act!"

"Ah!"

A scream cut through the air, followed by a man's curse.

The door slammed open and out stormed a guy from Zoe's room, cursing under his breath, "Giving you 200 bucks was already generous."

Zoe's cheeks were swollen, her gaze dazed and confused as she stumbled after him, tears in her eyes, stuttering as if she couldn't get the words out. "Please, it was supposed to be 500, please."

She was begging, her body trembling violently. She seemed desperate for the money.

"Get lost!" The man was losing his patience, shoving Zoe aside. "Damn bad luck, idiot."

Weren't they all taking advantage of an idiot? Everyone else charged 500, but they always shortchanged Zoe with just 200.

"ed the money, I really do, please," Zoe pleaded on her knees, rubbing her hands together, incessantly begging.

I was at the end of the hallway, watching Zoe plead in her foolish way, feeling a discomfort stirring inside me.

"Hand over the cash. You said it would be 500, so you better give her 500, or else we're calling the cops. If you're not afraid of being shamed and thrown behind bars, then let's see you try!" I stepped forward, angrily grabbing the man's arm.

He turned angry, trying to push me away, but Colin swiftly pinned him against the wall.

In the end, cursing and swearing, the man threw three hundred bucks on the floor and bolted.

Zoe picked up the money, trembling, her eyes wide with fear as she looked at Colin. She seemed to be very afraid of Colin.

Suddenly, Zoe darted back into her room, trying to lock herself in.

Colin was quick, stopping the door with his hand. "Open up!"

Only then did a fearful Zoe open the door, retreating nervously. "Co... Colin."

Colin just looked at Zoe, silent.

Zoe slipped the cash under her pillow, glancing at me uneasily. "It's not... I didn't mean to push her."

She was afraid of the time she pushed me.

Had Colin been to see her?

Colin remained silent, just standing at the doorway, watching me.

"Zoe, can we talk?" I tried to soothe her.

She lowered her head, refusing to engage.

"I can give you money." Seeing her apparent need, I reached into Colin's pocket and handed Zoe some cash.

Colin grunted, clearly reluctant. I was a bit curious. Zoe was Carter's sister, and Colin was so close to Carter. If Colin had money, he wouldn't just ignore her. Why was he so unwilling to give her some cash just now?

"I don't want it," Zoe shook her head vigorously, backing away. "Carter said, we can't get something for nothing."

I paused. "But what you're doing is illegal, and also..."

I found it hard to articulate; what she was doing was just wrong.

Zoe cocked her head, shaking it. "Carter said, we can't get something for nothing..."

She repeated it like a mantra, as if that's all she understood.

"Doing this kind of thing is illegal," I tried to correct her.

She looked at me fearfully, then at Colin. "Then you too! Do you earn money? You... you sleep with him, and he gives you money."

Zoe pointed at me and then at Colin. Text © by N0ve/lDrama.Org.

I was somewhat at a loss. "We're legally married. His earnings are for us to share."

Zoe sneered. "Shameless."

I was baffled, glancing at Colin. How had I suddenly become shameless?

Colin kept a vigilant eye on Zoe, treating her not as a fool but as a potential threat.

"I have something I want to ask you about, can you tell me?" I probed cautiously.

Zoe murmured softly, "You give me money."

I quickly offered it. Yet she still insisted, "We can't get something for nothing."

"What do you want, then?" I said through clenched teeth.

Zoe pointed at Colin. "Let him sleep with me, and then you can give me the money."