CH: 138 Alice Arrives

[Chapter: 138 Alice Arrives]

The woman repeated the name several times, her voice filled with hesitation. "Claire... Claire..."

"Do you remember now, my wife?" William asked, his tone filled with exaggerated concern.

Claire shook her head, frustration evident in her expression. "No... I can't remember anything. Who are you?"

William sighed deeply, placing a hand over his heart as if wounded. "I'm your husband. This... this shouldn't be happening. Do you truly not remember anything?" His voice carried a dramatic weight, as if the world itself had betrayed him.

The White Queen, standing nearby, examined the small red robotic spider clinging to Claire's chest. Her eyes gleamed with understanding. "This thing is responsible. It's designed to manipulate the mind."

William's gaze darkened as he reached out. "Then let me take it off." His hand moved toward Claire's chest.

"Don't touch me!" Claire shouted, instinctively recoiling.

"Calm down, wife," William soothed, his fingers pressing against her chest. The sensation was undeniably soft, but his face remained entirely serious. "I'm just trying to help you."

The red robot spider tightened its six mechanical legs, refusing to detach from Claire's body. It clung as if it had a will of its own.

"It seems I'll have to use a little force." William's pupils flickered with a dangerous glint.

The metal legs released their grip, and William swiftly plucked it off Claire's chest, holding it up triumphantly.

"Why was this thing on you, wife?" he asked, studying the small device.

Claire shook her head, her brows knitting together. "I... I don't know. I don't even know what it is."

William clenched his fist, his expression filled with self-reproach. "This is my fault. I should've been by your side. I should've protected you from suffering like this." His voice carried a genuine weight of sorrow—at least, that's how it appeared.

Claire hesitated, studying him intently. "Are you really my husband?"

William immediately nodded. "Of course! Why would I lie about something so important?"

Claire's gaze shifted to the White Queen. "And who is she?"

William waved dismissively. "Oh, her? Just a little girl I rescued from the Umbrella Corporation's facility. A poor child. You can call her White Queen."

The White Queen stared at William in silent outrage. A poor child?! She was an advanced AI with near-limitless knowledge! But under William's sharp and unmistakably threatening gaze, she reluctantly nodded.

Claire remained quiet for a moment before speaking. "Tell me what happened."

"Of course," William said, straightening up. "We were a happy couple, living a beautiful life together. Everything was perfect... until the world was turned upside down. A virus spread like wildfire, turning people into mindless, flesh-eating zombies. Chaos swallowed everything." His voice grew heavier, as if the weight of those memories still haunted him.

"We didn't sit idly by. We gathered survivors—dozens of them—and formed a convoy. We searched for food, shelter, safety. And then, one day, we received news of a safe haven—Alaska. A place untouched by infection. So, we set out, desperate for salvation."

"But," William's expression darkened, "We were betrayed. The Umbrella Corporation set a trap for us. They ambushed our convoy and destroyed everything we worked for. Most of our people... didn't make it."

He paused for several seconds, bowing his head as if mourning the fallen.

Claire clenched her fists. "And then?"

"Revenge," William said coldly. "We couldn't let them get away with it. We found their desert base and infiltrated it. But I knew I couldn't risk losing more people. So, I made the hardest decision of my life—I decided to go alone."

"You refused to leave my side," he continued, his gaze softening, "so I knocked you out and sent you to Alaska in a helicopter for your own safety. I stayed behind... and blew their base sky-high."

"But I survived," he added with a chuckle. "And after realizing you were alive, I came searching for you. I had to find you, Claire." His expression shifted to one of disappointment. "Yet, this place isn't the paradise I imagined. I see no other survivors. And you... you've changed." He clenched his fists and punched the ground dramatically.

The White Queen watched him in stunned silence. She had never seen someone lie so shamelessly. His ability to fabricate such a dramatic, tragic love story without hesitation was almost... admirable.

Claire pressed her fingers against her temples, her expression twisted in pain. "I... I don't remember any of that..."

William immediately pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. "Then don't force yourself to remember. It doesn't matter. All that matters is that we're together again."

Claire's body stiffened at first, but as she felt the warmth of his embrace, her resistance weakened. His words, his tone... they all felt genuine. Could he really be her husband?

"You can let me go now," she murmured.

William reluctantly released her, flashing a warm smile. "I'll untie you now. I'm truly sorry for restraining you earlier, my wife."

Claire hesitated but nodded. "It's okay. I don't blame you. But... since I still don't have my memories, I'd prefer you not call me 'wife' just yet."

William's smile remained unchanged. "Of course. If it makes you comfortable, I'll call you Claire."

"Thank you."

After untying her, Claire stretched and glanced down at her tattered clothes. "I need a shower. Do you have spare clothes?"

William gestured toward the helicopter. "There's a change of clothes inside. But there's no proper place to wash up here."

"There's a beach up ahead," Claire said. "I can use seawater."

"Claire, the water here is freezing," William warned.

"I can handle it," she said firmly. Then, with a teasing glint in her eyes, she added, "Since you're my husband, you should trust me, shouldn't you?"

William grinned. "Of course, my love. I trust you completely."

Claire blinked, realizing she had just referred to him as her husband without thinking. She cleared her throat. "Just call me Claire."

"Got it, Claire."

"White Queen," Claire said, turning to the AI girl. "Bring me the clothes in a bit, okay?"

The White Queen watched Claire walk away toward the beach, then turned to William with an expression of disbelief. "You are utterly shameless. You tricked an amnesiac woman with that ridiculous story."

William's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Tricked? No, no, my dear White Queen. I simply provided her with happiness. Isn't that a noble thing to do?"

"I just think you are the most evil and shameless person."

William smiled evilly and said, "Little Queen, you are getting bolder. You talk to me like this. I didn't teach you well."

White Queen's entire body stiffened. "I'll... I'll go fetch Claire's clothes now!" She scurried away before William could "educate" her again.

William turned his gaze to the sky, his expression shifting from amusement to calculation. In the distance, a small red plane approached, slicing through the air like a hunter closing in on its prey.

"Here we go," he murmured, his smirk fading into a cold, knowing expression. "Alice..."

The plane descended gracefully, skidding across the grass before coming to a stop.

A woman stepped onto the wing, her piercing gaze scanning the surroundings. Her eyes locked onto William's helicopter, and immediately, she reached for her gun.

With measured, cautious steps, she advanced. Ten meters from the helicopter, she slowed, her instincts on high alert.

The game had just begun.

******

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