ZURI: What Just Happened?

"Wait, hold up," Cora says, blinking rapidly. "Your parents want you to remarry into the Salvatores' rival family, the Rassias', because of some long-standing rivalry with the Van Der Meers?"

I shrug, downing the shot of tequila. The liquid fire burns down my throat.

"I'm more annoyed they didn't even acknowledge their relief that Lorenzo's alive," I admit, frustration simmering through my veins. "No 'we're glad he's safe.' Just straight to business. As usual."

Cora's signature tequila hits the spot, but I regret it instantly. Getting drunk and depressed isn't an option, not with Zolani at home. Thank goodness Zion, my twin brother, is back from Chicago and available to tuck her in.

Cora flashes a mischievous grin. "Being the firstborn and your Grandfather's favorite comes with its price, Zee. Your parents had envisioned a more strategic match, not someone like Lorenzo, who was just starting out and lacked a prestigious family name."

"It's like he came back from the dead." She pours me another shot of tequila, and I down it, hissing at the burn.

"Back from the dead," I mutter, sarcasm dripping from my voice. "Bullfuckingshit."

The VIP room's door swings open, and the pulsating club music spills in. One of Cora's staff enters. "M.. Ma'am, I.."

Cora switches to her crisp business voice, a dull smile playing on her lips. "What's the issue?"

"The VIP area has been fully booked," the staff member explains. "I just need approval to—"

Cora waves her hand lazily. "Approved, no paperwork needed. Just take care of them."

The staff member bows and exits. I grab the bottle from Cora, grumbling, "You don't have to neglect your business because I'm here."

Cora's brown eyes sparkle with amusement as she laughs. "Oh, stop, darling. I'm invested in the drama."

Well, she does own the place. My best friend Cora Richter, a stunning 29-year-old German heiress with long, curly raven-black hair and piercing emerald eyes, owner of one of the largest and most bustling clubs in the city.

As the daughter of the wealthy and influential Richter family, Cora's inherited not only their vast fortune but also their business savvy.

We've been friends since high school, and I've had the privilege of watching her expand the family's empire, adding her own touch of flair and sophistication to their already impressive portfolio of clubs, casinos, and hotels.

Her expression turns serious. "Alexandra is marrying your ex-husband, Lorenzo. The one you're clearly still obsessed with."

My heart tightens. "I'm not obsessed, I'm just... still in love."

"Still in love." Cora's voice drips with sarcasm. "Darling, you stalked Lorenzo for three months while pregnant. When Zion intervened, you blackmailed him into continuing the surveillance for you."

She quotes with her fingers, "Then, when he 'died' in the accident with his foster parents, you unraveled, went into labor, and spent two months in a coma, consumed by grief."

I scowl, defensive. "That's love, not obsession."

Ah... I was definitely obsessed with him!

Cora adopts a mocking French accent. "Oui, love, but will you obey parental orders? Marry into the Rassias family to outshine the Van der Meers?"

My grip on the bottle tightens. "I won't marry anyone. I want my fucking husband."

Cora's expression turns grave. "I'm genuinely frightened for you. The Salvatores and Rassias are equally ruthless, and the Rassias are beasts—beasts I tell you. The Salvatores are.. well... Silent predators. Which makes them worse."

"Ah..." I nod and she wrestles the bottle from my grasp.

It's laughable how the Van Der Meers, with all their old money, are reducing their daughter to a pawn in their game of social climbing, marrying her off to my ex husband.

"Do you think, since the Salvatores and other high elite ruling families are bloodthirsty, that Lorenzo might be... you know, stabby? I mean, considering there are seven ruling families and the quiet rumors surrounding them are always gruesome." I lazily reach for the bottle, my chest heaving heavily.

"Who knows? That only adds to his mystery." Cora says, her voice brimming with mischief. "Plus, he's the firstborn, Zuri, and I heard he went missing at the age of ten."

I smile, impressed. "You've done your homework."

Cora beams with pride. "The story's fascinating. You married a bloody heir without knowing, Zuri."

I scoff, rolling my eyes. "I'm not sure he knew either. He always seemed... normal."

Cora's hand flies to her chest, feigning shock. "Normal name, normal background, normal wife, normal death. Normal?"

I don't reply to her question. Right now, I need to be alone, and I know she can tell.

"Alright! It's time to party, darling!" she urges, pulling me to my feet. "Time to have fun!"

She drags me into the pulsating nightclub, onto the pounding dance floor, the uproar of music and screams overwhelming my frayed nerves. As Cora dances, her vibrant laughter fills the air, and her carefree, mesmerizing moves coax a reluctant smile from me.

My resistance crumbles when my favorite song plays. I surrender to the rhythm, lost in the night's haze of dance and tequila.

As the bottle empties, Cora seizes it and whispers in my ear. "I'll be right back. I need to check the alcohol stocks."

I nod, continuing to dance.

But soon, the warmth of Cora's dance gives way to a swarm of men, their unwelcome advances closing in.

"Come on, baby, dance with me," one persists, grasping my arm.

"God, you're sexy," another says, dancing behind me.

Fed up, I jerk my hand free and snap, "Fuck off! Can't you take a hint?" storming into the crowd angrily.

Needing a drink, I head to the bar and take a seat. My gaze drifts to the VIP section, and my blood runs cold.

Alexandra Van Der Meer, a stunning blonde with piercing blue eyes, smiles brightly beside a dark-haired man who has his full attention on her.

I know him.

"Ma'am, I..."

The bartender's words fade into the background as I rise, my heart pounding, my entire being trembling. "E..nzo,"

The dark-haired man turns, and our eyes meet. Familiar amber orbs, now darker, widen in shock and recognition.

It's him. My husband.

Ex! Husband.... Does it really matter?

"E.. Enzo," I call out again, my voice cracking.

But Alexandra's touch on his cheek diverts his attention to her. And he fucking smiles at her, ignoring my existence.

"Wha..what?" My fists clench, nails biting into my palms.

What just fucking happened?!