Chapter 4

"Zephyr, how can you say that? How could this possibly hurt anyone? Even if you and Scarlett got carried away with your acting, you can't just spout such vicious lies."

She turned her head to look at Vera.

"Vera, there are four bullets left. Can I continue?"

"Of course, Brady. You're a genius. You've improved a lot today compared to the past few days. It seems we really do need to use live targets."

She narrowed her eyes, looking me over as I was nearly passing out from the pain, then turned her gaze to Scarlett.

"We won't use Zephyr tomorrow. Scarlett, since you're so keen on protecting him, you can stand in his place from now on."

Scarlett let out a disdainful chuckle. "Fine by me. I'm still better than someone who makes her husband take bullets for her!"

Vera smiled faintly upon hearing this.

"Well, well, Scarlett. You've exposed yourself. How long have you had your eye on your brother-in-law?"

"Is that why you haven't gotten married all these years?"

I sighed helplessly. The reason Scarlett was defending me so fiercely was because I had helped her before.

That time when Vera was ambushed and injured, Scarlett managed to retreat in time with only minor injuries, ensuring the safety of the remaining team members.She was falsely accused of being a deserter, a traitor, a coward.

I stopped her from swallowing a bullet to prove her innocence. After being saved, she clung to me, sobbing uncontrollably.

This scene was witnessed by Vera and Brady.

Brady embellished the story, insinuating that Scarlett and I were having an affair.

"All these years, Scarlett has shunned men. Turns out she's been deeply in love with Zephyr. And Zephyr's willing to stand against everyone to help a traitor. Looks like they've found their way to each other."

Vera's gaze was pale and weak. I thought it was because she hadn't fully recovered from her illness.

Little did I know she believed it all, forcefully pushing away my hand as I tried to support her.

The real-life argument pulled me back from my memories.

"Zephyr and I are innocent!"

The simple and clumsy Scarlett roared out the truth, but the two on stage remained unconvinced.

"Oh really? Let's see just how innocent you are."

Vera raised an eyebrow at Brady, who immediately understood. Once again, he pointed his gun at me!

Scarlett's face turned pale with fear as she looked at Vera in disbelief.Scarlett, having just been shot, knew all too well the power of gunpowder.

So when Brady pulled the trigger, she used every ounce of strength to lunge towards me, taking the bullet meant for my chest!

I was immobilized, desperately wanting to reach out and support her, but could only watch helplessly as she was shot and fell to the ground.

From their perspective, it looked like Scarlett had embraced me intimately at the last moment.

"So much for innocence. You take a bullet for him and still act all lovey-dovey. My gun just did you star-crossed lovers a favor."

"Instincts don't lie. Even in practice, she'd risk her life without hesitation. Zephyr, you've got quite the talent - even traitors are captivated by you."

I stared at the woman before me, wondering how she'd become so ignorant and foolish...

Any rose-tinted memories I had of her saving my sister and me shattered in that moment.

As Brady raised his gun once more, Scarlett coughed up blood, her face streaked with tears.

"I'm sorry, big brother Zephyr. This is all I can do for you now."

"They're beyond saving..."

This time, the bullet struck my right hand.

In an instant, the tendons in my hand snapped, and a wave of pain and numbness swept through my entire left arm.

I knew then that Brady had realized I was the sharpshooter who had saved Vera back then.He wants to destroy my skills, to ensure I can never hold a gun again for the rest of my life.

Cementing his image as the savior who descended from the heavens.

I pulled my lips into a bitter smile. "Two shots left. Hurry up!"