The grocery bag had fallen from Leo's hands and scattered on the floor, but he was unconscious. The scene that had shattered his world 15 years ago still flashed before his eyes.
Flashback
That night, as Victor was driving away, the Cobra Cartel's thugs surrounded them. In the chaos, 12-year-old Leo let go of his parents' hands.
"Mom! Dad!" he screamed, but a heavy hand grabbed him from behind.
The thugs dragged Leo away and, right in front of him, sprayed his parents with bullets. Leo's screams were muffled by the silence. They both collapsed, covered in blood. Fortunately, the police arrived just in time, and Leo was saved. But his parents have been in the ICU ever since, in a coma, relying on machines to count their last breaths.
Leo left Zoey five years ago because he learned that cartel thugs were still after his family. He didn't want to endanger Zoey's life, even though he loved her more than his own.
[Present Time - Leo's Apartment]
Leo said in a trembling voice, "
Zoe... what are you doing here? And what's this pretense of being a 'husband'?"
Zoe got up from the couch and delicately approached Leo. There was love in her eyes, but a deep layer of hatred tinged it. She adjusted Leo's collar and whispered in his ear:
"This isn't an act, Leo. This is real. In the government's records, you're now my legal husband. I've made everything."
Leo pushed her back. "You're crazy! I left you, remember?"
Just then, Alex, the handsome boy standing next to Zoey, stepped forward. He looked at Leo contemptuously and patted his shoulder. "Relax, Leo. You can't talk to your 'wife' like that."
Leo shook Alex's hand away. "
Who are you?"
Alex smiled, "
I'm Zoey's right-hand man. And maybe your new (Nightmare) too."
Zoe pulled a tablet from her pocket and presented Leo with a live video feed. The video showed a hospital room where Leo's elderly parents were lying on ventilators. Zoey's armed guards were standing outside the room.
Leo's blood froze.
"Zoe! What's this nonsense? Leave them!"
Zoe's face was now stone-like.
"Listen, Leo, either you quietly accept this marriage and come with me to my mansion, or at my mere command, your parents' oxygen supply will be cut off. The decision is yours—do you want my love or their corpses?"
Leo's eyes welled with tears. The girl he loved had become his worst enemy. He knew Zoey still yearned for him, but her method of revenge was terrifying.
Alex said playfully,
"Madam, the car is ready. Should we take this 'poor guy' along too?"
Leo had given up. His helplessness had brought him to his knees. He said with a heavy heart,
"Okay, Zoey... I'll go. Just don't hurt them."
A triumphant smile appeared on Zoey's face. She looked at Alex and said, "Alex, pack his things. From today, Leo is the most precious bird in my cage."