DOOMED

Chapter 2

Zoey's POV

Israel was my way out. Zack was too hurt to think rationally. I had hurt him deeply, and I knew it wouldn't be easy for him to forgive me. But I needed that video taken down at all costs. I was desperate.

"Zack, baby, please listen," I pleaded. "I know you are hurt, but think about Israel. What will she think of me if she sees that video? Maybe not today, but someday she will see it. Please, don't put Israel through this." The shift in Zack's expression told me I had hit a nerve.

"Please, baby," I begged.

Zack had the influence and resources to get the video removed. It had only been a few hours since it was uploaded. Maybe not many people had seen it yet.

"Don't you dare bring my child into this," Zack snapped. "Israel is my daughter…mine alone. Don't drag her into this!"

After a few moments of silence, he asked, "Do you even know why I'm drunk?"

"Because I hurt you?," I guessed unsure.

He shook his head.

"I'm drunk because Mom was right. She warned me countless times not to marry you, but I loved you and ignored her. I trusted you, Zoey. I trusted you so damn much."

Since marrying Zack, my biggest obstacle had always been his mother, Alice. The old hag had hated me from the moment she laid her eyes on me.

She had even offered me money to stay away from Zack. She thought it was ridiculous that her son had met and married me within five months.

Even without proof of my intentions, she never gave up. When Zack first told her we were engaged, she lost it and threatened to cut him off. But Zack was successful enough without her support and so he chose me.

Eventually, when she realized she had lost, she backed off and kept her distance. I was certain she was overjoyed by what was happening now.

"Mom asked me to divorce you," Zack continued. "If you married me for my money, be rest assured you won't get a penny because that video will be presented in court."

I realized things were spiraling out of control.

"We have only been married for two weeks," I said. "But yet you are so ready to let me go. It makes me wonder if you ever really loved me."

I was surprised by how quickly everything had escalated. Maybe it wasn't wise to do this so soon after our marriage.

I didn't care about the money. But I didn't want to divorce Zack just yet.

I still had a lot in store for him despite this massive setback.

"You are the one who slept with another man, so don't you dare turn this around on me," Zack snapped. "You went into that hotel room with him. You did all that and even let him film you." I let out a deep sigh. Playing the emotional card wasn't working. I only had one option left.

"That wasn't me in the video," I said, even though my face had been clearly visible just as I had instructed.

"How dare you take me for a fool…" I quickly cut him off.

"The man in the video has been demanding money from me. When I refused, he threatened to destroy my marriage and make me lose you. I just didn't think he would go this far," I explained carefully.

Zack remained silent for what felt like forever. Finally, he sighed and lay down on the bed.

"I don't believe you," he said.

"I didn't sleep with him, so the video must have been edited," I insisted. "If you don't believe me, call an expert to examine it."

Zack looked thoughtful for a few seconds.

I waited impatiently for his response, but before he could say anything, the bedroom door opened.

A sleepy Israel stood there, rubbing her eyes.

"Daddy, you are back," she said before running into Zack's arms.

"It's late, honey. Why are you awake?" I asked.

"I heard yelling. Are you two fighting?" Israel asked innocently, looking between us. Both our faces were stained with tears.

I sat beside them on the bed and wrapped my arms around Israel, my eyes drifting toward Zack. He was looking at me too. No matter how hurt he was, he couldn't deny that Israel loved me.

"We were not fighting, honey," I assured her, kissing the top of her head.

"Can I sleep with you tonight?" she asked. Zack immediately agreed and tucked her into bed.

That night, I couldn't sleep.I watched the video over and over again. There was no way I could call Kevin—the man in the video—this late at night, But one thing was certain. I was going to kill him for putting me in this mess.

The next morning, I was awakened by the sound of my phone ringing.

I found myself alone in bed and reached for it. A private number was calling. I immediately sat upright, panic rising within me. Was it my father?, Had he found me?

Holding my breath, I slowly answered the call.

"Sweet pie, I finally found you."

The moment I heard that voice, I threw the phone away and screamed, crawling toward the corner of the bed as my entire body trembled.

After five years of hiding, my father had found me.

Before I could process what was happening, gunshots echoed outside.

Tears streamed down my face as I rushed to the window.

Standing in the front yard was my father, Diego, accompanied by around twenty men I assumed were his guards.

"Sweetie pie!" he called out. "Come to Daddy!"

At that moment, I didn't know what else to do. I screamed Zack's name. I knew he was no match fo

r my father, but I also knew that Zack would do everything in his power to protect me.