Zaydenâs sinister laughter echoed over the roof.
âSee, Holden, Iâm still offering you a choice.
â
âOne of them will live, and the other will die.
â Zayden walked to the edge of the rooftop, leaned over, and smiled maliciously at Holden.
âDonât worry.
Whichever one survives, Iâll take care of them.
Theyâll know their fatherâs killer raised them.
Imagine the great life they would have.
â
After a pause, with a playful glint in his eyes, Zayden said, âMake a choice, Holden.
Who do you want to save?â
The mechanical armsâ vibrations roused the two children from their slumber.
Melon blinked sleepily, his ears catching Zaydenâs voice.
His heart raced as he realized he was suspended in the air, fear gripping him.
Instinctively, he let out a scream, struggling until clarity returned.
Memories flooded back.
He had accompanied a servant to the bathroom to see Adele.
But the moment he entered, a blow had struck him unconscious.
Lowering his gaze, he spotted his father.
He then turned and saw Adele, who was also hung up.
Her small face contorted in fear.
Sensing Melonâs gaze, Adeleâs lips trembled.
A raspy plea eventually escaped her.
âMelon, help!â
Fear gnawed at Melon, but seeing Adeleâs distress, he forced it down.
Gritting his teeth, he projected calmness.
âDonât worry, Adele.
Look, Daddyâs here.
Weâll be alright.
â
Zayden turned his head at Melonâs words, a twisted smile playing on his lips.
âWell, well, quite the brave soldier, arenât you? Not a whimper in such a predicament.
Perhaps if you survive this, Iâll face some trouble.
â
Melon locked eyes with Zayden.
âWeâll both survive,â he declared, trying to stand his ground.
âDad will save us.
â
âYour father?â Zayden scoffed.
âUnfortunately, boy, your precious Daddy can only choose to let one of you live.
â
His smile widened, sending shivers down Melonâs spine.
âActually, youâre quite a remarkable child.
If you werenât Holdenâs son, I might even consider letting you be my godson.
â
Melon clenched his fists.
Mustering his courage, he yelled, âUncle Zayden, why are you doing this? Weâre family! Why would you hurt your own family?â
Zayden sighed theatrically, the smile never leaving his face.
âAh, such a tragic turn of events.
Why indeed? We could have been a family, but your father⦠Your heartless father forced my hand.
Such a pity.
But hey, at least you can be a family again, in the afterlife.
â
âMy Daddy isnât heartless!â Melon snapped back, his anger rising as he defended his father.
âHe is a good father.
Heâs kind to me, Mommy, and Adele.
He cares deeply for us.
Heâs not a heartless person!â
The smile vanished from Zaydenâs face.
He approached Melon, his gaze softening into an unsettling fondness.
âTruly? But the unfortunate reality is, your father canât save both of you now.
Iâve offered him a choice.
He can only pick one of you to live.
Who do you think heâll chooseâ¦â
He trailed off, his eyes flickering to Adele.
âYou⦠Or Adele?â
Melon remained silent, jaw clenched, tears stinging his eyes.
Zayden reveled in his misery.
He said, âMaybe you should call out to your father and beg him to save you.
Maybe thatâll sway his decision.
Your stupid sister canât speak for herself, can she?â
âAdele isnât stupid!â Melon shouted, his voice thick with anger.
He tried to lunge forward but realized he was restrained.
âDad wonât choose! Weâre both precious to him.
Weâre not objects to be picked from a shelf!â
Zaydenâs grin became wider.
âWell, isnât that something? Youâre still so stubborn even after seeing the crocodiles!â
Melon fought hard to hold the tears threatening to spill from his eyes.
Taking a couple of steps back, Zayden said, âGuess itâs time to see if your father has the guts to make a choice.
â He nodded to his lackeys, signaling them to let down the ropes.