Zayn POV
I unfolded my hands on my chest and breathe out softly.
Flora's mum just finished narrating everything in details and believe me, my heart became softened a bit towards William.
He looked to my side and smile like he heard my thoughts.
“I'm sorry about everything” I apologized sincerely, staring at the center table in the sitting room.
“It's fine Zayn” William says, standing on his feet.
“I'm sorry as well” He added as he stands close to me.
I stood on my feet and we both shook hands.
“Well… You really have to be sorry because it's not like you've any other choice” Reid said.
“Except if you're letting Flora go” He added, flatly.
“Don't even go there man” I cautioned.
 I took my eyes to where Flora is sitting.
“Flora and I stuck together, so we're never letting each go” 
Flora cheeks flames and I watch as everyone chuckle, including Mrs Rosaline.
William nudge my arm slightly and then walked out.
“Have your seat, Zayn” Reid ordered.
I look at him and he nodded.
“What's it?” I asked him immediately I sat down.
“It's about Violet” Flora responded.
I sighed deeply.
“Violet is dead, isn't it?” Flora gasped.
“But why didn't you want to say?” I turned to Reid and asked.
“Ryder is the cause behind her death, Zayn” Reid said, and I raised a brow.
“How?”
“Violet was the one driving and not Ryder” I reminded.
“Yeah”
“But Ryder had sent someone to meddle with your car brake that day. I don't know how Violet managed to get that info, but she called me to ask about you, I preferred not to tell her at first, but when I heard her reasons for looking for you, I quickly sent your location to her and I even thought I would get there before her… But unfortunately” Reid narrated and my heart shook.
Everything reeled though my head.
How she had tried to convince me not to drive my car.
How she volunteered to drive my car instead, since I was drunk.
How uneasy she looked that day.
F**k!
“Such a fool!” I yelled as I sprang to my feet.
Everyone in the sitting room also stood up.
“She should have just came out straight”
“Honestly, she really didn't want me to ride my car that day, but I didn't listen” I shoved a hand in my head as I paved the living room.
“You might not have listened to her if she had said the truth, Zayn” Reid says.
That's true, though.
“Reid is really going to die this time, I promise” I said through gritted teeth.
“If not for anything, but for Violet's and Xavier death” Flora sobs.
Her mum snuggle her into her arms while Mrs Rosaline stroke her back.
“Aunt Stella has been invited to Ryder's mansion by Ryder's mum, she told her Ryder already found Flora”
I scoffed.
Such a douchebag.
“I don't care, I want to kill Ryder myself” I flare.
“You won't do that Zayn” Flora cooed as she walked closer to me.
“Ryder would be force to confess all his crimes in the presence of the cops” Flora said, and I shook my head in disagreement.
I move away from Flora's hold.
“I prefer not to involve the cops” 
“But that's the best thing to do” I shut my eyes briefly and open them.
“Please” Flora's mum coaxed.
I breathe out heavily and shrugged.
“Alright” I agreed, and a small smile crept on Flora's lips, causing me to smile too.
I'm addicted to this lady.
*****
Gabriel's_mansion.
 
 Ryder POV.
I keep glancing at my phone on the table.
Damn!
Why haven't I gotten a call yet?
“Are you okay?” I heard dad's voice.
I just nodded and grabbed my fork.
I'm really not hungry, but Mum had to force me to come down- I just had to agree, I don't have the strength to start telling her things.
“You look restless, you sure you're alright?” Dad asked again, and I almost roll my eyes.
They should just leave me the f**k alone.
A maid walked in and bow slightly.
“You have an incoming call ma'am” she announced as she stretched mum's phone forward.
I watch as mum collected the phone from her and frown at the phone screen.
“Who's it?” Dad asked.
She sighed before speaking up.
“It's Stella” she replied, and I could feel blood rising in my whole system.
“Then why aren't you picking her call?” Dad asked again.
“I already told her Ryder found her daughter, so I invited her to come over today” She said sadly, and I rolled my eyes.
Dad shook his head nonchalantly and continues with his food.
Mum met my gaze,, but I just look away angrily- she caused it.
Her phone rings again.
“Just pick it already” Dad says.
She looked at me and my fist clenched on the table.
She finally picked the call and pressed it to her ear.
“Hello Stella” Mum said to the phone, feigning a cheerful tone but fail woefully.
“Oh my… You mean you're on your way already?” Mum says, and I could feel my heart tremble.
Sh*t!
A maid led Flora's Mum into the living room at the same time mum and I walked out of the dinning room.
“Oh my Ryder” She called happily as she approached us.
She offered a big wide smile,, but I just smile uneasily.
“How have you been, dear?” She asked sweetly.
Huh?
What's up with her?
She had never acted all sweet towards me before.
“I've been good” I replied.
She nodded and turned to mum.
“And how are you too, Marigold?” 
Mum just smile and nodded.
“Come sit” Mum offered.
“I will”
“But first, where's my daughter?” She threw the question at Mum.
This won't be good.
“Just calm down and come sit first” Mum said as she led her to a long couch.
“Where's my daughter, Ryder?” She asked seriously now.
I sighed deeply.
“Aunt…”
“She's asleep” Mum chipped in, and my eyes dilated in surprise, including Aunt Stella.
“I'm sorry I didn't inform you, but Flora has been sick since she got here,, but a doctor had attended to her already” I watch as mum tell the lies expertly.
“Then let me go see her” Aunt Stella walked past us and I watch as mum gulps.
“She's in the hospital” She said again and my teeth clenched.
Lies upon lies.
“Oh… So, she's not up anymore but in the hospital, right?” Aunt Stella asked with a little smirk.
“Okay”
“Let's see” she said and brought her phone out of her bag.
Mum and I glance at each other as she dials a number.
“What are you doing, Stella?” Mum asked.
“Let's sit” she told us and walk towards a single couch.
We all settled down, as we keep exchanging glances every minute.
The entrance door creaked open, Mum and I turned our heads to look.
“What? I exclaimed in surprise, standing on my feet.
“Are you surprised?” She smirks as she walks into the living room.
“Good afternoon Aunt” She greeted mum, but mum couldn't respond as her mouth is agape.
She sat on a long couch and crossed her legs.
“So which other Flora is in the hospital, Marigold?” Aunt Stella asks and I look away disappointed.
“But… How…how come?” Mum stutters.
"Say something Ryder”She shouts, but I just stare at my feet.
“I'm so sorry Stella, I didn't know what he was up to”
“But Flora how come…”
“Don't be in a rush Aunt, everything would become clear to you soon” Flora says.
I look up at her and she winks.
What the?
Why do I have this feeling she has got something up her sleeves?
“Hello everyone” I turned my head to the door direction and a guy I recognized to be Zayn's friend walked in, grinning very hard.
I turned to Flora and she winks again.
 
“Who are you?” Mum asked him harshly as he strides in.
“I'm Reid, and that's my friend” He pointed a finger and I follow it.
What?
My heart struck.
Zayn?
He walks in majestically and I swallowed.
He's not dead.
But one of the guys said he's confirmed dead.
Jeez!
He got to where I am standing, I shiver as sweat formed on my forehead.
“It's game over, Ryder” He whispered.
He looks directly into my eyes and my heart beat faster than normal.
He walked past me and took his seat next to Flora.
“Would someone please explain what's going on here already?” Mum half yelled.
“You just need to calm down, Aunt” Zayn's friend hushed.
“Your son is a criminal” Zayn said bluntly.
“And who are you to call my son a criminal?” Mum yells.
“Tch tch tch… High blood pressure is real” Zayn jokes. Flora and Reid laughs.
“Ryder, who are these people?” She shrieked.
“Throw them out this minute”
“Aunt” Flora began.
“Although, Ryder looks tough, he's a horrible guy, but I never thought Ryder could have the heart to kill” Flora said.
“His very own brother at that”she added.
Damn!
Is this really happening?
“What do you mean Flora?” Mum asked quietly.
“Ryder killed Xavier!” She shouts.
“What are you saying, young lady?” Dad asked as he walked into the scene.
“He poisoned poor Xavier with a herbal tea”
“Ask him, he confessed to me himself”
“I don't understand what she's saying” I denied.
She rushed to me and slapped me very hard.
“You really don't understand what I'm saying, right?” She sounded gruffly.
Zayn laughs as he stood before me.
“You really think he's going to say the truth?” I just glare at him with reddened eyes.
“Bring him in, Reid” He instructed coldly.
The door yanked open and I watch as someone rolled into the living room lifelessly.
Zayn's friend make him kneel.
I stare down at him and my eyes protruded immediately I register his face.
It's obvious he's been beaten up so badly.
"Speak!” Zayn ordered.
He pants heavily.
“He's the same person…that gave me cash to remove your brakes” He confessed breathlessly.
A gasped fell out from everyone's lips and my jaw tightened.
“Is this true?” Dad asked in his deepest tone,, but I just look at something else, like I'm not the one he's talking to.
“Answer me” He went livid.
“Yes!” I yelled.
“It's the truth” 
“What?” Mum muttered.
“I killed Xavier and wanted to kill Zayn too” I confessed, and I watch as Mum and Dad eyes dim.
“I've always wanted Flora for myself and that was why I killed Xavier”
“And as for him” I turned to Zayn.
“He was a pain in my neck, he wouldn't allow me to have Flora,, so that was why I wanted to have him killed” 
“Oh my…”
“Tell me you're joking Ryder” Mum weep as she counted her steps towards me.
“You didn't kill Xavier, right?” 
“You didn't kill your brother”
I just keep my gaze down.
“You're under arrest Mr. Ryder” I turned around to see two cops standing behind me.
“No!”
“How dare you come into my house to arrest my son” Mum screamed as she stood in my front.
Dad pulled Mum away forcefully.
I stretched my hands forward and a cop handcuffed my hand.
“Gabriel, don't just watch them take our son away” Mum cries.
“Move.” One of them ordered and I gently walk ahead.
“Get back here Ryder” Mum shouts behind me.
“Get yourself together, Marigold” Dad scolded.
“Come back here Ryder” 
“Don't leave” mum sob.
I got to the entrance and stopped walking.
I look behind me and for the first time in years, a tear dropped from my eye as I watch mum wail miserably.
I'm sorry, Mum.
Furthermore, I smile at the look on Flora's face- she looks so fulfilled.
And Zayn, he just watches the whole drama with his hands tucked in his pocket like he had not said anything here.
His friend just keep grinning as he waved me a goodbye.
Dad and Aunt Stella just keep their straight face.
Yeah- I understand.
I sighed heavily and finally stepped out.