I Love You, Monster: The Blindfolded Wife x The Masked Husband

That day, Hinari had stayed with her grandfather until he finally woke up at dusk. As expected, as soon as the news about this reached the others, everyone came flying, displaying their exaggerated and hypocritic concerns.

The quiet room that only consisted of servants previously, was now filled with the presence of every single member of Zuzuki family, each of them high and mighty, looking at Hinari with scornful eyes.

"So everyone only gathers like this when I’m in my deathbed, huh?" The old man said in a sad tone when Hinari’s father immediately moved closer to him.

"Please don’t say such things father. You will still live for many years." He said before his second wife and daughters also went closer, acting extremely concerned. But the old man simply glanced at them before letting go of a weak sigh. His eyes then fell on Hinari, whose eyes were sharp as she stared at the hypocrites before her. She still remembered just how much she wanted to destroy them; her scheming step mother and her offspring, most especially her stupid father who was stupid enough to throw his own daughter away.

But living on her own and away from them, and standing on her own feet with some help from her grandfather, Hinari learned to divert her hate into motivation to rise. She always wanted to slap them with her success and she already did it many times in the past. But it seemed that their faces were too thick to feel the impact. It looked like they needed not just a slap but strong punch in the face.

"Hinari, come over." The old man called her, causing everyone’s face to distort as they looked at her. The old man gestured for her to sit on the bedside chair and she did.

"My dear granddaughter, are you going to go back to Country C again?" he asked and hearing about country C made Hinari think of her dearest beauty so she subconsciously showed him a very bright smile.

"Yes, grandfather. So I’m hoping for your speedy recovery."

"It looks like you’re happier now, my dear. I’m happy to see you like this. My heart will be at ease as long as you’re happy."

"Thank you, grandpa."

As the grandfather and granddaughter duo talked to each other like they were the only ones inside the room, the hate and envy in the eyes of her stepmother and stepsisters were overflowing. They have been jealous of her success but they kept lying to themselves, saying that it was all because this old man favored her too much and that he was giving her everything she needed. They refused to accept that she succeeded through her hard work and made themselves believe that the old man was giving her all his hidden riches which resulted in Hinari’s business’ growth. Their envy towards her only kept rising and their insecurities grew stronger that they wanted nothing but to destroy her to pieces.

Hinari’s stepmother was the most scornful among them. She was only waiting for the old man to die before crushing Hinari to ground and completely banishing her from the Zuzuki family, but it looked like she couldn’t wait any longer.

The old man showing them his obvious favor towards her while he ignored them just fueled her desire to finally make her move. But the main reason of this immense hate was because they found out that the old man had changed his mind and gave her all his shares for the entire Zuzuki company. This was something they could never accept and they knew that it was impossible to make this stubborn old man change his mind except of course if... his beloved granddaughter disappeared for good.

At that moment, an evil, fleeting smile curved into the woman’s face as she stared at Hinari.

’Laugh now, you two. Enjoy time together, because this will be the last time you will see each other...’

...

Red Empire...

Sei was still in his office when he received a call from his mother.

"Son, we’re on our way to the airport but your father suddenly had a small heart attack so we are now heading back. What are we gonna do now?" His mother was obviously anxious.

"How is he?"

"He’s alright but I don’t think he will be allowed to fly."

"It’s fine mother. You can’t force him to go if he is unwell."

"But... this is important for your brother. Who will-"

"Don’t worry mom, I’ll go in father’s place. So calm down and just take care of father."

"O-okay. Thank you, son."

"Mm."

As soon as the call ended, Sei stood up and grabbed his coat.

"Have them prepare the private jet. We’re going after Zaki right now." Sei said and Kir immediately did as he said.