The rain outside had not stopped since morning. Dark clouds roared like angry beasts, and every clap of thunder shook the walls of Zack's mansion. Inside, Mona was pacing the marble floor, her heels clicking like the ticking of a clock. Her hands were trembling, her eyes restless.
"Zack…" she said in a heavy, broken voice, "our company's condition is getting worse every day. If we don't act now, everything we built, every drop of sweat and blood, will collapse into dust. We will lose everything!"
Zack sat silently in his leather chair, his face pale with exhaustion. The large plasma TV across the wall was flashing with the latest news update.
The reporter's voice echoed through the room:
"Attention citizens! A dangerous storm is approaching. Do not leave your homes. The sky has turned crimson — just like the storm ten years ago. This weather is not ordinary. Stay safe. Stay inside."
Mona froze, her chest tightening. The mention of ten years ago still haunted her. She turned to Zack.
"Zack, did you hear? The same storm… It's happening again. Just like that night…"
Before Zack could respond, his mobile buzzed violently on the table. He picked it up, pressing it against his ear. A frantic voice spoke:
"Sir! The body count is rising. Our enemies are crushing us. Our shares are falling. If we don't move quickly, our company will go bankrupt. Sir, what will you do?"
Zack's grip tightened on the phone. His chest suddenly felt heavy, as if invisible chains were crushing his ribs. He gasped for air, his hand clutching his heart. Then — collapse.
"ZACK!" Mona screamed, rushing toward him. His body had fallen to the floor. His face was turning pale.
"No… No, please! Somebody call an ambulance! Hurry!" Tears blurred her vision. "Hubby, stay with me! Please!"
On the Other Side — A College Entrance
The large double doors swung open with a creak, and in walked a boy. Blue ripped jeans, a silk-black shirt, silver watch glinting on his wrist. His hair — streaks of red and blue — fell across his forehead, and his eyes… deep, dark, almost terrifying.
Levi.
The hallway froze. Every student stopped breathing for a second. Girls screamed in whispers:
"Oh my God, it's Levi…"
"Look at him… so cold, so dangerous…"
The boys stepped back, making way for him as if he were a predator among prey. The silence was broken when a boy named Harmons stormed forward, rage burning in his eyes.
Before anyone could react — SLAP!
The sound echoed through the hall. Gasps filled the corridor.
Harmons shouted at Levi, his voice filled with venom:
"You arrogant bastard! Do you know who you really are? You live on your father's money while he's fighting for his life in Korea!"
Levi froze, his eyes widening. "What…?"
At that exact moment, his phone rang. He snatched it from his pocket.
"Mama?" His voice cracked.
On the other side, Mona's broken sobs filled his ear.
"Levi… your dad's condition is very bad. The doctors said anything could happen. Please, son… come back. Your father needs you. Please… come back!"
Levi's entire world shattered in that moment. Without a word, he dropped the phone and ran.
Next Day — Hospital
Levi pushed the doors open, his chest burning, his breath heavy.
"Mama! Dad! Where are they?!"
But before he could reach the room, his eyes caught a figure standing inside — a boy.
Levi stopped dead in his tracks. His fists clenched. His voice was filled with fire:
"What is HE doing here?!"
Mona turned to him, her face tired but strangely calm.
"Levi… this is Eren."
Levi's heart dropped. Anger took over.
"I know who he is! But why is he here?!"
Eren turned, confusion in his wide eyes. His voice soft, trembling:
"Mama… who is this boy?"
Levi's blood boiled. His hands shook. "Don't tell me… You don't even remember me, Eren?! Don't you dare say it!"
Eren blinked in shock. His voice barely a whisper:
"I… I don't remember you."
Levi lunged forward, but before he could explode further, doctors rushed in.
"Mr. Zack is out of danger for now," one of them said. "But he must not take stress. His heart is very weak. One wrong step could…"
Mona quickly nodded. "Yes, doctor. I will take care of him." She turned back and wrapped her arms around Eren. "At least now both my children are back."
Levi's eyes went red. "Mama! Don't say that! Don't you dare say he'll stay with us!"
Mona smiled faintly. "Yes, Levi. From now on, Eren will live with us."
Levi grabbed Eren's wrist, his voice trembling with rage and grief. "You really don't remember anything, do you? You've changed so much, Eren…"
Eren pulled his hand back. "I don't remember… I don't even know who you are."
Mona calmly called the manager. "Take Eren home. He's tired. Prepare his room."
Levi's voice cracked like thunder: "Mama! If he doesn't remember anything, why bring him back?!" He smashed his fist against the wall, the sound vibrating through the room.
Mona's face hardened. She whispered, "Levi… Eren doesn't remember because of the accident."
And then… memories of ten years ago came flooding back.
Flashback — 10 Years Ago
The doctor's voice echoed in the hospital ward:
"Mr. Zack, Mrs. Mona… Eren's mind is badly damaged. He watched his parents die in front of him… and then Officer Sam too. That trauma destroyed part of his memory. Sometimes he will remember everything. Sometimes… he will forget everything."
Mona cried, her hands trembling. "Doctor, there must be a way! He's just a child!"
The doctor nodded gravely. "There is medicine. But it must be given every single day. If he misses even one dose, the result will be unpredictable. Either all his memories will return… or he will lose everything forever."
Present Day
Levi stood in silence, tears burning his eyes. "Mama… will he ever remember me?"
Mona placed her hand on his cheek. "Crying won't help. If you want him back, you must become the most important person in his life again. Don't remind him of the past… Make him belong to you, Levi."
Levi's lips trembled into a broken smile. "Then I'll do everything. I'll make him mine again. Just like when we were children."
Mona hugged him. Both smiled… but her eyes held a secret.
Two Days Later — Night
The dining table was silent. Mona sat in the center. Levi on one side. Eren on the other.
Mona spoke gently: "I've decided. Both of you will stay here and finish your studies."
Levi smiled. "Okay, Mama."
But Eren lowered his head, his voice heavy with sadness. "Mama… I don't want to stay here. Please… I want to continue my studies abroad."
Mona frowned. "Why, son? What happened?"
Eren shook his head in confusion. "I don't know… but I feel like I don't belong here. Please let me go."
Before Mona could reply, Levi slammed the table, shattering a glass into pieces. His voice thundered:
"Why?! Why do you always want to run away from us, Eren? Mama has decided. You are not going anywhere!"
"LEVI!" Mona snapped angrily. "If Eren's heart wishes to go… I will not stop him."
Eren left the table, sadness in his eyes. Levi stood frozen, rage boiling. "Mama… I swear… I'll never let him leave me again!" He stormed toward his room.
Mona, however, remained calm. A mysterious smile curved her lips. She picked up her phone and dialed.
"Master… as you said, everything is going according to the plan. Eren is here. Now tell me… what exactly do you want from him?"
The line went dead.
To Be Continued…