Past, Thrust, and Awakening (Prologue 4) 4k Words

"What?!" Zayn widened his eyes in surprise.

How in the world could Chloe suddenly become my fiancée, and what about that woman too?

Zayn thought his mother must be joking with him, and he couldn't help but shiver when he remembered Luna.

Luna, his childhood sweetheart and ex-girlfriend from the capital's college, was the woman Zayn had in mind.

Her family belonged to one of the six major families in the capital—the Asvart family!

The Asvart family held significant influence in the capital, even though their status was subordinate to the Welston family.

Nevertheless, the Welston family and the Asvart family shared an exceptionally close relationship.

Many generations before Zayn entered into matrimonial alliances with the Asvart family, including his grandfather Zayn and his aunt.

Hence, you could consider the Asvart family as his second family, thanks to the uncles and aunts from previous generations who were part of the Asvart lineage.

It's worth noting that in his father's generation, the Asvart family didn't have any daughters.

Consequently, his father didn't establish a marital connection with the Asvart family.

Had they done so, Zayn might now have two mothers.

Luna is the daughter of the current head of the Asvart family and the offspring of Zayn's aunt, Rica Welston.

In a way, you could say Luna is his own cousin.

He and Luna had been together since childhood, even before Mira arrived.

Luna is renowned as the most beautiful woman in the capital.

Even according to Zayn, Charlotte falls short of her in terms of appearance, background, and aura.

As the sole female representative in the current generation of the Asvart family and the cherished daughter of the Asvart family's head, her upbringing was far beyond the reach of ordinary people or families in Classes 1 and 2.

She had become a gem for the Asvart family.

She possesses a gentle demeanor but maintains an emotional distance from others.

Her incredible talents, goddess-like beauty, and remarkably influential background instantly spring to mind whenever her name is mentioned.

Nonetheless, Zayn, who has been acquainted with her since their college days, knows that this woman is quite formidable.

In an attempt to dismiss his mother's revelation, he let out a nervous chuckle and stammered, "Hahaha, Mom, you have a great sense of humor! Your joke almost had me fainting, hahaha." He forced a laugh and tried to convince himself that his mother's words were just a joke.

However, Carla's response hit him like a nuclear bomb, leaving Zayn in shock.

"Huh? Should I be kidding you about this?" Carla's flustered yet gentle voice came from the other end of the phone.

"I'm not joking, Zayn. Your father and I have arranged for Chloe and Luna to be your fiancées."

Upon hearing this, Zayn had to steady himself and take a deep breath.

He understood that avoiding this situation was never an option.

Since his breakup with Luna during their university years, he knew that it was only a temporary respite.

The Welston and Asvart families had a long-standing tradition of arranged marriages, and even Zayn couldn't escape it.

Carla, sensing Zayn's silence, continued to explain, "You're aware that the Welston and Asvart families have always maintained a tradition of intergenerational marriages among the younger members. It's just that, in your father's generation, there was no suitable match in the Asvart family."

"In your generation, Luna is part of the Asvart family, and naturally, our families will arrange a marriage," Carla said softly, presenting the situation as a matter of fact.

Zayn couldn't argue with her, as this was the undeniable truth.

The interconnection between the two families had existed for many generations.

With a helpless sigh, Zayn accepted the reality of the situation.

He realized there was little he could do, and he didn't want to bring any further distress to his parents.

He strolled over to the open window, gazing at the beautiful night sky in an attempt to clear his cluttered mind.

Mira, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation, maintained her silence, aware of her place.

She was well-acquainted with Luna, as when she first arrived at the Welston family's residence, Luna and Zayn had been inseparable.

Luna always trailed Zayn like a devoted follower, displaying open hostility towards Mira for her closeness to him.

Zayn and Luna's bond was so strong that they had become a couple during their university years.

Luna, widely considered the university's most beautiful and desired woman, had openly confessed her feelings for Zayn in front of their peers.

Curiously, Zayn had accepted Luna's confession, although it was unconventional for the woman to initiate such a declaration.

Still, it was no surprise that Zayn had earned the title of the capital's most handsome man and the dream husband of all.

Everyone took it as a given.

On the other hand, Mira remained in the dark about why Zayn had abruptly ended his relationship with Luna and attempted to avoid her.

Zayn had never revealed the reason to her, not even to his parents.

Mira, at the time, also chose not to intrude on her young master's affairs and refrained from asking him any questions.

However, Mira couldn't help but recollect that during that period, Zayn appeared despondent, and his typically handsome face occasionally bore a vacant expression.

Hence, Mira deduced that Luna might have been connected to his melancholic demeanor.

Meanwhile, Zayn, lost in his thoughts, caught the soft and inquisitive voice of his mother from the other side of the phone.

"Is there something wrong with Luna, my dear son? If I recall correctly, you two have shared a close relationship since childhood, especially during your university days. She confessed her feelings to you, didn't she?"

Carla found herself perplexed by her son's peculiar behavior, as she remained unaware of Zayn's having terminated his relationship with Luna a long time ago.

Had she been privy to this information, she wouldn't have inquired in such a manner.

Zayn comprehended that those closest to him were aware of his longstanding closeness with Luna since their childhood.

Even when Luna confessed her feelings to him, people were informed.

However, Zayn never divulged to anyone that he had ended his relationship with Luna a while ago.

Perhaps only Mira, who remained by his side at all times, knew of the breakup, but she remained in the dark about the reasons, as Zayn hadn't shared them with her.

"Yes, Mom, she did confess to me, and we became a couple during our university years," Zayn replied softly, his eyes fixated on the stars in the night sky, as if recalling the face of the woman he had always tried to forget but couldn't.

Carla found something amiss in her beloved son's response.

"Wait, are you still in a relationship with her now?" she asked curiously.

"No, I have broken up with her," Zayn sighed.

Upon hearing this, Carla was taken aback and inquired angrily, "What?! How is that possible? Why did you suddenly break up?"

"You know that Luna is from the Asvart family? How could you break up with her?" Her once-soft voice was now filled with anger.

Carla, who had indulged Zayn since his childhood, couldn't suppress her anger.

It was understandable.

Her son and Luna, who had been inseparable since childhood, had abruptly parted ways, and Luna was one of the prospective daughters-in-law she had long desired!

Carla knew that Luna couldn't have been the one to end her relationship with her son because she had known her since birth, even assisting in her care during her infancy.

Alongside this, Luna consistently expressed her desire to become Zayn's beloved bride and wife, and Carla wholeheartedly supported Luna's aspiration to be with her older brother, Zayn.

Hence, Carla understood that her son had initiated the breakup with Luna, but she remained oblivious to the reasons, and she had no intention of inquiring further because Luna had to become her daughter-in-law!

Moreover, their relationship would have further solidified the bond between the Welston and Asvart families!

"I-" Before Zayn could offer an explanation, his mother's irate voice reached him from the other end of the phone.

"Humph! I don't care why you broke up with her! I want you to bring back my favorite daughter-in-law as soon as possible!"

"Otherwise, you'll see how I'll deal with you at home!"

A wry smile tugged at the corner of Zayn's mouth as he muttered to himself, "How do you know the reason I broke up with her when you didn't even give me a chance to explain?"

However, Zayn recognized that he couldn't argue with his own mother.

From her perspective, Luna, whom she had known and cared for, had inexplicably broken up with him, and it was only natural for her to be furious.

Even if he were to explain, he was certain his mother wouldn't care and would still want Luna as his wife.

Whether for family considerations or other factors, Luna had long been destined to be his wife.

It would be disingenuous for Zayn to claim he didn't love her.

The relationship they had built from childhood until now was no trivial matter.

Most significantly, they had been together since their university days, a period that had allowed them to express their deepest emotions.

Recalling that time brought a touch of sadness to him.

...

During their university years, Luna had boldly confessed her feelings in front of all the university students, and without hesitation, Zayn had accepted her confession, marking the beginning of their relationship.

It had been an unusual situation as Luna had initiated the confession, but that detail didn't matter to either of them, and no one else minded either.

Who wouldn't have considered them the ideal couple? Their striking good looks made them the university's representation of an ideal husband and wife.

They had been inseparable for years, whether during their elementary school days or their university years.

Their close family ties had made their companionship effortless.

People often predicted that they would eventually become a couple, and their eventual dating confirmed those expectations.

Luna, eager to make Zayn hers, had confessed her feelings, and they officially started dating.

This caused a significant stir at the time, with various college forums buzzing about it for several months.

However, Zayn and Luna paid little attention to the fuss.

Their longstanding friendship had made dating feel natural, and Luna clung to him like glue.

Zayn, in turn, continued to dote on Luna, making it nearly impossible for her to be apart from him.

However, what Zayn hadn't initially realized was that Luna had always been possessive and obsessive about him.

Her possessive and obsessive tendencies began to emerge gradually.

One day, Zayn noticed that Luna was becoming increasingly attached to him, visiting his mansion regularly and sneaking into his room.

Mira, aware of Luna's position as the Asvart family's only daughter and her status as his girlfriend, couldn't prevent her from visiting Zayn's mansion.

At first, Zayn interpreted Luna's behavior as a sign of deep affection, but with time, it became apparent that her attachment was excessive and possessive.

It felt as if she was overly possessive and even prevented Mira from caring for him.

Zayn eventually couldn't tolerate it and started advising her to temper her behavior.

However, she disregarded his advice and persisted in her habits.

One fateful day, the university festival took place, and Zayn naturally took center stage as the highlight, performing his original song.

His soft and melodious voice sent the entire female population of the university into a frenzy, and his impeccable appearance flawlessly complemented his stage presence.

Numerous people recorded his performance, sharing it all over the internet.

This marked the beginning of his continuous display of remarkable talents in various fields beyond singing.

Combined with his Welston family background as the most influential family in the capital, he earned the title "Perfect Prince" from the public.

Countless women, both from his own university and others, attempted to get closer to him.

Love letters filled his mornings as if it were a daily ritual.

Who could blame them?

He was the embodiment of every woman's dream—handsome, talented, and, most significantly, the sole heir to the Welston family!

Even though everyone was aware of Zayn's relationship with Luna, the university's enchanting beauty, they paid no heed and tried to win him over.

Yet Zayn rejected all their advances.

He had a stunning, gentle, and refined girlfriend by his side.

Moreover, their relationship had spanned their entire lives.

Why would Zayn be interested in anyone else?

However, it appeared that his sentiments differed from Luna's at the time.

As Zayn's fame in the capital grew, Luna's anxiety escalated, fearing that another woman might snatch him away, leaving her behind.

A slew of negative emotions flooded Luna's mind—jealousy, the fear of losing Zayn, and more—prompting her to craft a sinister plot to ensnare and possess Zayn completely.

In her quest to imprison him, Luna devises various strategies, ultimately succeeding in capturing him one fateful day and locking him inside a warehouse.

At the time, Mira was absent due to her training with the butler outside the city, leaving Zayn bewildered, initially believing that the Welston family's adversaries were behind the abduction.

However, after liberating himself and subduing the guards, he discovered that Luna had orchestrated the entire scheme.

Fortunately, she wasn't present when he was apprehended, leading him to surmise that she had been summoned to the Asvart family mansion.

He also learned that some of the women who had previously approached him had suddenly vanished, and it was all due to Luna!

The woman who consistently appeared graceful, composed, and gentle in his presence turned out to harbor an intense obsession with him.

He couldn't determine when she had developed such a disposition, but perhaps it had been a latent trait, possibly present even before they started dating—a determination to make him hers.

Overwhelmed by a maelstrom of sadness, fear, and fatigue, he made the decision to distance himself from Luna and terminate their relationship.

Some might say he was running away from a problem, but he couldn't bear her overwhelming love and obsession.

He sent Luna a message, stating, "I've learned about everything you've done; you've disappointed me; from now on, don't contact me again."

From that point onward, Zayn ceased all communication with Luna.

Luna didn't reappear either, and he learned from his aunt, who was Luna's mother, that she had gone abroad to continue her studies.

It seemed that while he was in confinement, the Asvart family had arranged for Luna to travel abroad.

At the time, Zayn speculated that she might return someday, which later became his greatest regret.

He believed he should have prevented Luna from becoming so obsessively possessive and paid more attention to her.

But it was all too late now.

...

Suddenly, his mother's voice broke through on the other end of the phone.

"You should reconcile with Luna as soon as possible. If there are issues between the two of you, you should address them rather than avoid them."

"You are the heir of the Welston family, and you must handle matters with determination. Your years of training should serve a purpose, right?" Carla's voice snapped him out of his reverie.

After hearing his mother's words, he suddenly realized, "You're right! I can't keep running away from problems like this. Maybe it's my fault for not being firm with her and allowing her to develop this way."

"As the successor of the Welston family, I can't continue like this!"

It was as if a light bulb had gone off in Zayn's mind, and he immediately recognized his mistake in avoiding such problems.

Although he had always been called a genius and had undergone rigorous training within the Welston family, he hadn't expected that the person who had framed him would be someone he loved deeply.

It had been a harsh blow.

Now that he had acknowledged his past errors and was preparing to face Luna, especially since five years had passed since the incident, he felt more mature and composed than when he was 18 years old.

It wasn't that he had never considered confronting Luna, but overwhelming confusion had clouded his judgment on how to proceed.

Her love, in particular, had been too intense for him to bear. He had constantly sought excuses to evade her, leading him to avoid the issue and bury everything deep within himself.

Now, he knew he had to step up and face it.

For the sake of his parents, his family, and even Luna herself.

"Okay, Mom, I'll address this issue; thank you for your guidance." Zayn's voice exuded confidence, free of hesitation.

"Fufufu~ That's my son; I'll leave it to you then." Carla's laughter rang out from the other end of the phone.

Mira, who had been standing by Zayn to give him space, beamed with happiness, her eyes forming crescent moons.

She was delighted to see her young master seemingly ready to confront the issues that had troubled him for years.

"Well, now that you know that Luna and Chloe are your fiancées, along with Mira," Carla breathed a sigh of relief.

She had been worried after learning of her son's breakup with Luna, fearing he might remain stubborn and unwilling to reconcile.

Thankfully, her son had proven to be sensible and level-headed.

The corner of Zayn's mouth twitched as he suddenly grasped that his mother had designated his younger sister, Chloe, as his fiancée.

He understood that this was likely part of the agreement between Chloe and his mother, which had stemmed from Chloe's displeasure over Charlotte being his fiancée.

However, he decided not to pursue the matter further.

If he continued to inquire or voice his grievances, he knew his mother would reprimand him, extending their conversation unnecessarily.

For now, in his heart, he couldn't bring himself to regard Chloe as the opposite sex because he had always seen her as a younger sister, despite the absence of a blood relationship.

It seemed best to leave the matter of accepting Chloe as the opposite sex to time and let it evolve naturally.

Zayn sighed and thought, "Alright, Mom, is there anything else?" He wanted to conclude the call with his mother quickly, especially as Charlotte's arrival at the mansion seemed imminent.

"Ara ara~ Don't you want to chat with your mother a bit longer?" Carla's voice took on a teasing tone, quite distinct from her earlier scolding.

"It's not that, mom; Charlotte will be here soon, and I want to welcome her." Zayn rolled his eyes and let out a soft sigh.

He couldn't argue with his parents, which might be his greatest vulnerability—his love for his family and loved ones.

He strived to protect and care for them all.

"Hum~ Alright. But I have one more piece of news I haven't shared with you yet, right?"

Zayn recalled his mother mentioning three pieces of shocking news.

One was the announcement of his engagement breaking, the second revealed his three fiancées, and the third...

He couldn't fathom it, but he was eager to discover what else his mother had to say.

"Well, could you tell me now?"

However, Carla didn't immediately respond to his question, and he could hear her breathing on the other end of the phone.

Soon, her reply surprised Zayn even more than the news about his engagement to three girls!

You have a new little sister!" He heard Carla's excited voice.

"What?! Are you adopting another child?" This news shocked Zayn, as having another sibling meant he had to love and care for them!

It wasn't that he declined; it was just that he felt genuinely bewildered.

With Chloe by his side, he was already overwhelmed with pampering his younger sister, even though she was now one of his fiancées.

However, for now, she's still my sister...

"Of course not; it's your biological sister~" Carla chuckled in response.

"So, you are?" Zayn asked in a daze.

"Yes, just as you suspected! I became pregnant nine months ago and recently gave birth to a daughter. Are you surprised?" Carla expressed her delight at her beloved son's reaction.

Zayn found himself completely speechless at this revelation.

His mother and father had been absent for nearly a year, taking a vacation to spend quality time together.

As a devoted son, Zayn wholeheartedly supported their decision.

Initially, they had informed him that their vacation would last about five months, but it had stretched to almost a year.

Zayn had been concerned and had inquired about their well-being.

They reassured him that they were enjoying themselves, putting his mind at ease. But now, his mother was disclosing her pregnancy and the birth of a daughter.

Was their one-year vacation related to her pregnancy?

Numerous questions swirled in his mind.

"I'm so surprised, Mom! Why didn't you tell me earlier? You've had me worried, you know?" Zayn conveyed his astonishment, his tone tinged with sadness and frustration.

"After almost a year, they've been gone," he added, emphasizing his concerns for their safety despite their assurances of well-being.

Zayn's concerns revolved around the possibility of his parents, as the current heads of the Welston family, experiencing an accident or falling prey to covert attacks by the family's adversaries.

Zayn experienced a mixture of emotions: happiness, sadness, and relief.

He was happy that his parents were safe and that he now had a little sister.

However, he was disappointed that they hadn't informed him earlier.

Even though the surprise had caught him off guard, their well-being was his utmost concern.

Carla recognized her mistake and promptly apologized to her son, saying, "Well, dear, I'm sorry Mom and Dad didn't tell you earlier. We shouldn't have made you worry about our safety. Can you forgive me, my dear son?~"

Zayn sighed and responded softly, "It's okay as long as you're safe, Mom." He couldn't stay angry with his mother, especially since his earlier irritation had been momentary.

"Thank you, my dear son," Carla expressed her gratitude in a happier tone.

Sensing that the mood had lightened, Zayn inquired curiously, "Mom, what is my little sister's name?"

"We haven't named her yet, dear," Carla replied directly.

After a brief pause, she continued excitedly, "Ah! How about letting you choose a name for her as our way of apologizing for making you worry, dear?"

Zayn was surprised and asked softly, "Can I really name her?"

Naming someone is no small feat, and this was his new younger sister, after all.

"Of course, you are her older brother," Carla replied with confidence.

Zayn contemplated for a moment, searching for a suitable name for his new little sister.

"By the way, is it winter there?" he suddenly inquired.

Carla didn't comprehend the reason behind her son's question, but she answered, "Yes, it's snowing here, my son. Why?"

Zayn's eyes lit up, and he quickly thought of a fitting name for his new little sister.

"I've been thinking, Mom. What if we name her 'Noel Welston,' a name signifying that she was born during the snowfall?" Zayn suggested, a small smile gracing his lips.

His affection for his new little sister was already brimming, despite not having met her yet.

"What a beautiful name, Zayn! Just what my dear son was hoping for!" Carla's voice brimmed with excitement on the other end of the phone.

"We'll name her 'Noel Welston,' and I hope she'll be as intelligent and talented as her handsome brother. This way, you can cherish each other."

Zayn smiled happily and assured, "Don't worry, Mom. I'll take care of her and spoil her, just like I do with Chloe."

"Fufufu! I trust you, my son," Carla chuckled.

Suddenly, Mira, who had been smiling at Zayn, received news from the gatekeeper that Charlotte had arrived.

She promptly called Zayn and informed him, "Young master, Miss Charlotte has arrived and will be entering soon."

Zayn nodded and said to his mother on the phone, "Mom, Charlotte's here; I'll greet her shortly, so that's all we're talking about."

Although he was eager to learn more about his new little sister, the urgency of the situation demanded his immediate attention, so he decided to save his questions for a later time.

"Well, my dear son, take care of yourself and quickly resolve the matter between you and Charlotte."

"Oh, and make sure to pick up Luna at the airport tomorrow; your aunt informed me that she'll arrive tomorrow afternoon from abroad," Carla swiftly reminded him.

Zayn agreed without argument and said, "Alright, Mom, don't worry. I'll have everything sorted out before your return." A smile graced his lips.

"As expected of my son! Take care and convey my regards to Mira and Charlotte."

With a quick "beep," Carla ended the call.

After hanging up, Zayn smiled at Mira and gently hugged her.

"I'll handle the matter with Charlotte soon, so don't worry," he reassured her, referring to Mira's earlier premonition.

"Well, I believe in you, Young Master," Mira replied, hugging Zayn tightly and resting her head on his chest.

Zayn playfully corrected her, "Not 'Young Master,' but 'husband.'"

"Husband!" Mira blushed, her face turning red.

Zayn smiled triumphantly and gently caressed Mira's head.

"Alright, Charlotte will be here."

"Well, I'll prepare tea for my husband and Miss Charlotte," Mira said with a smile as she left the living room.

Zayn nodded and settled on the sofa, awaiting Charlotte's arrival.

His black eyes held a profound sense of tranquility as he contemplated, "Charlotte, let's see if we can become friends after this or..."