CHAPTER 211: CHAPTER 211: THE CALM AFTER CONFRONTATION

~Zayn’s POV~

I listened to every part of Nicki’s side of the story. I didn’t want to judge who was right or who was wrong; everything that happened between them was in the past.

"Nicki," I said, my voice cutting through the heavy air. "Whatever happened between you and Evric, the cheating, the fighting, the toxicity, it’s over. It’s in the past."

I leaned forward, trying to convey the stability of my own position. "Evric is with me now. That is the present. You need to respect that, Nicki."

"What you did was cruel, Nicki. You went too far to sexually assault Evric when he was unconscious. I should be angry. I should have let Evans do whatever he wanted to do with you, but I’m not like you, Nicki."

My voice grew firm. "There is no way I would ever chase after my ex, much less try to drug him and force myself on him. I am different from you, Nicki. I am far better than you, and that is exactly why Evric chose me."

"Why can’t you just move on with your life, Nicki? Why dwell on hate so much? You hate me, you hate my man. Why?" I softened my tone slightly. "I understand everything you said about the past, but if I also decided to be like you, I would hate you, and it would start affecting good people like your brother."

"You know how powerful the people you are trying to mess with are, yet you want to go to jail because of hate and jealousy. You are still very young, Nicki. You should spend your time thinking about your future, not sitting here consumed by hate."

I gave him a stark example. "I also have exes, and I have no business with them. Evric is not the only person you have ever dated, and he’s not your only ex, so why is there so much bitterness just because you chased after him, he rejected you, and you found out later it was because of me?"

I leaned closer, allowing anger to creep into my voice for the first time. "Nicki, grow up! Pity your brother, Nantam! He couldn’t get himself together the entire time you were locked up. Tell me, what if Evric’s father got wind of the assault and decided to pursue the case further? Do you understand the severity of what you did by trying to drug and assault my boyfriend?"

"It’s because I want peace that I begged Evans to let you out early. Can you just stop?" My voice dropped to an urgent plea. "Stop chasing after my man, Nicki! He will never want you. He believes you belong to his past. Why can’t you have some dignity and do the same? Stop trying so hard to sleep with him so you can ruin our relationship! What exactly will you gain by destroying my relationship with my boyfriend and also destroying my relationship with your brother? Can’t you see it doesn’t make sense?"

I told him the truth of my relationship, the value Evric had placed on me from the start. "Evric chose me before I chose him. He loved me before I loved him. He puts me first, even when I don’t ask him to. Not because I beg for it, but because he sees that I deserve it."

"Why can’t you just move on and stop the hate?" I snapped, my patience finally wearing thin. "That hate will destroy you. Because if this happens again, I will destroy you myself. I will compile everything you have done, from trying to harm me to assaulting my boyfriend, and I will report you to the full extent of the law. Understand this: stay away from my man."

Nicki listened to everything. His stubborn gaze finally softened, and he released a long, slow breath. "What other choice do I have now than to stay away from him?" he admitted quietly. "I also value my time and life. Truly, I wanted to destroy the relationship between you two, but Nantam already talked to me, and Dean also talked to me, and now you are also talking to me. I understand, and I have heard you."

He paused, collecting himself. "I will stay away." Even though he was trying to be stubborn, I knew he couldn’t bear to see Nantam in pain again. He looked at me, a flicker of genuine remorse finally visible. "I apologize for everything I have done."

"All I want is a peaceful life, Nicki," I agreed.

After our conversation ended, Nantam stood up from where he had been listening discreetly in the doorway and came over to the table, relief washing over his face. He extended his hand to me.

"Thank you, Zayn," he said sincerely.

Nicki nodded once to me. "Thank you, Zayn." He then stood and walked into the house, leaving Nantam and me alone to talk.

We talked for a while about his job and my new restaurant branch. The clock ticking, I finally pulled out my phone and sent a quick message to Evric: I’m done. Babe, pick me up.

Evric’s reply came instantly: Baby, I’m so sorry, but my driver will pick you up. I need to attend to something real quick. He followed it with a string of pleading emojis.

I smiled, feeling the familiar warmth of his guilt and devotion. I typed back, "Okay, baby."

Not long after, Evric’s driver arrived and picked me up, taking me straight home. Once inside, I went upstairs, quickly changed out of my clothes, and headed straight for the kitchen. I prepared a comforting, light dinner for Evric and set it up on the dining room table so he could eat immediately when he arrived.

Dinner prepared, I then gently carried Miso (the sleek cat) and called Milo (the clumsy puppy) and took them both upstairs to the master bedroom. I settled onto the balcony lounger, the cool evening air a contrast to the warmth of the house. Miso curled instantly in my lap, and Milo lay at my feet, and we waited.

Time stretched slowly, marked only by the shifting light. Finally, I heard the distinctive sound of the elevator door opening.

Evric walked in, looking exhausted but instantly spotting me on the balcony. He dropped his suit jacket onto the bed and came straight to me.

He didn’t speak; he just leaned down, his large frame surrounding me, and pressed a deep, tired kiss onto my lips. It was a long, silent connection that melted away the tension of the day.

He sank into the seat beside me, gently petting Miso. "Hey, love. How was your day?" he asked, his voice low.

"Fine," I replied simply. "How was your meeting with the person you went to see?" Evric asked gently petting Miso, not wanting to use Nicki’s name.

"It went well," I confirmed, my voice simple. I didn’t want to get into the details of Nicki’s bitterness right now. "Just a lot of pointless negotiation. All sorted now." We talked briefly, keeping the conversation light, before I decided he looked too worn out.

"Are you tired, baby?"

"So tired," he admitted, resting his head against mine.

"Go shower then. Dinner is downstairs, and then we can relax."

Evric smiled, a wide, playful grin, and hugged me tightly. "Baby," he said, his breath warm against my ear.

"Yes?"

"I’m tired, but... fucking on the balcony can be so refreshing, you know."

I laughed, giving him a playful tap on the shoulder. "Stop! Are you crazy, Evric?"

"Yes," he replied instantly, his eyes sparkling. "Completely crazy for you."