Iris looked in horror at the lone piano in the room. The keys were playing by themselves. Goosebumps popped up all over her skin.

“Darling, let’s go,” she said with more urgency. “Hurry.”

Just as they were going to run, the door to the room crashed open.

Bang!

Dark, shadowy figures raised their guns and started shooting at them. 

“No!” Iris shouted and dragged Jin Liwei and the babies they were carrying behind the piano. 

Blood stained her white dress but she felt no pain. She was certain that she wasn’t shot. She checked at the crying babies in her and Jin Liwei’s arms and felt relieved that they were okay. Then her breath caught in her throat when she saw blood gushing out of Jin Liwei’s right shoulder and left hip. 

Before she could speak, however, the dark, shadowy enemies drew nearer. There was no way that she would continue to let this happen. She would protect her family this time.

Without thinking, she gave the baby in her arms to the bleeding Jin Liwei. Then she jumped out from behind the piano which was still playing Beethoven’s “Für Elise”. [This novel is a contracted work with W e b n o v e l . c o m (remove spaces). If you’re not reading this chapter on W e b n o v e l, it has been stolen. It’s very discouraging to see thieves profitting from my hard work. Please support the original author, ArriaCross. Thank you! Also follow me on Instagram @arriacross]

Bullets grazed her skin but she barrelled forward and started attacking the nearest shadowy figure. She stole his gun and started shooting at the rest of the enemies. No matter how many dark, shadowy figures she killed, more replaced them, flooding into the piano room from the doorway as if it was the gate of hell. 

Her white dress was now a dark red dress dripping with blood. She looked otherworldly, like a demoness killing immortals, and tainting her previously detached and pure soul with blood, murder, and vengeance. 

She didn’t know how long she fought, how many wounds she received, how many guns she stole, and how many enemies she killed. Her goal was clear. To not let any of the enemies pass the piano and get to her husband and children. Even if she had to die a thousand times, she would protect her family and kill everyone in her path to do so. 

Time passed and yet “Für Elise” kept on playing for what felt like a hellish eternity. 

Finally, she killed the last of the enemies. 

Then total silence. 

The only sounds that she could hear at that seemingly frozen moment were her harsh, ragged breathing and the loud drumming of her heart. 

No more gunshots.

No more screams.

No more “Für Elise”. 

No more babies crying….

Wait.

Her babies! Jin Liwei!

She ran back behind the piano and saw a bloody scene that stamped inside her soul like an excruciatingly hot iron brand.

Jin Liwei was dead. Their twin babies were dead. 

Her mind flew like a crow soaring in the desolate sky and saw that everyone in her family died. 

Everyone was dead. She was alive and all alone. 

The pain was immense, like someone ripped her heart out and continued squeezing it into a bloody pulp. 

She fell down on her knees and screamed at heaven and hell while tears of blood flowed down her soulless eyes. 

###

“Baby! Wake up!”

Iris’ eyes flew open while she was in the middle of screaming and thrashing against the people trying to hold her down on the bed. 

“It’s okay, baby! I’m here. You’re alright.” 

“Liwei!” She burst into tears when she saw the love of her life alive and well. She jumped into his arms and hugged him as tightly as she could, afraid that he was just an illusion and he really died with their babies. 

Jin Liwei was murmuring soothing words to her but he couldn’t hide the fear and worry in his voice. “It’s just a nightmare, love.”

There were other people in the bedroom—Dom, the butler, and two security personnel—who were the nearest to answer Ketchup’s frantic call for help after hearing her mommy screaming in her sleep. Ice Cream and Popcorn also never left.

Fortunately, Jin Liwei had just arrived at the mansion from his meeting with Elder Long Jufang and the shareholders on behalf of Iris. A calm and collected Bacon informed him of what was happening with his mother. Jin Liwei immediately ran to the bedroom and took over in trying to wake up his hysterical, sleeping wife while also preventing her from hurting herself accidentally with all her thrashing. 

Her nightmare must be quite frightening for her to react like this. He could barely hold on to his composure especially after hearing her anguished screams.

When she woke up, great relief flooded him but not for long because she immediately began sobbing in his arms. He tried talking to her but couldn’t get through her distressed state.

“Ketchup, have someone prepare the helicopter ASAP,” he instructed. “I’m taking your mom to the hospital.”

“Wuwuwu! Yes, Daddy! Meowuwuwu!”

Jin Liwei then gave additional instructions to the other people in the bedroom. They all dispersed to do what they were told.

“Bacon, make sure this doesn’t leak outside. Your mom doesn’t need additional stress from the public learning about this.”

“Worry not, Father. Bacon will secure everything regarding this matter.”

Jin Liwei nodded and continued trying to calm his wife.

“Hospital,” Iris cried. “Let’s go to the hospital!”

“Yes, I’m bringing you to the hospital,” he told her but she wasn’t listening. 

“Our babies!” she continued crying.

That caught his attention. “What about our babies?”

“Check that our babies are still alive!”

He immediately looked down between her legs and felt it with his hand to make sure that she wasn’t bleeding. When he was sure that there was no blood, he released a small sigh of relief but still couldn’t feel assured because of her hysterical babble.

“You died, Liwei! Our babies died, too! I couldn’t protect all of you! I was the only one left alive. I tried this time to save my family but I failed! I’d rather die again than see you all die before me!”

“Ssshh. We’re alright. Nobody died. We won’t leave you, love. Our babies are alright, I’m sure.” He tried his best to calm her down even though he also felt disturbed by her words. “It’s just a nightmare. And don’t worry. I’ll be the one to protect our family.”