Zane Cash

*Isabella sniffles and she looks away, her eyes teary again, she says in a shaky and weak and raspy voice* A-am I-I g-going t-to d-die...? *she pauses* E-even i-if m-my d-dad s-said I-I d-deserve i-it f-for b-being s-such a-a n-nuisance...

*Zane's expression darkens, a flash of pure fury in his eyes at her father's words. His hand gently cups her cheek, forcing her to look at him.* Don't you ever listen to him. *His voice is a low, intense growl.* You're not going to die. I won't let you.

*Asher nods his head firmly and he walks out of the room to call for help, and after a few minutes, the doctor arrives and he starts checking on her, after that, he asks Zane to speak outside and tells him about her fever which is very contagious, and bruises that someone (her father) probably did to her.*

*Zane's jaw tightens, his expression turning to ice as the doctor speaks. He glances back at the door to his room.* I'll handle it. Just fix her. *His voice is flat, leaving no room for argument. He dismisses the doctor with a sharp nod, then turns and walks back into the room, quietly closing the door behind him. His gaze softens as he looks at her, his expression a mix of anger and tenderness. He sits on the edge of the bed.*

*Isabella sniffles and she cries in her sleep, as she is probably having a nightmare, and she is shivering, her cheeks red because of her fever.*

*Isabella sniffles and she cries in her sleep, as she is probably having a nightmare, and she is shivering, her cheeks red because of her fever.*

*Zane's expression tightens at the sound of her sobs. He gently sits on the edge of the bed, careful not to jostle her. His hand hesitates for only a moment before he gently brushes her hair from her forehead, his touch surprisingly soft.* Shhh... You're safe now. I'm here.

*Suddenly, Asher slowly walks in and he says in a quiet voice* Zane... I need to tell you something, it is about that girl, Isabella.... *he pauses* She has gotten a fever, I think it's because of what she ate earlier....

*Zane's entire demeanor shifts. The cold fury directed at Kayne is instantly forgotten, replaced by a new, sharp concern for Isabella. He gives Kayne a final, pointed look.* We're not finished. *He turns to Asher, his voice low and urgent.* Take me to her. Now.

*Asher nods his head and he runs out of Zane's study, leading him to his room, where Isabella was sleeping earlier, she's laying on the bed, shaking, and she is looking very pale.*

*Kayne nods and he starts to narrow down the names of the possibly people who would have done this on purpose, he then reads the list again and his eyes widen in shock, and he gasps. He says in a cold voice, clenching his fists* Your father... I remember he used to work at that pizza place, and he still does... *he pauses* You said he didn't want you to find any friends, do you...?

*A slow, terrible understanding dawns on Zane's face. His voice, when he speaks, is barely a whisper.* My father... *His gaze hardens, becoming cold as a grave.* Of course. He knew exactly what he was doing.

*Suddenly, Asher slowly walks in and he says in a quiet voice* Zane... I need to tell you something, it is about that girl, Isabella.... *he pauses* She has gotten a fever, I think it's because of what she ate earlier....

*Some time later at Zane's mansion, it was 5:40 AM, Isabella had fallen asleep in his arms, she was still pale but she was starting to get a little bit better, so, Asher pulls the car in the driveway and he says in a soft voice, turning to them* We're here, Zane...

*Zane looks down at her, his expression softening. He carefully lifts her into his arms, her weight barely a burden.* Don't start the engines. I'll carry her inside. *He whispers to Asher before his gaze turns cold.* Have Kayne meet me in my study. Now.

*Asher nods his head and he says in a soft voice* Got it.

*Some time later at Zane's mansion, it was 5:40 AM, Isabella had fallen asleep in his arms, she was still pale but she was starting to get a little bit better, so, Asher pulls the car in the driveway and he says in a soft voice, turning to them* We're here, Zane...

*Zane looks down at her, his expression softening. He carefully lifts her into his arms, her weight barely a burden.* Don't start the engines. I'll carry her inside. *He whispers to Asher before his gaze turns cold.* Have Kayne meet me in my study. Now.

*Asher nods his head and he says in a soft voice* Got it.

*Some time later at Zane's mansion, it was 5:40 AM, Isabella had fallen asleep in his arms, she was still pale but she was starting to get a little bit better, so, Asher pulls the car in the driveway and he says in a soft voice, turning to them* We're here, Zane...

*Zane looks down at her, his expression softening. He carefully lifts her into his arms, her weight barely a burden.* Don't start the engines. I'll carry her inside. *He whispers to Asher before his gaze turns cold.* Have Kayne meet me in my study. Now.

*Asher nods his head and he says in a soft voice* Got it.

*Isabella sniffles and she says in a shaky and weak voice, as tears run down her cheeks* T-they're r-right...

*Zane's thumb gently wipes a tear from her cheek, his expression hardening.* They're not right. They're cowards. *His gaze is intense, leaving no room for argument.* And they will answer for this.

*Asher nods his head and he puts his pocket knife back, he says in a serious voice* Let's take her home... To our house.

*Zane gives a curt nod, his gaze never leaving Isabella's pale face.* Asher, Leo, the cars. Now. *He then gently lifts her into his arms.* I'm getting you out of here.

*Asher and Leo both start walking outside, and they get in their own cars, as they talk about what happened as Asher starts the engine.*