His Identity


    ZOE was surprised when she woke up one morning. Helios was there, sitting beside her, and she


    bet he was staring at her, who-knows-when.


    It was a hell week for Zoe, dealing with other bullies, but she admits it and is beyond grateful


    because the queen, Mira Riverdale, was there to save her ass.


    “Hey,” Helios uttered and smiled at her.


    Zoe couldn’t still believe the things happening between them were too swift and seemed temporary.


    She moved herself up and leaned on the headboard, never leaving Helios’s gaze.


    “Since when did you arrive?”


    Helios crept a yful smirk on his lips. “Just this morning.”


    Zoe pressed her lips and sighed. “And how long have you been staring at me?”


    Helios let out a soft chuckle. “You have no idea—”


    “Just answer me, Helios. And I am not up for a joke.”


    Helios’s forehead creased and sat properly. “What’s with you, baby? Did I do something wrong?”


    Zoe took a deep breath and sighed. “I don’t know,” she shook her head, “—all of these seem so


    unreal, and it shouldn’t be like this.”


    Zoe was certain that he might trigger something inside Helios. And she won’t apologize for that.


    “Are you talking about my proposal? The marriage thing—”


    “That marriage thing…” she raised her hand to prevent Helios from talking.


    “Marriage is not a game that has to be yed by kids. Marriage is sacred. You can’t just joke with


    that thing around. Especially to strangers like me. Whom you only met,” she stared into Helios’s


    eyes, “—a few weeks ago,” she added, making Helios scoff.


    Helios arched his brow. “You are not a stranger.”


    Zoeughed sarcastically. She doesn’t mean to be rude to someone else who saved her life, but


    she’s dealing with an important thing.


    “Say, you know me. Like from that bar? Two years ago? A virgin woman who deals with a one-night


    stand with Helios Lincoln? So, that will be the reason for our union?”


    “Stop being sarcastic, Zoe.” Helios’s voice is indifferent. It’s stern and chilly.


    Zoeughed. “I’m certainly not. I am stating facts. I am waking you up.”


    “You can’t change my mind—”


    “Stop this nonsense, Helios. Marriage is not for rush—”


    “Trust me. I know you well. Wanna know a secret, Zoe?”


    Zoe was rendered speechless. She doesn’t know why Helios needs to rush things, especially with


    the word marriage… which is supposed to be not.


    “Do tell.”


    “I am responsible for your schrship.”


    Zoe wasn’t surprised. She knew it days ago.


    “I know,” she replied and curled down theforter as she moved to the side and wore her


    slippers.


    “You know?” the shock in Helios’s voice and reaction are indeed visible.


    Zoe met his eyes and nodded. “I do.”


    “Then, what’s wrong—”


    “You don’t love me, Helios. The marriage you want won’t work without love.”


    Helios’s eyes widened, and he chuckled. “Oh, you have no idea how much I love you, Zoe Levine. I


    love you so much—”


    “We can’t be together, Hel. You know that. I know we had sex twice, but that’s not a measure of


    love. Can’t you understand?”


    Zoe put her hand on her waist as she tried to exin things to Helios, who was on the other side of


    the bed.


    Helios stood up and shed sadness in his eyes.


    “How sure are you? I love you, and I won’t offer marriage if I am not ready.”


    Zoe shook her head, and there was only one thing she knew that might stop Helios’s stupidity.


    “And I don’t love you, Helios.”


    Silence evaded the whole room, and no one dared to talk for minutes. They both could hear the


    swoosh of the wind, the way how leaves moved by its force, and the chirping of the bird, which had


    been lightened by the morning sun.


    “You’re—”


    “That’s the truth. Not just because we had sex or I let you have me—that I want you fucking me


    means to say that I love you, Helios. That’s not how it works. Love is different from want. I want you,


    but I do not love you. And love can’t be one-sided. Again, marriage is sacred. Thank you so much


    for saving me, even though I know that I was sold to you rather than to your father. But the thing


    you’ve done to me will not affect my emotions, my heart towards yours.”


    Zoe saw a tint of sadness in Helios’s eyes and the way he shook his head and let out a sarcastic


    smile.


    Helios is hurting.


    He smiled. “I see…” his voice is faint, “—I am sorry—”


    “No, I am sorry, Helios. I didn’t mean to hurt you—”


    “Congrats,” Helios let out a sarcastic chuckle, “—you just did.” Zoe was about to talk when Helios


    cut her off. “—no worries. I understand, and I can manage. Maybe, you’re right… I shouldn’t rush


    things. Excuse me.”


    Zoe was shocked. “Helios…”


    But Helios had already left the room.


    Zoe heaved a deep sigh. ‘Did I go overboard?’ she thought.


    …


    “How’s your trip, Helios?” Nana Milky asked Helios when they were both sitting in the kitchen a few


    minutes after he went down from Zoe’s room.


    Helios drank the cup of tea that his Nana served.


    “Nothing’s new, Nana,” he replied after.


    Nana Milky could sense that something was bothering Helios.


    “Did you talk to Zoe?”


    Helios’s met Nana’s eyes. “He doesn’t love me, Nana.”


    Nana Milky felt pity for Helios, whom she treasured as her son for years.


    Ever since Helios’ mother died, it was she who took good care of him.


    “Did I scare her, Nana? Did I go so fast? I know, but I am true to my feelings. I love her. It’s been


    years.”


    “You surely love her, but it isn’t right. I know you made the best decision to help her. But it was


    because you’re guilty—”


    “No, Nana. I love Zoe!” Helios’s voice raised, and his grip on the mug tightened.


    Nana was rmed and calmed him down. What if Zoe saw it?


    “I understand. But you should also get honest—”


    “I am honest, Nana. You know I am. I helped her. I saved her. I love her.”


    Nana Milky nodded to calm Helios. “I know. I am proud of you. I know you love her, son. But you’re


    stealing your brother’s identity.”


    Helios’s clenched his fist and red at his Nana.


    “I am Helios, Nana. I am.”


    “Orion—”


    “I am Helios, Nana. Not Orion.”


    Nana Milky doesn’t know how to control him at the moment, but she needs to calm him down.


    “Icarus Helios is already dead. And you have nothing to do with it. It wasn’t your fault. Orion…”


    Nana paused when Helios raised his hand.


    “I don’t want to hear anything that rted to that name, Nana. I am the only Helios now.”


    Nana shook her head and looked around. “Yes, you are. You and your twin have the name Helios.


    But you’re not the person whom Zoe met two years—”


    “Enough with this conversation, Nana. And don’t ever mention my dead brother here,” Helios said,


    wearing his cold voice, and left.


    Nana Milky shook her head in disbelief.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.