The past repeats itself. Exactly the same, without any differences. Ayla still had visions of Phillip, which caused an uproar. The pack demanded the Honesty Tribunal for Mireya and a trial for the past Vione. But it wasn’t this that bothered Usher, it was the events that followed, which prompted him to take immediate action.
Usher’s first priority was to prevent The Past Vione from escaping from prison. For shortly after Mireya’s birth, The Past Usher would fall into a coma, and The Past Vione, who loved him dearly, would decide to escape without caring for anything else.
Usher had to prevent that. He couldn’t allow The Past Vione to be in danger. Moreover, the most important reason he couldn’t let The Past Vione escape-even though he knew she would be safe-was to keep his focus intact. He couldn’t keep watching over The Past Vione and Mireya’s guards who were trying to find The Past Vione while the most important thing he had to prevent was the death of Garth and Jemma.
Usher would waste no time. He decided to meet The Past Vione immediately, even though The Past Usher was still fine at that time.
At first, Usher’s arrival was met with indifference by The Past Vione. She ignored him like a passing wind. But everything changed when he spoke. “For everything, Vione. This time I beg you. Whatever happens, never leave the prison.”
The past Vione was startled. In the darkness of the underground prison, she tried to look into Usher’s eyes. “What do you mean?” she asked, confused. She rose from her seat and approached Usher. “Haven’t you always told me to get out of here? So why change now?”
Usher gripped the prison bars tightly. Behind the mask he wore, he held back a snarl. “I’m sorry. You’re right, you have to stay in this prison. If you escape, people will believe you are guilty, just like you said.”
The Past Vione was silent. She didn’t react to Usher’s words. Instead, she continued to stare at Usher without blinking. “Who exactly are you?”
“I can’t reveal my identity, but I swear. I’m doing this for you.”
“Really?” The Past Vione asked as she came closer. She approached Usher until they were separated only by the prison bars. “If you care so much about me, what’s in it for you? What do you get out of me being safe?”
Usher’s fingers stopped gripping the prison bars and he reached for The Past Vione’s cheek. “Nothing is more important to me than your safety, Vione.” His thumb began to stroke her cheek. “So, please. Just this once, listen to me.”
Unexpectedly, The Past Vione caught Usher’s wrist as she struggled with all her worries and fears. She gripped his hand tightly.
The Past Vione locked Usher’s hand. “Tell me, who are you really?” she asked, her voice shaking. She looked deeper into Usher’s eyes. “Are you…” She steeled herself to finish the question. “… Usher?”
Usher froze, especially when he saw tears beginning to well up in The Past Vione’s eyes. “Vione.”
“You are Usher, aren’t you?”
Usher held his breath. He suppressed the urge to embrace The Past Vione. He steeled himself as he answered. “No. I am not Usher.”
“Liar,” The Past Vione declared without any doubt. Then her other hand pointed to a corner of the prison. “Only Usher cares for me like this. Only he knows all my preferences, the medicine I can take. Only he would stroke me with his thumb.” Her words were interrupted by an overwhelming wave of emotion. Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Only him.”
Usher knew he couldn’t hold out much longer. So, he forced himself to act. He suppressed the turmoil in his heart, then pulled his hand from Vione’s grasp. “I’m sorry, Vione.”
Then Usher left. He ran so as not to falter at the sight of The Past Vione collapsing on the stone floor of the prison, crying desperately. In his heart he kept saying. I’m sorry, Vione. Please forgive me.
*
Days passed. Usher wasn’t surprised when the palace was thrown into turmoil when The Past Usher suddenly fell into a coma for no apparent reason. On the contrary, he was shocked when the security camera footage showed that The Past Vione had escaped from the underground prison.
Usher couldn’t stand idly by. He decided to rescue The Past Vione immediately, and luckily, he arrived just in time. He managed to rescue The Past Vione and took her to a secluded cave hidden in the Amerotha forest.
It was the safest place Usher could think of. Given the vastness of the Amerotha forest, no one could find The Past Vione. So, he had no hesitation in leaving The Past Vione there, unconscious and alone.
Usher couldn’t bear it, but he had other things to do. He had to meet Garth right away.
At the right moment, Usher intercepted Garth’s car on its way to Ayla’s house. But his meeting with Garth was not easy. Garth immediately accused him.
“You!” Garth shouted as he approached Usher with determined steps. His eyes glared at Usher with intense hatred. “It was you who caused the Munest family to be falsely accused. You are the reason Vione had to be imprisoned through no fault of his own.”
Garth’s accusation led to a fight. Usher couldn’t do anything. He couldn’t defend himself, and the only thing he could do was fight Garth as best he could.
The fight was fierce. Usher tried to counter each of Garth’s attacks without intending to hurt him. On the other hand, Garth felt something strange.
Garth’s focus was split. Usher didn’t miss the chance. He grabbed Garth’s fist and then managed to subdue Garth with one deliberate move.
“Let me go!” Garth snapped as Usher pushed and pinned him against the hood of the car. He tried to break free but couldn’t. “Let me go!”
Usher didn’t grant Garth’s request. Instead, he pinned both of Garth’s hands behind his back even tighter. He eliminated any chance for Garth to free himself. Then he whispered in Garth’s ear. “No matter what happens, never meet Ayla. Never ask Rowena for the antidote.”