apter 24
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As soon as Yves boarded the plane, an overwhelming wave of exhaustion hit him. He drifted off to sleep almost in an instant, though it was anything but restful.
He spoke in his sleep.
“I know I was wrong. Please come back to me. Let’s get married! Where are you, Zoey?” he
murmured.
Dale, who sat beside him, was afraid of upsetting him. So, he remained silent, simply listened, and did his best to go unnoticed.
Half an hour later, Yves jolted awake. His head throbbed, as if he’d just escaped a dream that had gone on for far too long. However, whether it had been a dream or reality, he couldn’t quite tell.
In the dream, he had been in a meeting when Zoey called, asking when he’d be home that night and saying she’d made his favorite tomato beef stew. He’d glanced at his phone, saw her name, and hurried home.
When he’d arrived, it was already noon, and Zoey was busy in the kitchen.
He had reached out to hug her, but it was only to grasp at thin air. When Yves had looked again, she was long gone. Then, he’d jolted awake from his dream and realized he’d teared up.
As he looked around and realized he was still on the plane, regret hit him like a punch to the
gut.
If he could go back in time, he’d never let things get this bad. Yves imagined he’d hold Zoey’s hand tightly and never let her go.
However, there was no way to turn back time or start over.
Right after getting off the plane, Yves went straight to the area near Zoey’s home. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a man leaning against a car–he was clearly waiting for someone.
Yves glanced inside before averting his gaze. The man, on the other hand, didn’t seem to mind. He turned his head and sized Yves up.
Yves‘ brows knitted. Just then, he spotted a familiar figure emerging from the villa’s gate.
Zoey was dressed in a simple white dress with light makeup that made her look radiant and beautiful.
Yves rushed up to her. “Zoey!”
Zoey stopped in her tracks and noticed that Yves looked much thinner and had heavy, dark
Chapter 24
circles under his eyes. He looked haggard.
Zoey’s expression remained stoic. “What do you want?”
“I was wrong,” he shakily admitted, grabbing her wrist. “I was deceived by Wendy. She framed you and faked the evidence. I’ve already punished her, Zoey!”
“So what? You realized the truth, so now you’ve come looking for me?
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“I’ve already made up my mind. I won’t chase after someone who doesn’t love me. So, please stop showing up in my life!” she seethed.
“I love you!” Yves blurted out with teary eyes. “I only just realized that you’ve always been the
one for me.”
“That has nothing to do with me, and I don’t want to know.” Zoey turned and walked toward Leon without sparing Yves another glance.
Yves wanted to run after her, but Leon stepped in and placed himself firmly between them.” Zoey has made it very clear that she doesn’t want to see you again, sir,” he said apathetically, but his eyes were as cold as ice. “I’m sure you understand this better than I do, but you can’t
force a relationship to work.”
Yves clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms. Anger bubbled up in his chest as he looked at the smug smile on Leon’s lips. “Who the hell are you? What gave you the right to interfere in our business?” he asked in a low tone.
Leon calmly straightened his suit sleeves and glanced at Zoey’s profile. “I’m her fiancé. We’re getting married next month. So, do I have the right now?
“I have every right to step in, and I have the duty to protect her. If I see you near her again, I’ll call the cops! The law here doesn’t take kindly to harassment.”
Leon’s words hit Yves like a hammer to the chest, and he turned toward the car in disbelief.
Zoey sat in the passenger seat, her expression cold and distant.
“Zoey! Tell me this isn’t real!” he called out, panicked. He was more shaken than he’d ever been before.
Zoey lowered her gaze. “Of course it’s real. Why? Do you want to attend my wedding?
“Yves, I’m going to tell you one last time–don’t come looking for me again!”
Her voice was terrifyingly calm, and each word cut like a knife.
They shattered Yves‘ last shred of hope, and he felt his vision darken and legs weaken. He remembered all the things Zoey had quietly done for him, and now, it all felt like a cruel joke. He had belatedly realized that Zoey had probably moved on ages ago.
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Leon opened the car door, and before getting in the driver’s seat, he deliberately turned to look at Yves. His lips curled into a meaningful smile, and his eyes held a triumphant glint.
The engine then roared to life, and the sound tore through the quiet street like a blade through flesh.
Meanwhile, Yves stood frozen in place as he watched the car disappear around the corner. The wind stirred the fallen leaves by the roadside, but nothing could chase away the bitter cold feeling settling deep in his chest.
Yves stared at the empty street and suddenly remembered the first time he met Zoey. She had quietly walked past him, just like this.
Back then, he had no idea that the wheels of fate had already begun to turn. All in all, everything that happened was his own fault.
Chapter 25
