Chapter 20
The golden glow of the sunset filtered through the glass dome of the exhibition hall and spilled onto the polished floor.
Leon watched Zoey as she studied the exhibits before saying, “By the way, we can go ahead
with the contract.”
Zoey froze for a second before hastily unzipping her purse. The folder she pulled out was perfectly neat and crease–free. “Mr. Crawford, you really are a man of your word.”
Leon took the contract and the pen she offered. “I’m impressed, Ms. Silvain. I can’t believe you were carrying the contract on you at all times. That kind of dedication is rare.
“Have you ever thought about jumping ship? I’ll pay you more than Ms. Knowles does.”
Zoey couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “You flatter me. I’m just used to being well prepared.”
“Now, I’m curious.” Leon set the pen down and looked straight into her eyes. “Why did a talent like you suddenly leave your home country, Ms. Silvain?”
As soon as his words fell, the air in the room shifted, and tension creeped into the silence.
Zoey stared at the clauses on the contract. In her mind, she could still hear Yves‘ apathetic voice saying, “Let’s get a divorce.”
She lowered her gaze and responded, “I was unhappy back home, so I decided to start fresh
elsewhere.”
“Does that mean you ran away?” Leon teased. However, his gaze softened when he noticed
Zoey’s somber expression.
He said, “To be honest, I think humans should be like the steel frames in this exhibition. Life
requires us to rebuild and adapt ourselves continuously. Sometimes, the only way forward is to leave whatever makes you unhappy behind.”
Zoey looked up and thought what he said made a lot of sense. But as more memories resurfaced in her mind, so did the feelings of sorrow.
Zoey hadn’t been able to sleep for countless nights because of Yves, and she was the only one trapped and stuck emotionally. No one had ever told her back then that walking away was also an option.
“You’re right,” she heard herself say as a lump formed in her throat.
When Leon signed the contract, she finally let out her breath.
Chapter 20
2/2
Later that night, Jojo’s voice practically exploded through the phone.
“Zoey, you’re freaking incredible! Even Leon, who’s usually very difficult, opened up to you.”
Zoey leaned against the headboard, looking out at the foreign skyline through the tall windows. “He’s not as eccentric as everyone says. To be honest, I think he’s pretty interesting.
After hanging up, the room fell silent.
Zoey tossed and turned, restless. Every word Leon had said replayed in her mind on a loop.
Eventually, she got up and drew back the curtains. The city lights glittered like a river of stars.
Maybe, just like Leon had said, she shouldn’t cling to the past. This time, she was going to live for herself.
Chapter 21
Chapter 21
