11
Zane carried me away.
He had more people.
Shawn and Xavier couldn’t stop him.
My dad rushed out.
He didn’t understand why he’d drugged
Shawn, but Zane took me.
Whoever took his daughter would pay.
His company was close to bankruptcy, and he
needed help.
He yelled, calling my name.
But I held onto Zane, silently sobbing.
Tears wetted his shirt.
Zane had always dealt with this.
<
Zane ordered his bodyguards to restrain my
dad.
He called my dad’s father, asking for help.
He wanted my father to go bankrupt forever.
I looked up, my eyes red, “I… want to see my
mom.”
Zane looked at me, his eyes full of
tenderness.
He kissed my forehead, “Okay, I’ll help you.” Zane found my mom in a private hospital. Her mental state wasn’t good, but her physical health was fine.
She revealed everything.
My suspicions were wrong.
Our family’s downfall had nothing to do with
the three families.
My dad was stubborn and refused to adapt.
He used outdated methods and the business
suffered.
He had an affair after drinking.
My mom Tound out, and they argued
repeatedly.
She hid it for my sake.
He became more reckless.
He even tried to sell me.
The awkward blind date was his idea.
My mom became suspicious after that.
He locked her up in the hospital to hide his
actions.
I was busy with the kidnapping and didn’t
contact them.
I fell into my father’s trap.
My mom decided to divorce him.
Zane took me to his apartment, saying I
needed care.
12
Zane and Shawn, Xavier had a falling out. Their close friendship turned into fights.
Zane hated Shawn intensely.
Shawn had a chance to leave after being
<
drugged, but he stayed.
I was forced, hurt.
I cried in Zane’s arms.
My secret, hidden for years, was out.
I’d always liked Zane.
He probably sensed my feelings for Shawn
but wasn’t sure.
Hearing my apology, Zane was happy, but
anxious.
He felt remorse.
He did something that irrevocably damaged
his relationship with Shawn.
He helped Xiao Ling.
Xiao Ling’s appearance shook the Xiao
family.
Shawn’s position was threatened.
Shawn was preoccupied, unable to confront
Zane.
But there was Xavier.
Zane hadn’t found a way to deal with him yet.
I casually comforted Zane, giving him kisses.
Zane was content.
He was careful with me, afraid of triggering
my trauma.
While he dealt with the others, my mom
finalized her divorce and left the country. Before I left, I gave Zane a gift — a pen. Perhaps to remind him of our relationship. He’d always liked me.
I realized this late.
He’d deceived me and crushed my feelings.
Sunrise. Perfect weather.
I landed overseas and checked my phone.
Seventy missed calls and over a hundred messages from Zane.
I blocked and turned off my phone, removed
the SIM card and threw it away.
Mom was waving at me.
I ran to her.
My new life began.
