Chapter 7
Lena was convinced by what I said, and we decided to head back to the cottage first.
As soon as I stood up from the bench, I noticed several bodyguards following behind us.
They must have been sent by Luke and Tyler.
G
On our way back to the cottage, we could see two men standing side by side at the courtyard entrance from a distance. Zara was nowhere to be seen.
The moment they spotted Lena and me, both men’s eyes lit up.
Seeing Tyler, Lena was still furious. She completely ignored him, quickly walking into the house and refusing to let Tyler follow her inside.
Luke tried to plead with me through his eyes.
Unfortunately, although I was willing to believe him, Zara’s appearance earlier still left me feeling uneasy.
“We’re going back to New York tomorrow, Whatever needs to be discussed can wait until then.”
After saying this, I also went inside.
1/5
10:12
Chapter 7
17 min loft
Early the next morning, I boarded Luke’s private jet with an exhausted face.
Both Luke and Tyler had serious dark circles under their eyes, clearly having had a sleepless night.
Lena was never affected by these things. Even when heartbroken, it couldn’t change her habit of falling asleep the moment she got on any form of transportation.
I was both sleepy and tired. Although I could feel Luke’s intense gaze on me throughout the flight, I didn’t want to acknowledge it.
So I simply closed my eyes to rest, refusing any communication.
The atmosphere remained eerily silent throughout the entire journey.
After returning to New York, Lena and I went to our respective
homes.
When I actually returned to the home Luke and I had shared for three Christmases, I felt as if I were in another lifetime.
Everything in the house remained unchanged, even the flowers on the table looked like the same bouquet from months ago.
Luke took the initiative to start explaining.
2/5
10:12
Chapter 7
17 min left
“Zoe, you’ve really misunderstood me. I can explain everything. Just ask me.”
Actually, I already believed him.
But without clearing up everything, I couldn’t feel at peace.
So I asked:
“What exactly is your relationship with Zara?
0
G
“Were you two together before? Why did she insist on joining your company as soon as she returned to the country?
“You said the car was bought by her father—can you show me proof?
“Why did Zara also show up at the cottage last night?
“Are you staying at the same hotel?
“And also…”
I looked seriously into his eyes, wanting to say something but swallowing the words back.
Finally, I said: “If you answer these questions, I’ll never leave again.”
Luke’s eyes reddened again.
3/5
10:12
Chapter 7
17 min left
His right hand lifted slightly, then quietly dropped back down.
I knew he wanted to hug me.
“Zara and I have no relationship. She was my neighbor when we were kids, and now she’s a project manager at my company.
“We were never together before. I don’t like her.
“Her father helped our family in business before. He was also the one who told me about Zara returning to the country. He said Zara wanted to work at my company for a while and asked me to take care of her. I agreed.
“The car really was bought by him. I have chat records with
him.”
He took out his phone and showed me the chat records.
Indeed, it was Zara’s father who asked Luke to buy Zara a car and hoped Luke would look after her more.
“About last night, I’ve looked into it.
“She heard from my assistant that I was going to that small town to find you, so she followed on her own and deliberately booked the same hotel.”
I looked up and said: “She likes you.”
4/5
10:12
Chapter 7
Luke nodded.
“I’m sorry, Zoe. I didn’t know before that she was secretly making things difficult for you on purpose.
17 min left
“Although her father has been good to me, since she deliberately tried to drive a wedge between us, I won’t let her stay at the
company anymore.
“Zoe, have I explained everything clearly?”
