Britney tried to follow him, then turned to me,
furious.
“Britney, you think you’re so great, teaming up
with this loser to hurt Cody!”
I laughed.
“What was I supposed to do, marry Cody and watch you two all the time? It’s disgusting.
“And I did you a favor. Cody’s all yours, but too
bad, he doesn’t have anything now.”
6
After everyone left, Zack and I left the Stern
house.
At the door, he took my hand and asked, “Britney, are you sure about this? To spend
your life with someone like me…you won’t
regret it?”
I fixed his collar. Even though Zack couldn’t use
his legs, he always looked put together, and he
was handsome.
“I won’t regret it.”
He thought for a second and said, “If you’re doing this to get back at Cody, I can…
I shook my head.
Last time, I died in the street, and Zack cried
over my body.
“I’m sorry, Britney, I couldn’t protect you!
“I thought if I didn’t try to take his place, you’d
be happy, and I could just watch over you.
“I should have fought for you!”
Since I was always the unloved child in the Smiths, and Cody hated me, no one came to claim my body.
Zack arranged everything, and he stayed by my grave for the rest of his life.
Then I found out he was in love with me.
He’d always looked out for me.
When Cody was being mean, he’d give me
tissues and candy.
He was too quiet and too nice, so I didn’t
notice him.
He bought all the lilies in town and was going
to tell me he loved me, but he got into a car
accident and was in a coma for months.
When he woke up, he couldn’t use his legs.
He didn’t want me to be with a cripple, so he
didn’t say anything, and he let Cody take Stern
Corporation.
There was a lot I didn’t know about him until
after I died.
This time, I wouldn’t let him go.
“Listen.” I looked into his eyes, holding his
hand. “You, Zack Stern, are the man I want to
marry. Not to get back at anyone, just you.
27
He smiled.
I never noticed how warm his smile was.
“Then, Mrs. Stern, I need to get you a
proposal.”
Zack was fast. The next day, he had a big
proposal.
He invited everyone I knew.
I said it was too much, but he shook his head.
“I want the whole world to know that Zack Stern loves Britney Smith.”
I felt warm inside. I used to chase Cody. He’d
been late for our wedding.
There’s a big difference between love and hate.
After the proposal, he took over Stern
Corporation.
7
Zack was a hard worker. He’d been working for
Grandpa before he took over.
He was talented and decisive, and Grandpa
liked him.
“Britney, I told you I’d respect your decision,
but I was worried you’d pick Cody.
“Cody’s only good for being a rich playboy.
“But you’re all my family, and I can’t say too
much.
One night, I had dinner with Grandpa, and he
told me all this in his office.
I looked down, ashamed. When I rushed to say I wanted Cody, Grandpa was silent for a long
time.
This time, I didn’t make a mistake.
Grandpa’s face got serious.
“I need to tell you something. I didn’t tell Zack because he can’t know right now.”
He gave me a letter, looking serious.
“Do what you want. Zack and I will be here for
you.”
The first photos were of old letters.
The letters were old and yellow.
Zack’s accident wasn’t an accident.
Cody’s mom paid some thug to make it look
like drunk driving, so Zack would lose his legs.
She wanted her son to take over Stern
Corporation.
She knew Zack was smart and steady, and
Cody couldn’t compete.
The only way she could win was if Zack died or
got hurt.
She’d watched Zack grow up.
How could she do that to a child?
My heart hurt.
Grandpa told me to keep looking.
The second set of photos was about Britney.
Britney and Cody were hooking up. The private
investigator got a lot of pictures, before he was
supposed to marry me.
I frowned, looking at them kissing.
