Chapter 229
That short distance felt like miles. Knowing it would be hard to see Zachary again after she left, Sarah turned and buried
herself in his chest one last time, savoring the moment.
Back home, Uncle Shawn had left. Melvin sat on the couch, his face cold. Seeing her, he gave a bitter smile, “I know he was
upstairs
Sarah dropped the pretense and sat beside Melvin, cautiously asking, “Why do you hate Zachary so much?”
“Hate? No, I despise him. I’m sick of him.” His calm tone barely contained the underlying fury
Sarah was confused. In her memory, Melvin shouldn’t even know Zachary. Where did this hatred come from?
“Why?” she pressed.
Melvin poured himself some tea, his gaze distant. “Sarah, Zachary’s dangerous. Being close to him puts you at risk. You should end it before you’re in too deep. Otherwise, you’ll regret it ”
Sarah shook her head in frustration. “You can’t just say he’s dangerous without explaining why.
Melvin slammed the table. “No explanations. We’re leaving tomorrow. We’re not staying here”
“You knew each other before, didn’t you?” Sarah stared at him intently. “You both know something. He won’t tell me, and neither will you. You’re hiding something”
Melvin avoided her eyes. “You don’t need to know. Trust me, I’m protecting you.”
“But
“No buts Don’t contact Zachary before we leave. It’ll only hurt more.”
Later, Mia called Zachary frantically “Zac, Sarah’s goner
Zachary rushed over to find Sarah’s room empty – clothes, jewelry, everything gone.
Was she leaving? Why hadn’t she told him?
“Any answer on her phone?” he asked.
Mia shook her head, still trying to call
Finally, on the third try, Sarah answered. “Where are you?” Mia demanded.
“Melvin took me ”
“Where exactly?” Mia asked, catching Zachary’s urgent look
After a pause, Sarah replied, “The Grand Hotel.”
Mia hung up to find her brother already gone.
At the hotel, Sarah Tay in bed after her shower, staring at a photo of her and Zachary on her phone
She hadn’t told him she was leaving she’d barely processed it herself until Mia’s call.
Melvin had planned to go straight home, but some business came up, forcing them to stop at the hotel
A knock came at nearly eleven Through the peephole, she saw Zachary’s stern face. As her phone started vibrating, she hesitantly opened the door
“Zachary.”
He entered, locking the door behind him
His lips tightened as he took in her nervous expression. “Were you really planning to leave me? Or was this your plan all
along?”
Sarah blinked. “What? N
No, I-”
Before she could finish, he leaned down and caught her lips with his.
BONUS
2/2
