After 99 Times

Once the contract took effect, Adrian Spencer’s mother, Linda Spencer, introduced Zoey Landon to him as his potential fiancée.

Everyone thought he’d push back. But to their surprise, Adrian agreed right away.

There was a look in his eyes Zoey had never seen before—panic. “As long as you leave Claire alone, I’ll do whatever you want,” he said.

And just like that, Zoey and Adrian were together.

Claire Spencer moved in too, staying with them under the title of Adrian’s cousin.

After they got together, Zoey treated Adrian with nothing but care—always attentive, always saying yes.

Slowly, Adrian started to warm up. He wasn’t cold anymore. He even began responding to her on his own.

Zoey thought she was getting close.

That the contract would be fulfilled any day now.

But what she didn't expect... was that in the next ninety-three chances, not once did Adrian choose her over Claire.

On the ninety-third attempt, Claire bought a bottle of acid—and tried to throw it in Zoey's face.

Zoey dodged. But her arm got caught. The acid burned through her skin, leaving it blistered and raw.

And even then, Adrian still took Claire's side. Just like always.

“That’s enough, stop being mad. I already punished her,” he said.

“What punishment?” Zoey asked, still clinging to the tiniest sliver of hope.

“Claire hates the heat. I told her she can’t turn on the air conditioning all day.”

Zoey stared at him in disbelief.

She stepped back and pointed to the open, festering wound on her arm.

“Adrian, do you know what would’ve happened if that acid hit my face?”

Adrian frowned. He paused, then said, “Yeah, I know.”

But he quickly added, "Claire just couldn't stand seeing me with you. She lost control for a moment. Don't blame her. If anyone's to blame, it's me—I should have handled this better."

Zoey let out a bitter laugh.

In that moment, it hit her—she had completely underestimated how far Adrian would go to protect Claire.

Even if she was almost disfigured, even then… Adrian still defended her.

Zoey took a deep breath. She didn’t push it any further. She just gave a sharp, cold laugh.

“Fine. Don’t blame her. Blame me—for ever getting involved in the first place. I’m supposed to be your partner, but I feel more like the other woman.”

As soon as she said that, Adrian realized she was truly upset. He rushed forward and pulled her into his arms.

“Okay, okay… this is my fault. Let me make it up to you. I’ve been working out, and I’ve finally got those abs you like—you want to see?”

As he spoke, he gently placed his hand on her shoulder, his eyes full of a kind of soft desperation, like he was trying to win her over for the first time.

Just as things were beginning to shift between them, an obnoxiously loud ringtone cut through the air.

The name of the song? “The One and Only.”

It was Claire’s custom ringtone.

The moment Adrian heard it, he picked up the call without hesitation.

“Adrian, I’m on the rooftop. I saw you with another woman. I’m going crazy with jealousy.”

“Don’t do anything stupid. I’m coming now.”

Adrian hung up and immediately pulled away from Zoey.

He threw on a jacket in a rush. “Zoey, Claire’s on the roof. I’m worried she might do something. I have to go.”

Zoey frowned. “She pulls this twenty times a month. Has she ever actually jumped?”

But Adrian didn’t respond. He didn’t even hear her. He was already halfway out the door.

All he left behind was, “I’ll finish this conversation when I get back.”

Zoey stood there, staring at the space he left behind, heart sinking.

She didn’t wait for him like he said.

Instead, she opened the memo app on her phone—and noted down one more reason Adrian had left her behind.

When she was done, she looked around at the empty bedroom. A wave of bitterness washed over her.

She silently counted down.

Five more chances.

And then she’d be gone from Adrian’s life for good.