Chapter 12

Selena refused.

"You guys go ahead. I already called a ride, I'm going back to my own place."

Jonathan frowned slightly, his handsome face tight with concern, and he quickly used Juliet as an excuse. "It's rare for the three of us to be this happy together. I'm sure Juliet wants you to come home, too. Do you really want to make her sad?"

But Selena stayed firm. The gentle, soft gaze she used to have was now filled with quiet determination that couldn't be shaken.

"Juliet understands that we're getting divorced. Since we're divorcing, we can't keep living together. Right, Juliet?"

Juliet nodded. "Dad, don't pressure Mom."

Since Juliet said that, Jonathan had no choice but to back down.

He had thought that tonight, using this family dinner as an excuse, Selena might come home for Juliet's sake. Alas, he had underestimated her stubbornness.

He hid his displeasure and gave a helpless shake of his head. "Alright, I can't win against you two. Just be careful on your way home."

Juliet quickly hugged Selena with a bright smile. "Mom, text me when you get home."

Selena smiled softly. "Okay."

At the entrance, Selena watched as Jonathan drove off with Juliet. Then, she pulled out her phone. She had just tapped to request a ride, but there weren't any available yet, so she waited patiently.

The night air in Harbor City carried a soft, warm breeze that brushed against her face, lifting a loose strand of hair across her cheek.

Her loose dress moved gently in the wind, outlining her slender, graceful figure. Even under the dim streetlight, her fair and radiant face still seemed to glow.

Right then, a black Bentley pulled up in front of her.

The driver stepped out quickly and opened the back door. "Ms. Jones, please."

Selena bent slightly and saw Zachary sitting inside.

The car's interior light came on, casting a soft glow over Zachary's sharp, refined features. His dark eyes were deep and intense.

Selena instinctively took a step back. Her pupils shrank the moment she recognized him, and her fingers twisted nervously.

He hadn't left after all.

Her voice trembled slightly. "Mr. Foster, that's really not necessary. My car should be here any second."

Zachary sat with one leg crossed over the other, his long fingers tapping lightly against the armrest. His thin lips parted, his tone calm but direct. "I'd like to talk about that night."

Selena's heart jumped, and her face flushed uncontrollably. "Wh-what night? I don't know what you're talking about."

Zachary silently studied her anxious face, his dark eyes steady and unyielding.

Seconds ticked by. Cars started piling up behind them, horns blaring impatiently.

But Zachary didn't move. He just sat there quietly, watching Selena, as if he had all the time in the world.

Unable to take it anymore, Selena bit her lip in frustration. Her lips turned pink from the pressure. With no other choice, she finally got into the car.

The driver climbed back in and pulled away from the curb.

Inside, Selena sat stiffly, her posture tense. Her long lashes trembled as she stared down, not daring to look at the man beside her.

Outside, the neon lights streaked past the windows in red blurs. Selena nervously looked down at her phone and canceled the ride she had called.

The long silence in the car made the air heavy, filled with the faint scent of sandalwood.

That damn memory flashed through her mind—the moment Zachary had kissed her. The smell of alcohol mixed with that same sandalwood scent that belonged only to him.

Selena's mind grew even more scattered, her cheeks flushed. She wished someone could just save her right now.

Zachary's eyes swept over her tense back and the smooth curve of her bare arm. Her hands were clasped tightly together, fingers intertwined. She was visibly nervous.

His deep voice carried a calm magnetism. "Ms. Jones, why didn't you go home with Mr. Campbell?"

Selena steadied her breathing. "We don't live together."

The coldness in Zachary's eyes slowly eased. "Leona said you're going through the divorce process. Is that right?"

The question was a little forward, but because she was nervous, Selena still answered honestly. "Yes. There's a one-month cooling-off period, and after that, we'll go to the clerk's office to finalize the divorce."

Zachary thought for a moment, his long fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. "If you need a lawyer, I can help."

Selena looked surprised, her expression softening. "That's kind of you, but… I don't need one." She gave a small, self-deprecating smile. "I'm not taking anything, so there's not much to fight over."

Zachary frowned slightly, a hint of disapproval flashing in his eyes. "You're too softhearted."

"It's not that," she said quietly. "I just don't want to waste any more time. I just want to move on. Besides, I signed a prenup. I won't take what isn't mine."

It had been her choice. Back then, she signed it for love, without hesitation. Now, she didn't hesitate either—she just wanted to be free.

After a long pause, Zachary finally spoke. "That's admirable."

Selena gave a bitter smile. Admirable? Not really. Just the only way out.

She didn't care about how much money she'd get, or whether she could win in court. Staying stuck in that marriage would only drain her emotionally and mentally. Leaving was worth the cost.

When the car stopped in front of her apartment building, Selena reached for the door handle, but Zachary suddenly spoke again.

"About that night…"

Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly cut him off. "I know. You were drunk that night, and I know it wasn't intentional. So let's just forget it ever happened."

Zachary's eyes narrowed slightly, and he watched her as she tried to smooth things over. After a while, he looked away, his tone calm but laced with something unreadable.

"Glad to know you don't hold it against me."

Selena forced a small, awkward smile. What else could she do?

She stepped out of the car, then turned and waited by the side as Zachary's car idled.

He rolled down the window, watching her standing under the dim light. Her fair, striking face still stood out even in the shadows.

Now that the awkward topic had been addressed, she seemed calmer. Standing there with quiet grace, she smiled politely, but there was a distance in it he didn't like.

Was this woman really planning to forget that kiss? To pretend it never happened?

A flicker of irritation crossed Zachary's chest.

Then, under the soft interior light, Selena saw the corner of his lips curve into a faint smile.

"Ms. Jones," he said, his voice smooth and low, "you got one thing wrong. That night, I wasn't drunk. I was completely sober."