Chapter 5

Xavier's expression froze.

"Zoey, where did you hear that?"

Zoey gave a bitter smile, her eyes turning red.

"You went and stopped her wedding. Everyone's saying the same thing. You stopped the wedding because you wanted to marry her yourself."

Realizing she'd only heard rumors, Xavier visibly relaxed.

He frowned.

"Those are just baseless rumors. You're my girlfriend. Why would I marry someone else? Zoey, things are really hectic at the company right now. Once everything settles down, we'll talk about getting married, okay?"

He was still lying.

Was he really planning to marry Summer behind her back?

And once Summer became his wife, what would that make Zoey?

His mistress?

The sheer absurdity of it left her speechless.

She closed her eyes, swallowing the bitterness rising in her throat.

Silently, she gave him her answer.

There was no need to discuss marriage anymore.

She would never marry him.

Because on the day he married Summer, Zoey would be marrying someone else.

When she didn't respond, Xavier changed the subject.

"The doctor said you've been exhausted lately, and it's making you worry too much. I'll have my assistant clear my schedule so I can spend the next few days with you."

And for the next two days, he did exactly that.

He stayed by her hospital bed, accompanied her to follow-up examinations, and helped her when her dressings needed changing.

He fed her oatmeal, brought her water, and took care of her every need.

The nurses who came to check on her couldn't stop talking about how lucky she was.

"Your boyfriend hasn't left your side. He really spoils you!"

Zoey stared ahead blankly, offering no response.

Only she knew the truth.

Xavier might have been physically present, but his heart was somewhere else entirely.

Whenever she rested, he'd take out his phone and start texting, smiling so much he could barely contain himself.

Once, while he was out of the room, Zoey picked up the phone he'd left on the table.

The moment she opened it, she found his messages with Summer.

Whenever Summer mentioned craving something, Xavier immediately went out and bought two portions.

He'd deliver one to Summer and bring the other back to the hospital for Zoey.

When Summer said she missed him at night, he'd send her countless selfies, along with voice messages of himself singing to lull her to sleep.

When she complained that she hadn't been shopping in ages, he'd put together a detailed itinerary for a date he planned to take her on in a couple of days.

Whether Summer was venting about something that bothered her or simply sharing little moments from her day, Xavier always replied almost instantly.

If he took even a minute too long, she'd get jealous, and he'd patiently reassure her.

One exchange caught Zoey's attention.

"Why aren't you answering me? Are you still taking care of your girlfriend? You're going to marry me, so aren't you planning to break up with her?"

"Zoey's been with me for seven years. I can't just break up with her like that."

"So is this wedding just your way of making things right?"

Xavier hadn't replied for an entire hour.

And when he finally did, his answer was short.

"No. I'm marrying you because I love you."

Zoey stared at the endless messages, scrolling and scrolling with no end in sight.

She couldn't help thinking about how different Xavier was with her.

Most of the time, he barely spoke.

She could tell him about her day, share something funny, or send him a long message, only to receive a brief "Yeah" or "Okay" hours later.

Even when they went on dates, he was always distracted, his mind somewhere else.

There had even been a time when she'd taken a knife wound meant for him.

After that, they'd grown closer.

Yet even then, he'd never shown her the kind of enthusiasm and affection he so freely gave Summer.

Throughout their relationship, Zoey had always been the one making the effort.

She'd taken ninety-nine steps toward him, hoping he'd finally take that last step toward her.

But Xavier had always held back.

He couldn't let go of the past or the woman he'd once loved.

And he'd never been willing to give Zoey the future she'd dreamed of.

So from now on, she wasn't going to wait for him anymore.