Chapter 7

Zoey couldn't remember when Summer had left.

By the time she snapped out of her daze, half an hour had passed.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror, her face blank, her eyes empty. She felt nothing anymore.

After splashing some water on her face, she dragged herself back to the restaurant.

There, she found Xavier and Summer chatting away, so engrossed in their conversation that they seemed to have forgotten she existed.

It wasn't until Zoey reached the table and picked up her glass for a long drink of water that Xavier finally noticed her.

"Zoey, what took you so long? Are you feeling okay?"

Zoey set down her glass and looked at the table full of cold food.

"Not really. I'm going home."

She picked up her purse and turned to leave.

Xavier froze for a few seconds before grabbing his jacket and hurrying after her.

He caught her by the arm.

"What happened? Why are you suddenly upset? We haven't even had the cake yet. Can't we stay a little longer?"

Zoey closed her eyes wearily, about to tell him she was tired.

But before she could speak, Summer approached with a smile.

"I had a few drinks tonight, so I can't drive. Xavier, could you give me a ride? Your girlfriend doesn't mind, does she?"

She gave him a sweet, pleading look.

Xavier agreed without a second thought.

Summer took Zoey by the arm and led her toward the curb, acting as though they were close friends as she struck up a conversation.

Xavier was still looking for his car, keys in hand, when a sudden scream pierced the air.

He spun around.

A car was speeding straight toward the two women.

For one terrifying moment, his heart nearly stopped.

He sprinted toward them, grabbed Summer, and threw himself to the side of the road with her in his arms.

Zoey was left behind, directly in the path of the oncoming car.

The speeding vehicle slammed into her, sending her flying.

She hit the ground hard, and dark red blood quickly began pooling beneath her.

It felt as though her insides had been knocked out of place. Her muscles spasmed uncontrollably, her entire body shaking.

Agonizing pain surged through her in relentless waves.

Through her fading vision, she saw Xavier holding Summer in his arms, gently blowing on a scrape on her palm.

Zoey coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Then everything went black.

When Zoey opened her eyes again, she saw a doctor visibly relax.

"You were seriously injured. Fortunately, you managed to pull through. You're out of immediate danger now. Your friend only suffered minor injuries, but she's pretty shaken up. Her boyfriend's been staying with her, so you don't need to worry. Why don't you call your boyfriend and ask him to come stay with you?"

It took Zoey a moment to process what the doctor had said.

The friend he was referring to was Summer.

And the boyfriend was Xavier.

Of course.

Zoey had been seriously injured, yet Xavier was still by Summer's side.

Anyone who saw them would naturally assume they were a couple.

A bitter smile flickered across Zoey's face.

She didn't bother correcting the doctor.

Instead, she answered hoarsely, "I don't have a boyfriend."

At that moment, the hospital room door swung open.

Xavier walked in carrying an insulated food container.

"Zoey, what did you just say?"

Seeing his surprised expression, Zoey looked away.

"Nothing."

Xavier didn't press her.

He walked over to her bedside, tucked the blanket around her, and poured her a glass of warm water.

"Please don't be mad at me, okay? By the time I saw the car coming, there was barely any time to react. Summer was closer to me, so I could only save her first. If I'd had even one more second, I never would've let anything happen to you."