Chapter 8

Xavier looked completely sincere as he said those words.

Zoey knew he meant every one of them.

But whether he was sincere no longer mattered to her.

The damage was already done. The pain might fade with time, but the scars would always remain.

She lowered her eyes and murmured, almost to herself, "It's too late. There's no going back now."

Xavier didn't catch what she said. He simply poured her another glass of water.

"Zoey, the doctor said your injuries are serious and you need plenty of rest. I've contacted some doctors in Europe. I'm arranging for you to go there to recover."

Zoey looked up at him calmly.

"Europe? When are you sending me?"

"I booked you a flight for six in the morning, three days from now."

Three days from now?

Wasn't that the day he was marrying Summer?

So this was his way of getting her out of the country?

Zoey was about to speak when his phone rang.

The moment he saw Summer's name on the screen, he hurried to his feet.

"It's settled, then. I've arranged everything in Europe. There'll be someone to take care of you when you arrive. Once I've finished dealing with work here, I'll come get you."

With that, he rushed out of the room.

Zoey watched him disappear down the hallway, swallowing the words she'd been about to say.

There's no need. I'm getting married that day, too.

It would all be over soon anyway.

Whether she told him or not made no difference.

Over the next two days, Xavier stopped by the hospital occasionally, but he never stayed longer than ten minutes.

Zoey didn't bother asking where he was going.

She didn't need to.

Summer made sure to keep her informed, sending her messages at every opportunity just to rub it in.

There were photos of the two of them picking out a wedding dress and favors, choosing their wedding rings, finalizing the decorations at the venue, and preparing invitations.

In every photo and video, Xavier looked genuinely happy, his face lit up with a smile.

But Zoey felt nothing anymore.

She went through the discharge process alone, then stopped by the mall and picked out a simple wedding dress for herself.

When she arrived home with the shopping bag, she was about to open the door when she heard several voices coming from inside.

"Xavier, stopping Summer's wedding was one thing, but are you seriously going to marry her? Have you forgotten how she humiliated you by publicly breaking off your engagement seven years ago? And now you're planning a whole wedding and inviting all these guests? Zoey's bound to find out! What are you going to do then?"

Xavier took a sip of his drink, his expression perfectly calm.

"I'm sending Zoey to Europe tomorrow morning. As long as everyone keeps their mouths shut, she'll be too far away to hear about it."

"You can hide it from her for now, but not forever! It's not like Zoey's never coming back. Besides, you've always loved Summer. She's the one you actually want to marry. So why keep stringing Zoey along? Give her some money and let her go!"

Xavier frowned.

"No."

His answer came almost immediately.

"Zoey stood by me through the hardest years of my life. I can't just abandon her like that. Besides, she loves me too much. I'm the only man she'd ever want to marry. No matter how much money I offered her, she'd never agree to leave."

Standing outside the door, Zoey heard every word.

She glanced down at the box containing her wedding dress, weighing it lightly in her hand.

I'm the only man she'd ever want to marry?

Maybe that had once been true.

But not anymore.

She didn't want to be Xavier's bride.

Not now. Not ever.

Zoey reached out and pushed open the door.

The sound startled everyone in the living room.

Xavier clearly hadn't expected her to come home so suddenly.

"Zoey? You're out of the hospital? Why didn't you call me to pick you up?"

"You've been busy, haven't you? I didn't want to bother you."

Her expression was so calm that everyone assumed she hadn't heard anything.

They visibly relaxed, laughing awkwardly and making casual conversation to cover up what they'd been discussing.

Zoey had no interest in staying downstairs with them.

After exchanging a few polite words, she headed upstairs.

A short while later, Xavier saw his guests out and joined her in the bedroom.

"What did you buy?"

"A white dress. I really liked it, so I bought it."

Zoey had just opened her suitcase when Xavier walked over and reached for the box containing her wedding dress.

"You liked it that much? Come on, let me see how pretty it is."

Zoey quickly caught his hand before he could open it.

"I just finished packing everything. If you mess it up, I'll have to do it all over again. Don't bother."

Only then did Xavier notice the suitcase.

He nodded.

"Here, let me help you pack. I'll take you to the airport tomorrow."

Zoey watched him busy himself folding her clothes and gathering her toiletries and makeup.

Then she looked away without saying a word.

Neither of them slept much that night.

By four the next morning, they were both awake.

Perhaps feeling a little guilty, Xavier offered to make breakfast.

Zoey knew she had a long, exhausting day ahead, so she didn't refuse.

They ate together in silence.

When they finished, Xavier picked up her suitcase and took her to the car.

They were halfway to the airport when Summer called.

The sky was just beginning to lighten.

"Xavier, it's already five thirty! Are you even up yet? You're supposed to pick me up for the wedding at six! My parents are waiting. Where are you?"

Xavier checked the time, then turned to Zoey.

"Zoey, do you think you could get a cab to the airport? I have to..."

Before he could finish, Zoey opened the car door and got out.

"Go ahead. You've got things to do."

"Okay. Be careful, all right? Call me when you get to Europe so I know you've arrived safely. Once I've taken care of everything here, I'll come join you."

Zoey listened quietly to his instructions without saying a word.

She watched as his car drove away, disappearing into the morning light.

Then she took out her phone and called Quinn.

"I'm ready."