Zoe flinched. "But I'm scared…""Then you don't get to be suspicious.""But I can't…"Cordy smiled exasperatedly. "Then be brave and follow him. If you didn't run away, it wouldn't happen." Zoe bit her lip, feeling that Cordy was right.Cordy remembered something else just then. "Oh, by the way…" "Yeah?""Patrick proposed.""Really?" Zoe was a little excited. "He did it when you went to the capital?""Yeah.""Good job, Patrick!" Zoe exclaimed cheerfully. "So, when's the wedding?""In a few months, I'd say. I'm meeting his parents in Rocktown, and then there's the wedding photos and arranging the wedding luncheon. That'd be two or three months.""I volunteer as a bridesmaid," Zoe said eagerly, though she soon remembered. "Wait, curses… I'm already married and have a child. That disqualifies me.""I don't care about that. You and Quinn will be my bridesmaids when the time comes.""Really?""My wedding, my call.""What about Patrick?""I don't mind," Patrick quickly rep
Jay actually did not see Zoe at that instant, nor did Zoe get a good look at him when she saw a large group of doctors in lab coats rushing into a ward.Moments after, a man was wheeled out on a stretcher so quickly that Zoe did not have a good look who it was.All she saw was Jay wheeling himself so quickly to follow them that he almost flipped his wheelchair.Zoe gritted her teeth and followed.While the medical staff hurried into the emergency room, Jay waited outside worriedly, and the hallway soon became silent again."Jay." Zoe could not help calling out to him just then, and he seemed to jump.He was too focused to notice anything else, and the suddenness registered in his reaction.He turned to find Zoe standing there and appeared even more surprised, not knowing why Zoe showed up there.As for Zoe, she could tell immediately from his reaction that he never noticed her from the start.Who on earth could he be so worried about?And judging from the figure, it was defin
Jay then asked, "Well, can I visit him?""I wouldn't encourage it—he should avoid unnecessary contact for the time being. Moreover, we will move him directly to the clean room," the doctor said. "Alright. How long would he be staying in the clean room?""Around three to five days. He can leave once his surgical wounds heal enough.""Is this going to be the last surgery?""In terms of major ones, yes. Now, it depends on the patient's acceptance of his new face, though that requires delicacy," the doctor explained."Thank you doctor." Jay was awash with gratitude."It's our responsibility," the doctor said before sending them off.Zoe reluctantly followed Jay. It took her so much to muster her courage to come all the way here, but she never found out who Jay came to visit every day!She was still sulking in the car from frustration, utterly upset.Jay began, "Zoe…" "Don't talk to me!" she snapped.Jay pursed his lips but tried to assure her nonetheless. "You'd be surprise
John was calm, a stark contrast to Zoe's agitation. "I am both Lucas Lynch and John Levine."Zoe took a long while to reflect on those worse until she finally understood. She sprang up from Jay's lap in excitement, clapping her hands as she cried, "I knew you were you, but Cordy doubted me! I mean, after living with you for years, I'd recognize you even if all that's left of you were bones!"John was speechless—Zoe never learned how to hold her tongue even after years."By the way, what's it with you? Why did you fake your death? What are you doing here at the hospital? And what's with that emergency surgery? Was it something serious?" Zoe rambled on, asking a ton of questions.Still, John answered every question she had, and Zoe felt patience from him for the very first time.It was as if his temperament had changed after his 'death'…After he was done, Zoe muttered to herself and recounted everything. "So, you're saying that you survived the explosion after Jessica Stuart ble
Zoe was really capable of making someone fall apart in an instant.And right then, she said smugly, "You now have to address me as Aunt Zoe."John took a deep breath, clearly a little annoyed.Even Jay had to be impressed with Zoe—rarely was anyone capable of leaving John bristling with just a few words. Nonetheless, Zoe remained serious, "You should seize your chance—you still have a few months, so don't blame your Aunt Zoe for not warning you now. Just give me a head's up when you've made up your mind, and I'll help."John rolled his eyes and ignored Zoe, whereas Jay hid a smile nearby.He should have brought her to meet John if he knew she would liven things up like this.It was certainly awkward when silence ensued between two grown men, especially since said silence could stay an entire day.But with Zoe around, awkwardness and whatnot was nonexistent. As such, Jay often brought Zoe with him to the hospital ever since the first visit.She certainly was not as cold as s
John's return to Levine Manor left the servants gaping at him.Some were actually spooked, since they were told that he was dead!As such, Nancy hurried out of her room upstairs and was left staring blankly for a long while when she saw John, thinking for a second that she had seen a ghost.She eventually yelped loudly, and Cora hurried out of her room as well before getting flabbergasted to see John in the living room."Y-You're not dead, John?" she asked gingerly. "Nope," John said nonchalantly. "I survived by chance."Nancy hurried out down the stairs, still in shock but mustering her courage to throw her arms around John. "Johnny, you're alive… You're really alive…"John's heart raced a little.Having grown up at Levine Manor, he knew Nancy's character best—others aside, she was genuinely kind to him.He returned her hug. "I'm home now, Aunt Nancy.""Don't you know how hard it's been over the years…" Nancy sobbed hysterically in her arms. "You could've come back sooner…
Cora certainly wanted to argue. "But, I…"John, however, remained stern and solemn. "You have much to complain about, and you feel that Zoe has stolen your rights and identity—but in reality, Zoe was the one who was hurt the most when the truth came out, and the reason is simple: rags to riches is easy, but the converse is hard."You need to understand—I'm not telling you that you're not the victim, but Zoe was never the culprit. She was sent back to where she belonged after being thrown out of this house so mercilessly, and neither of you have any excuse to vent your grievances on her."The atmosphere in the living room was stiffened.Still, Nancy was indignant to see that her daughter was left flushing by John's words, and she growled through gritted teeth, "Weren't you on my side when we first found out that Zoe wasn't my daughter? You're now completely on her side just because she's with Jay now—""It was a selfish act on my part," John said, holding her gaze without flinching
Richard called out to him in surprise. "Daddy?!"On the other hand, Cordy turned away in a split second.John did the same. "Yeah.""When did you come back?" Richard asked excitedly.John headed downstairs and walked up to them "Just did.""Where have you been? Why didn't you contact me? Your replies were half-hearted, too," Richard huffed, clearly upset. "I thought you'd gone missing again.""I had something to do.""Your face is back now," Richard pointed out in surprise just then.He was busy complaining about John being distant to him and only noticed just then that John's face was much better.There were no burn marks to be seen, and most importantly, John's original appearance was restored, and he no longer looked like Lucas Lynch."Yeah," John replied again, and glanced at Cordy.Her eyes were glued to her phone and she was not looking at him again. He actually had the feeling that she did not get a good look at him when they traded glances for a second."Are you lea