"Sasa!""Hello, Miss Sanders.”Before she could react, Mia pushed her into Zachary's passenger seat, while Mia herself squeezed into Steven's car.As they drove along the highway, Steven's car suddenly shot ahead. Mia leaned out the window, waving at Sarah, "Sarah! We don't want to be third wheels!"Lindsey called out too, "I just found out about this! How could you not tell me! I won't forgive you!"Sarah didn't know whether to laugh or cry - Lindsey had already sent her dozens of accusatory messages:"Sarah, you abandoned our friendship for a man!""You didn't tell me you were with Mr. Reynolds! You're in trouble!""I'm a Scorpio! I hold grudges, and I'll remember this forever!""You didn't tell me when you got hurt last time, and now this! I'm not speaking to you for a day!"As they crossed a high bridge, a cool sea breeze carried the salty air toward them.Sarah's eyes widened as she finally saw the true scale of the resort - it was an entire island, accessible only by t
Sarah collected various sea creatures - starfish, crabs, and even sea snails.Zachary walked up to her, holding the bucket in one hand. His lips parted softly, "Hold out your hand.""What?" Sarah looked at him puzzled."Hold out your hand," Zachary repeated.Sarah extended her hand tentatively, ready to pull back.Zachary placed his closed fist over her palm and dropped something cool into it.A seashell."I found it."Sarah looked at the shell - it was pink with rippling patterns."It's beautiful." She tucked it into her pocket.In the distance, Mia was gazing out, watching Zachary and Sarah together.The two stood by the sea as sunset colors gradually descended, bathing them in orange-red light. It reminded her of romantic scenes from novels she'd read - that's exactly how her brother and Sarah looked."What are you looking at, Mia?" Lindsey put her hand on Mia's shoulder, following her gaze."Looking at my brother and Sarah. I feel like I've seen this scene before, like
Zachary cleared his throat, more serious than he'd ever been, "Sasa, I don't mind. You know that doesn't matter to me.""I'm not upset because of Charlotte. This world is deeply hostile to women. At yesterday's wedding, everyone's first reaction upon seeing me was that I'm James's ex-wife. They assumed I must have come with bad intentions, must have come to cause trouble. But everyone forgot that James was the main character of this wedding - no one thought of him as Sarah's ex-husband. Even without proper evidence, they were ready to blame everything on me based purely on stereotypes."Zachary pulled Sarah into an embrace, "Sasa, I will protect you.""I know." Sarah's expression softened.Zachary was the only one who had promised to protect her and actually followed through.“Zac! Sarah! Come cook with us, I'm hungry!""Oh! Did I come at a bad time?"Mia froze in place, about to turn back, but Sarah called out to her."Mia, your timing is perfect. I'm hungry too." She pulled M
Finally, Sarah carefully pushed Lindsey's mushroom back to her, "Lindsey, why don't you try it first?""What is it?" She took a bite and her face turned the color of liver. "Blech! It's awful!"Steven looked at her smugly, "Try mine."Lindsey glared at him, "Mrs. Watsons must have given me the wrong recipe. I won't accept this, and I'm not eating yours!"She turned her head away, but the garlic aroma kept tempting her nose.Mia sat next to her, enthusiastically munching on the mushrooms, her eyes sparkling with delight.Lindsey wondered how good they must taste.She'd had Steven's cooking before - it was truly exceptional. But eating it would mean admitting defeat.But it smelled so good, making her mouth water.She couldn't resist anymore!She grabbed the mushroom skewer and took a bite.It was delicious! Damn, Steven had won.Steven grinned triumphantly, "Told you so.""Don't get cocky. You're a chef - of course you can cook."Sarah stifled a laugh, then noticed a grill
Though Zachary didn't understand why she brought this up, he nodded - it happened to him occasionally."I just experienced it. Walking with you by the sea, watching the stars, feeling the sea breeze on my face - I feel like this has happened before, more than once." Sarah's eyes held a trace of confusion.Déjà vu wasn't enough to describe what she felt. The phantom memory wasn't just visual but emotional - she could even feel the warmth of that hand and catch whiffs of cedar fragrance from her memory.An indescribable feeling lingered in her chest, like a hungry person finding bread - simultaneously empty and full, hollow yet complete.She laughed behind her hand, "Maybe it's because it's you walking beside me. This is my first time walking with you by the sea, so it feels familiar."Zachary tried to speak several times but couldn't find the words.Sarah pulled him along to continue walking, while he could only grip her small hand tightly, watching her back guiltily as time stret
She dimmed the living room lights to a warm glow and tried to help Zachary to the bedroom, but she was too weak to lift him.After struggling until her forehead was sweaty, she gave up. She found hangover medicine in the hotel's first-aid kit, got him a glass of warm water, helped him take the medicine, and covered him with a blanket. Just as she was about to return to the bedroom, he grabbed her wrist."Don't go..." Zachary whispered.Sarah sat back down on the sofa. He kept mumbling something, and when she leaned closer, she finally heard it clearly: "Sasa, Sasa, I'm sorry..."Sorry?Why was he apologizing again?He'd already apologized during their walk after dinner, and now again?She leaned close to his face. His handsome features seemed troubled by something deep, his eyelashes trembling. His hand was so warm it almost burned her skin.The smell of alcohol lingered, but his unique scent remained.She tapped his lips gently with her finger, "What are you hiding from me?"
Even worse, someone leaked gossip about Sarah and Mr. Reynolds, which became the biggest bombshell."How did someone like her catch Mr. Reynolds' eye? She must have used underhanded methods.""Agreed! The bride was kind enough to invite her divorced ex to the wedding, yet she tried to seduce her former husband and tore up their marriage certificate. Shameless!""Oh no, not Mr. Reynolds! I can't believe it!""Believe it! My friend was at the wedding - Zachary showed up and left with her, holding hands!"Sarah placed her phone face down. No wonder some students had been looking at her strangely at school today.During break, Mia burst into the counseling office."Sarah, I'll have my brother track down whoever posted this immediately!""No need to investigate. Only Charlotte and Lucy would do this," Sarah said coldly.Mia fumed, "We let Lucy off so many times, yet she still dares to do this! And that Charlotte - Sarah, what should we do?"She couldn't bear to see Sarah being sla
She wanted to see just how far they would go. As for these rumors, she never cared about them anyway. She had no interest in playing games with these clowns.Late that night, one of the main players finally responded. Charlotte posted a short message on social media: "Seeing all these news stories these past few days has made me anxious. I don't know where to begin. I just hope everyone can be more rational. Miss Sanders meant no harm - I haven't taken any of her actions to heart. She just loved James too much before. She's quite pitiful, so please stop talking about her."The comments were full of people consoling her, as if Sarah was some unforgivable villain.“Babe, you’re so kind, still defending that person?""Compared to Charlotte, Sarah really is completely shameless.""Exactly! The nerve to call Charlotte the other woman. I'd choose Charlotte too!"Sarah was in Zachary's arms when she saw this post. She put down her phone, "Hah, what an act."Zachary's face darkened, "Sa
Sarah pondered Melvin's words. What did he mean by "second time"? Was the first time marrying James?But she remembered her cousin hadn't strongly objected to that marriage initially. He only tried getting to know James after seeing her determination.So who was he really talking about?Melvin had taken the wine bottle, leaving just a little in her glass. She lifted it and downed it like he had.Back in her room, slightly tipsy, she checked her phone. Opening her chat with Zachary, she saw how brief their conversations had become over just three days - a few lines, with today's messages still unanswered."Are you there?""At work.""Miss me?"Every message spoke of longing, but met silence. She wondered if she'd somehow offended him.Sarah felt like she was reliving the past. These unanswered messages reminded her of her marriage - was history repeating itself?She'd only seen Zachary on the news these past days.Watching him looking tired on the financial news channel, she un
"I'm fine," Sarah forced a smile.Despite her best efforts, Mia's therapy showed no progress. Mia's connection to her seemed too deeply rooted. She couldn't figure out how to alter Mia's subconscious in the short term, and she'd discussed this with Scott.During their sessions, she'd found Mia easy to hypnotize, suggesting a generally malleable mind. Yet on this one issue, Mia showed incredible resistance, stubbornly pulling Sarah into that memory.After sending Mia to rest, Sarah sat alone on the couch, lost in thought for nearly two hours until Melvin returned.He was startled to see her. Holding up a wine bottle, he asked, "Care for a drink?""Sure."They hadn't sat together like this since her father's death when Melvin took over the company. After her marriage to James, they'd barely seen each other.Melvin had assumed Sarah was either acting out or avoiding painful memories, so he'd kept his distance. That is, until he saw her situation in the news.Sarah fetched two wine
James looked at her apologetically. He didn't understand how he'd lost himself in that final moment and called out... Sarah's name."I'm sorry." At this point, that's all he could say.Charlotte sobbed uncontrollably, her tear-filled eyes fixed on him. "James, why? How could you do this to me? Why did you call her name in bed? Do you regret marrying me? Regret divorcing her?""No, I've never regretted marrying you." James tried to hold Charlotte, but she shoved him away."If you don't regret marrying me, why did you call her name? Are you in love with her?" Charlotte's eyes blazed.James shook his head desperately, "Charlotte, I don't know what came over me. I wasn't thinking. I never meant to hurt you."Even he didn't understand his thoughts. When he heard Charlotte's whispers, he'd remembered Sarah's hatred toward him.Whether at Sarah's door or at the press conference after their divorce, he'd had many chances to see her, but her eyes remained cold and distant. It had been so
At the Chancer house.Charlotte emerged from her shower, now truly Mrs. Chancer.After her quick shower, she spritzed on cool perfume and hurried to choose an outfit from her closet.Since the incident, despite becoming Mrs. Chancer, some still mocked her - especially about being arrested at the press conference. It still stung.But none of that mattered now.James was her priority. She needed to win him over completely, bind him to her forever.She'd bought something special while shopping today, planning a "surprise" for James tonight. She'd waited for him to finish work, but grew impatient.Her heart pounding, Charlotte pulled out the garment, studying it for a long moment before falling silent.She gripped the barely-there, sheer nightgown tighter.She'd never done anything like this, but she had to try - for James's heart.Taking a deep breath, Charlotte steeled herself and put it on.She hurried to his study, carefully turning the handle."James." She dimmed the light
This time she used subconscious therapy again, but without including herself in Mia's mental landscape.Melvin had offered his office for Mia's therapy sessions. Sarah dimmed the lights.With Mia settled on the couch, just like at the university, they began."Mia, close your eyes. Imagine you're in a vast desert, surrounded by endless sand. In the distance, a tornado rushes toward you.""You feel gentle breezes, warm sunlight on your skin. You're comfortable, just growing tired, so tired you sink into the soft sand..."Mia's closed eyes relaxed, her furrowed brow smoothing.Sarah continued softly, "Deep in the desert, you see a camel. It runs toward you. Is it seeking help or trying to attack?""Attack. It wants to attack me.""Good. But you dodge it. Then hunters capture you. You scream for help. Someone comes. Who is it?"Mia's hands clenched. "Sarah.""No, not Sarah. Someone else. Who?" Sarah pressed.Mia's arms trembled with tension, but she insisted, "It's Sarah."Sara
He needed to take that step, to show Melvin he could protect Sarah."Could you take Mia with you?" Zachary asked seriously. "Her condition is more stable when you're around."Sarah nodded. She'd wanted to bring Mia anyway but wasn't sure if Zachary would agree."Okay. Melvin says we're leaving tomorrow morning. Bring Mia early, I don't think he'll refuse." Though Sarah wasn't entirely confident.Zachary kissed her nose. "I haven't kept my promise yet. I said I'd talk to Melvin, but now you're leaving before I could."Sarah cupped his face in her hands, smiling. "Maybe he's rushing because he knows you won't give up.""Sarah, trust me. I'll convince Melvin." He wouldn't surrender."I know."Zachary gazed into her eyes with burning intensity. "Sasa…” He stopped himself, swallowing his words.Before Sarah could ask, his lips found hers.He held her tight, as if trying to merge her into himself. There was a metallic taste between their lips.Sarah lost herself in this ocean of
Tears sprang to Sarah's eyes. "Zachary! What are you doing?"He whispered against her ear, his voice icy, "Why didn't you tell me? Couldn't you even make one phone call? Did you want to leave me?"Sarah looked at him, helpless but determined. "No, I don't want to go."Zachary released her and walked to the bed.Sarah sighed with relief, moving to sit on the edge of the bed, her emotions in turmoil."Then why didn't you tell me?"Sarah turned away, whispering, "I was afraid I'd cry."Without seeing him, she could be strong and brave, fearless.But one look at him made her want to depend on him completely. She wasn't even sure she could follow her cousin's wishes anymore.Zachary held her tight, breathing in the fresh scent of her hair, unsure whether to smile or maintain his stern expression.Finally, his cold facade cracked. Seeing her lips still red from his earlier kiss, he leaned in again.Sarah wrapped her arms around his neck, heat rising from her throat to her face unt
That short distance felt like miles. Knowing it would be hard to see Zachary again after she left, Sarah turned and buried herself in his chest one last time, savoring the moment.Back home, Uncle Shawn had left. Melvin sat on the couch, his face cold. Seeing her, he gave a bitter smile, "I know he was upstairs."Sarah dropped the pretense and sat beside Melvin, cautiously asking, "Why do you hate Zachary so much?""Hate? No, I despise him. I'm sick of him." His calm tone barely contained the underlying fury.Sarah was confused. In her memory, Melvin shouldn't even know Zachary. Where did this hatred come from?"Why?" she pressed.Melvin poured himself some tea, his gaze distant. "Sarah, Zachary's dangerous. Being close to him puts you at risk. You should end it before you're in too deep. Otherwise, you'll regret it."Sarah shook her head in frustration. "You can't just say he's dangerous without explaining why."Melvin slammed the table. "No explanations. We're leaving tomorro
Outside the police station, James watched Charlotte emerge, exhaustion etched on his face.The revelation still stunned him. He'd suspected everyone - Lucy, his mother - but never Charlotte. He'd been too confident in his understanding of her, too certain her kindness was genuine."James," Charlotte's voice quavered, her eyes red-rimmed as she reached for him. He stepped back, irritation clear in his movements."Just get in the car," he said flatly.During the drive home, Charlotte couldn't bear his silence. "James, please. I never wanted to hurt Sarah. I just wanted to... I mean, nothing really happened!""Were you behind those social media posts?" His voice was ice."I only shared the truth," she dabbed at her face with a tissue. "I know it was wrong. I won't do anything like that again. Everything I did was because I love you so much."James kept driving, his jaw set, ignoring her words.That evening, Sarah's phone lit up with a call from Mia."Sarah?" Mia's voice trembled.