Chapter 2

Six years! That was how long she had loved him! Zoe closed her eyes abruptly.

…

It was a Friday night. Something bad happened in the Sanders house. Mason still wasn’t home. They received news that the eldest child in the Sanders family, Noah, might be facing a ten-year sentence because of the Sanders Group’s financial case.

Ten years imprisonment was long enough to ruin someone’s life. Her dad was hospitalized due to a brain hemorrhage. It was critical and he needed to undergo surgery immediately.

Zoe stood in the hospital hallway and called Mason non-stop, but he didn’t answer. Just when she was about to give up, he sent her a text via WhatsApp. It was brief as usual.

“I’m still in Hucksburgh. Find Ava if you need anything.”

She gave him a call again, and he answered this time. Zoe said at once, “Mason. My dad is…” Mason cut her off abruptly. He sounded a tad impatient, “Is this about the money? I told you. Just look for Ava. She’ll hook you up… Are you even listening, Zoe?”

…

Zoe was raising her head and looking at a screen with a blank expression. It was broadcasting a piece of news.

‘The director of Lockwood Pharmaceutical Group rented the entire Disneyland and made a lady’s day.’

The fireworks were exploding throughout the entire sky as a young lady sitting in a wheelchair was smiling widely. Mason was standing right behind her, holding his phone.

Zoe blinked and said painfully after a long pause, “Where are you, Mason?” He paused for a while, seemingly unhappy that she was checking on his whereabouts. He said, “I’m busy. I’m going to hang up now. You should get in touch with Ava.”

He didn’t care enough to realize that she was about to burst into tears, but he lowered his head and looked at the young lady affectionately. Zoe’s vision was blurred by tears… She didn’t know that he could be this affectionate toward somebody.

Her stepmother, Mia, said, “Did you manage to call Mason? You have to get him to help us, Zoe…” She stopped abruptly when she saw what was shown on the screen.

She said after a pause, “Did he go to Hucksburgh again? I refuse to believe it, Zoe. Mason was unconscious back then. Are you telling me that Lilith actually brought him back with her violin? Let’s assume that it’s true for a second. Is this an appropriate way to repay her, though?

“He doesn't even remember your birthday!”

…

Mia was getting pissed off. She couldn’t help but shed a tear when she thought about the predicament the Sanders are in, “With that said, you have to keep a cool head. Don’t pick a fight with him now, Zoe.”

Zoe clenched her fists so tight her nails were digging into her flesh, but she didn’t feel pain at all. Pick a fight with Mason? She wasn’t about to do that. However, it wasn’t because she was focusing on the bigger picture. Instead, it was because she didn’t have the right to start a fight.

Her husband didn’t love her. Her status as his wife was virtually nonexistent!

She stared at the fireworks and said, “I’m sure these fireworks cost him a lot of money!” Mia didn’t catch her meaning. Zoe lowered her gaze and called Ava.

It was midnight. So, it was understandable that Ava wasn’t pleased that Zoe woke him up. She had worked with Mason for a long time. She enjoyed a privileged position. Furthermore, she knew his master didn’t care about Zoe at all. Naturally, she sounded cold and sharp.

“You’ll have to go through the usual procedure and get Mr. Mason’s signature to secure the cheque. It’s like the jewelry you’re wearing now. You need to register before you can use them. Do you know what I’m getting at, Ms. Zoe?”

…

Zoe hung up the phone. She kept her head lowered and stayed quiet. Then, she looked at herself in the mirror and raised her hand. Her wedding ring was fitted tightly onto her slim finger.

It was the only thing that didn’t require any procedures or signatures… How pathetic! Zoe blinked and said, “Get me someone so I can sell off this wedding ring!”

Mia was stunned, “Are you out of your mind, Zoe?”

She turned around and left. The hall seemed desolate in the dark of night, mirroring her loneliness… Zoe walked a few steps, stopped abruptly, and said firmly, “My eyes are opened, Mia! In fact, I’ve never looked at myself with such clarity.”

She was going to divorce Mason.