Wolf woke up in confusion. He was sure he shouldn't have woken up when the sun was almost setting.Looking around, Wolf found an empty room, much like his current state of mind. Wolf found himself stuck because he overslept. But he was confident that Zoe was at home.Wolf was squinting his eyes, realizing his situation was strange. His room remained tidy. Zoe would usually leave traces when she was around.Wolf got out of bed, wanting to go downstairs to see if Zoe was there, but then his memory returned. He shouldn't have woken up when the sun was setting."FUCK!"Wolf cursed and looked around, searching for his phone, but he only found the shirt he wore last night on the floor.Wolf cursed again while hitting his forehead a few times with his hand, trying to remember where his phone was. Then he heard a faint ringing coming from the bathroom."What the fuck?"Wolf became more puzzled when he found his phone in the sink, lit up with missed calls and piled-up messages, not just from B
"You're with Zo... Loria today, right?" Wolf asked again."Well, of course. What's going on?" Jacob was confused."Where is she now? What happened during the shoot?" Wolf hissed, growing more aware that something was wrong."Huh? What do you mean?" Jacob was completely clueless."Wake up and tell me what happened during the shoot. Right now!" Wolf repeated it in a louder voice."Chill, bro!" Jacob was obviously surprised by the unexpected insistence."Tell me quickly!""Okay... okay." Half confused, Jacob finally started recounting what he remembered during the shoot."Loria came; we practiced, but because the song was a bit difficult, she couldn't reach the pitch. Then it ended, and we'll continue shooting tomorrow. Extra because Loria needs to master that pitch.""Is that all? Nothing else happened?" Too ordinary. Wolf was not satisfied."Well, it's a shoot... Oh, she asked for permission to use the studio after the shoot. She wanted to practice on her own, she said." Jacob added wh
"Zoe! Open the door!" Wolf knocked—banged on Zoe's apartment door, which had been tightly shut since earlier.It had been about five minutes since Wolf stood in front of that door, continuously knocking. Wolf had followed Zoe home from Jacob's studio, though not at the same time.Zoe immediately took a taxi upon leaving the studio, but Wolf managed to follow her back to her apartment. Unfortunately, Wolf lost, as Zoe entered first before he could intercept her."Zoe! I need an explanation! You can't do this to me! I don't understand what you mean!" shouted Wolf, his hand continuously knocking.Wolf was well aware that Zoe was angry, perhaps having misunderstood something. But he didn't understand what went wrong. Wolf believed that he had not made a mistake severe enough to justify treating him as if he had broken a promise. He hadn't broken any promises."Zoe! I need...""HEY! YOU!"Wolf turned around to see someone poking their head out of the neighboring apartment unit's door."Get
Wolf could be this daring because, of course, he had a hard time finding Zoe when she was at her apartment during normal hours—so that no one would call the police. When Wolf arrived there in the morning, Zoe had already left, and she wouldn't be back until very late.Not to mention their equally crazy schedules. Wolf had to finish his pending work, while Zoe had to practice more often for the next round to start. Especially considering the fact that Zoe blocked Wolf's number. He couldn't contact Zoe at all for the past few days.After trying several times to meet and failing, Wolf knew it was time for him to be a little daring, and this is the result. Visiting Zoe during the shooting of the last footage before going live tomorrow."Can I wait here? I don't want to wander around anymore."Wolf asked permission from the producer, pointing to the crew behind him. Wolf wanted to wait with the film crew until they finished shooting. That way, Zoe wouldn't be able to escape."Oh, sure. Ple
"Avoid how? You didn't even tell me what happened, Zoe!" Wolf shook his head. He would defend himself if he knew what the problem was, but now Wolf didn't even know what he should defend himself against."Do I need to tell you? You already know what happened! You were with that woman and...""Which woman? Who was I with?!" Wolf interrupted. He felt slightly victorious because he knew he hadn't been with any women since they were together."Don't play dumb! I know what you did yesterday when you didn't come home!"Wolf was confused. No one should know what he did."You can't know. How... But nothing happened! What are you talking about?" Wolf emphasized the fact that nothing had happened that night."You still won't admit it? How ridiculous. You were with another woman, weren't you? You were with her, and you KISSED her!" Of all the disturbing words in the message that was sent, perhaps 'kissed' angered Zoe the most.Women often spoke sweet words to Wolf, and Zoe was accustomed to hear
"No... don't do this again..."Clay immediately groaned with a long exhale as he saw Wolf approaching him. Almost the same as yesterday, disheveled with sunglasses. Worse yet because his bangs were probably a week overdue for a trim.Clay had to look around, hoping that his unkempt appearance wouldn't attract the attention of the people around him. They were currently in a public place, one of the studios owned by the production house collaborating with Clay's company. Clay was working, of course, and had to make time for Wolf, who requested—or rather forced—him to meet.Seeing the rough appearance, Clay knew something bad had happened—perhaps even worse. "Can't you wash up? I..."Wolf waved his hand in front of Clay's face, asking him to be silent. "I want to talk to you! Your friend is a jerk!" Wolf cursed loudly, undoubtedly drawing attention."Are you drunk?" Clay asked, "Are you drunk?" as Wolf stood there with an unsteady stance."Your friend...""Okay... okay..." Clay surrender
Zoe gazed at the tall building in front of her. It had a unique shape—not the usual box-like structure, but triangular. The Wolf building had all its sides covered in black glass with gray walls, and each side had a large letter W emblem attached.After only seeing it from afar, Zoe finally had the opportunity to visit it. Jacob scheduled the shoot today at his studio. Zoe couldn't refuse. Jacob had mentioned that the equipment in that building was more modern than in his own studio. Zoe accepted that explanation as normal because Jacob had to compose a song for her.Jacob prepared a new song for her to sing. Among the three mentors, only Jacob had the ability to create and produce songs. Both finalists would sing the song.Today was Zoe's turn to hear the new song and practice. The other contestant—Julio, a singer from Billy—had already practiced yesterday. They continued to practice separately, even though they both met Jacob.Zoe was startled as the front door of the building opene
"May I hug you? You deserve it," Jacob asked as the camera stopped recording. Zoe chuckled softly."Of course," she said."Congratulations! You finally made it to the final." Jacob gave a brief hug and a pat on the back, showing his true feelings off-camera. Such a hug could spark gossip if he's not careful. Zoe knew and appreciated Jacob's effort to protect her reputation.The hug only meant congratulations because Zoe had gone through two tough weeks and finally made it to the final. Another contestant performed even worse, saving Zoe from elimination—a stroke of luck.Two days ago, Zoe advanced through the semifinals with the last song arranged by Wolf. An easier song. Zoe managed to get through it smoothly, although Syanna said Zoe didn't perform a hundred percent. That achievement was almost unimaginable for Zoe because of her messy performance."Thank you once again for everything you've done," Zoe said. She was genuinely grateful to Jacob for being a patient mentor."I'm paid f
"LORIA MOREAU!"Zoe froze. She heard her name, but couldn't believe it was hers."Wake up, baby. And smile. It’s yours."Wolf's whisper finally stirred emotions in Zoe. She blushed with emotion, only able to stand when Wolf helped her. Unfortunately, Wolf couldn't escort her to the stage.Luckily, Syanne's hand was there to assist her, followed by Jacob, who was closest to the stage, helping her navigate the stairs to reach the top.Zoe expressed her gratitude several times to the person presenting her award before finally standing in front of the microphone to deliver her speech.Zoe took a few deep breaths, wiping away tears, before finally being able to address the camera and the patiently waiting audience."This is something I never dreamed of, standing here and receiving this." Zoe glanced down at the trophy in her hands once more and smiled."I... I once buried this dream. I no longer hoped to sing, let alone receive this. Not long
Zoe did something that Wolf would not like. She wouldn't lie, but she would inform him later, once the task was complete. Zoe wants to handle this herself without anyone else's interference.Of course, it's not easy. She walks with an anxious heart. Zoe adjusts her sunglasses several times on her nose, while her other hand carries a beautiful pink flower and gift box.Zoe feels anxious, knowing that people will recognize her when she enters later. But she's resigned. It's not possible to hide her identity now, considering the person she's going to meet.Approaching the counter after filling out a form with the prisoner's name and number, Zoe submits it."Please wait over there. We'll call you," says the prison guard behind the counter.He stares at Zoe several times as another guard checks Zoe's belongings—making sure no contraband is smuggled, glancing to confirm—even reading her name on the form but doesn't comment.Relieved—because
"Here." Wolf handed the cup to Zoe.Zoe wanted to take it, but her hands were still busy responding to messages on her phone."Cliff really doesn't have a girlfriend, does he?" Zoe asked."Hm? Why are you asking?" Wolf asked suspiciously."For Sara. She wanted to confirm this because she doesn't believe someone like Cliff is still single.Zoe sighed, showing the message Sara sent to her. Showing that she wasn't lying. She was indeed asking for Sara, not for herself."Not yet. According to Clay, he used to have one—a journalist or an MC, if I'm not mistaken. But they broke up when Cliff was about to move here. Either he moved and then they broke up, or they broke up and then he moved."Wolf just repeated Clay's words, of course. And now Zoe repeated them in the form of a message to Sara and sent it to reassure her."How do you know these details?" After sending the message and taking her cup, Zoe asked in amazement. The knowle
"Should have been in jail..."Max denied reality once again. For him, Loria still couldn't possibly be Zoe because she should have been in jail."You're endlessly foolish!" Billy slammed the table and went berserk.He grabbed Max by the collar with his handcuffs. Of course, chaos ensued immediately, and shouts erupted as the police guarding the area rushed in to subdue Billy, pinning him to the ground.But evidently, Billy was truly furious with Max, as he continued to resist and curse at Max even while being held down."YOUR STUPIDITY KNOWS NO BOUNDS!""SILENCE!"The judge's thundering voice overshadowed Billy's outburst. Not only Billy fell silent, but also the journalists and spectators who were making noise."Once again, if anyone disturbs me, I will reschedule this trial! UNDERSTOOD?!"The silence in the room signified that they all understood."Take him out. Mr. Dacosta, I'll make sure your charges include this incident. Assaul
The prosecutor began with standard questions, asking about Sara's background—education, how long she had been a psychiatrist, and so on. Only after that did she mention Zoe."Since when has Ms. Zoe Anderson been your patient?" the prosecutor asked."For over a year," Sara replied clearly. Gone was the cheerful demeanor she usually wore when facing patients."Can you explain Ms. Anderson's condition at that time?""Zoe came with a desire to heal because she suffered severe trauma that was very visible and prevented her from leading a normal life.""Could you please explain more about that trauma?"Sara nodded calmly because everything matched the expectations given by Cliff."Zoe came in a state where she couldn't speak, but medical examinations showed that Zoe didn't have any physical injuries anymore. The absence of any disturbances in her nerves confirmed that her inability to speak was a result of PTSD. Severe trauma due to a bad incident
"That's... Strange. You must be kidding!" Iris shook her head vigorously while staring at Zoe from head to toe, trying to recognize her as the same person she saw before with Max."Have I ever joked when talking to you?" Wolf replied flatly, pulling a chair for Zoe. The chair is furthest from Iris. She was still at a loss for words and kept staring at Zoe."Are you really Zoe Anderson?" Iris continued to stare at Zoe."Yes, before I changed my name to Loria Moreau, that was also my name." Zoe replied calmly. The apprehension that had plagued her earlier had vanished.The meeting with Iris might have been unexpected and almost annoying, but Zoe felt empowered, knowing that she was currently in control.Seeing Iris's surprise, Zoe felt satisfaction. A victory for successfully showing her new self to Iris. Zoe was no longer the disheveled individual she had encountered, who garnered disdain due to her perceived inferiority."That's impossible! You don't lo
Zoe smoothed her cream-colored skirt and blazer. Darcy's choice, so Zoe wouldn't appear intimidating or grim.She felt nervous, as she could see from a distance how journalists were crowding in front of the courthouse. They were undoubtedly waiting for the enigmatic figure of Zoe Anderson. There were no images of Zoe in the news because there was no documentation of Zoe's case.Due to her prior injuries and hospitalization, Zoe did not attend the trial as a suspect. No one recorded her face or bothered to find out at the hospital because the case clearly made her a suspect.Zoe also ran her fingers through her hair, which was back to being blonde. She wasn't wearing a wig today. It was the first time she would appear without her black hair, and honestly, it made Zoe even more nervous. It felt like she was removing the mask that had protected her. Zoe would be Zoe in front of everyone, no longer Loria.Wolf, who had been observing Zoe's nervousness, said, "Your be
"He's trying to save himself! So cunning!" Wolf hissed irritably.It was clear from Iris's statement that she only wanted to save herself by blaming Max and Billy."She made them look like she was under pressure to hide the truth about Zoe. Iris then used that pressure as an excuse to justify all her strange actions. She hid from her mistakes by using mental health as an excuse." Sara shook her head, looking annoyed. She was obviously upset when someone used mental health as a lie."She managed to escape using a lifeboat before her ship really sank." Cliff looked at Iris, who continued to sob and cry amidst her words."It doesn't matter. Let it be," Zoe said, folding her arms and staring at the television without blinking."What do you mean, let it be? She's lying again!" Wolf also pointed to the television with a disapproving face."At least she has been honest, especially about me. Whatever she said makes things right; just let it be," Zoe repeated.
"Why so fast?" Zoe stared at the summons she had received in panic.When Benson mentioned that she would receive a summons to attend court, Zoe assumed the trial would take place maybe around one or two months later, but it turned out to be only three days later and effective in two days."I think Benson waited until his file was complete before calling you. That's why now he just has to submit it to the court, and the schedule comes down immediately," Cliff explained. He took the letter from her hand to examine it."I only have to come once, right?"Zoe asked to confirm, as she really didn't want to attend the trial multiple times."Yes, that's why I asked to meet with the psychiatrist who treated you. I need to ask them to answer questions about your condition well. They have to give the right answers for the judge to grant the request," Cliff explained today's plan."I think they'll be here soon. She said they still had a patient earlier,