Zoe carefully walked into the house, which was, of course, very luxurious. She feared her steps would crack the marble floor. The floor was so shiny that, for a moment, Zoe thought it was made of glass. But even if she tap danced on it, it would be fine."Mr. Wolf's room is upstairs. I'll drop you off." Stefan, the man who had picked her up and driven her to the house, grabbed Zoe's luggage and led her to the second floor.Zoe had not yet finished admiring artwork in the form of sculptures and paintings, and then there was an open space filled with an indoor garden—a modern minimalist type of setting.But the view on the second floor wasn't too bad either. Zoe could see New York City in the distance from the wide-open glass walls throughout the second floor. The house wasn't in New York City, but it wasn't too far away.It was a perfect suburb, filled with the elite who did business in New York City. Zoe knew Billy also lived in the area but didn't know where. Maybe she would find out
"Clay shut up."Wolf asked Clay, his friend, to stop talking. He was reading the message from Zoe with amazement. The contents were too shocking, for sure."Since when did you receive the message?"Clay was astonished, knowing that Wolf was against texting. He preferred to call, and people who called Wolf's cell phone usually knew enough not to send messages."She doesn't know yet... oh... She can't..."Wolf had just raised the phone to his ear to call Zoe but then remembered that Zoe would be unable to speak. So Wolf also wrote a message finally."What are you replying to? Who can make you send a message?" Clay was getting extremely curious.They were in the middle of a business conversation. It was unusual that Wolf would stop the conversation just because of a call or a message. But now Clay saw the Wolf struggling to type while frowning.His thumbs moved very slowly on the surface of the phone screen. There was a reason why Wolf didn't like sending messages. He wasn't used to typi
Wolf stepped over with a frown. This was because the house was dark. It was only eight o'clock, very far from bedtime.He was used to dark houses, but something should have changed. There were other living, breathing creatures inhabiting his house. The darkness made him wonder.Wolf proceeded to the light source coming from his bedroom. Only that room produced signs of life. Leaking the location of where Zoe was.Wolf opened the door without asking or knocking, only to find that a local storm had passed through his room. His house was always neat. Nothing was misplaced or crumpled. The sight of the blankets and bed covers on the floor amazed him.And not just that. There were sheets of paper falling around the bed. A pile of papers was still relatively high on the table. Which certainly wasn't there yesterday.Wolf never worked in his room. He rarely brought his work to his room except when he was sick.Wolf reached out, picking up the next strange find. It was more interesting than t
Wolf's riding was pretty rough yesterday, and Zoe enjoyed it. But it was different when Zoe didn't want it. She only got pain."AGHH!" Zoe screamed and struggled, but Wolf didn't stop his movements. Instead, he leaned over and whispered in Zoe's ear."Say my name, and I'll replace this pain with something you can enjoy..."But Zoe couldn't do that. She shook her head and kept trying to break free from Wolf's body."Stubborn..."Wolf paused momentarily and muttered angrily, turning Zoe's body over and opening her legs. Zoe kicked his leg, but just like before, Wolf caught it easily."Don't be stubborn and say my name quickly..." Wolf growled again as he held Zoe's legs open on the bed. But then he frowned. He saw something else.Zoe was crying and scared. She was sobbing, her voice indistinct but trying to speak. Her lips moved but could not form words. Just mumbles and gurgling sounds from her throat."You can talk! You can sing!" Wolf still didn't want to believe it."NO!" Zoe shoute
The doctor shook his head and invited Wolf to follow him. It was no longer the case, even if he had intended to report earlier. The boundaries of the bruises on Zoe's body were very vague. It could be violence, but it could also be sex. Especially considering Zoe was naked when she arrived."How is her head? " Wolf asked again when he reached Zoe's bedside. Her eyes were still closed tightly, with no sign of consciousness yet."Nothing serious. The impact didn't cause her to faint. Your wife probably fainted just because she was tired. After a thorough examination, I found no signs of serious injuries on your wife's body. Only abrasions around her... vaginal organs." The doctor hesitated for a moment but then explained what it was."I might have to be careful after this. I will consider not shaking her too hard." A statement that made the doctor look a little embarrassed again. Although they were both grown men, he was still a young doctor. He immediately looked away; he didn't want
A gesture that was far from crude or brutal. The kiss even felt like a dream because it was so sudden and different from the roughness Wolf had done earlier.Zoe was only convinced that she was not dreaming when she felt the rough friction of Wolf's sideburns on the back of her hand. Night had fallen, and Wolf's usually clean sideburns were grey."Are you scared?" Wolf asked. He lowered Zoe's hand. Zoe felt her neck and chest but had no card or cell phone. She couldn't say anything. And there was no paper either. "Do I need to ask for paper?" Wolf certainly didn't want it to be the only one talking here.But Zoe shook her head. She pulled Wolf's hand that was on the bed. She wrote a letter on his palm."F?" Wolf spelt out the letter formed by Zoe's finger."U." The next letter and it was done."Oh. F and U. That's..."Zoe clarified what she wanted to say by raising her middle finger before Wolf's eyes."Okay. I got it." Wolf smiled faintly. He understood how Zoe felt."But you shoul
Zoe gasped as a doctor suddenly burst into her room. There should be no more doctors coming. She would be home any minute.Zoe was even more confused when the doctor looked around her room-checking things out. Zoe wanted to ask what he wanted but still didn't have the tools to speak. Earlier, Wolf had taken care of all her needs so she could go home soon.But fortunately, the bespectacled doctor was quick to reveal what she wanted."Excuse me, but where is your husband?" he asked.Zoe pointed outside. She was explaining that Wolf was taking care of the paperwork.The doctor looked relieved, then held out something. It was a small sheet of paper that Zoe readily accepted. It was a business card from a Foundation for the Protection of Children and Women. Zoe read the information on the card and also the phone number.But of course, she still didn't understand why the doctor gave it to her. Zoe looked at him while raising an eyebrow full of questions."You just call that number if you fe
Zoe stopped her car and parked it neatly, a little far from her destination, but on purpose.The car she was driving was too flashy because it belonged to Wolf. When Zoe told Stefan she was leaving without a ride, that was the car he gave her. A black sports car, which Zoe was sure was worth about ten years' rent.Her old car would be less noticeable, but Zoe had left it in the parking lot of Tiana's club. She might pick it up later. Using Wolf's car was incredible but scary at the same time. Zoe was afraid she'd make a scratch on the body, which would cost the equivalent of a year's rent.Zoe carried her backpack and then pulled her hoody over her head. She had to hide her face. It was good that it was still winter, although it was no longer snowing. Her covered appearance would not attract suspicion.Zoe's destination was a cafe with an aesthetic setting at the end of the street. The restaurant was bustling with customers queuing up at the cash register and those sitting down to enj
"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,