"Mmm... I'm sorry about earlier... He's studying for an exam," Clay awkwardly sought understanding. Meanwhile, Dustin scoffed from above.Although Zoe was at fault here for shouting and crying aimlessly in someone else's house, Clay still wanted to apologize because his son's reprimand could be considered quite rude."No. I'm sorry. I should apologize, Clay. I didn't mean to disturb you. I'll apologize to him later." Zoe quickly shook her head, her face turning red in embarrassment."No need. Dustin is always like that; he doesn't...""It's not his fault. Really. I'm a guest... Oh? I'm talking..." Zoe turned to look at Wolf, who was still smiling. He watched and felt satisfied to see Zoe speak smoothly to Clay."Yes, you're talking. A lot and fluently," Wolf nodded."Oh, my God! Wait..." Zoe wanted to cheer but held back her emotions, not wanting to be too disappointed if she couldn't speak anymore."Sing for me," Wolf requested.Zoe swallowed hard, her hands sweating. Afraid that the
"What are you doing to her?!" Sara snapped as soon as she heard the report from Wolf about Zoe fainting. Accusing without hesitation."Focus on the positive, Sara! I got her to talk! Zoe can talk and sing now. That should be your focus. Now explain to me what made her faint." Wolf demanded back."Do you think I have some superpower that allows me to see Zoe's condition from thousands of miles away? You took her to the hospital, didn't you? Ask the doctor there, not me!" Sara retorted, sounding irritated because Wolf was entirely unreasonable.Wolf sighed. He was well aware that the question was absurd. But his mind could only produce such absurd thoughts at the moment. It was too chaotic."Now tell me what happened, and don't leave anything out. Everything!" Sara hissed threateningly."Mmm... Upon hearing a baby crying, Zoe became disturbed and covered her ears, even though we were outside. I asked her to calm down, and suddenly she screamed about what Max did, using harsh and long cu
"Wolf explained to Zoe, who had just opened her eyes, 'The doctor said you're just tired and can go home after this.'Zoe tried to gather her thoughts, realizing that what Wolf said wasn't important. There were other things they needed to discuss, not just when she would be leaving the hospital.After this, there will be many plans waiting. I will be your trainer and your vocal coach. And I have another good plan. I know the right way to quickly get your exposure, but the pressure on you will be greater.'Wolf explained all the plans once again that Zoe didn't want to hear."Whether you want to hear it or not?" Wolf asked, pulling his chair closer to the bed.Zoe looked at him and snorted. 'You're such a coward,' she muttered."You... What did you call me?!"Wolf was initially relieved to hear Zoe speak again, not withdrawing like Sara. But hearing the term 'coward,' Wolf was infuriated."I called you a coward. But we don't need to discuss it. You can talk about your plans." Zoe no lo
"Do you want to choose a color? Red? Black? Brunette? Or maybe a brighter blonde? I actually like your current hair color. It's a shame you want to cover it up."Albert pointed to the array of wigs beside him, asking Zoe to choose. His salon had perfectly accommodated Zoe's request. Zoe could freely choose from about thirty different hair styles in various colors."Hmm... red is too bright," Zoe murmured. She didn't want Iris to remember the incident with the gym friend who spilled a drink on her shoulder."Okay, eliminate that." Albert removed all the red colors, leaving around twenty options."Your hair is beautiful and healthy; do we really have to do this?" Albert asked. It was the umpteenth time he had said it. He still didn't want to cover it up.But Zoe couldn't appear with blonde hair, as blonde hair was what made her look like Zoe Anderson. Zoe didn't want to wear heavy makeup and risk going unrecognized, like when she disguised herself as Iris's gym friend. She still wanted
"This is for you." Wolf said, handing over a brown envelope.They were back home, discussing the next steps Zoe would take the day after tomorrow. It would be the first time Zoe would appear in public."What's this?" Zoe opened the long brown envelope and found her new identity—an ID card, driver's license, passport, and credit cards—all under the name Loria Moreau. Zoe's new name.Zoe looked at the photos on all the identification cards and felt satisfied. After choosing a wig with Albert, Zoe took the pictures and was pleased with how realistic her hair looked.The face in those photos was still Zoe but, at the same time, different. It still carried the essence of Zoe, as she desired."Is this all?" Zoe asked, putting all her new documents back into the envelope."Yes, is there anything else needed?" Wolf asked, pulling an ashtray from the table to hold the cigarette ash in his hand."Our divorce papers. Shouldn't I sign them now? I'll be leaving this house tomorrow."Zoe said it ca
"You look like shit! Are you a vampire or something?"Clay honestly assessed Wolf's appearance as he approached. Despite being in the middle of a golf course, basking in the sunlight, Wolf stood out in his all-black attire—a black jacket, black pants, black shoes, and black sunglasses. His face looked pale, adding a vampiric touch to his ensemble."When was the last time you took a shower?" Clay asked, examining Wolf once again. It turned out that Wolf looked disheveled beyond imagination.Wolf just shrugged, then sat on the golf cart Clay was driving, leaning against one of its posts."Are you hungover or something?" Clay inquired.Wolf groaned. His head was indeed pounding from excessive drinking, but he was coherent enough to understand what Clay was saying. He had managed to drag his own body this far onto the golf course, so physically, Wolf wasn't weak. His disheveled appearance was more of a psychological issue."You said you wanted to meet, and now you show up like this?" Clay
"I thought it would be disgusting, but it turns out it's not," Wolf muttered after a while."Disgusting? Oh, you mean the kiss?" Clay momentarily felt confused, but quickly understood."Well, I can't comment much, but maybe you need therapy if it's bothering you until now," Clay scoffed, squinting. Clay still recalls when Wolf shared that horrible incident with him while they were intoxicated together."Not very bothersome; I'm fine. It's just...""The incident has tainted your mind, causing your judgment of human emotions to become narrow. Not all women are disgusting like that." Clay raised his hand, feeling he might have gone too far."Sorry, I don't mean to trivialize it. Of course, I'll never understand how it affected your life and what consequences it had. But I know one thing, and listen to me."Clay flicked his fingers again, signaling Wolf not to look down."There's no use running away and avoiding it. And right now, Zoe is making a reasonable decision based on your attitude
Zoe stepped onto the stage, trying not to slip on its seemingly slippery surface. She easily found the marked spot and stood there. The music momentarily paused as the voiceover narration would be added later. But Zoe knew the camera had already started recording.The brief silence gave Zoe a chance to observe what lay in front of her.Dimness surrounded her as the brightest lights focused on her. However, Zoe could make out three large chairs where the judges sat, their backs turned to her. They would turn around to judge her later, once the chairs rotated.It was Wolf's idea for her to join this reality show to gain full exposure in a short time. It was advantageous for instant popularity but also risky. Eliminating Zoe in the initial rounds would require them to start over. But Wolf assured her that would only happen if all the judges were deaf.Zoe stared at two names among the three, each written behind the semi-circular chairs.The first one was Jacob, whom she would choose as h