Chapter 3 Once

I had made up my mind to leave Grayford. Holding the keys to the villa, I went back to Blake's place one last time. She wore no makeup, wearing only a plain white shirt, denim jeans, and canvas sneakers. When I walked in, most people didn't even recognize me. The moment I took off my cap, the crowd that used to call me "Mrs. Sullivan" with all the flattery in the world suddenly went quiet. Everyone knew Blake had moved on. One of them, who was close to me, teased, "Zoey, out of all the women who've hung around Blake, I still think you're the best match for him. "She looks like a college student. Walking around with her? It's embarrassing. "Why don't you talk to Blake? You know he always listened to—" I let out a bitter laugh. Blake and I had been together for a decade. I had that innocent look, but I would look striking with just a little makeup. A lot of people had their eyes on me, but the only one who had ever stood up for me was Blake. If someone dared to lay a finger on me, Blake would make sure they paid for it. If I ever cried, he would drop everything just to be my side. It used to be a privilege that belonged to me alone. This time, though, no one even got to finish a sentence. A ceramic cup flew past my face and slammed against the wall, breaking into two pieces. Blake's face was dark with rage. "This isn't Zoey's turf now, is it? Is this what happens the second I'm gone? This is how you guard what I've told you to protect?" Dead silence filled the entire place at once. That was how powerful Blake was. However, that power—once used to protect me—was being used against me now. I wanted to explain to him, but before I could even speak, that woman behind him poked her head out. Pretending to be surprised, she asked, "Blake, is this the Zoey you told me about? Wow, she's even dressed just like me." Blake pressed a hand to his brow, looking at the outfit I wore. Jeans and canvas sneakers—practically a copy of what Lily was wearing. He shot me a strange look. "Zoey, were you investigating Lily?" I looked closely and thought Lily reminded me of myself when I was 18, especially when she was in those jeans and canvas sneakers. I could see right through her little tricks. Still, I kept my mouth shut. Rather than suspecting that I had investigated Lily, it felt more like someone had looked into Blake to find out what kind of woman he liked. We had been together for ten years, but Blake didn't even trust me when it came to a minor thing like this. I pursed my lips, holding it in. Blake chuckled and taunted, "No matter how you dress, you're not 18 anymore. Zoey, what are you even trying to do?" I blinked and stared at him. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. "What about this?" Blake asked, licking his lips like this was just another deal. "Ten years. Name your price." I was stunned. I had been by his side for ten years, and I had even taken bullets for him. Of everything we had been through, nothing had hurt like this. I clenched my hands so tightly that my nails pierced through my skin. Trembling, I asked, "Blake, what did you just say?" "I said… I've wasted ten years of your youth, so name your price," Blake replied, both hands in his pockets. Even with a storm of emotions in his eyes, he still forced the words out. After hearing his words, I nearly collapsed to the ground. Lily tugged at Blake's sleeve and said softly, "Blake, don't be so harsh. Zoey didn't even do anything wrong." Blake lowered his head, gently brushing her nose with his. "Be good. Listen to me." Then, he shielded her behind him. "I don't care what it takes, but I won't let you get hurt." Blake used to protect me like that, too. I couldn't bring myself to see that. Watching him now made my stomach churn. I lowered my head, and that was when I saw the silver bracelet on my wrist. When he first gave me that bracelet, it fit so well as if it were meant for me. However, the more I loved him, the looser it became.