Chapter 8

On the day Zoey was discharged, her room felt cold and lonely, with no one waiting for her. She knew that Yves had gone to see Wendy again. After three years of marriage, she could count the days he actually stayed by her side on one hand. She had gotten used to it. All she had to do now was wait for her immigration papers to be approved. Meanwhile, Wendy never stopped updating her social media with photos of them skiing in Edelwald, the Lumière Tower in Parvienne, and sunsets on secluded islands. In the photographs, Yves' gaze was so gentle it was hard for Zoey to look at. In the latest photo, he was at the foot of a snowy mountain, tucking Wendy's scarf gently under her chin. Wendy leaned into his embrace, beaming. The caption read, "He said he would take me to see the world." Zoey quietly scrolled past it, as if she was looking at a stranger's feed. … Three days later, the immigration office called to inform Zoey that her documents were ready. She immediately hailed a cab, picked up her passport and visa, and headed straight to the law firm. There, she collected the divorce agreement and the formal statement severing parental ties. Everything was ready now. She could finally leave for good. Zoey carefully folded the documents and tucked them deep into the inner compartment of her bag. However, right after she zipped it up, her phone lit up. Wendy texted her. "Zoey, we need to talk." "About what?" Zoey replied. "You've been the lady of the Pearce family for three years. Don't you think it's time you gave it back to me?" Zoey sneered and replied, "I already did." With that, she tossed her phone in her bag and went home without a backward glance. When she opened the door, the hallway light didn't come on. She frowned before feeling along the wall for the switch. That was when she suddenly felt a sharp pain at the back of her head. Before she blacked out, she heard Wendy talking to a man. … When Zoey jolted awake, freezing wind was biting against her face. Her eyes flew open, and she realized she was dangling off the edge of a cliff, suspended by rough hemp ropes digging into her wrists. Meanwhile, below her was nothing but a bottomless drop. She turned her head and saw Wendy not too far from her, bound the same way. Her face was ghastly pale, and she was trembling in fear. "You're finally awake," the kidnapper sneered, a cigarette dangling from his lips. "Don't worry. Your man will be here any second now." As soon as his words fell, the roar of engines broke through the air. Just then, several black SUVs tore across the landscape and screeched to a halt at the cliff's edge. One of the car's doors flew open, and Yves stepped out dressed in a black coat. His expression was solemn, and his presence was as sharp as a blade. "Here's the money. Now, let them go!" he ordered, voice low and commanding. The kidnapper grinned. "As expected of Mr. Pearce, you cut right to the chase." He took the briefcase from Yves' bodyguard, checked the amount, and waved his hand. "They're all yours now, though you'll have to save them by yourself." With that, he and his men left. Zoey was still suspended in midair. Her rope had begun to fray, and small rocks were tumbling down the cliff's edge. Nevertheless, she gritted her teeth and tried to stay calm. "Yves! I'm so scared!" Wendy sobbed. "Save me…" One of the bodyguards hastily checked the ropes, and his expression darkened. "Mr. Pearce, the ropes won't hold for long. Right now, we can only save one of them." Without a moment of hesitation, Yves hurried toward Wendy. Just then, a car skidded to a stop nearby. As soon as Bryant and Daphne leapt out and took in the cliff scene, they gasped, "Wendy!" "Save Wendy first! Hurry! She can't take much more!" Daphne shrieked, her voice cracking. Bryant rushed over to help, and together, the three of them swiftly pulled Wendy to safety. Zoey's rope groaned under her weight. Then, it snapped. Just like that, she plunged downward for a terrifying moment, loose rocks scattering around her into the darkness. "Mrs. Pearce!" A bodyguard lunged forward and tightly grabbed the rope. The rough hemp cut into his palms, and blood dripped from his fingers, but he eventually pulled her up. Zoey collapsed onto the ground, her wrists raw and bleeding. When she looked up, she saw Yves gently scooping Wendy into his arms and wiping the tears from her face. He softly whispered, "It's okay. I'm here now." Bryant hurriedly draped a coat over Wendy while Daphne cupped her face and looked her over. "My poor baby, you scared us to death…" How ironic it was that both her husband and parents didn't care about her, whereas a stranger did. The three of them circled around Wendy as they headed to the car, but no one paid any attention to Zoey. "Mrs. Pearce…" The bodyguard hesitated before inquiring, "Are you okay?" Slowly, Zoey rose to her feet and brushed the dust off herself before flashing him a smile. "Thank you for saving me," she softly said. "Could you do me one more favor?" She took out the documents she had prepared—the divorce papers and the statement of severance—and handed them to him. "Please deliver these to my parents and Yves." The bodyguard didn't read the documents or ask any questions. He simply took the papers and nodded. "Of course. I'll deliver them right now." Zoey then watched him walk over to Yves. Without even looking up, Yves coldly said, "What now? I don't have time for whatever gift she's trying to give. Just throw it in the car." Bryant and Daphne didn't bat an eye either. They were too busy coddling Wendy. "Poor thing. Let's get you home." Left with no choice, the bodyguard slipped the documents into the car. Zoey watched it all unfold and burst into laughter. Her eyes stung from the heat of unshed tears, but it was alright. One day, they'd see it. She turned on her heel and walked toward the road without a backward glance. There, she hailed a cab. "Take me to the airport, please." The door shut, and the engine roared to life. In the rearview mirror, Zoey noticed that Yves was helping Wendy into his car, with Bryant and Daphne close behind. Not one of them turned around to look at her. Zoey averted her gaze and looked out the window at the passing scenery before gently closing her eyes. It didn't matter anymore. From this moment on, these people were no longer a part of her life. With that, the cab sped down the road, carrying her toward a brand-new beginning.