I let out a derisive snort; his so-called kindness was the very thing I longed to escape.
He fancied himself my savior, blind to the suffering he had caused.
Once, I had imagined a lifetime together, willing to manage every aspect of his life.
He had never been my hero; only I could rescue myself.
With steely determination, I replied, “Caesar, you’re fooling yourself. I won’t apologize, nor will I make amends with you.”
I flung open the car door and strode away, refusing to look back.
Behind me, Caesar’s furious voice erupted as he honked the horn frantically. “I’m warning you, Zelia! You’ll regret this!”
I didn’t glance over my shoulder, muttering under my breath, “You’re the one who’ll regret it.”
Exhaustion weighed heavily on me as I checked into a nearby hotel. After tending to my injuries, my phone buzzed with a call from Zephyr Collins.
“How’s the investigation progressing? There’s a banquet at the Wallace family tonight. Send me the address, and I’ll arrange for a dress to be delivered. Join me there.”
I nodded, signaling my agreement.
Zephyr’s voice brimmed with satisfaction as he hung up.
When the dress arrived, I took my time putting it on.