Chapter 36
Zachary had heard everything and sneered, “Is this the family you wanted to be with? Your stepmother’s clearly up to something. Your relatives are blind to it and just bully you. Don’t stay here. Come back with me. I’ll sort them out.”
Gwyneth slapped his hand away, hard. “Stop flattering yourself. I don’t need your help. I just need you to leave me alone and never come near me again.”
Gwyneth headed straight down the mountain without looking back. She clutched her mother’s photo tightly to her chest, her feet faltering on the uneven path. When she finally reached the main road, she fumbled for her phone to call a cab.
Suddenly, a car honked. She turned to see Harrison’s Bentley parked neatly by the roadside. The window rolled down, and the driver waved at her. “Mr. Lopez is still busy, but he asked me to wait here for you.”
Gwyneth’s legs ached from the long walk, and her arms felt numb from holding the photo frame so tightly. She felt a lump in her throat, on the verge of tears. She hadn’t expected anyone to be waiting for her. With a small nod, she walked over.
But before she could reach it, Zachary appeared from the path behind her. Seeing her about to get into the car, he frowned and stepped in front of her. “Let me drive you,” he said firmly. “You shouldn’t just get into any car
Got stopped by him again, Gwyneth looked at him coldly. “Did you forget that slap already? I’ll ride with whoever I want
“Gwennie” he said and leaned in closer, his eyes level with hers, “do our thirteen years together mean nothing? Let me drive you home. We’re out here in the middle of nowhere–who knows where this car might take you?”
“No need” she said, pushing past him. But he grabbed her wrist. “Zachary!” she snapped. “What the hell do you want?”
“I want to take you home. We can talk about everything once we’re safely inside, he insisted, his grip firm. “Your father and stepmother are still up on the mountain. What if they come looking for you? How will you handle them alone?”
She scoffed. “Save your concern for Bella. Why are you even bothering with me?”
She deliberately hit a nerve, and he hesitated for just a a moment. That was all she needed. She yanked her arm free and hurried away.
- ly. Bella stepped out of the cab, her legs trembling. Her eyes flickered with a flash of
She hadn’t even taken two steps when a taxi pulled up jealousy as she saw Zachary holding Gwyneth’s hand.
p smoothly.
But she quickly steadied herself, leaning against the car door and catching her breath. “Gwyneth,” she said earnestly, her voice a little shaky, Zachary was so worried about you. He even went to your family memorial hall to find you.
“Every night you were gone, he couldn’t sleep. I stayed up with him until dawn, every single night.”
Zachary nodded cagerly. “Gwennie, sce? Even Bella knows how much I care about you?
“You call that caring!” Gwyneth’s voice was sharp. The kind where you watch sunrises with another woman? I don’t want that kind of devotion.” She clutched the photo frame tightly and pushed past Zachary, storming ahead.
Belia pressed on, her tone dripping with false concern. “Is that Bentley from some other guy? Being a homewrecker isn’t something to be proud of. Gwyneth. The Jenkins family already thinks you’re a disgrace. Keep this up and you might not even live in Joracity anymore.”
