The man you've been jumping all over with in my absence... (3)

Looking down at her swollen red face he said, " I'll drive you home. "

After crying to her heart's content, Zoey felt a little better. There was a huge patch of dampness on his white shirt from her tears. Realizing what she had done, she slightly felt stupid and embarrassed.

" N-no sorry I... "

She shook her head biting her lower lip.

" It's not safe. "

His tone held finality. Not giving her a chance to reject his offer, he took off his coat, put it on her and dragged her to the elevator while holding her hand.

*

The entire drive to her home was silent. There wasn't any of their usual banters as each person was lost in his/her thoughts.

Zoey's eyes gazed distantly at the passing buildings and vehicles.

She was reflecting on everything that happened in her life for the past years.

Since the death of her family, she had never had peace of mind.

Her life was always on a roller coaster, problems after problems.

The small string of hope that she was still hanging on was suddenly broken. She didn't know what to think or feel anymore.

She quickly wiped off the single drop of grief that welled up from the corner of her eye.

The truth was that it hurt her a lot but she didn't blame him ( Miles ) for cheating on her in the most humiliating way.

Who knows, maybe it was karma.

She too had been selfish in her own ways.

For a whole 2 years, she was sick and probably dying but she hadn't said a word to her own boyfriend.

She was terribly afraid that he'd leave her in case he found out she was probably leaving this world.

Selfishness isn't it?

That's why she didn't blame him. Maybe it was fate.

The heavens must have been protecting him from being hurt in the event of her demise.

Such a f*cking lucky guy!

She painfully smiled remembering the day she found out that she had a congenital heart disease.

Her life was completely shattered after that day. Her parents were no longer there to provide her a warm embrace saying it's gonna be ok nor her younger brother to play pranks on her that unconsciously put a smile on her face.

She was always alone bearing it solely in her very cold room. The hundreds of nights she spent crying herself to death at a dark corner in that horrifying room...

The hundred times she begged her grandparents to find her a heart donor...

She sharply exhaled shaking the memories away to the back of her mind.

She didn't know whether she'd make it alive or not. But she was ready for either of the outcome.

Her glistening eyes shone with resolution.

Even if she died, she would die having achieved at least half of her dreams. And it would start by winning the beauty contest and the brand ambassador role.

Yes. She was going to win it no matter what.

Wouldn't it be better to leave the world as a happy and an achieved person?

She folded her arms around herself cuddling in the warm jacket.

The fresh masculine fragrance that exuded from the man's cologne weirdly provided warmth and a surge of peace in her heart.

When the car pulled over outside the Tanner's mansion, without saying much Zoey thanked the guy and gave him a rushed ' good night ' before disappearing inside the brightly lit mansion.

*

Back in the car, Ethan Hale clenched his fists hard his sharp gaze piercing at her disappearing back.

He badly wanted to console her but he didn't know how or where to start.

Like hell, each tear that dropped from her eyes felt like a f*cking painful jab to his heart!

The aura around him was like a frozen lake that had been buried in hell for a million years.

His madly possessiveness was his greatest weakness.

It was so infuriating watching the girl he liked badly crying for another man right in his presence.

Yeah, the girl he liked.

He had never felt anything for anyone but he was sure that he was into that little girl.

He didn't know when, how or why but he was sure he liked her and was going to pursue her.

He wanted to kick the bastard's ass for hurting her but nevertheless he was glad that the jerk made his work easier.

Those who knew Ethan Hale would testify how he was a domineering and possessive maniac towards those he cared for.

He was going to make Zoey Tanner his woman and he dared to see who had the guts to stand in his way.

Giving the mansion a last glance, he drove off the car vanishing into the vast darkness.