Chapter 22
Gwyneth felt Zachary’s hand on her arm like a dirty stain. She shook it off with a jerk, her eyes blazing with disgust. “Stop pretending. Zachary, You’ve crushed my trust one too many times. You think some belated ring can fix this? It’s never going to happen!”
Zachary felt like he’d been punched in the gut. His throat tightened, and he struggled to find words. He wanted to make things right, but every attempt felt weak and useless against Gwyneth’s anger.
something–anything–to
The room had gone completely silent. The waitstaff and the hired crowd, who had been cheering moments ago, were now frozen in shock. The romantic atmosphere had evaporated in an instant.
Gwyneth took a deep breath, her eyes cold and resolute. “Have some shanse and stay out of my life,” she said, her voice steatly.
Then she turned and walked away, her posture rigid with determination. Each step seemed to drive home the finality of it all. There was no going
back
Zachary stood there, feeling like he’d been punched in the chest. His heart ached, and he could barely breathe.
Until moments ago, he’d been sure Gwyneth would never leave him. But now he knew the truth: the girl who had once loved him with everything she had was gone, and he was the one who had pushed her away. She wasn’t coming back.
No way. This can’t be happening. Gwennie is mine, he thought, not about to let her go.
Stepping out of the hotel, Gwyneth felt the icy air rush into her lungs, and for the first time, she felt truly alive. But her fingers still trembled uncontrollably
She walked straight to the convenience store down the street, grabbed a bottle of cold water, and took a long, slow sip. She needed to pull herself together. Later, she had to meet Harrison’s grandfather, and she couldn’t show up looking like a mess,
Actually, after agreeing to help her coworker with this business deal, she’d sent Harrison the hotel address. He’d said he’d swing by to pick her up. He should be here any minute now.
Unbeknownst to her, the moment she stepped into the store, Zachary bolted out after her. “Where did she go?” he muttered to himself, looking around frantically.
He stood there, clutching the ring in his hand, feeling completely at a loss. After just a few days apart, Gwyneth seemed like a different person. He didn’t know why everything had gone wrong.
Right then. Harrison’s car pulled up. Stepping out in a tailored suit. Harrison frowned at Zachary’s dazed expression. “Isn’t Gwyneth here for work? What’s Zachary doing here?”
Harrison’s face turned stern. He was about to look away when Zachary approached. “Mr. Lopez” Zachary’s voice was tinged with surprise and a hint
of excitement
He’d liever expected to nim into Harrison here, Pushing aside his worries for Cwyneth, he greeted Harrison warmly and handed him his business
card
ΠΙΠ
Harrison glanced as the card, then back at Zachary, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he checked his watch. “Sorry, I’m here for a meet,” he said curly
“Sorry to bother you,” Zachary replied, stepping back. “If you ever need help with any projects in town, just give me a
Harrison’s expression grew colder. “Thanks,” he said. “But I’m newlywed and don’t have the bandwidth for projects right now.
“Ah, I see. Congratulations, Zachary replied, his tone shifting. Knowing it wasn’t time for more business talk, he turned to leave
Right then, Gwyneth emerged from the store and froze when she spotted Zachary. What rotten luck!” she cursed inwardly.
Zachary’s face brightened as he took a few steps closer anal called out. “Gwy—”
Chapter 23
