Chapter 155 Quinley, Are You Afraid?
"When we got back to Novaria, she suddenly broke up with me and disappeared. The next time I saw her, she was pregnant and about to give birth."
The story was veering off from what Quinley had imagined.
Didn't Adela love Zachary so much? If she loved him that deeply, why would she be the one to end things?
"Wait—you're saying she broke up with you?"
"Yeah."
"Did Sylvia force her to break up with you?" Quinley asked, confused.
Zachary shook his head. "No. My mother actually liked her. She was pushing us to get married soon."
This answer only confused Quinley more. This didn't sound like Sylvia at all. She was ruthlessly pragmatic, always pushing for advantageous matches. How could she possibly approve of someone from Susan's humble background?
"Then why did she break up with you?"
Zachary let out a slow breath. "Because she found a better stepping stone." He paused, his expression darkening. "After she dumped me, I had her investigated. Turns out she'd lied about everything. She wasn't alone in the world—she had parents, she was even engaged. She came to Novaria alone because a marriage scam fell through and she was running from people who wanted revenge."
"Every 'chance encounter' with me was calculated. She just noticed I spent money freely. She never loved me—she loved what was in my wallet. When I brought her back home, she didn't just meet my mother—she met my father too. That's when she finally realized I was just an unwanted rich kid, cast aside by his own family."
Zachary's eyes lowered, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.
Memories always hurt.
Both fell silent.
After a long while, Quinley spoke. "So how did she die?"
"After we broke up, she latched onto some rich guy, got pregnant with his kid fast, and followed him back to Rosewood City. She was dead set on marrying into money, but once they got back, she found out he was just using her for fun. He dumped her. She ended up living alone in a basement apartment. Right before she was due to give birth, she got hit by a car. She and the baby both died."
It was a tragic story. Heart-wrenching to hear.
Quinley remained silent. She never imagined Susan had been that kind of person. At least, the version she was hearing from Zachary right now was completely different from what Adela had told her.
"What if I told you Susan didn't die? Would you believe me?"
Quinley said seriously. Because only if Zachary believed her would what she said matter.
Zachary's dark eyes turned to her. "If she didn't die, where is she?"
"You probably won't believe this, but she's been right by your side this whole time. For the past five years, she never actually left."
Quinley said with certainty.
Zachary's brow furrowed. Clearly, he was skeptical. "How's that possible? If she was around, I would've noticed."
"She changed her face. Her name now is Adela. Mr. Jennings, you know her, don't you?"
Quinley revealed the answer. Zachary looked stunned.
"Adela?"
They'd once loved each other, but when Adela changed everything and came back, he never recognized her.
Quinley nodded. "That's right, Ms. Gomez. The person who died in my place was her body double. And there might be countless more doubles coming your way."
"But you're not one."
Zachary cut her off, walking firmly to her side. "Quinley, you are you. No matter what you look like, you're not anyone's replacement."
Warmth flooded through Quinley's chest.
But now wasn't the time for romance. Adela was unhinged. Now that her identity was exposed, no one knew what she'd do next.
"Mr. Jennings, what are you going to do about Adela? I suspect she's behind Sylvia getting hurt and my car accident too."
Quinley voiced her suspicions.
Zachary paused. "Don't worry. I'll get you answers."
He immediately had Lucas track down Adela's whereabouts, but she'd vanished like smoke. Adela was gone, and Kevin had disappeared too.
The whole thing seemed to hit another dead end.
But Quinley knew rushing wouldn't help. Some things required patience—waiting for the other side to let their guard down before they'd show their hand.
After leaving Sylvia's Villa, Zachary drove Quinley straight to the mall.
"Why'd you bring me here?"
Quinley still looked confused.
Zachary kept it mysterious. "You'll see in a minute."
When they arrived, he opened the car door, walked around to Quinley's side, and naturally took her hand. She tried to pull away a few times, but Zachary only held on tighter.
Before, he'd been so discreet, never showing affection in public. He wouldn't even give her an extra glance. But now, he'd really changed.
He led Quinley inside. People recognized him, heads turning everywhere.
Quinley squirmed uncomfortably. "Mr. Jennings, let go."
Zachary understood and smirked. "Quinley, are you scared? I'm not."
He strode forward even more confidently, bringing Quinley straight to the jewelry store on the first floor.
"What are we doing here?"
Quinley's heart raced with anxiety.
Zachary didn't answer. He stepped forward and told the clerk, "Bring out my custom order."
The mystery was quickly solved.
It was an enormous pink diamond. Under the bright lights, the ring sparkled brilliantly, making Quinley squint.
"Try it on."
Zachary encouraged.
"Mr. Jennings, what are you doing?"
Quinley was cautious. She didn't take reckless risks. They'd been apart so long—how could they just go back to how things were?
Zachary didn't answer. He took Quinley's hand and slipped it on himself. It fit perfectly. Against Quinley's fair skin, it looked stunning.
"I had this made a year ago. Before it was even finished, you disappeared." His voice dropped, becoming more earnest. "Quinley, I've thought about this a lot lately. You're important to me. I want to be with you. Let's get married."
Was this a proposal?
Quinley felt dazed, looking at Zachary in disbelief. No getting down on one knee, but a genuine confession. This was a scene Quinley had once imagined.
She was touched, but reason won out.
"Mr. Jennings, give me some time. I need to think about it."
She slipped the ring off her finger and handed it back to Zachary.
"Keep it on. Whether you say yes or not, I want you to wear it."
Zachary slipped the ring back onto Quinley's finger.
Leaving the mall, Quinley's emotions were a tangled mess. She loved him—that was true. But she was afraid to love him—that was also true.
Once you've been hurt, cried, suffered—you can't be as fearless as before.
"I want to visit the Brown family cemetery again."
Quinley said suddenly.
Zachary's eyes dimmed. "Alright."
When the car arrived at the Brown family cemetery, Quinley bought a large bouquet of yellow chrysanthemums and climbed the steps. The Lantern Festival was approaching. Chrysanthemums sat before the gravestones, signs of mourners who'd come to pay respects.
Only that new grave sat alone, as if forgotten.
Quinley placed the flowers before the headstone and stood there for a long time. She was still alive, yet a grave with her name existed.
"I'll have the Brown family remove this grave—"
"Don't. Just let it stay."
Keeping it was a kind of reminder.
"I kept your identity secure. Quinley, now that you're back, resume your old identity."
Zachary glanced at her. The wind lifted the hair by her temples, making it dance.
Quinley let out a long breath. "Later."
To become Quinley again—she wasn't ready yet. Those days of being a target—she was still afraid of them after all.
Quinley stayed there for a long time.
Finally, she turned to leave.
But at that moment, Marlee appeared.