She had just escaped a twenty–year relationship built on betrayal. She had just ended a life of being controlled.
Zachary’s confession came too suddenly.
Who was he, really? The rich playboy with a devil–may–care attitude?
Or the calculating, all–powerful “Joker” behind the scenes?
He had saved her, given her a new life and now he said he liked her.
Was it another scheme? Or… something genuine?
“I know this may sound ridiculous now. The timing is all wrong,” Zachary said as if reading her thoughts, smiling faintly at himself.
“We just orchestrated a ‘death‘ that rocked the entire city.
“Your life is restarting, full of uncertainties.
“But I had to tell you how I feel.
“Because I don’t want to miss this chance.”
He took a step back, giving her space.
“You don’t need to give me any response now.
“When we get to Craighaven, I’ll give you time and space. I’ll let you adjust.
“I’ll prove to you that my feelings aren’t pity, and I’m not just taking advantage of your vulnerability.”
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Gabrielle looked at him. Zachary’s gaze was open and sincere, not a trace of pretense.
She thought of the decisiveness he showed when saving her. The meticulous planning behind her fake death.
She remembered him standing at the Goldstein estate gate, saying, ‘Five–star service.‘
The man seemed to have many sides.
Dangerous. Powerful. Flippant. But in her darkest hour, he reached out and pulled her back.
Compared to Timothy’s false tenderness and cowardly betrayal…
Zachary felt real and solid.
Could she really start a new relationship now?
In such a state…disgraced, empty–handed, even her identity forged?
“Why me?” Gabrielle asked hoarsely.
Zachary raised an eyebrow as if the question was unnecessary,
“Do you need a reason to like someone?
“Maybe it’s because you’re silly. You get hurt so badly, yet still think about not dragging others down.”
He was referring to her refusing to use Cecilia.
“Maybe it’s because you’re stubborn, clearly able to take an yet insisting on the hardest one.”
ier path,
It referred to her choice to fake death at the wedding.
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“Maybe… it was just that the sunlight was perfect that day. You were in a white dress. And you walked into my sight.”
That was the day they first met in college.
“Gabrielle Cobbett, the old you is already gone.”
“You’re free now. You can choose anything again.
“Including… whether to give me a chance or not.”
Zachary’s words made Gabrielle’s heart shiver.
Yes, she was free now.
Gabrielle no longer had to sacrifice herself for a family alliance.
She no longer needed to live beneath the weight of others‘ expectations and schemes.
She could finally live for herself.
Timothy was a part of the past, a chapter she had to turn.
And Zachary… he was the first person she had met since her rebirth. Perhaps the only person she had chosen of her own free will.
He knew her past. He had even helped bury it.
He had given her a future.
Being with him… maybe it wasn’t such a bad choice.
At the very least, he was strong enough to protect her. And t this moment, his eyes were sincere.
Gabrielle stayed silent for a long time. Zachary thought she might reject him, or at least she needed more time to think.
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But she looked up, meeting his gaze. Her eyes were clear, her expression firm.
“Alright.” Just one word, but it rang with weight.
Zachary was stunned. Then, a surge of joy and disbelief overwhelmed him.
A brilliant smile bloomed across his face, brighter than she had ever seen as if he had just found the world’s most precious treasure.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.