Chapter 15
Before I could ask further, Diana spoke seriously, “He’ll probably contact you soon. Whatever you decide, I’ve got your back, no pressure. But honesty, I hope you don’t change your mind.”
After saying these ambiguous yet meaningful words, Diana left. I was left puzzled.
But I didn’t dwell on it and focused my attention back on work. Around noon, I received a call from Zach.
When I answered, he didn’t sound as confrontational as usual. Instead, there was an unusual silence, so long I thought he’d hung up. But the screen showed the call was still connected.
After a pause, his slightly hoarse voice came through. “Serena, can we stop this? Can we get back together?”
I couldn’t help but smile. Does he still think I’m throwing a tantrum? I said nothing.
Zach continued, “I just called your friend. She said she wanted you to join her in starting the business, but you still chose me. I had no idea how much you’d sacrificed for me.”
“I know I’ve neglected you since Hannah joined the company. But we were together ten years, and we were planning to get married.”
“Our relationship… is it really going to end just because of these past ten months?“His voice choked, as if he couldn’t find the words to
continue.
I paused, thinking back. Over the past ten years, though our days were ordinary, we had always relied on each other.
When facing challenges, we encouraged one another. Through hardships, we endured pain together, side by side.
Once, to secure an investment, I was forced to drink three large bottles of liquor. By the end, I could barely walk. Just before I lost consciousness, I saw Zach crying, holding me with one hand while struggling to call 911 with the other.
I woke up in the hospital, seeing his haggard face, realizing he had stayed by my side, sleepless, for two days and nights.
During my seven–day hospital stay, he balanced company matters while taking care of me tirelessly. At that time… he must have truly loved me.
As the memory surfaced, I was about to speak when Hannah suddenly interrupted from the line.
“Serena, please forgive Zach. I’m sorry for the misunderstandings these past days. I truly meant no harm.”
“If it bothers you, I’ll quit tomorrow and stay out of your life for good.”
This time, Zach didn’t stop her, as if silently agreeing with her words.
A complex wave of emotions washed over me. Her words sounded like a tragic tearing apart of a relationship. I felt like an intruding third party in their love story.
And so what if we separate? And what if she resigns? From now on, Hannah would be his unattainable first love.
With the passage of time, their relationship would only grow more idealized until some eventual clash, far more intense than the present.
I smirked but finally spoke, “I can agree, but on one condition.”
“Name it.”
Listening to Zach’s desperate, almost self–sacrificial tone, I lightly lifted the corner of my lips.
“I want half of the company’s shares, and half of everything under your name.”
