Chapter 20
There was a small line of text on the label.[When I’m not here, let this doll keep you company, Mr. Zach.] A playful emoji followed it.
Zach seemed to have forgotten about it. When he saw the doll, his expression turned slightly awkward.
ཅ ཇ ས ན ཋཙ བ
“It’s fine. I’ll sit in the back. “I moved instinctively to close the car door.
Unexpectedly, Zach stopped me, grabbed the doll from the passenger seat, and tossed it to the back. His movements were swift and decisive, leaving me momentarily surprised.
Hannah had always enjoyed subtly flaunting Zach’s attention toward her. She would insist that he wear her hair tie on his wrist, place ornaments with her name in his office, and sometimes even keep items belonging to her at home. She sought every opportunity to make me jealous, to pressure me into stepping aside.
At first, I didn’t understand her intentions. I had argued with Zach over it and even, once in anger, thrown her things out. But that time, Zach slapped me hard.
“Serena, have you gone mad?” he had said, “You may be young and naive, but your intentions were good. I only left it there because I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. Why are you getting so jealous?”
“Don’t you know that this petty behavior makes you look cheap?”
I was crushed back then, but gradually I realized Hannah’s purpose. She wanted me to step back voluntarily.
“You don’t need to bother. We’re over. Even if she left her things here, it means nothing to me, “I said flatly.
Zach pursed his lips. “I know you won’t believe me, and I know what you’re thinking.
“But I can say this clearly, even though we’ve broken up, I will never be with Hannah.”
“I’ve told you that I don’t have feeling for her. I only helped her because she reminded me of how lost you used to be.”
I couldn’t help but scoff. His righteous words might have been convincing once, but had he forgotten that when his so–called ‘mercy‘ leaned toward Hannah, I now, just like before, felt isolated and powerless?
“There’s no point in saying this. Let’s go,” I said flatly.
Zach seemed to think of something and began, “I was planning to let Hannah-”
Clang!
He didn’t finish his sentence. Behind us came the loud sound of a dropped food container, followed immediately by Hannah’s sharp, indignant voice.
“Mr. Zach, I thought you were sick. What are you doing here?”
