Immanuel hadn’t pieced together the entire truth on his own. At first, he had taken Zara’s constant care and concern as the typical actions of an admirer who was worried about the well- being of someone they cherished.
From the start, he’d doubted whether her feelings for him were genuine. This led him to investigate her background as well as the man she had once loved. He assigned someone to watch over her whenever she was with him, ready to prevent any actions that might harm Nielsen Group.
Yet, her behavior remained consistent. She came to work, went home, looked after him, and occasionally nagged him about taking better care of his health. She never did anything suspicious.
Just when he started to believe that perhaps her affection for him was genuine, Soren appeared. As he was Zara’s ex–husband, he naturally attracted scrutiny from Immanuel. What surprised him was Soren’s decision to confront him and reveal the truth about Zara.
He hadn’t immediately believed Soren’s claims. Still, when he confronted Zara earlier, he had hoped she would deny her feelings for Andy as firmly as she had denied any lingering feelings for Soren. However, she hadn’t done that.
And then there was the surveillance footage that showed the interaction between Soren and Zara. The pointed question that Soren had asked made him realize that they were merely stand -ins for the person whom Zara loved.
H
In the presidential suite, darkness enveloped the room after Immanuel had turned off the lights upon leaving. Zara sat on the bed and listened to his fading footsteps that didn’t falter or turn back. Her heart felt hollow and heavy.
Had she been wrong
Lying back on the large bed, she felt drained. Perhaps it was the toll of crying too much in one day, or maybe the energy spent looking after Immanuel had exhausted her. Either way, weariness overtook her.
She thought about going after Immanuel, but what would be the point?
Both Soren and Immanuel had said the same thing–Andy was gone. Even if she went after
him, the person she’d find was Immanuel and not Andy.
Her thoughts spiraled into a tangled mess until she finally drifted off to sleep.
That night, Zara had a long and vivid dream.
She dreamed of five years ago
That year, Zara was 20, and Andy was 22. On his birthday, he
Chapt
knelt on one knee and proposed to her. His eyes sparkled with bright, unwavering determination,
He said, “Zara, from the time I was five, my birthday wish every year has been to marry you someday. Today, I’m 22. We can get married now. Will you be my wife?”
A heart–shaped arrangement of candles surrounded them, and in his hand was a diamond ring bought with the prize money he had earned frog competitions he took part in while studying at university.
He handed her a bouquet of red roses with a small handwritten card tucked into the center that read: “Zara, I love you. Marry me!”
Tears of joy glistened in her eyes as she extended her right hand and nodded vigorously. Without hesitation, she replied, “Yes!”
Not long after, their parents began discussing when they should get married. Andy didn’t want to wait another year, so he persuaded their families to select a date at the end of the year. After careful consideration, they settled on a day that wasn’t too rushed yet wasn’t
away.
on far
Their love received the blessings from both their families and all their friends. They were destined for happiness.
The dream shifted abruptly.
As the wedding drew near, there was one last set of gifts for the groomsmen and bridesmaids that needed to be prepared. Deciding to handle the task together, they set out in one car to run
errands
And that was when the accident happened. Tragedy struck when they least expected it.
