Chapter 24
Soren’s breathing hitched, but he had expected Zara to ask anyway. He quickly steadied himself and nodded, making no effort to conceal the truth.
“Zara, I don’t know if what I did was right, but believed Andy wouldn’t want to see you like this. If you had chosen someone you truly loved, I’d accept it, support you,
and wish you happiness. But at the very least, it should be someone you truly love.”
She looked at Soren with a complicated expression. “Even if it’s not you?”
“Even if it’s not me,” he confirmed with a nod.
“Perhaps I should thank you, but…” Her voice trailed off.
She was happy to see Andy again in her dream, and she didn’t feel regretful about not being able to start a relationship with Immanuel. After all, he had said it himself–they were not
Andy.
From the moment Andy’s heart became a part of someone else, a part of him lived on–but not himself.
Zara thought she should be grateful to Soren for helping her figure out that she shouldn’t keep holding on to the past. But in her heart, she knew she did not owe him anything else.
During her four years of being with him, she had approached him with ulterior motives but had never mistreated him. However, Soren had let her down time and time again. A simple apology from him could not erase the past.
“Soren, from now on, let’s act as though we never knew each other.”
With light and hurried steps, she headed to the elevator. When she entered, the doors opened to reveal Immanuel inside. Their eyes met briefly before she stepped in and pressed the button. to close the door.
Zara spoke up first. “Thank you for letting me have room last night. I’ll reimburse you for it. I’ll submit my resignation letter to HR today.”
Immanuel looked straight ahead, though his peripheral vision kept drifting toward her.
He fell silent for a moment before replying, “I’m sorry if I was too harsh last night. There’s no need to reimburse me. Nielsen Group isn’t so stingy that we make employees go on business trips and cover their own expenses.”
Zara shook her head lightly.
As they spoke, the elevator doors opened on the first floor. She stepped out first and turned back to bid them farewell.
“It’s been a pleasure working with you, Mr. Nielsen. And Mr. Fawkes, thank you for your help
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during this time. See you around.”
Zara waved them goodbye and walked out of the hotel. She then hailed a cab and disappeared
into the distance.
When Soren rushed downstairs, all he saw was her cab pulling away into traffic. He immediately started running after it, but the cab was already gone.
“Don’t bother chasing after her. She’s not coming back,” Immanuel said. His voice was devoid
of emotion.
It was strange. Though Immanuel himself had driven her away with his own words, his heart. now felt inexplicably hollow. But he understood that even if she had stayed, she would never truly belong to him.
Zara went to the airport. For the first time in years, she returned home.
Ever since Andy’s accident, she had avoided going back. She had been afraid that stepping into her home would bring back memories of that terrible day. But now, she could finally face it.
When she appeared at her parents doorstep, her father and mother instantly teared up. Yet, they didn’t scold her or say anything harsh.
“Dad, Mom, I’m sorry…” Her voice cracked as she spoke.
Her parents enveloped her in a warm hug and comforted her by saying, “It’s alright. All that matters is that you’re back.”
Upon hearing the commotion outside, the door to the neighboring house opened. Andy’s parents stepped out. The moment they saw her, their faces lit up with joy and surprise.
“You’re back, Zara? It’s hot outside. Come on in!”
and
When faced with her family elders who treated her with unwavering kindness, Zara felt both guilty and sorry for leaving them behind and going off on her own. Her throat tightened, all she could manage to st
was, “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault…”
Andy’s parents patted her head gently with tears welling up in their eyes.
“Silly child, how could it be your fault? Andy gave his life to protect you. You must live well so as not to let him down. We need to move on in life.”
Their tender reassurance made her tear up and feel the urge to cry again. She held back her tears with great effort.
‘Everything will get better,” she vowed.
From that moment on, she would keep Andy’s memory deep in her heart and live happily just
as he would have wanted. She would live her life well for his sake.
Even though he was no longer around, she knew he would always be with her.
