Chapter 19
Zach stood in front of the car, wearing a trench coat and a mask. Compared to before, he looked much more haggard, with faint dark
circles under his eyes.
I hesitated for a moment, then continued walking forward. “What are you doing here?”
I wasn’t surprised that he managed to find this place. His circle wasn’t small–finding out one thing wouldn’t take much effort. It was just that previously, he hadn’t cared enough to expend energy on me.
“I have something to talk to you about. “His voice had a raspy edge, as if his illness hadn’t fully passed.
“Let’s talk in the car. I heard you bought a new house, so I want to take a look and review it.”
“No need. Let’s talk here.“I refused his offer.
He seemed to have anticipated my answer. His emotions didn’t flare, but his eyes darkened slightly as he handed me a set of documents.
“This is for your compensation. L’admit that over these ten years, I’ve owed you a lot. Whether it’s in the company or at home, you’ve contributed so much, yet I never repaid you properly.”
“Take this contract. Consider it compensation for these ten years. From now on, I won’t bother you anymore.”
I paused for a moment, then took the documents from his hands. They detailed all the previous penalties he had imposed on me at work, the schemes he had taken from me, and the bonuses he had deprived me of each entry doubled.
There were even notes for all the other ways he felt he had wronged me over the past decade. Finally, there was a bank card with a PIN -my birthday.
I looked at him with suspicion, unsure if this was a new tactic or if he had truly given up.
“I said I wouldn’t bother you, and I really won’t.“Zach seemed to understand what I was thinking. His voice was calm, “I’ve thought it through. It’s time I moved on.
“That’s good.“I nodded and didn’t refuse, taking both the documents and the card. These were rightfully mine.
And I knew that by accepting them, Zach would finally realize that it was truly over between us. Sure enough, as I took them, I saw a flicker of wistfulness in his eyes. Soon after, it faded into calm.
“So… can I go see the new house you bought?”
“You know how badly I’ve been doing since you left. I just…I need to see how you’re living without me, “he said, voice strained.
I knew it was just an excuse, another attempt to hold onto me. But I also understood his personality. Once he decided to do something, he would see it through; otherwise, he would keep lingering.
I didn’t want to get entangled further. Besides, perhaps I would never see him again, so it was better to draw a clean, final line, “Let’s go.“I walked toward the car. But just a few steps in, Zach quickly came up beside me and guided me in another direction. “I’ll drive you. Your leg was injured a few days ago–it’s inconvenient for you to drive yourself.”
I didn’t refuse. It surprised me that he even knew about my injury.
In the past, that would have pleased me, but unfortunately, we could no longer return to the past. His concern came too late, and it meant nothing now.
Isaid nothing and followed Zach to his car. He opened the passenger–side door. Just as I was about to get in, I noticed a small doll strapped into the seat, carefully secured with a seatbelt.
A tag was tied to it with the name-[Hannah.]
