Chapter 7: The Truth Begins to Surface

A week after arriving in Khelmark, Zoe had already begun adjusting to her new life.

Every morning she joined Lucian for breakfast whenever their schedules allowed.

When he was busy, he still made sure to send her a simple message asking whether she had eaten or slept well.

The messages were never excessive.

They were thoughtful.

Small gestures that quietly reminded her someone genuinely cared.

One afternoon, Lucian invited her to accompany him to a charity auction hosted by the Khelmark Business Association.

"Only if you don't mind," he said.

"I'd enjoy having your company."

Zoe smiled.

"I'd like that."

Unlike the glamorous events in Southport, the atmosphere here felt far more relaxed.

Business leaders greeted Lucian with admiration rather than fear.

Many of them respectfully welcomed Zoe as well.

"So this is Miss Herbert," an elderly businessman laughed warmly.

"President Lyttelton has finally brought someone special with him."

Lucian remained composed.

"Allow me to introduce my fiancée."

Hearing those words spoken so naturally made Zoe pause.

There was no hesitation in his voice.

No embarrassment.

He simply acknowledged her presence with quiet pride.

Throughout the evening, Lucian never left her standing alone.

Whenever conversations became too business-oriented, he gently explained unfamiliar topics to her without making her feel inexperienced.

For the first time, Zoe realized what it felt like to stand beside someone instead of behind them.

Meanwhile, in Southport, Connor's wedding preparations continued.

At least on the surface.

In reality, nearly every decision had been delayed.

His assistant entered the office carrying another stack of documents.

"Mr. Buxton," he said carefully.

"The hotel requires final confirmation today."

"Should I proceed?"

Connor barely looked up from his desk.

"Later."

"Sir... this is already the third postponement."

Connor sighed heavily.

"Fine."

"Leave them there."

After the assistant left, Connor stared blankly at the wedding contract.

Instead of excitement...

He felt pressure.

Something wasn't right.

Yet he couldn't explain why.

That evening he attended dinner with Vicky and several close friends.

Everyone enthusiastically discussed the upcoming wedding.

"Connor," one friend laughed.

"You finally married your first love."

"You're the luckiest guy here."

"Yeah," another added.

"Unlike poor Zoe."

"She chased you for years and still lost."

Several people laughed.

Normally Connor would've ignored the joke.

Instead, he unexpectedly frowned.

"Don't speak about her like that."

The table instantly fell silent.

Even Vicky looked surprised.

"Connor..."

"She didn't do anything wrong," he continued quietly.

"Let's leave her out of this."

The atmosphere became awkward.

Vicky forced a smile to change the subject, but uneasiness had already settled in her heart.

Later that night, she secretly visited one of Zoe's former classmates.

"Tell me honestly," Vicky asked.

"Before leaving Southport..."

"Did Zoe say anything about Connor?"

The young woman shook her head.

"Nothing."

"Actually... she seemed relieved."

"She even told us she'd found someone worth respecting."

"She smiled the entire evening."

"I've honestly never seen Zoe look that happy."

Vicky's expression stiffened.

She had spent years believing Zoe's greatest weakness was Connor.

As long as Connor remained around, Zoe would never truly move on.

But now...

Everything was changing.

Several days later, another surprise shook Southport.

A major financial magazine published an exclusive interview with Lucian Lyttelton.

Most readers focused on his company's newest investment plans.

Connor noticed something else.

Near the end of the article was a single question.

"What has been your happiest moment this year?"

Lucian's answer was remarkably simple.

"Meeting the woman I'll spend the rest of my life with."

"She's taught me that peace is more valuable than success."

There was also a photograph.

Zoe stood beside him in a quiet garden.

Neither of them looked at the camera.

Instead, they were laughing at something outside the frame.

Connor stared at that picture for a long time.

"Peace..." he whispered.

He suddenly remembered countless moments from the past.

Whenever Zoe stood beside him...

She was always nervous.

Always trying to guess his mood.

Always afraid of saying the wrong thing.

Had she ever laughed like this around him?

He couldn't remember.

That realization hurt more than he expected.

Across the city, Charles Herbert received a phone call from Zoe.

"Dad!"

"Guess what?"

"Lucian taught me how to play golf today."

"I'm terrible at it."

Charles laughed happily.

"As long as you're smiling, that's all I care about."

"I really am happy," Zoe admitted.

"It's strange."

"I thought forgetting someone would be painful forever."

"But every day here... the past feels a little further away."

"That's because you're finally living for yourself."

"Keep doing that."

"I will."

After ending the call, Charles looked toward the family photograph hanging on the wall.

"She's finally alright," he whispered to his late wife.

"Our daughter found her way."

Back in Khelmark, Zoe stood on the balcony outside her room watching the evening lights spread across the city.

Lucian stepped outside carrying two cups of tea.

"Couldn't sleep?" he asked.

"Just thinking."

"About Southport?"

"No."

She smiled softly.

"Surprisingly... I wasn't."

"I was thinking about tomorrow."

"About the future."

Lucian handed her one of the cups.

"Then I hope tomorrow gives you even more reasons to smile."

Zoe accepted the tea.

Looking at the peaceful city before her, she realized something she had never thought possible.

Connor's name no longer made her heart ache.

Instead...

It felt like the memory of someone she had known a lifetime ago.

She had finally begun letting go.

Unfortunately for Connor...

That was exactly when he started falling apart.