"For the past three months, Lana has thought of me as Andrew. But I've never felt the joy of truly having her," confessed Kai.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtIt was rare for Kai to open his heart to anyone, even to Zach. Initially, Kai considered Zach a mere pawn against the wealthy Jardin family. Now that Hayson was gone, only Zach remained. However, Zach's hatred for Hayson was not any less potent than Kai's own. Since Zach had killed his own father, he could be ruthless to anyone. However, the one soft spot he had was for Madelyn.
"So what's your plan?" Zach asked.
Kai sighed, "I'll take it one step at a time. Better for her to live in the present than to wallow in memories that bring her pain.” Kai remembered how Lana kneeled at the Stewart residence, hoping to catch a glimpse of Andrew. But he was long gone, and everyone knew it.
"Do you remember the wager we made four years ago?" Kai asked as he placed his hands in the pockets of his coat and looked toward Zach. His once carefree eyes had lost something irreplaceable.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmZach frowned, confirming that he had not forgotten. Kai continued, "We both lost that bet. You fell for Madelyn, and I've fallen for someone | shouldn't have." Zach coldly retorted, "You're the loser here. If it were up to me, their love story would never have started.” After chatting for a while, Kai glanced at the window, its lights now on. He said, "I should go. It's late. Get some rest." Zach's eyes remained fixated on the still-dark window. The clouds dispersed to reveal a crescent moon, illuminating the snowy night.
Two weeks after Christmas, Zach became the top philanthropist in Venturia, and his influence skyrocketed globally. All the accolades meant nothing to him, though; they were merely his way of atoning, of doing something that might help awaken Madelyn.
For the first time in four years, Zach attended a formal dinner party—one he could not get out of. With a glass of wine in hand, he mingled with the crowd, keeping his consumption in check. As his eyes scanned the room, they landed on a familiar silhouette. A woman dressed in a striking red gown held the arm of a man beside her. Catching Zach's gaze, she confidently raised her glass to him, taking a sip as if to toast him.
Zach remained unimpressed. When the crowd dispersed, he asked disinterestedly, "Who is she?" Kevin replied, "That's Serena, the daughter of the Secretary of Education. She was in the same class as Ms. Jent in high school.
After graduating, she moved to Avalon. She's recently returned to Venturia and even changed her name to Madelyn Smith." A sharp look crossed Zach's face. He drained his wine glass and instructed, "Bring her to the lounge to see me." "Yes, sir," Kevin complied.
Serena went to the restroom, clutching her chest. Her heart was still racing. She wondered if Zach had recognized her. She stared at her reflection, caressing her face as she comforted herself. "He shouldn't have. It's been so long; no one remembers how | used to be." The timid, shy Serena was a thing of the past. The woman in the mirror was who she was now. As she exited the restroom, ready to rejoin the party, her path was suddenly blocked, "M-Mr. Kevin?" "Mr. Jardin would like to see you. Please, come with me," said Kevin.