Chapter 83: Shattered hope
Zack staggered backward, his body colliding with the unforgiving worktable. The revelation was a blow he couldn’t take it. His world had shattered into a million iridescent fragments. His dreams lay in ruins at his feet. The future he had envisioned with Bella now stretched out before him.
He could see nothing but endless darkness ahead of him.
Despair threatened to engulf him whole, to drag him into the abyss of hopelessness. But amidst the chaos, a flicker of defiance ignited within his heart.
A fierce resolve emerged. He couldn’t, wouldn’t accept defeat. He wouldn’t give up on Bella. Whoever had claimed her hand in marriage clearly did not deserve her.
Her so-called husband was good for nothing. Maybe that man was useless, unable to help Bella in her tough time. If not, she had not resorted to such desperate measures as lying to her mother about an advance salary.
"No," he muttered, gripping the edge of the table, his knuckles white. "Bella can only be mine. I won’t let anyone take her away from me."
With renewed purpose, a flicker of determination ignited his gaze. He would win her back.
~~~~~~~~~
Later that day...
Bella arrived at the hospital, her steps hesitant as she approached the ward. Before entering, she paused, caught in a silent debate with herself. Should she reveal her stepfather’s release to her mother? The thought lingered, a question mark hanging over her head.