Fortunately, online learning resources were abundant. Following the video lectures, Darcy quickly began to regain her old academic rhythm.
By the time dusk settled and her oversized coffee cup was empty, she had finished her day’s study quota.
Darcy stretched and looked out the window.
It had been a long time since she’d felt this kind of solid, grounded peace.
Before, she loved Zane, but he was always distant. She lived in constant anxiety, afraid of losing him.
Now she finally got it. Bad love is a thorn; yank it out in time, or every step just hurts more.
And once you pull that thorn, every road feels wide open.
To immerse herself better, Darcy decided to spend future weekends studying at the Quest University library.
After dinner, she did a workout at home.
Suddenly, a WhatsApp voice call from Zane lit up her phone.
She frowned, about to reject it, but caught her mother’s eager, watchful gaze.
Reluctantly, she swiped right to answer.
“Hello?”
At her voice, Zane’s quiet heart suddenly surged.
He recognized the feeling – a flutter. The kind he used to get, facing Zora in his youth.
But for some reason, Darcy’s voice triggered it now.
Just like this phone call. There was no real reason for it. He just… just suddenly missed her. Badly.
Probably because they hadn’t seen each other much lately.
Another questioning “Hello?” came from the other end. Zane cleared his throat. “Did your mother get discharged today?”
Darcy replied, “Yes, the paperwork was done this morning.”
“That’s good. I’m sorry. Work kept me tied up all day. I couldn’t come to visit you and your mom.”
Darcy frowned. Was that even necessary?
If they’d agreed to call off the engagement and go their separate ways, what was the point of a visit?
Thinking it over, there was only one plausible reason.
Zane – or the Vance family – was worried about gossip.
You don’t ditch the woman who stuck with you through thick and thin.
If the public or the media found out Zane had dumped the girlfriend who slaved beside him for years to build his company, where would that leave his reputation?
The realization turned her stomach.
Even now, he was still putting on an act with her.
How disgusting!
She forced herself not to speak.
Meanwhile, Zane thought she really was angry.
She even sent the engagement gifts back. She must be furious.
Zane wasn’t good with women. In all the years they’d been together, whenever they fought – no matter who was wrong – Darcy was always the one to say sorry first and make things right.
So now, he wanted to cheer her up, but had no clue how.
For the first time, Zane felt a little impressed by his friend Ines. That guy was a total pro at cheering women up.
He pressed his lips together, thinking, then said, “Darcy, I got the gifts you returned. There was really no need to send them back. It’s just a temporary – “
“Zane, sorry! I didn’t know you were on a call. I’ll come back later.”
A voice suddenly interrupted from his end.
It was Zora’s voice.
Darcy laughed bitterly to herself. Zane allows Zora to enter his office without knocking. He allows her to call him “Zane” at work.
The favoritism couldn’t be more obvious.
Zane covered the phone’s microphone. “It’s fine, we’re done. We can discuss it now.”
He was about to find an excuse to end the call when he realized Darcy had hung up first.
She’s really upset. I need to find time to ask Ines how to properly cheer a woman up.
Seeing his somber expression, Zora teased, “What’s wrong? On the phone with your girlfriend?”
Buzz…
Zane’s mind exploded. His hand, resting on the arm of his chair, clenched into a fist.
Did Zora find out about Darcy and me?
No way. I dropped hints to Kaia to keep quiet, and privately warned Hugo and Ines. She shouldn’t know.
Unless someone messed up.
“Look at your face! I was just kidding,” Zora laughed, blinking lightly. “Your mom mentioned you don’t have a girlfriend. She’s constantly worried about setting you up on dates.”
Zane let out a subtle breath of relief. “I was too busy starting the company before. No time for dating.”
Zora’s eyes glimmered, a smile curving her lips. “That sounds familiar. I was buried in my studies before. No time for dating either.”
But that was before. What came after… neither of them spelled it out.
…
Early Saturday morning, after a hearty breakfast, Darcy shouldered her backpack and headed out.
“I won’t be back for lunch – no need to make anything for me!” she called to the housekeeper on her way out.
Ione smiled widely, “Going on a date with Zane?”
Last night, Zane had called, but their talk was short.
When Ione asked what they’d chatted about, Darcy had been vague – only said Zane couldn’t come over right now.
Ione had brushed it off. It’s no big deal. The important thing is you two are good together.
But her daughter’s face had been so cold last night that Ione had worried all evening.
Now, hearing Darcy was going out and wouldn’t be back for lunch, the heavy feeling in Ione’s chest finally went away.
“And don’t hurry back tonight, either!” Ione added, her voice warm with a playful hint. “If it gets too late, just stay at Zane’s place. You’re engaged now – time to build that spark.”
Darcy caught the implication, her cheeks instantly flushing.
“Mom! I’m leaving.”
The door clicked shut behind her. Only in the elevator did the heat in her face finally subside.
In all these years with Zane, they had never crossed that particular line.
She used to think it was sweet, a sign he cherished her.
Now she knew the truth – Zane had someone else in his heart. He simply had no interest in her that way.
…
After two hours of focused study at Quest University library, Darcy’s eyes felt strained. Lifting her head to relax, she saw a man holding a professional tome walking towards her.
She froze.
The man also paused.
“What a coincidence?”
Jethro pulled out the chair across from her and sat down. A faint smile touched his narrow eyes.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.