Chapter 88
Days blurred together as I adjusted to my new reality. My fake death had been finalized–Ethan made sure of it. Every trace of my existence had been erased from the system: my IDs, my bank accounts, even my medical records. It was as if I had never existed. The thought was both terrifying and freeing
“It’s done.” Ethan said one morning as he entered the room with a cup of tea in hand. His usually sharp features were softer today, the weight of everything we’d endured together etched in the faint lines around his eyes. “As far as the world is concerned, Zoe, wife of Cameron, is gone.“[
I stared at the steam curling from the tea he handed me, feeling the enormity of his words settle over me like a heavy blanket.
I wasn’t just running anymore. I was disappearing, shedding my old self entirely.X
“You’re free now,” he added, his voice gentler. “You can decide who you want to be.”
“Who I want to be.” I echoed, the words tasting foreign on my tongue. For so long, I had been defined by fear, by survival, by Cameron. But now? Now, I had the chance to choose.
“I’ve been thinking,” Ethan continued. “When you’re ready, I’d like to introduce you to the world as Zoe Wright again. This time as the CEO of our company.”
I blinked at him in surprise. “CEO?”
He nodded, his expression serious. “It’s what Mom and Dad would have wanted. And it’s your legacy as much as it’s mine.” The weight of his words sank in. For years, I had distanced myself from the family business, unwilling to face the responsibility that came with it. But now, the idea didn’t feel as daunting.
Still, I wasn’t ready. Not yet..!
“I need time, Ethan,” I said softly. “I’ll prepare myself. I learn the business. But for now. I just need some peace.”
Ethan studied me for a long moment before nodding. “Then let’s get you that peace,” he said. “What about a vacation? A real one, away from all this.”
A smile tugged at my lips for the first time in what felt like forever. “That would be lovely.”
True to his word, Ethan began planning the trip. By the end of the week, he had everything arranged: a cruise to Europe. “You deserve this, Zoe,” he said as he handed me the itinerary. “Go. Rest. And when you’re ready, come back stronger.”
I hugged him tightly, feeling a swell of gratitude for the brother who had done so much for me. Thank you, Ethan. For everything.”
Meanwhile, in Cameron’s estate, the world I had left behind was unraveling!!
Cameron paced his study, his sharp suit disheveled and his usual cold demeanor cracked by frustration. His men had been scouring the city for me for days, turning over every stone, questioning every lead. Then, one evening, the call came.
“Sir,” one of his men reported hesitantly. “We’ve found her, Near the riverbank.”
Cameron’s heart skipped a beat. “Zoe?” he demanded, his voice sharp with urgency. “What is she doing there?“?
The man hesitated, his tone faltering, “Sir… it appears. Miss Zoe is dead,”
For a moment, Cameron couldn’t breathe. The words didn’t make sense, didn’t compute. “No,” he whispered, shaking his head. “That’s not possible.“%
But the line went dead, and Cameron didn’t wait for further explanation. He bolted from the mansion, his car speeding through the streets until he reached the riverbank. The scene was chaos: police cars, flashing lights, a growing crowd. And there, surrounded by officers, lay a body covered by a white sheet.
His heart pounded as he approached, each step heavier than the last. He fell to his knees as the sheet was pulled back, revealing a face he knew better than his own. My face.
It felt like the world had been ripped out from under him. He couldn’t move, couldn’t think. All he could do was stare, his hands trembling as they reached out, only to stop inches away.
“No,” he murmured again, his voice breaking. “No, this can’t be real.”
But it was. And for the first time in his life, Cameron Smith felt truly powerless.
Back in my new reality, the cruise ship was like a floating city, bustling with life and energy. The ocean stretched endlessly in every direction, its waves glittering under the golden sun. For the first time in years, I felt a semblance of peace.2
I spent my days exploring the ship, savoring the freedom to simply exist without fear. The restaurants served exquisite meals. the on–deck activities were lively, and the spa offered a welcome escape for my weary mind and body.
On the third day, I found myself by the pool, lounging in the warm sun as laughter and chatter filled the air. It felt surreal, being surrounded by so much life after everything I had been through.2
But peace is a fragile thing.
I stood near the edge of the pool, watching children play and couples laugh, when a sudden shove from behind sent me
12:22 PM
toppling forward. My arms flailed as I hit the water, the cold shock stealing the breath from my lungs.!!
I couldn’t swim. Panic seized me as I sank, my limbs thrashing uselessly. Water filled my mouth, my chest burning as I struggled to surface.
“Help!” I tried to scream, but the word was lost in a garbled choke.
Just as the edges of my vision began to blur, I felt strong arms wrap around me, pulling me upward. The next thing I knew, I was being dragged out of the pool, coughing and sputtering as I gasped for air.
I looked up, blinking water from my eyes, and froze.
The face staring back at me was one I never thought I’d see again. My breath caught, my heart pounding in disbelief.
