Love That Burned Me Down novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12

The direct flight to Lormont was delayed until the early hours of the next morning due to bad

weather.

Zoey sat by the plane window and watched the city shrink beneath her. The familiar sights and buildings slowly faded away, swallowed by rolling hills and drifting clouds.

When the plane soared higher, Zoey finally felt like she was really leaving.

This was the first time in her life that she was traveling alone to a foreign country. This was a life she never imagined for herself, and the courage she had always lacked.

Zoey often thought that if she hadn’t lost her memory, she might still be trapped in the prison she had built for herself. Then again, maybe it took losing herself to realize that letting go wasn’t as painful as she’d imagined.

When she finally accepted that the people she loved didn’t love her back, she chose to walk away quietly. Whether it was Yves or her parents, she no longer had any expectations. Expectations only led to disappointment, so she figured it was better not to have any at all.

But what surprised her the most was that this decision didn’t bring her pain or regret. All that remained in her heart was a sense of relief and a quiet, growing anticipation.

With that thought in mind, the darkness inside her faded away.

Zoey pulled out her phone and scrolled through a few saved tourist spots, trying to decide where she should explore first.

Before she knew it, the plane had landed.

The cabin doors slid open, and Zoey took a deep breath before dragging her suitcase toward the baggage claim.

The long flight had tired her out, and she lost her balance for a moment. This caused her suitcase to collide with the leg of the man next to her. “I’m so sorry!” she blurted out and looked up.

But the moment she saw his face, she froze.

The man was tall and sharp–featured, with a gentle smile on his lips and an air of effortless elegance. He was striking and had a face that was hard to forget.

“It’s alright,” he warmly said before bending down to straighten her suitcase.

Zoey thanked him, grabbed her luggage, and rushed off.

As she walked out of the airport, a warm breeze hit her face, and it suddenly sank in–she had

Chapter 12

really left for good.

Just then, her phone rang. It was her good friend, Jojo Knowles, calling.

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“Zoey, why did you suddenly travel abroad? Did something happen?” Her worried voice came through the receiver. “I saw your location on social media and nearly had a heart attack!”

As Zoey looked out at the bustling traffic in the distance, she softly responded, “I got divorced. I traveled abroad to get as far away from Yves as possible.”

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before Jojo gasped and said, “But… you used to love him so much. Why did you suddenly…”

“That’s in the past now,” Zoey said with a bitter smile as Yves‘ gentle gaze toward Wendy flashed through her mind. “The woman he likes is Wendy. I don’t want to hold on to a

miserable marriage anymore. After all these years, I’ve finally understood that I need to live for myself.

“The last time I looked at Yves, I didn’t feel anything anymore. I’ve learned to let go. He doesn’t love me. That’s the cold, harsh truth.

“His heart belongs to someone else, and I wish them well. I’ve accepted this unhappy ending and have let go of the version of myself that had refused to walk away.”

Jojo sighed. “I’ve always known that Yves didn’t appreciate you. But this is great! You’ve left the wrong person, which means you’re one step closer to finding the right one.

“Do you remember our promise? You said you’d work for me someday. I’ve started a company over here, and I really need a dependable general manager.

“Why don’t you help me out? With your skills, I know you’ll run things beautifully!”

Zoey was caught off guard. She had once given up her ambitions for Yves and was happy being a devoted wife. Now, her heart stirred a little when she heard her friend’s offer.

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