Love That Burned Me Down novel Chapter 8

8 /25

On the day Zoey was discharged, her room felt cold and lonely, with no one waiting for her.

She knew that Yves had gone to see Wendy again. After three years of marriage, she could count the days he actually stayed by her side on one hand.

She had gotten used to it. All she had to do now was wait for her immigration papers to be approved.

Meanwhile, Wendy never stopped updating her social media with photos of them skiing in Edelwald, the Lumière Tower in Parvienne, and sunsets on secluded islands. In the photographs, Yves' gaze was so gentle it was hard for Zoey to look at.

In the latest photo, he was at the foot of a snowy mountain, tucking Wendy's scarf gently under her chin. Wendy leaned into his embrace, beaming. The caption read, "He said he would take me to see the world."

Zoey quietly scrolled past it, as if she was looking at a stranger's feed.

…

Three days later, the immigration office called to inform Zoey that her documents were ready.

She immediately hailed a cab, picked up her passport and visa, and headed straight to the law firm. There, she collected the divorce agreement and the formal statement severing parental ties.

Everything was ready now. She could finally leave for good.

Zoey carefully folded the documents and tucked them deep into the inner compartment of her bag.

However, right after she zipped it up, her phone lit up.

Wendy texted her.

"Zoey, we need to talk."

"About what?" Zoey replied.

"You've been the lady of the Pearce family for three years. Don't you think it's time you gave it back to me?"

Zoey sneered and replied, "I already did."

With that, she tossed her phone in her bag and went home without a backward glance.

When she opened the door, the hallway light didn't come on.

She frowned before feeling along the wall for the switch. That was when she suddenly felt a sharp pain at the back of her head.

Before she blacked out, she heard Wendy talking to a man.

…

When Zoey jolted awake, freezing wind was biting against her face. Her eyes flew open, and she realized she was dangling off the edge of a cliff, suspended by rough hemp ropes digging into her wrists. Meanwhile, below her was nothing but a bottomless drop.

She turned her head and saw Wendy not too far from her, bound the same way. Her face was ghastly pale, and she was trembling in fear.

"You're finally awake," the kidnapper sneered, a cigarette dangling from his lips. "Don't worry. Your man will be here any second now."

As soon as his words fell, the roar of engines broke through the air. Just then, several black SUVs tore across the landscape and screeched to a halt at the cliff's edge.

One of the car's doors flew open, and Yves stepped out dressed in a black coat. His expression was solemn, and his presence was as sharp as a blade. "Here's the money. Now, let them go!" he ordered, voice low and commanding.

The kidnapper grinned. "As expected of Mr. Pearce, you cut right to the chase." He took the briefcase from Yves' bodyguard, checked the amount, and waved his hand. "They're all yours now, though you'll have to save them by yourself."

With that, he and his men left.