Chapter 56
Beatrice was stunned. She couldn’t fathom how Zachary failed to see through Vanessa’s pitiful charade.
He truly was a fool.
At that moment, Zachary picked up a black umbrella. His expression was unreadable as he pushed the door open.
“Mr. Blackwood!” Beatrice called out urgently, but Zachary continued walking into the rain without a backward glance. Frustrated, she clenched her fists.
Outside, Vanessa sat shivering in the downpour, her strength nearly gone. Yet the moment she spotted Zachary approaching, her eyes lit up with desperate hope. Summoning her last ounce of energy, she staggered to her feet, tears mixing with the rain as she stumbled toward him.
Zachary’s brow furrowed. He stepped forward, holding the umbrella over her while his other hand gripped her arm firmly, hauling her upright. His grip was unyielding—she couldn’t have pulled away even if she tried.
“Zachary…” Vanessa whimpered before collapsing against his chest.
Moments ago, she had seemed on the verge of collapse. Now, miraculously revived by his presence, she clung to him, her arms tightening around his waist as she pressed her face into his shirt.
A flicker of irritation crossed Zachary’s face. His voice was low but firm. “You know your health is fragile. Standing out here in the rain is reckless.”
“I had no choice!” Her voice cracked as she lifted her tear-streaked face. “You wouldn’t see me otherwise. I just wanted to talk to you—why are you avoiding me?” Her fingers dug into his sleeves. “Tell me, Zachary… do you not love me anymore? You’ve been so distant lately. Is it because of what happened with Evelyn? I’ll apologize—I’ll beg for her forgiveness if that’s what you want!”
“There’s no need,” Zachary said coolly. “I’m not angry anymore. You’ve seen me now, so go home. I’ll come to you when things settle.”
“Zachary, please!” Panic flashed in her eyes. She threw pride aside, gripping his arms desperately. “Save my brother! He’s about to be sentenced! No one in Verona dares to defend him because of the Whitmores’ influence. They’re crushing my family—we’re on the brink of ruin! If Raphael goes to prison, everything will collapse!”
Zachary’s expression remained unreadable, his stance unwavering.
Some might call him heartless, but his love for Vanessa had once been unwavering. He had kept his promise to her for years, even at the cost of hurting Evelyn, even at the cost of defying his own family.
Yet when it came to justice, he was merciless. The Delacroix family had broken the law, and he would not interfere.
A memory surfaced—his harsh words to Evelyn when he had defended the Delacroix family, how he had used their plight against her. Regret twisted inside him, sharp and sudden. His voice turned icy.
“The Whitmores are innocent. Your brother brought this upon himself. If he confesses, he may receive leniency. As for your family, throwing money at the problem won’t fix anything. You need to address the corruption within.”
Vanessa’s lips trembled. She had believed her tears would sway him as they always had.
But this time, she was wrong. Zachary had been lenient before because she hadn’t crossed a line. Now that she had, even his love wouldn’t make him compromise.
In the end, Zachary forced her, still sobbing, into the car and ordered the driver to lock the doors. He watched the vehicle disappear into the rain, his jaw tight. Only then did he exhale.
He stood there for a long time, the umbrella forgotten in his grip, remembering the disappointment in Evelyn’s eyes. The ache in his chest was relentless, impossible to ignore.
With Raphael’s arrest, the Delacroix family spiraled into chaos.
When Vanessa returned, drenched and hollow-eyed, her parents barely glanced at her before demanding answers—had Zachary agreed to help? Would the Blackwoods intervene?
Vanessa could only shake her head in silence.
