Chapter 15%
The courtroom was cold and unwelcoming, but I couldn’t look away!!
The nurse sat on the witness stand, her voice steady as she recounted everything she had witnessed that day in the operating room. “I was told not to ask questions,” she said. “But it was clear that the surgery wasn’t following standard protocol. The orders came directly from Travis Harper.”
I sat quietly, my hands clenched in my lap.
Travis, sitting across the room, shook his head, his face a mask of defiance. He denied everything, his lawyer weaving a web of excuses and counterarguments. But the evidence was stacked against him–my mother’s surgery wasn’t the only thing on trial.
They had uncovered other crimes, too: embezzlement, bribery, and ties to illegal dealings within Harper Enterprises.
Now, we just had to wait for the verdict.
After the trial ended for the day, I retumed home with Preston
The house felt quiet, heavier than usual. I tried to keep myself busy, but my thoughts kept drifting back to the baby I had lost and the life! was still trying to rebuild &
Preston noticed. He always noticed.!!
“You’ve been cooped up here for too long.” he said one evening, sitting beside me on the couch”
“I’m fine.” I replied, though the words felt hollow
Preston tilted his head, studying me. “No, you’re not. But that’s okay. You don’t have to be fine all the time.”
Isighed, leaning back. “What do you suggest, then?”
He grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Pack a bag. We’re leaving this weekend.”
I blinked at him, surprised. “Where are we going?
“It’s a surprise,” he said, standing and holding out his hand. “Trust me”
I hesitated, but the warmth in his gaze made it impossible to say no.
That weekend, I found myself sitting beside Preston in a helicopter.
“You’re flying this thing? I asked, half–joking, though there was a hint of nervousness in my voice.
Preston laughed, adjusting the controls “Don’t worry. I’ve got it under control“}
The blades roared to life, and soon we were lifting off, the ground falling away beneath us.
I glanced out the window, the sprawling city shrinking into a blur of lights. For the first time in weeks, I felt a flicker of excitement. “Where are we going?” I asked again, my voice raised over the hum of the helicopter.!!
“You’ll see,” Preston replied, his eyes fixed on the horizon.
The helicopter descended onto a private island, its white sandy beaches stretching out beneath the clear blue sky.
As soon as we landed, Preston hopped out and opened my door, offering me his hand.
“Welcome to paradise,” he said with a grin.}
The island was breathtaking. Palm trees swayed gently in the breeze, and the sound of waves lapping against the shore filled the air. Preston had arranged everything. There was a small cabana set up near the water, complete with a table for two and a picnic basket
“This is incredible,” I said, turning to him.
He shrugged, his grin widening. “You deserve it.”
We spent the day exploring the island together
We walked along the beach, our feet sinking into the warm sand as we talked about everything and nothing.
For the first time in what felt like forever, I laughed. Really laughed.
Preston was different. He didn’t just listen–he paid attention. Every word, every expression, every unspoken thought. When we reached a secluded cove, he surprised me by pulling out a small bottle of champagne.
“To new beginnings,” he said, holding up his glass.
I smiled, clinking my glass against his. “To new beginnings.”
As the sun began to set, we returned to the cabana for dinner.
The food was simple but perfect–fresh seafood, tropical fruit, and Preston’s surprisingly decent cooking skills.
“You cooked this?” I asked, raising an eyebrow!
He smirked “I had help. But I like to think I contributed.”
We ate as the sky turned shades of pink and orange, the sun dipping below the horizon
After dinner, we sat on the sand, watching the stars slowly appear in the night sky
“The never felt this calm before” I admitted, leaning my head against his shoulder
Preston didn’t respond right away Instead, he reached for my hand, threading his fingers through mine.”
“You deserve calm,” he said softly. “And happiness. And everything else this world has to offer”
1 looked up at him, my heart tightening “Thank you,” I whispered.
-י
12:32 PM ch
“For what?” he asked, tilting his head.
“For being here,” I said, “For everything.”
The next morning, we flew back to Preston’s estate, the helicopter cutting through the early moming clouds. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft golden glow over the sprawling fields surrounding the property.
As we landed, the familiar sight of the estate came into view.!!
“Home sweet home, Preston said, smiling as he grabbed our bags.
I smiled back, following him toward the front entrance. But as we got closer, something felt. off. Preston noticed it too, his posture stiffening slightly
Standing on the steps of the estate, waiting like a shadow from the past, was Ethan Harris.
“Zoe, Ethan said, his voice tight, as if he’d been rehearsing what to say.
I froze, my heart pounding in my chest
“What are you doing here?” Preston asked, stepping in front of me instinctively.
“I just want to talk to her Ethan said, his hands raised as if to show he wasn’t a threat.
Preston didn’t budge. “You’ve got five seconds to leave before I call security.”
“It’s okay,” I said quietly, placing a hand on Preston’s arm. He glanced back at me, his expression cautious “Are you sure?“?
“Yes,” I said, though my voice was steadier than I felt. “I’ll hear what he has to say.
Preston didn’t look happy, but he nodded, stepping aside reluctantly.
Ethan took a step forward and smiled.
“Zoe,” he started, “I’m just here to properly apologize about what I did to you, about cheating on you with Madison. I never got the chance to say this but I really am sorry.”
12:32 PM
