After 99 Times

After Claire was discharged, Adrian drove her back to the villa.

It wasn’t until he saw Zoey sitting alone in the kitchen eating cup noodles that he remembered she existed.

He frowned, clearly guilty.

“Zoey, when did you get out of the hospital? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You were busy with Claire,” she said lightly. “Didn’t want to bother you.”

That hit Adrian harder. Guilt flooded his face as he pulled out his phone and started transferring money.

“Claire’s situation put you through a lot… here, take this and buy something nourishing, okay?”

Zoey glanced at her phone. Fifty thousand.

Of course. Whenever it came to Claire, Adrian’s generosity knew no limits.

But she didn’t accept the payment. Instead, she just kept eating her noodles without a word.

Right then, Claire walked in with a few takeout containers in hand.

“Adrian, I picked up the meal you ordered! Come eat with me, quick!”

Zoey looked up. The logo on the boxes caught her eye—it was from the most expensive restaurant in the city, where a single meal could cost tens of thousands.

So Adrian had really gone all out for Claire’s health.

He glanced at Zoey, then looked away awkwardly.

“I didn’t know you were discharged, so… I only ordered for Claire.”

Then he quickly added, “I’ll call the restaurant now. I’ll set up a meal plan for you too.”

Zoey stopped him, her tone calm, almost routine.

“No need. Cup noodles are fine.”

After all, it wasn’t the first time Adrian had forgotten her.

And if it happened again… so what?

He opened his mouth to say something else, but Claire called for him again, and his attention shifted instantly.

He sighed. “Cup noodles aren’t good for you. Don’t eat them too often, okay?”

Zoey didn’t answer. She just finished her noodles and quietly went upstairs.

That night, Adrian crawled into bed beside her, trying to be gentle.

He wrapped his arm around her and leaned in close, his voice low and coaxing.

“Zoey…”

As he spoke, his hand slid under the covers toward her.

But this time, Zoey stopped him. Her expression was indifferent, distant.

Adrian looked confused.

Zoey gave a bitter smile. “Don’t bother. You’ll just get pulled away by Claire again soon anyway.”

Adrian hurried to reassure her, swearing that this time would be different—when his phone rang.

It was THAT ringtone.

“Adrian, it’s storming outside,” Claire sobbed through the phone. “I’m so scared. Can you come stay with me?”

Before the call even ended, Adrian was already throwing on his clothes.

“Don’t be scared, I’m coming right now!”

He turned to Zoey, rushing to explain, “Claire’s always been terrified of thunderstorms, I just—”

But Zoey cut him off.

“I get it. Go.”

He paused, staring at her.

There was something strange in her tone. She wasn’t angry. She didn’t try to stop him.

For the first time… she didn’t ask him to stay.

That should’ve meant something. But his mind was already on Claire.

“Don’t wait up,” he said, slipping out the door.

Zoey stared at his retreating back, then said quietly, “I wasn’t planning to.

And from now on… no one ever will.”