After 99 Times

When Zoey woke up again, that same familiar smell of disinfectant filled the air.

But this time, something was different—Adrian wasn’t sitting at her bedside.

He was in the bed next to hers.

The moment he saw her open her eyes, he rasped, voice hoarse with concern, “Zoey… are you okay?”

It took Zoey a long time to piece everything together.

After Adrian carried Claire out of the burning house, he ignored her protests and ran back in to save Zoey.

He inhaled too much smoke and ended up hospitalized alongside her.

Zoey listened quietly. But her expression didn’t change.

Calmly, she said, “Claire started the fire. She drugged my drink.”

Then she turned her head toward Adrian, who was hooked up to an IV.

“This time… you’re not going to defend her again, are you?”

Adrian bit his lip.

“She already confessed everything to me.”

Then, almost desperately, he added, “But I didn’t let it slide this time. I really punished her.”

Zoey asked flatly, “What did you do?”

“Claire’s never been patient, so I made her handwrite ‘I’m sorry’ a hundred times. To show you she’s truly remorseful.”

He handed her a page filled with Claire’s handwriting.

Zoey stared at it… then let out a cold, bitter laugh.

She’d nearly died. Adrian had landed in the hospital because of her.

And Claire’s punishment?

A handwritten apology.

But this time, Zoey didn’t argue.

She just turned her back to him and didn’t say another word.

Adrian was discharged first since his injuries were milder.

When Zoey was finally allowed to leave the hospital, she got into a cab headed for Adrian’s other villa.

She gave the driver the address, but he didn’t say a word. Something felt off.

Before she could react, a cloth was shoved over her mouth—everything went black.

When she came to, she and Claire were tied up near the ocean.

Claire was whispering lines to the hired “kidnapper,” telling him what to say.

Then she noticed Zoey waking up.

Her voice was raspy but full of scorn.

“I really underestimated you. Adrian was already safe, but he still went back into the fire to get you. What the hell do you have that I don’t?”

Zoey took a slow breath.

After everything, she knew by now—Claire couldn’t be judged by normal standards.

She kept her voice even.

“Adrian has always loved you. He saved me because he didn’t want to feel guilty, that’s all.”

“No,” Claire snapped. “I don’t believe words. I believe what I see.

“I need to see him choose me. Over and over again. That’s the only way I’ll ever feel secure.”

Just as she finished, Adrian’s car pulled up.

He jumped out, frantic, but the “kidnapper” held a knife to Claire.

“Don’t come any closer,” he shouted. “One more step and she’s dead!”

Adrian froze. “Okay. I won’t move. Just don’t do anything rash.”

Claire burst into fake tears. “Adrian, I’m scared! Help me!”

“Don’t be afraid, Claire. I’m here!” Adrian called back, panic thick in his voice.

Zoey, meanwhile, stayed completely silent. Not a single word.

The kidnapper turned and said bluntly, “Only one of them leaves. The other gets fed to the sharks. Choose.”

Adrian’s voice cracked.

“I choose both! You want money? I’ll give you whatever you want!”

But the kidnapper shouted back, “Last time. Choose. One.”

He dragged Claire closer to the water, and Adrian instinctively shouted, “Claire! I choose Claire!”

The words barely left his mouth before Claire’s eyes lit up.

She even cast Zoey a triumphant look, smug and unbothered.

Zoey just smiled.

A peaceful, free kind of smile.

This was the final time.

She was finally free.

Before anyone could push her, Zoey stepped back herself and let her body fall into the sea.

Splash!

Adrian’s face went pale.

“No! Zoey!”

He collapsed to his knees, reaching out in helpless despair.

—

When Zoey woke up again, she found herself in the hospital. Again.

She laughed under her breath.

Two hospital stays in just a few days. Both because of the same man.

Adrian clutched her hand tightly, like he was afraid to lose her again.

Before she could speak, he said with a grim face, “Claire went way too far this time. I’ve punished her—she’s not allowed to leave her room for a week. She needs to learn.”

Zoey didn’t say anything.

Because by now, she truly didn’t care anymore.

The contract was over.

She was leaving the country for good—just like she agreed.

Adrian thought she was just too weak to respond.

He stood and said gently, “I’m going to take care of the bill. Stay here and rest.”

Zoey nodded.

The moment he stepped out, she picked up her phone and dialed Linda’s number.

“The contract’s done. I’ll be leaving the country as promised.”

“Alright,” Linda replied. “You’ve done enough, Zoey. I never thought Adrian would be so hopelessly blind over that girl.”

Zoey hung up and let out a long, steady breath.

Then she booked the earliest flight out of the country.

She got dressed, stepped out of the hospital, and took a cab straight to the airport.

Just before boarding, she snapped her mobile sim card in half and tossed it in a trash bin.

Only after settling into her seat did she finally exhale.

Freedom.

At last, no one could hurt her again.

From this moment on, she wasn’t someone’s second choice.

She was just Zoey.

The sun rose outside the window, soft golden light spilling through the clouds.

And for the first time in a long while, her world… felt bright.