The Man She Left, The Love She Found

Cassidy’s words hit Zara like a slap to the face. The dumpling slipped from her fingers, landing on the floor with a dull thud. Her whole body went rigid like she’d been struck by lightning.

Landon panicked. He reached for her, his arms wrapping around her as if holding her close could erase everything.

His breath came in short, desperate bursts. “Zara, don’t be mad at me, okay?”

But Zara wasn’t hearing him. Her body trembled violently, her fists clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.

Even her lips quivered. Zara controlled her anger, but her mind was screaming to lash out at him. 'Landon… how dare you? How dare you treat me like this?!'

When Zara couldn't contain it anymore, she burst out, “You knew about this from the start, didn’t you? Didn’t you?!” Her chest heaved, her eyes bloodshot, burning with fury. “Landon, tell me, what did I ever do to deserve this? Why are you doing this to me?!”

The weight of it all came crashing down, a tidal wave of grief and rage. It wasn’t just the neglect. It wasn’t just the heartbreak of losing seven unborn children. It was the soul-crushing realization that she couldn’t love him anymore.

Landon’s face twisted in panic.

He reached for her again, his words tumbling over each other in desperation. “I won’t go through with the arranged marriage anymore, okay? Please, don’t be mad at me! From now on, I’ll stay by your side—just you and me, alright? Don’t be mad, please…”

For the first time in his life, he was afraid. His voice cracked. “I’ll cancel the engagement.”

But Zara wasn’t listening anymore.

She was exhausted—down to her bones. The only thing she wanted was to collapse into sleep and never wake up. She shoved him away, her touch ice-cold, then turned and fell onto the bed.

...

When Zara woke, her phone was buzzing.

An incoming call from Julian.

The moment she heard his bright, youthful voice, something in her chest loosened.

He laughed lightly through the speaker, his tone teasing. “Zara, when you come back to Westfield, can you bring me some local snacks? I’m seriously craving them.”

Like a burst of sunshine cutting through the storm, his voice warmed the frozen corners of her heart. She smiled, the heaviness in her chest easing just a little. He kept talking about small, silly things, filling the silence with something that wasn’t hurt.

“Alright,” she murmured, voice softer now. “We’ll talk more when I get back.”

And just like that, the anger and hurt suffocating her lifted, if only for a moment.

...

Later, when she stepped outside, Landon was waiting at the door. He looked uneasy, his usual confidence nowhere to be found. It was the first time she’d ever seen him like this.

Panicked. Hesitant. Unsure of himself.

She met his gaze with indifference. “I’m going to meet some friends. Don’t follow me.”

But his voice came firm, stubborn. “I want to go.”

She laughed, the sound sharp. “I already said I’m going alone. What’s the point of you coming? You really think my friends want you there?” She scoffed, shaking her head. “You’re more full of yourself than I thought.”

...

They climbed into the Maserati. The second Zara saw the Hello Kitty decorations on the passenger seat and the “Princess’s Exclusive Ride” sticker plastered on the dashboard, her stomach churned.

She felt physically ill. She didn’t even hesitate. She slid straight into the backseat.

Landon frowned, glancing at her in the mirror. “Come sit in the front. I’ll have someone clean it up when we get back.”

Zara leaned back, arms crossed.

“My passenger seat is only for you,” Landon coyly said.

She didn’t care about the car. Or about the childish remnants of his past with Cassidy.

With a small, humorless scoff, she answered, “No need. It’s just a seat.”

Landon looked like he wanted to say something else, but she cut him off with a cold finality. “Just drive. There’s nothing to talk about.”

Silence settled between them like a thick fog. He gripped the steering wheel, knuckles turning white, but she stared out the window, detached and unbothered.

The drive was quiet. The tension was suffocating.

When they finally pulled up to the hotpot restaurant, Landon’s phone buzzed.

Ryan.