When Tessa got the call from Yanis, she had just left the hospital.

The temperature outside was just a few degrees below freezing. She got into her car and turned on the heater before answering the call from an unfamiliar number. “Hello?”

Yanis’ voice was desperate. “Tessa, please, can you come to the hospital and see Zachary? He tried to kill himself because of you. The doctors barely saved him, but they say he has no will to live.

“I was wrong before, and I’m sorry. But please, can you help him? He is my only son!”

Tessa was stunned. “What do you mean by killing himself?”

She just couldn’t make sense of it-suicide and Zachary didn’t belong in the same sentence. He wasn’t the kind of person who would ever do something like that.

Yanis sobbed uncontrollably. She forced herself to calm down and asked, “Did Zachary come to see you last night?”

Tessa replied, “Yeah.”

Yanis burst into tears again. “He collapsed in the snow that night. When I visited him in the hospital today, I caught him trying to end his life by slitting his wrists! What did you do to him? Why would he do this?”

Tessa frowned. “What could I have possibly done to him?”

Tears streamed down Yanis’ face. “I used to look down on you because I didn’t know you were the Yates family’s heiress. I admit I was shallow, and I’m sorry for that.

“But please, I’m begging you. Can you come to the hospital to see Zachary? The doctors saved him, but he has no will to live. He just won’t wake up, so please try talking to him.”

Tessa said, “Sorry. This has nothing to do with me.”

Her words instantly sent Yanis into a rage.

She raised her voice and snapped, “How can you be so cruel? Do you even have a heart? Zachary tried to take his own life because of you, and you’re still so heartless that you’d refuse to see him!”

Tessa’s expression darkened. “I’m cruel? Just think whatever you want.”

With that, she hung up without another word.

…

Zachary lay on the hospital bed. In his dazed state, he seemed to hear Tessa’s voice.

The thought of her made him fight to open his eyes.

A stark white ceiling came into view, and a sharp pain throbbed from his wrist. The sterile scent of

disinfectant and medicine filled the air

He twitched his fingers slightly.

Yanis’ eyes were red and swollen from crying. “Zachary, you’re finally awake! Why

would you try to kill yourself?”

He struggled to ask, “Mom? Why are you here? Where’s Tessa?”

He could’ve sworn he heard her voice just now.

His eyes scanned the room, but all he saw were his parents, Andy, Zion, and some friends.

Even Wendy, who had just fought with him that morning, was there.

Still, Tessa was nowhere to be seen.

Zachary had finally woken up, but

the first thing he did was look for et

Tessa. Seeing this, Wendy turned awa as tears streamed down her face.