The call ended abruptly.

“Stop overthinking.” That phrase echoed in Tessa’s mind like a curse over and over again. She felt a chill in her heart.

All the warmth and tenderness Stephen had once showered her with seemed to be slipping away little by little.

Outside the window, snow continued to fall. The biting wind howled, shaking the branches of the trees.

Tessa stared blankly at the swirling snowflakes beyond the glass. After a brief silence, her phone began ringing wildly again.

Tear stains still clung to her cheeks, and the blaring ringtone suddenly made her feel very tired.

It was Samuel calling. “Tess, the Jacobson family came by today to break off the engagement.”

Her heart had ached so long that now it just felt numb. She gave a low hum of acknowledgment.

Samuel paused as if hesitating to say more. “Stephen’s been caught up in a scandal with that actress. Did you see it?”

She stayed silent, offering no response.

After a moment, Samuel added, “I’ll have someone hold a press conference tomorrow. We’ll announce the termination of the engagement in front of the media. The blame’s entirely on the Jacobson family this time.

“Tess, you’ve got nothing to feel ashamed of. A broken engagement isn’t a disgrace. I will find you someone better. You’re so beautiful and talented that you can have any man you want.”

Still, Tessa said nothing. She didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t expected the Jacobson family to move so fast.

Stephen had just broken up with her last night, and now, they were already here to call off the engagement.

Was he really that eager?

The thought of the sultry female voice she’d heard on the phone moments ago sent a dull ache through her chest. Was Stephen in such a hurry to cut ties with her because he wanted to make things official with Nancy as soon as possible?

“Tess, get some rest,” Samuel said. “After the press conference tomorrow, I’ll send someone to pick you up and bring you home.”

Once the engagement was formally dissolved, the Yates family would have no ties left to the Jacobson family. Hopefully, James would then stop thinking about going after them. With that thought in mind, Samuel offered a few more words of comfort, reminding her not to dwell on her sadness.

Tessa responded with a few halfhearted acknowledgments.

…

The private room of the nightclub was dimly lit.

Zachary sat on the couch with his entire face shrouded in darkness, making it impossible for others to see his expression.

The air buzzed with the sounds of

people drinking, chatting, and flirting,

but none of it seemed to realism.

He just wanted to sit alone in the corner, lost in his thoughts,

It had been days since Tessa disappeared.

In

After getting discharged from the hospital, he learned that she’d moved out. The apartment next door was empty, as if she’d vanished from his world overnight. He had no idea where she’d gone. Her phone caffs went unanswered.

It was as if she’d disappeared completely.

He’d spiraled into a haze of drunkenness, drowning himself in drinks every night. One time, after drinking too much, he’d thought he saw her again.

She wore the dress he’d bought her when they were still together. Her smile was soft and gentle as she called his name, “Zachary.”

Tears of joy welled up in his eyes as he clung to her, laughing and crying all at

once.

Tessa reached out and gently cupped his face with tenderness. “Don’t drink so much—it’s bad for you. Come on, let’s get you to bed.”

Covering her hand with his own, he tilted his head and nuzzled against her palm with tears slipping down his cheeks. “Tess, I know I was wrong. Please… come back to me, Okay?”

Tessa smiled softly as she answered softly, “I’m here now, aren’t I?”

His eyes, still red from crying, searched hers desperately. “I swear I’ll love only

you from now on. I’ll only be good to you. Let’s start over, okay?”

Her gaze was gentle and full of affection. “Alright. I won’t leave you again.”

Zachary let out a shaky breath. “This feels like a miracle,” he murmured. “I thought… I thought I’d never get another chance…”

Unable to hold back his emotions any longer, he broke down and started sobbing as though his heart had finally shattered.

It was the joy of getting back what he thought he’d lost forever-mixed with the sorrow of knowing he’d been the one to push it away in the first place.

His Tess had come back to him.

With infinite tenderness, she wiped the tears from his face and leaned in before pressing her lips softly against his.