When Snow Falls, I Let You Go

In her past life, Dylan Xander was forced to marry Zoe Stone. On their wedding day, his first love died in a plane crash. After the wedding, Dylan fell into a deep depression and grew to despise Zoe. For seven long years, she humbled herself just to win a sliver of his affection. But all she ever got in return was the same cruel question, over and over again: “Why wasn’t it you who died instead?” And yet, when the tsunami struck, Dylan gave up his only chance of survival to save her. On the lifeboat, she desperately reached out to grab his hand but he pulled away with all his strength. As he sank into the dark depths of the sea, he smiled in relief. “I’m finally free. I can be with her now.” After his death, the entire Xander family turned their hatred toward Zoe. Consumed by grief and guilt, she took her own life by jumping into the ocean. But when she opened her eyes again, she had returned to seven years ago. This time, she would cut the toxic bond between them and let him be with his true love. Chapter 1 “Don’t worry, Zoe. We’ll make sure Dylan takes responsibility for what he did,” Mr. Xander said gently. “He’s being punished right now. He’s out in the guest house, kneeling. He won’t be allowed to get up until he admits he was wrong,” Mrs. Xander added softly. They sat with Zoe Stone in her room, speaking with warmth and concern. Their eyes kept drifting to her still-flat stomach. Zoe lowered her voice. “Mr. and Mrs. Xander, I’ve thought this through. You can’t force love. Please don’t pressure Dylan into marrying me.” Mr. Xander’s brow furrowed. “He crossed a line. He needs to be accountable. Especially now that you're carrying his child.” Zoe shook her head. “I’ve made my decision. I’m going to honor my mother’s last wish and volunteer as a teacher in Backwater Ridge. Please don’t try to talk me out of it.” Mrs. Xander reached out and gently smoothed a hand through Zoe’s hair, her heart aching. “But what about the baby?” “I’ve already scheduled the procedure,” Zoe said calmly. “Dylan’s not even married yet. If this got out, it would create a mess for everyone.” Mrs. Xander’s eyes brimmed with tears. “You’re such a good girl, Zoe. It’s just a shame that Dylan doesn’t see that.” Mr. Xander let out a deep sigh. “The conditions in those remote areas can be harsh. Are you certain this is what you want?” Zoe nodded firmly. “I’m sure. Once everything’s finalized, I’ll be on my way. I should be leaving in about a week.” Mrs. Xander nodded with a soft sigh. “If that’s really what you want, we won’t stop you. Just remember, no matter what happens, we’re still family. Please keep in touch.” “I will,” Zoe said with a small smile. After they left, she went into the kitchen and carefully prepared a pot of nourishing chicken soup. She poured it into a thermal flask, then packed a thick winter coat before heading to the guest house. Snow was falling in wide, heavy flakes. The wind was bitter, cutting straight through the open doors. Inside, Dylan Xander was still kneeling, unmoving. His clothes were too thin for this weather, and his lips had turned pale from the cold. Even after kneeling for over two hours, his back was straight and unyielding. Zoe stood in the courtyard, looking at his silhouette. Her eyes suddenly stung with tears. No one knew this, but she had been reborn. In her previous life, Dylan had been forced to marry her. That same day, the woman he had truly loved—his first love—died in a plane crash. After the wedding, Dylan fell into deep depression. He hated her with all his heart. For seven long years, she humbled herself to win even the slightest bit of his warmth. But all she got in return were cruel accusations: “Why wasn’t it you who died instead?” And yet, when the tsunami came, it was Dylan who gave her his one and only chance to survive. On the lifeboat, she had reached desperately for his hand. But he pulled away with everything he had. As he fell into the sea, he gave her a quiet, relieved smile. “I’m finally free. I can go be with her now.” After that, the entire Xander family turned on her. Mr. Xander had pointed a finger at her, cursing, “We never should’ve forced him to marry a jinx like you!” Mrs. Xander had screamed in grief, slapping her across the face. “You killed my son! Why couldn’t it have been you?!” Even the son she had doted on had yelled, “I don’t want a shameless woman like you to be my mom!” Crushed by despair, she had thrown herself into the sea. When she opened her eyes again, it was seven years earlier. Dylan was twenty-three now, and his parents were pressuring him to marry her. But this time, she wouldn’t make the same mistakes. Hearing her footsteps, Dylan turned his head. The moment he saw her, his eyes turned cold—like he was looking at something filthy. “Get out of here! I don’t want to see you!” Her chest tightened at his words, but she held back her tears. Quietly, she draped the down coat over his shoulders and set the chicken soup beside him. “Dylan… you should eat something. I’ve already spoken to your parents. I—” Before she could finish, he shoved her away in fury. “I said I don’t want to see you. What part of that don’t you understand?” Chapter 2 Scalding soup splashed onto Zoe’s hand. The pain was instant—blisters bubbled across her pale skin, and she gasped, tears springing to her eyes. “I just…” Dylan glanced at her injury, but his eyes barely lingered before he let out a cold, mocking laugh. “Just what? Zoe, are you seriously this pathetic? After all these years, I’ve only ever treated you like a sister, and you went and drugged me to get into my bed?!” His words struck like a whip. “I’m telling you right now—I’d rather die than marry you. And that thing you're carrying? Get rid of it. “You hurt Jenny. I’m going to make damn sure you suffer too.” Every word landed like a blade, slicing straight through her. Zoe clenched her fists so hard her nails broke the skin in her palm. Blood welled up, but she didn’t feel it. All she felt was the past crashing back like a tidal wave. She and Dylan had grown up together. After her parents passed away, the Xanders took her in, and from that point on, they were raised like siblings—half-related by circumstance, not by blood. In her memories, Dylan had always been distant, proud, the kind of person who kept his emotions under lock and key. And yet, even someone like him could fall to his knees for love. Jenny Adams—his first love—was an intern at Xander Corporation. At the company’s annual gala, Dylan fell for her at first sight. After that, he chased her relentlessly. Their back-and-forth dragged on for two years before they finally got together. Zoe remembered the day they announced their relationship. She cried the entire night. By morning, she had made up her mind to bury her feelings for him forever. She would keep her love silent and wish him well. But fate had other plans. At a party not long after, someone drugged Dylan’s drink. In his haze, he mistook Zoe for Jenny and forced himself on her. When he came to the next day, he was terrifying. All his usual restraint vanished. His eyes were bloodshot with fury. “Zoe, are you really that desperate?! “You knew I didn’t love you, so you drugged me?!” After the anger came the breakdown. He curled up on the floor and sobbed like a child. “Jenny… how could I betray you…” But the truth was—Zoe hadn’t drugged him. No matter how many times she tried to explain, he refused to believe her. From that day forward, he hated her. “Zoe, what—cat got your tongue?!” Her voice was barely a whisper, almost lost to the wind. “I already scheduled the procedure.” Dylan froze for a beat, thrown off by how calm she sounded. Then he let out a sharp laugh. “So now you’re playing the sympathy card? Very clever. Got my parents wrapped around your little finger. “But so what? Without love, marriage is just a piece of paper.” “I’m serious. I’ve already talked to your parents, so they won't force you to marry me any more,” Zoe said quietly. Her eyes lingered on Dylan’s face, as if memorizing it. “Once the baby’s gone, we’ll pretend none of this ever happened.” Silence fell between them. Dylan stared at her, jaw tight, saying nothing. After a long pause, he finally snapped, “You better mean it.” Before she could respond, Dylan’s phone rang. He answered, and whatever he heard made his expression shift instantly. Without another word, he ran out into the snow, not even stopping to grab his coat. Zoe watched his figure vanish into the swirling white. She knew exactly where he was going. Jenny. Biting back the ache in her chest, she quietly cleaned up the mess and hailed a cab to the hospital. As she looked out the window at the falling snow, she let out a long breath. In her past life, she had planned to volunteer in a remote school, and everything had already been arranged. But in the end, she stayed behind and married Dylan instead. Now that life had given her a second chance, she chose to cut off this toxic bond and set everyone free. In seven days, she and Dylan would part ways for good—never to cross paths again. Chapter 3 Zoe sat quietly in the hospital corridor, her hand resting lightly on her stomach. Her eyes stung with tears she tried not to shed. In her past life, during the years she was hopelessly in love with Dylan, she had imagined countless times what it would be like to walk down the aisle with him. Later, after their son was born, she often felt guilty—guilty for not giving him a home filled with love. But even after years of raising him, her son grew up to be just like his father—cold, distant, and in the end, he too turned into a knife that cut straight into her heart. This time, she wouldn’t give him the chance to be born. Just then, a sweet, overly familiar voice broke through the quiet hallway. “Oh come on, Dylan! You’re totally overreacting. It’s just a little burn from the steam, that’s all. The doctor said I could’ve just rinsed it with cold water at home, but you dragged me all the way here. Now everyone’s looking at me like I’m ridiculous.” Zoe looked up instinctively, her whole body tensing. Jenny and Dylan were walking down the hallway, hand in hand. Their fingers were tightly laced together, their bodies close, their affection unmistakable. Dylan leaned in and kissed her lightly on the lips, his gaze soft and full of warmth. “This hospital belongs to my family. Let them laugh—I couldn’t care less,” he said softly. “Besides, I worked hard to get your hands this soft and pretty. Even a tiny scratch makes me worry.” Jenny’s cheeks flushed pink. She playfully swatted his chest. “We’re in public—at a hospital, no less. Can you not?” Dylan caught her hand and kissed it, his smile deep and full of charm. “You have no idea how much I’m holding back.” Zoe watched the smile on his face, stunned for a moment—then the pain hit her like a blade. In her past life, Dylan hadn’t smiled once after Jenny died. He had fallen into a deep depression, wasting away day by day until he gave up entirely. The man who had once been bright and proud had become a hollow shell of himself. To stop him from taking his own life, the family had sealed every window in the house. No sharp objects, no medication, nothing remotely dangerous was allowed near him. The place was more prison than home. But even so, Dylan managed to file down a toothbrush into a sharp point, planning to stab himself in the heart. Zoe had caught him just in time. In a panic, she tried to stop him, reaching out blindly. But in that crucial moment, Dylan threw out his hand to shield her instead. The sharpened toothbrush went straight through his palm. Blood poured everywhere. But he didn’t even flinch. He didn’t seem to feel pain at all. Instead, he broke down completely, shouting through his tears: “Why?! Why won’t you just let me die?! Jenny’s down there all alone—I need to be with her! Get out of my way!” Zoe had sobbed as she begged him, “Dylan, please, wake up! Jenny’s been gone for years. Can’t you let yourself go? Just once?” Dylan had gone quiet. After a long pause, his red-rimmed eyes stared at her, empty and bitter. “You’re the one who won’t let me go.” His hand never fully recovered after that. It was permanently damaged, unable to carry anything heavy again. But strangely, after that day, he seemed to return to normal and started living his life again. At first, Mr. and Mrs. Xander thought it was just a fleeting phase, a final burst of energy before a deeper collapse, so they watched him even more closely. But half a year passed, and Dylan began acting like he had truly stepped out of the darkness. He smiled again. He worked. He seemed healed. Eventually, his parents relaxed. When he said he wanted to take a trip to the ocean, they even helped plan a cruise. They never imagined what would happen next. As the ship was swallowed by the rising waves, Zoe had watched Dylan break free of her grip with everything he had and that was when it finally hit her. He had never healed. He had spent six full months pretending—calmly, methodically planning the perfect opportunity to die. Even if the tsunami hadn’t hit, he still would have jumped from the deck that day. In the end, Dylan and Jenny became a tragic fairytale—one buried in the clouds, the other lost to the sea. And Zoe? She was the bitter punchline of a cruel joke. She fell into a spiral of guilt and heartbreak that never ended. Dylan’s hand had already been crippled—so how had he still managed to break free from her grip? In the end, she was the one who killed him. Chapter 4 Zoe wiped her tears with the back of her hand, trying to pull herself together. She was just about to stand and leave when Dylan suddenly turned and looked straight at her. The moment their eyes met, the warmth on his face vanished. It was replaced with unmistakable disgust. “Zoe, are you serious? Are you ever going to quit? You followed us all the way here?!” Zoe quickly tried to explain. “I’m here for the procedure.” Dylan paused, caught off guard for a second—but before he could say anything, Jenny’s eyes welled up with tears. Her gaze dropped to Zoe’s stomach and lingered there for just a moment. Then she let out a soft, choked sob and turned to run. “Jenny!” Dylan caught her by the wrist, pulling her back. “What’s wrong? Jenny, talk to me!” Tears streamed down her face. “Dylan… I think we should break up. She’s pregnant with your child!” Zoe’s voice trembled. “I’m terminating it.” Jenny glared at her through tears. “That baby is innocent. You’re a monster.” Zoe was stunned. If she hadn’t accidentally seen Jenny abusing a cat—and later caught her getting involved with multiple married men—she might have actually believed Jenny was pure and kind. That moment of discovery was what had pushed Zoe to stay and marry Dylan in her past life. But Dylan had never believed her. Not then. Not now. Before Zoe could say anything, Dylan snapped at her with scathing rage. “You planned this, didn’t you?! “If you were going to end the pregnancy, you could’ve done it quietly. But no—you had to show up in front of us and put on this pathetic act. Let me make one thing clear: I don’t care. I’m not falling for your manipulative games.” His voice was loud, echoing through the hallway. Heads began to turn. And right on cue, Jenny started sobbing uncontrollably, looking as fragile and innocent as a porcelain doll. The crowd didn’t hesitate to judge. “What a shameless girl,” someone muttered. “She looks decent enough. Who knew she was the type to chase after someone else’s boyfriend?” “Some people really have no shame these days.” Zoe finally understood what it meant to be condemned without a chance to defend yourself. Her explanation burned in her throat, but refused to come out. After a long silence, she lowered her eyes. “Think whatever you want. You never believe me anyway.” For a split second, Dylan looked surprised. But it faded quickly. His expression hardened, his voice sharper than ever. “You’re disgusting.” He turned back to Jenny, gently wiping the tears from her face. Without even glancing at Zoe again, he wrapped an arm around Jenny’s shoulders and walked away. Not long after, a nurse approached. “Miss Stone, we’re ready for you.” The chaos ended just like that. Zoe gave a quiet nod. She placed a hand gently over her stomach, then turned and walked in the opposite direction from where Dylan had gone. The procedure wasn’t as painful as she had imagined. After resting at the hospital for a few hours, she went home and began packing. She had decided to move out during her final days here. Dylan clearly didn’t want her around. Time passed slowly. She stared at the small suitcase on the floor, dazed. She had lived in the Xander home for six years. Mr. and Mrs. Xander had always treated her well, like their own daughter. They had bought her so many things over the years. She wouldn’t be taking any of it with her. Which meant—there wasn’t much that truly belonged to her. She set the suitcase aside and looked toward the photo frame by the bed. It was an old group photo—one where she and Dylan looked much younger, their smiles unguarded. After a moment of hesitation, Zoe took the photo out of the frame and carefully cut herself out of it. “Zoe!” The door suddenly slammed open. Dylan burst in, his face dark with fury. When he saw the suitcase at her feet, he froze. Then his anger only deepened. “Where do you think you’re going? You think you can run away after pulling something this low?” Before she could respond, he threw a stack of photographs at her face with a sharp smack. Chapter 5 Zoe’s face flushed red, tears springing to her eyes as she stared down at the photos. She took a closer look and felt sick to her stomach. In every photo, a woman was tangled up with older men, shirtless, her expression dazed, her body posed in deliberately suggestive ways. And the worst part? Every single photo starred her. Dylan’s voice was ice-cold. “Zoe Stone, if you want to be trash, that’s your business. But don’t drag our family name down with you.” “How the hell did your parents raise such a shameless daughter?” His eyes bore into her like she was filth. Zoe shook her head quickly, panicked. “That’s not me in the photos. They’ve been doctored!” Dylan let out a bitter laugh. “So now you’re denying it? You think I’d believe a word you say? You drugged me—God knows what else you’re capable of. Addicted to men, is that it? Can’t even keep it together while pregnant? “Our family must’ve been cursed for generations to end up with someone like you. And my parents? They still think you’re some sweet little angel. The truth is, you’re absolutely disgusting. “I bought every last one of these photos—not to protect you, but to protect the Xander family from embarrassment.” Every word landed like a blade, stabbing deep into Zoe’s heart. She went pale, her body trembling. But more than pain, she felt rage. Because she knew exactly who had orchestrated this. “That’s not me in those pictures,” she choked out. “It’s Jenny. She’s the one who had them made. She hired someone to fake them!” The truth burst out of her, along with uncontrollable tears. The air fell still for a heartbeat—then the storm crashed in. “What did you just say?” Dylan snarled. He shoved Zoe against the wall. His once-gentle eyes were now bloodshot, wild, terrifying. “You’re blaming Jenny? You really have no shame. You don’t even deserve to say her name!” The back of Zoe’s head slammed into the wall. Her palm, already scraped raw, began to bleed again as she braced herself. Tears ran freely down her face, but she glared at him with stubborn defiance. “We grew up together, Dylan! Why won’t you believe me?! “I know those photos were fake. Jenny had them made—she’s trying to frame me because I know what she—” “Shut up!” The sound of his slap cracked through the air. Zoe’s head snapped to the side, and five bright red marks appeared instantly across her pale cheek. Before she could even react, Dylan grabbed her by the jaw and spat in her face. “You drugged me once. Why should I believe anything you say?” That one sentence drained the strength from her body. Without trust, nothing she said mattered. Seeing her go quiet only fueled Dylan’s fury. The truth was, when he first saw the photos, a small part of him had hesitated. But looking at Zoe now—her silence, her refusal to admit anything—only confirmed it for him. She was that kind of girl. And worse, she had the nerve to drag Jenny’s name through the mud. His expression turned vicious. He grabbed Zoe’s arm and yanked her toward the door. “You want to leave so badly? Then get out! Right now! “You’re no longer welcome in this family. I don’t care if you die out there. From this point on, you’re nothing to us!” Zoe had only just undergone the procedure. Her body was weak, aching, and vulnerable. Dylan’s grip was brutal, and she didn’t even have the strength to fight back. Pain twisted through her abdomen with every step. “Dylan, please—calm down. Can we just talk?” she pleaded softly. “I just had surgery. I’m not feeling well. Can I at least stay until tomorrow?” Her lips were almost colorless, her voice barely holding together—but none of it moved Dylan. If anything, it only made him colder. His grip tightened, and he dragged her harder. “Don’t play the victim in front of me. You looked perfectly fine when you were out screwing around.” His voice dropped, deadly sharp. “You like chasing after men so much? Then go find them. Now.” Chapter 6 Zoe was shoved out the front door. By now, the sky had gone completely dark. Snow was falling hard, the wind cutting through her even beneath her thick winter coat. The pain in her body only made the cold feel worse. She hadn’t even gotten up yet when Dylan threw her suitcase out after her. “Take your stuff and get lost!” he barked. With a loud thud, the suitcase slammed into her wrist. A sharp crack rang out. Zoe let out a scream that cut through the night. “Dylan—it hurts! I think my wrist is broken! And my stomach... it really hurts...” Dylan hesitated. His brows furrowed slightly, a flicker of uncertainty flashing in his eyes. But his voice remained cold and impatient. “Oh, stop pretending! I’m not going to feel sorry for you. That suitcase isn’t even heavy. No way it broke your wrist.” “I swear… it really hurts,” Zoe gasped. Her face was pale, cold sweat dripping down as her entire body seized up. “I’m not asking for much,” she whispered. “Just… can you call an ambulance for me?” “Ugh. Quit the act,” Dylan muttered with a sneer. Still, he came down the steps and roughly scooped her into his arms. “I’ll take you to the hospital. But I’m warning you—if you’re faking, you’ll regret it.” Zoe could barely speak. Her lips were white, trembling. She managed only a faint “Thank you.” Dylan shoved her into the passenger seat. As he started the engine, his phone rang. It connected automatically to the car’s Bluetooth, and a syrupy voice filled the car. “Dylan, I just cut my hand peeling shrimp. It really hurts... can you come kiss it better?” It was Jenny. Dylan’s face instantly softened into a smile, his tone warm and doting, like he was comforting a child. “Just wait for me at home, sweetheart. I’ll be there soon.” As soon as he hung up, he turned to Zoe, his face going cold again in a heartbeat. “Get out.” Zoe looked at him, stunned. “Dylan, please… I’m in so much pain. Can’t you just take me to the hospital first?” His voice dropped, icier than before. “Don’t make me say it again.” Something inside her finally went numb. “I get it,” she whispered, forcing a bitter smile. She reached for the door, trying to open it, but her whole body was shaking. Even her good hand had gone weak. She couldn’t move. All the pain, the humiliation, the exhaustion—it finally spilled over. Her vision blurred with tears as she choked back a sob. But Dylan had no patience left. He yanked the door open, shoved her out with force. “Who are you pretending for now? You think I’m buying this performance? I don’t have time for your drama!” She wasn’t ready. She hit the icy ground hard, her forehead slamming against the pavement with a sickening crack. Blood poured instantly from the wound. Zoe groaned, the pain crashing over her like a wave. Cold sweat soaked her back. She tried to sit up, but her body wouldn’t respond. Her vision was turning red. “Help…” she gasped, barely louder than a whisper. Dylan glanced at her once, his expression unreadable, then slammed the door and drove off into the snow. Zoe lay trembling on the ground, tears streaming down her face as the car vanished into the blizzard. And then—everything went black. * In her haze, Zoe began to dream. She was fifteen again. It was the day of her parents’ funeral. The snow was heavy, blanketing the world in white. She had cried so hard in front of their portraits that she nearly passed out. Everything had felt like it was collapsing. Then, through the falling snow, sixteen-year-old Dylan appeared. He was tall and slender in a black coat. His face was cold, but his embrace was warm. He had placed a hand gently over her eyes and whispered in her ear, “Don’t cry. Your parents wouldn’t want that.” Zoe had sobbed, “Dylan… I don’t have a home anymore.” And Dylan had leaned closer, his voice soft as snow. “Even an eagle flying high still has a nest. Wherever I am, that’s your home now. Your parents will be watching over you from above—and I’ll be here to protect you.” Zoe had carried those words with her for years. But the boy who once promised to protect her had fallen in love with someone else. And that warmth… no longer belonged to her. * The tightness in her chest woke her. She sat up with a jolt, gasping for air. She was in a hospital bed, still hooked up to an IV. The room was empty. Buzz... Suddenly, a phone vibrated on the cabinet next to her. She glanced over—and saw a message pop up on the screen. It was from Jenny. “Dylan Xander, what the hell do you mean by this?!” Chapter 7 Zoe stared at the phone for a moment before realizing—it was Dylan’s. Before she could react, it buzzed again. Then again. One message after another kept lighting up the screen. “You said you’d stay with me! And now you’re rushing to her just because she got hurt? “Do you not love me anymore?! Have you fallen for her?! “You’d better explain, or I swear I’ll break up with you!” Dylan had come after all. Zoe’s emotions swirled into a complicated mess. He was always like this—trying to be cold, but never able to go all the way through with it. As the messages kept coming with no reply, Jenny must have grown desperate. She started a video call. Zoe felt a wave of irritation. She wanted to silence the phone but quickly realized she couldn’t move her hand. Her fingers brushed over the thick layers of gauze, and her expression froze. No... it couldn’t be... A nurse stepped in just then. “Miss Stone, you’re awake.” Zoe sat up quickly. “Nurse, my hand—what happened to it?” The nurse hesitated, her face tightening with sympathy. After a long pause, she finally said, “Miss Stone, the doctor did everything he could. But… you got to the hospital too late. You missed the best treatment window.” “So… it’s disabled?” The nurse chose her words carefully. “You won’t be able to carry anything heavy with that hand anymore.” Oddly, hearing the truth didn’t shake her. It only confirmed what she had already suspected. In her past life, Dylan had lost the use of one hand trying to protect her. This time, she lost one herself. Consider it repayment. But the nurse wasn’t finished. “Also… because you just had the procedure and then were left in the cold for so long, there’s severe damage to your uterus. You may never be able to have children again.” Zoe froze, her gaze dropping instinctively to her abdomen. She stared blankly, as if the words hadn’t quite registered. No children…? Once upon a time, that would have devastated her. Now… it didn’t matter. She wasn’t planning to get married in this lifetime. Maybe she wasn’t even capable of falling in love again. The nurse glanced at her strangely, confused by her eerie calm. Assuming Zoe had gone into psychological shock, she quickly tried to comfort her. “It’s not definite, Miss Stone. There’s still a chance—” Clang. Something crashed to the floor behind them. A thermos rolled across the tiles, hot soup splattered everywhere. Zoe looked up and locked eyes with Dylan. He was standing in the doorway, ghost-white, frozen in place. He had clearly heard everything. His eyes trembled, lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something but no words came out. The nurse glanced between them, then quickly slipped out, leaving the two alone. The silence in the room was suffocating. Finally, Dylan spoke. “I…” He looked directly at her, struggling for words. After a long pause, his voice cracked. “I’m sorry.” His mind was spinning. He couldn’t stop thinking— If he hadn’t left… If Zoe hadn’t been left out in the snow for four hours… Would the outcome have been different? But Zoe felt nothing anymore. No sorrow, no anger. Just exhaustion. She didn’t speak. She simply gave a quiet nod. Dylan stiffened. That wasn’t the response he had expected. He had thought she would seize this chance to guilt him into marriage. That she would cry, plead, use this as leverage. But she didn’t. She just looked… tired. Before he could process what that meant, a sudden voice broke the silence. “Zoe! Oh my god, what happened?!” Mr. and Mrs. Xander rushed into the room. Mr. Xander’s face was dark with worry. “We were gone on a short business trip—how the hell did things get this bad?!” Seeing their genuine concern, Zoe thought of her past life—of what came after Dylan’s death. Back then, Mr. and Mrs. Xander had cursed her with the cruelest words they could find. But she hadn’t blamed them. Because deep down, she believed it was her fault he died. Mrs. Xander’s eyes turned red. “Does it hurt?” Zoe shook her head gently. “Not anymore.” Mr. Xander turned sharply to Dylan, his tone hardening. “You’d better explain. What the hell happened? Did you do this to her?” Chapter 8 Before Dylan could say a word, Zoe cut in. “This has nothing to do with him. I was careless—it was my own fault.” Dylan froze again, his expression growing even more unreadable. Mr. Xander wasn’t buying it. “Zoe, stop covering for him. Last time, you begged us not to push him, and now you’re defending him again!” Zoe only gave a tired smile. “It really has nothing to do with him.” Mrs. Xander wiped her tears, glaring at Dylan with a mix of frustration and disappointment. "How did I raise such a blind, foolish son? You treat glass like diamonds and mistake trash for treasure. I will never approve of that girl—Jenny!" Mr. Xander chimed in, voice firm. "Neither will I. As far as I’m concerned, Zoe is the only daughter-in-law this family will ever have." Jenny had always been Dylan’s Achilles' heel. The moment he heard that, his eyes reddened with fury. “Jenny’s a good person! You just refuse to see it!” “You foolish boy!” Mr. Xander’s expression darkened and then he slapped Dylan hard across the face. Smack. Dylan’s head jerked to the side, but he said nothing at first. He stared at the floor in silence for a long moment before turning to Zoe with eyes full of venom. “Well done, Zoe. Playing the victim. Using every trick in the book—pulling sympathy, staging drama. I’m telling you, I’d rather die than marry you.” “You ungrateful brat!” Mr. Xander roared, reaching out to hit him again. But Dylan didn’t flinch. He just glared at Zoe, his stare sharp and menacing. “Please, Mr. Xander, don’t hit him!” Zoe tried to stop him, but her body wouldn’t respond. In a panic, she slipped off the bed and hit the floor hard. Thud. Her forehead slammed into the cabinet. Blood immediately began to seep through the gauze. “Zoe!” Mr. and Mrs. Xander cried out in alarm, rushing to her side and shouting for a nurse. Dylan watched the scene unfold with a flicker of shock but in the end, he said nothing. He let out a cold scoff and walked out without looking back. Zoe watched his retreating figure. Her vision blurred, and everything went black. * In the days that followed, Dylan never came back. Zoe knew he was with Jenny. Just like in her past life, they had moved into a luxury hotel together. But this time, Zoe didn’t chase after him. She didn’t beg him to come home. Instead, she stayed quietly in the hospital, focusing on recovery, counting down the days until she could leave. Two days before her departure for Backwater Ridge, Zoe was discharged from the hospital. She politely turned down Mr. and Mrs. Xander’s offer to let her stay, completed the necessary paperwork at school, and headed to the hotel she had booked in advance. But just as she was about to swipe her keycard, she saw Dylan walking over—his arm wrapped tightly around Jenny. All three of them stopped in the hallway, staring at each other in surprise. Zoe blinked. “They’re staying next door?” she wondered. In her past life, they had stayed at WH Hotel, so she had deliberately chosen a different place this time. Who would have thought they would change plans? The moment Jenny saw her, she clung to Dylan’s arm, practically burrowing into his chest, her gaze full of smugness and challenge. Dylan frowned sharply, his voice cold enough to cut bone. “Are you seriously still following us?” Zoe ignored him and calmly opened her door. She had barely set her suitcase down when her phone buzzed. It was a message from Jenny. “You really don’t know when to quit. Wasn’t the last lesson enough? You still have the nerve to follow us? “Let me be clear—Dylan will never marry you. In his eyes, you’re lower than trash.” Zoe gave the messages a single glance, then closed the app without responding. Jenny had been sending her messages like that for a long time—especially after Dylan brought her to the hospital that night and didn’t reply to Jenny’s texts. Since then, the messages had only grown nastier. In addition to verbal abuse, Jenny had started sending twisted photos—some graphic, some disturbing. Photos of herself and Dylan in bed. Used contraceptives. Torn dresses. Bloodied dolls. dead kittens. Zoe had saved them all. She planned to hand them over to Dylan before she left—as a final “gift.” She would expose Jenny’s true nature. What Dylan chose to believe after that… was no longer her concern. * After a moment of stillness, Zoe took a long shower and went to bed. In the middle of the night, she woke up drenched in sweat, heart pounding from a nightmare. Something felt off. She blinked, dazed, and sat up. Then she realized—the power was out. The room was completely dark. The outlets were dead. Just as panic started to rise in her chest, she heard it—click—the sound of a lock turning. The door creaked open. A tall, shadowy figure burst into the room. Zoe’s heart dropped. She let out a scream, but a hand clamped over her mouth before she could finish. The man let out a low, twisted laugh, then began yanking at her clothes. Zoe struggled with everything she had, her knee shooting up and landing hard between his legs. The man cried out in pain and loosened his grip for a second—just long enough for Zoe to bite his hand and tear away from him. She sprinted for the door, shouting for help. But he caught up to her in seconds, dragged her back, and slammed her to the floor. He pinned her down, one hand already fumbling with his belt. Zoe kicked and screamed, but she couldn’t break free. The cold from the floor seeped into her skin as a wave of terror crashed over her. Tears of helplessness streamed down her face. Chapter 9 “Zoe!” At the very last second, the door burst open with a loud crash. Dylan stood there in his pajamas. Bathed in the light from the hallway, he saw Zoe pinned to the floor. His eyes blazed with fury as he grabbed a nearby chair and smashed it over the man’s back. The attacker collapsed with a cry of pain, and Dylan rushed to pull Zoe into his arms. “Zoe, are you okay?” Her face was pale. She couldn’t say a word, still paralyzed by fear. She had been so close—just seconds away from… But before she could finish the thought, the man suddenly lunged back up, yanked a knife from his pocket, and drove it toward Dylan’s back. “Look out!” Zoe’s eyes flew wide. On instinct, she shoved Dylan out of the way. The blade sank deep into her chest. Blood poured instantly from the wound. “ZOE!” Dylan’s scream tore through the air. His pupils contracted as he caught her in his arms. The attacker, stunned, dropped the knife and bolted from the room. Holding Zoe tightly, Dylan pressed down on her wound with trembling hands and fumbled for his phone to call 911. His voice cracked with panic. “Zoe, are you insane? Why would you do that? Why would you take the hit for me? “Just hang on, please. You’re going to be okay. You have to be okay.” Zoe lay in his arms, her strength slipping fast. She brushed his hand aside and gave him a faint, peaceful smile. “Dylan... I owed you. Now we’re even.” Dylan froze, as if someone had stabbed his heart. Her words hit him like a knife. What did she mean, “we’re even”? The ambulance arrived soon after, but Zoe had already lost consciousness. The police came next. Dylan quickly gave them a summary of what happened. He meant to go find Jenny and calm her down afterward. But strangely, she was nowhere to be found. He was confused but didn’t dwell on it and left with Zoe in the ambulance. Zoe didn’t wake up until several days later. When she finally opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Dylan asleep at her bedside. He looked exhausted, like he hadn’t rested in days. His face was drawn, with dark circles under his eyes. Zoe watched him quietly for a while. Then she reached for her phone and checked her messages. One from the school had just come in: “Zoe, we heard what happened. Do you want to delay or cancel your trip to Backwater Ridge?” She typed her reply without hesitation: “Thank you for checking in. I’m recovering well. I’ll be leaving tomorrow.” Just as she set the phone down, Dylan woke up. He looked at her, eyes full of mixed emotions, but said nothing for a long time. Zoe spoke first. “You don’t have to feel guilty about what happened. I’m not going to use it as an excuse to hold on to you.” Her calm, detached tone made Dylan deeply uneasy. He clenched his fists and said, “I can take responsibility… If you want, we can still get married…” “I’m tired.” Zoe cut him off and lay back down. Dylan froze. There was a beat of silence before he finally said, “Then just rest. I’ll stay with you. “The police are still searching for that man. Don’t worry—they’ll get him soon.” Zoe said nothing. She closed her eyes. That night, Dylan stayed, but neither of them spoke another word. The next morning, while Dylan was in the bathroom, Zoe quietly booked her flight and a ride to the airport. When he returned, she smiled faintly and asked, “Dylan, could I ask you for a favor?” He was a little caught off guard but nodded eagerly. “Of course. What is it?” “I’d like some French onion soup. Could you make it and bring it to me?” For a moment, Dylan was stunned. That had always been Zoe’s favorite soup. She never liked it when others made it—only his version. He used to make it for her all the time. But after everything that happened, they hadn’t even had a proper conversation, let alone a home-cooked meal. Snapping out of his daze, he nodded gently. “Okay. Just wait for me.” Zoe didn’t respond. She simply watched him. But she had no intention of waiting. Dylan caught her gaze, and for some reason, unease crept up his spine. Something felt wrong. For a moment, it was like she was saying goodbye. He shook off the feeling and forced a warm smile. “I’ll head out now.” Zoe watched him disappear around the corner. Then she immediately checked out of the hospital. She scheduled a delayed email to Dylan containing all the messages and photos Jenny had sent her—proof of everything. Then she blocked both Dylan and Jenny on every platform, transferred a large sum of money to Mrs. Xander’s account, and snapped her SIM card in two. When she stepped out of the hospital, snow was falling again. Zoe caught a single flake in her hand, looked one last time in the direction of the Xander home, then got into the cab. Whatever debt she had owed Dylan in her past life—she had paid it in full. From this moment on, they would each walk their own path, with no more debts or connections between them.