While a stranger showed concern for her, Evan hadn't bothered to ask even a single question.
Edward noticed Zoe's teary-eyed struggle to hold back tears and his relaxed brows furrowed once more. "Ms Hartley, if there's anything that's bothering you or if your stomach is hurting again, please tell me."
Zoe abruptly stood up, forcing a smile that was uglier than a frown. "I'm fine, I need to go now." She lifted her bag of medicines and stumbled out of the medical office.
What a peculiar woman, Edward thought, lowering his head to glance at her file, where the word 'married' caught his attention. Even stranger, she had a husband, yet she was always alone when she visited the clinic.
Shaking his head to dispel these thoughts, Zoe decided she wasn't ready to return home. Anything was better than going back to that empty space where no one spoke to her.
Wandering aimlessly like a lost soul, a sudden idea sparked in Zoe's dull eyes. She promptly bought flowers, fruits and a bottle of wine then hailed a cab to the cemetery.
Yes, she was visiting her parents, whom she hadn't seen in three months.
Stepping out of the car, Zoe paused, hastily setting down her belongings to adjust her appearance. Putting on a cheerful facade, she entered.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Hartley had perished in a plane crash. Zoe had retrieved their remains, intending to bury them in their hometown, but Evan argued that it would be easier to visit them here, considering their home was in this city.
She acquiesced, burying them locally after the funeral in their hometown.
Zoe's body trembled as she forced a smile that hardly masked her distress. She arranged the offerings carefully before kneeling on the hard concrete, her knees stinging.
A tear splashed into the wine glass before her.
"Mom and Dad, I'm here to see you." Zoe fought against her tears, desperately trying not to cry.
But she missed them so much. The memory of her father reading the newspaper after dinner while her mother washed dishes, and how she would sneakily hug her mother from behind, resting her head on her shoulder, sharing the day's tales from school. Her mother would feign annoyance, but her eyes sparkled with affectionate amusement.
Zoe lowered her head."Mom, Dad... I miss you so much..." Her voice cracked, resembling a lost child.
"I was wrong... I'm sorry... So sorry... I shouldn't have gone against your wishes... Truly, I am sorry..." She knew apologies were futile, but it was all she had to offer.
It was her stubbornness that led her to cling to Evan, disregarding her parents' advice. Now, she bore the bitter fruit of her decisions.
If only there was a way to undo it all.
Unable to lift her head, tears freely cascaded down her cheeks. Her parents' gentle smiles in the portraits only accentuated her foolishness.
"Dad, Mom..." Zoe sniffled, "I'm getting a divorce... I'm ashamed to tell you both... I hope Mom and Dad can forgive my stupidity, Zoe... Zoe knows she was wrong..."
Using her sleeve to wipe away tears that flowed relentlessly, Zoe berated herself for her weakness, crying being her only solace.
Amidst the vast cemetery, her sobs echoed, sounding tragically desolate.
Through choked sobs, she poured out her heart, her disjointed words surely reaching her parents' ears.
After nearly two hours, her legs had gone numb from kneeling. She stumbled back on her knees, attempting to stand, her numb legs nearly giving way beneath her.
