The door burst open abruptly.
Zoe turned to see Evan storming in, his bandages removed. Her pen, mid-signature, pierced the paper with a violent stab. Edward frowned slightly, rising to his feet.
"Did you ignore what I said?" Evan approached, his face twisted in a menacing grin.
Zoe stood up, about to respond, but before she could, the chair behind her toppled as he seized her wrist with a forceful grip.
Evan shot Edward a warning glare before dragging Zoe out. Edward observed her stumble, deciding to follow.
Zoe didn’t resist, aware of the many eyes in the corridor. Unlike before, she retained some clarity, complying as Evan led her away. She glanced back at Edward, shaking her head subtly.
Evan yanked open the car door, roughly tossing her inside. Through clenched teeth, his eyes burned with rage. "Zoe, I warned you not to see him again, yet you still came to see him?"
Zoe’s expression remained composed, refusing to engage.
Evan wouldn't believe Her words,neither did. Edward. He slammed the car door shut and drove home, the journey filled with a heavy silence. His face was a mask of gloom, hers a blank slate.
Upon arrival, he pulled her out of the car with rough handling, marching towards the building.
Claire, seeing her son furiously dragging the supposed murderer of her grandchild, felt her temper flare.
Evan paused, "Mom, what are you doing here?"
Claire approached, chuckling hollowly without a word, her gaze fixed on Zoe before she slapped her with full force across the face, the same spot where Evan had struck her yesterday.
Zoe felt her mind go blank, nearly collapsing. Evan caught her, dissatisfaction etched on his face as he yelled at Claire, "Mom! What are you doing?!"
His woman, no one was allowed to touch her, not even his own mother!
"What are you shouting for? This woman killed my grandson!" Claire’s wrinkled face contorted further, her voice louder than his.
Stunned by the speed of the news, he could only think of Jocelyn as the source.
"I made her abort it!"
Even if Zoe was responsible, he believed the child shouldn't have existed.
"Still defending her? Evan, that was your son! She deserve to be sent to jail!"
Zoe's ears rang as grievance threatened to overwhelm her, her nose tingling with the urge to cry.
Evan frowned, "Mom! Stop this!"
"Evan!" Claire seethed, reaching for Zoe's face, "You sterile woman! How dare you kill my grandson!"
"Mom! Stop it!" He pushed Claire's hand away, shielding Zoe.
"Aren't you human? Do you have a heart?! You disregard your own son to protect this murderer!"
Claire's rage boiled over, lunging to grab Zoe's hair.
"Enough!" Evan shoved her way, losing control, causing Claire to stagger back.
"So, you choose her over me, your mother? Fine! I'll leave, I'll leave!"
Claire gathered her bags and stomped downstairs, anger fueling her steps. Evan didn't stop her, feeling a headache intensify.
Unlocking the door, he dragged Zoe inside.
He glanced at her, frustration spurring an apology.
