I Walked Away And He Lost His Mind (Zephyra and Steven) novel Chapter 285

“Yes, something came up at the office. I have to go.”

His excuse for going abroad was always a business trip. Now, after a call from Verna, it was an urgent matter at the office. Before, I could pretend he was truly busy with work. But now that I had seen her name, I couldn't deceive myself any longer.

The pain in my heart was excruciating, yet I reached out and grabbed his hand, my eyes pleading with him. “Steven, I don’t feel well. You promised you’d stay with me. Please don’t go, okay?”

“It’s raining so hard outside. I don’t want you to go out. It’s too dangerous.”

Steven simply took my hand and tucked it back under the covers, then gently stroked my head.

“It’s an emergency at the office. I have to go. Get some sleep.”

He picked up his car keys and went downstairs. My head was spinning as I dragged myself out of bed and went to the balcony. I watched as the sleek, black car’s headlights cut through the downpour, pulling away without a moment's hesitation.

In that moment, the candy he had given me tasted bitter. Incredibly bitter.

I hired someone to look into Verna.

It wasn't difficult. Steven gave me money; I just rarely spent it.

This time, I paid a handsome sum for information, and soon, Verna’s file was in my hands.

Her photo was on the cover. I stared at it, transfixed. Even in a picture, she was breathtakingly beautiful, with a pure, ethereal quality, like everyone’s first love. I couldn’t imagine how stunning she must be in person.

I touched my own face, which had grown haggard despite its seductive features, and felt a wave of despair.

“So, he likes the pure and innocent type.”

We were complete opposites. He would probably never love me in this lifetime.

I opened the file, and page after page of piercing words and photos assaulted my eyes.

I had prepared myself, but the reality was worse than I had imagined.

The report said Verna had a boyfriend. She went abroad in September of 2024, and Steven followed shortly after. When Verna was hospitalized for an emergency, Steven stayed by her side day and night, taking care of her tirelessly.

On his second trip to see her, he bought her an apartment, but she refused, wanting to live in the dorms. He forced it on her, essentially forcing them to live together.

For three years, page after page detailed how Steven had doted on Verna—what she ate, what she drank, what she used, where she went. He was involved in every aspect of her life and career.

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