I Walked Away And He Lost His Mind (Zephyra) novel Chapter 170

Jacob was quiet for a few seconds before looking down.

“Actually, we had a fight before she left. She was really mad at me because I had to work late and couldn’t take her to the airport. She hasn’t really spoken to me since she left. She has this habit of giving me the silent treatment whenever we argue. It usually lasts for at least two weeks. When she was here, it wasn’t a big deal; I could just go to her school and make up with her. But now she’s abroad…”

I was stunned. I turned to look at him.

Even though I couldn’t see his face, I could feel his worry and fear.

He wiped his eyes, his voice thick with emotion. “The flight alone is two days, so I’d need to take at least five days off work. I just started my internship; HR would never approve it. And the plane tickets are so expensive… I can’t go see her, and she won’t answer my calls. So, I had to swallow my pride and ask you.”

Every word was filled with his love and devotion to Verna, as well as the helpless frustration of an ordinary person.

My heart twisted with a complex mix of emotions. I had wanted to stay out of their drama; as long as I got my divorce from Steven, that was all that mattered. But now, it was clear I couldn’t just turn a blind eye.

Before, all I knew was how much Steven loved Verna. I even knew that on his next trip abroad, he would start to forcibly insert himself into her life.

But now, Jacob’s raw, heartfelt love for Verna was a stark reminder that he wasn't just a character in a story. He was a real person, with real feelings. For someone so deeply in love to be crippled by Steven and lose the love of his life… it was just too tragic.

I patted his arm gently. “Don’t worry yourself sick. Verna did get into some trouble abroad, but Steven took care of everything. The people who hurt her didn’t get away with it, and she’s fine. From what I saw, she’s as lively as ever.”

“Really? She’s okay?” Jacob’s head snapped up, his big, tear-filled eyes wide and red-rimmed.

I was shocked. He was actually crying. I had never seen a man cry because he was worried about his girlfriend. He must truly love her with all his heart.

“Yes, really.”

If anything had been seriously wrong with Verna, Steven wouldn’t have come back.

Myron rushed over to me, beads of sweat on his forehead.

“Zephyra, are you really getting tangled up with this pretty boy? You’re lucky Steven wasn’t here to see that. If he saw you two hugging, he would have blown a gasket!”

I took another sip of my coffee. “What are you talking about, ‘tangled up’? He was just grateful. There was nothing inappropriate about it.”

Myron opened his mouth to argue, but I cut him off. “Stop. I’m just an employee here. My personal life is none of your business. What did you need? Spit it out.”

Myron swallowed the lecture that was on the tip of his tongue. “Um, Steven wants you to go see him now. To discuss a business collaboration…”

***