No Longer Yours to Break novel Chapter 13

Zoe didn’t breathe easy until Lucian’s assistant locked in the location and sent

someone out.

Noticing how pale her lips looked, Lucian frowned and gently patted the back of her hand without thinking.

His touch jolted her–she was still gripping his sleeve. She let go fast.

“Thanks,” she muttered.

Lucian smiled, gave a small shake of his head like it was no big deal–but his fingers lingered, giving her hand a light squeeze, like he didn’t really want to let go.

“But I’m curious about something.

“What?”

“The reports said your sister doesn’t exactly like you. Not long ago, she even took your mom’s keepsake from you at the auction… this bangle.”

He didn’t say it outright, but Zoe got it.

Why’d you still save her?

She’d asked herself the same thing. Why was her first instinct to help Vicky after that goodbye message?

Maybe it was the blurry figure swimming toward her when she’d fallen in the pond.

Maybe it was what Vicky said at the hospital–the pain in her voice, the way her tears felt too familiar.

Since coming back, Zoe remembered every moment with Vicky, clear as day.

Even at the auction, Vicky never actually insulted her. The one constantly throwing shade and reopening old wounds? That was all Connor.

Zoe still didn’t know Vicky’s true intentions.

But the fact she gave back their mom’s bangle–that was enough. Enough for Zoe to

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Chapter 13

take a chance.

***

Zoe pushed open the hospital door. Vicky lay there, pale and still, eyes locked on the ceiling.

“You send the package?”

Vicky didn’t move just slowly turned her eyes toward her.

“I got your message. Why would you try to off yourself?”

Vicky shut her eyes, silent.

Zoe let out a breath. “That day in the pond–you jumped in to save me, didn’t you?”

Vicky’s eyelids twitched.

“You didn’t think I’d actually dive for the bangle. You knew I couldn’t swim, so you jumped in. I freaked out and hit your head by accident. Then Connor pulled you out.”

Zoe’s voice stayed calm, steady. Vicky finally looked at her.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” she snapped. “I only jumped in to frame you–make it look like you pushed me. So Connor would hate you more.

“But he didn’t pick you either,” Zoe said. “You see that now, right? He doesn’t love anyone.”

Connor only ever loved himself.

Vicky snapped. She fought to sit up, voice shaking with rage. “Who gave you the right… Zoe, I hate that look on your face!”

She gritted her teeth, hands clenching the sheets. “You’re just like me—a scumbag’s daughter! So why did everyone bend over backward for you?

“Since day one, you had someone who actually gave a damn. He felt guilty, gave you company shares, set up a fancy marriage–he tried to hand you the perfect life on a silver platter!”

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Her voice cracked. “And me?! He got drunk, forced himself on my mom, then locked her away till she lost it and jumped!

“And after all that, he still played the doting dad? Still had the nerve to tell me to stay away from you?

“Well, I didn’t! I stole from you on purpose–just to watch his little princess fall apart!”

Zoe stayed quiet, just watched as Vicky’s eyes went bloodshot and the tears spilled

fast.

No more of that careful, pretty crying she used to do–just raw, ugly sobs that shook her whole body.

The girl who used to angle her tears for sympathy was gone.

Zoe stood there a while, then quietly placed a hand on Vicky’s back.

Vicky stiffened… then slowly leaned into it.

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