No Longer Yours to Break novel Chapter 3

Zoe got tossed out of the auction hall like trash, right in front of everyone.

Her dress was wrecked, her body ached from where security had roughed her up—but none of it hurt like her heart did.

By the time she blinked, her cheeks were already soaked.

Whatever was left of her feelings for Connor burned out right then, gone with her mom's stolen bangle.

She wiped her face, pulled herself together. That bangle was the one thing she wasn't walking away from.

***

Zoe showed up just as Connor's car rolled through the gate.

Vicky froze when she saw her, instantly shoving the hand with the gemstone bangle behind her back.

Zoe's face was pale, her hands clutching a fresh stack of financial statements.

"Give me back my mother's bangle. All of this—it's yours,"

Connor's jaw tightened. At the word "bangle", his scowl deepened.

"Vicky's the lady of my house now. We don't need your money."

Vicky placed a soft hand on Connor's arm. "Go inside, Connor. This is between me and Zoe. I'll handle it."

The second he was gone, Vicky's whole vibe flipped cold.

She smirked, lifted her wrist—and chucked the bangle straight into the pond.

Zoe didn't even think—she watched the bangle disappear and dove in after it.

As she plunged toward the water, Vicky’s voice rang out, sharp and triumphant. “Don’t think looking after Connor will make him yours. He can only love me—you’ll never steal him from me.”

She thrashed for a second, then the panic hit.

She couldn't swim.

Water thrashed around her as distant, muffled shouting came from the shore—then another splash. Someone else had jumped in.

Her skin felt like it was on fire, every inch stabbed with ice, the weight of the water pressing in.

Connor froze. He knew—Zoe had never learned to swim.

She'd been terrified of water. Wouldn't even go near a deep pond.

But tonight? Just to go head-to-head with Vicky over a bangle, she dove in like it meant everything.

Connor didn't get why he felt so on edge. He told himself it was just frustration—Zoe being her usual stubborn self.

It was just a bangle. Why couldn't she let Vicky have it?

No—Zoe was just jealous. Jealous that Vicky had him now. That's why she always tried to take things from her.

The more he fed himself that story, the colder his expression turned.

Vicky was so gentle and kind. When he was burning with fever, it was she who nursed him tirelessly for three long days and nights.

He turned his back. Any hint of doubt disappeared.

"Zoe," he said flatly. "Stop going at Vicky. Keep pushing, and I promise—it'll only get worse."