The next day, after completing my discharge paperwork, I flew to Germany without a word to anyone.

The moment the plane landed, my phone exploded with notifications.

Grant had called me over a dozen times.

He’d sent dozens of texts.

And on social media, a long list of new friend requests from him.

【Zoe, where the hell are you?!】

【What the hell is this death certificate?】

【Did you fake this just to mess with me?】

【Pick up your goddamn phone, Zoe!】

...

I let out a shaky breath, turned my phone off, and looked up straight into a warm embrace.

“Zoe. It’s been too long.”

The familiar, calming scent of sandalwood filled my senses, and the anxiety in my heart began to fade.

I said softly, “It’s been too long, Leo.”

Leo’s hair was slicked back, his broad shoulders filling out a handsome dark gray suit. A few strands of dark hair fell over his deep-set eyes.

He had lost all his boyishness from before; now he just radiated a quiet confidence.

Just as we’d planned, he took me to see the care facilities first.

Once we found the right one, he spent the rest of the time taking me around the city, helping me get my mind off things.

A week later, Leo had to fly to the U.S. for a conference.

I was resting alone in my apartment when I got a call from my mom’s caregiver.

Her voice was frantic.

“Zoe, are you in some kind of trouble? The facility has stopped your mother’s treatment! They said the bills aren’t being paid. Your mom is not doing well, Zoe, she can’t stop her treatments!”

A tremor went through me, but I forced myself to stay calm.

“Okay, Mrs. Liu, don’t panic. I’ll talk to them right now. Please, just take care of my mom.”

After hanging up, I immediately called the care facility.

The head nurse I always spoke with didn’t answer.

She just sent me a text.

【Ms. Evans, the suspension of treatment was on Mr. Thompson’s orders. Your mother’s care has always been billed to his account. There’s nothing I can do.】

【We couldn’t reach you, so Mr. Thompson said this was the only way. And he’s very angry that you used the baby to play a joke on him. You should probably just give in.】