After contacting the doctor, I quickly pushed that phone call to the back of my mind.

A few weeks later, while working at my usual café, I unexpectedly encountered Lucas Brady again. I almost didn’t recognize him when he approached.

Once a strikingly handsome man, he now looked gaunt and haggard, with a slight hunch in his back.

“Zoe, I know I don’t deserve to see you, but... I really don’t know who else to talk to,” he said, his voice choked with emotion.

I frowned and hesitated for a moment before letting him sit across from me.

“Zoe, I shouldn’t have betrayed you. I was too greedy and selfish...”...