Zoe's P.O.V.

"I'm glad you're back with Sky." Selena smiles at me.

My lips draw down. "Selena, we're not back together yet. Not properly."

Her brows narrow in confusion. "Zoe, what do you mean you're not back together properly? You're with him now, aren't you?"

I take a deep breath. "I'm with him, but only as a friend. Selena, I just... I'm terrified. I love Sky, but I can't live every day with the fear that I'll lose him. It's too much. I've already lost so much, and I don't think I can survive losing him as well."

I explain myself to her, fiddling with my pendant. Deep inside, I know it's irrational, but I truly can't live every day worrying about Sky, and I also can't keep myself away from him any longer. I'm relieved that Sky accepted my decision without argument. To be honest, I'm falling for Sky even more deeply now because of the way he isn't giving up on us.

Despite being shattered by my condition and the revelation about his father's involvement, he remains strong, as always. Sky is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and for him, I'll try my best to overcome my fear.

Selena gives my hand a squeeze. "I understand. And I'm certain you're going to overcome your fear soon, Zoe."

"I hope so because I miss the life Sky and I built together," I utter, my eyes fixed on the vase on the table.

***

"Do you remember when I first met you? You were stuck in the storeroom?"

At night, Sky sits beside my bed on the floor, my hand holding his two fingers. He's talking to me to distract my mind from the dreadful memories, so I can sleep peacefully.

"How could I forget that? Like always, I was in trouble, and you came to my rescue," I reply with a small smile, remembering that day. "I could never be so thankful for getting into trouble because that's how we met."

Sky chuckles, caressing my hair. "You were trying to act all tough, pretending you didn't need help. But I knew you were scared, even if you didn't want to admit it."

"You always see right through me, Sky," I whisper, keeping my eyes fixed on him. "But you know, that day I didn't know you would become my private rescuer."

We both let out a laugh. For a moment, it feels like old times, like nothing bad has ever happened, and it's just us—Zoe and Sky—laughing about something silly.

Sky gazes at me with profound affection in his eyes. "I'll always be your private rescuer, Zoe. No matter what happens, no matter where life takes us, I'll always be there for you."

I close my eyes as he leans in and presses his lips to my forehead.

As we continue to talk about our old days, remembering how I kept getting into trouble, how he always came to save me, and how we became best friends, I don't realize when I drift off to sleep. He knows very well how to comfort me.

I don't have nightmares that night. For the first time in a long time, my sleep is peaceful. I dream of the days when we were carefree.

***

The next morning, I wake up feeling refreshed. A smile flashes on my face as I feel Sky's two fingers entwined in my hand. He must have stayed by my side all night, making sure I didn't wake up alone.

I turn my head slightly to look at him. He's asleep on the floor, his arm resting on the bed, his face peaceful, yet there's a slight furrow in his brow as if even in sleep, he's worrying about me.

God! This man. He's so... I don't have words to describe how good he is.

With a smile on my face, I brush a strand of hair away from his forehead.

***

Sky's P.O.V.

A week later

I reach my father's office with the cops, my heart thumping in my chest. The past few days have been hard. I've spent hours mentally preparing myself for this moment. Today, I'm going to confront him. I'm going to make him pay for what he did to Zoe.

I lead the way inside, my steps firm, as the police officers follow closely behind. My father's secretary looks up, startled, but I don't stop to explain.

I push open the door of my father's office. He's sitting at his desk, seemingly unbothered, like he's just having another normal day. The sight of him makes my blood boil, and I feel the anger rise in me. There Zoe is, struggling to overcome the dreadful memories, and here my father, who made her suffer, is sitting comfortably.

"Sky, what's the meaning of this?" he asks, acting like he doesn't know anything.

I must say, he's a good actor—that's why I was never able to see his evil side all my life.

"You know exactly why I'm here," I snap, trying to keep my voice steady. "You're going to pay for what you did to Zoe."

He raises an eyebrow, feigning ignorance. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't play dumb!" I shout, can't able to control myself any longer. "You had her kidnapped! You tortured her! And now, you're going to face the consequences." I shift my gaze towards the officer. "Arrest him. What are you waiting for?"

The cops step forward, ready to arrest him, but to my shock, they stop and turn to me.

"Mr. Sky, do you have any solid proof against your father?" one of the officers asks.

"What?" I blink, confused. "He's the mastermind behind the whole thing! I've told you everything. How can you even ask that?" I try to keep my voice low, clenching my fists. "I heard him talking to the kidnappers myself. Isn't that enough?"

The officer shakes his head. "We need concrete evidence, Mr. Sky. We can't arrest someone based on accusations alone, especially when it's against someone of your father's status. If you have proof—documents, recordings, witness testimonies—we can proceed."

I feel like the ground beneath me has disappeared. How could I have been so naïve? Of course, my father has covered his tracks. He's so powerful.

"Look, I'll get the proof. But you can't just let him walk away like this!" Only I know how I'm controlling myself from punching them.

"Until then, our hands are tied," the officer replies. "If you gather sufficient evidence, we'll take action."

As they head out, leaving me alone with my father, I turn to him. He stands up and walks over to me, his expression serious. Every fibre of my being is screaming for me to make him pay right now. Images of Zoe's bruised and battered body flash through my mind—the scars, the pain in her eyes.

I clench my fists, trying to control the overwhelming urge to bury him alive for torturing Zoe. But I can't. I know that. If I let my anger control me, I'll be no better than he is. I won't give him the satisfaction of seeing me lose control.

Forcing myself to take a deep breath, I push down the murderous thoughts clawing at my mind. I need to be smart about this. I need to find a way to bring him down legally, with undeniable proof that no one can ignore.