After 99 Times

Zoey had a dream about the first time she met Adrian.

Back then, she was mischievous and had snuck out of the villa during an adult gathering.

As the sun set, Zoey was forgotten on the side of the road.

She called out helplessly for the adults, but no one answered.

Staring at the unfamiliar intersection, she could only crouch down and cry.

Just then, a little boy's voice suddenly came from above her.

"Hey, crybaby, stop crying. I'll take you home."

She wiped away her tears and smiled as she reached for Adrian's hand.

But the moment she touched him, Adrian's expression changed. He yanked his hand away and glared at her.

And just like that, every memory of Adrian walking away from her came rushing back.

The first time: Claire pressed a lit cigarette against Zoey's chest, screaming for her to die.

But Adrian only held Claire tighter, saying to Zoey, "Claire didn't mean to hurt you. She's just sick."

The second time: Claire hurt Zoey's pet dog—the one she'd raised since childhood—seriously.

The veins in Claire's neck bulged as she snarled, "If I see Adrian smile at you one more time, next time it won't just be a dog that hurts!"

When Adrian came home, his first words were, "Claire, did the dog bite you?”

The third time: Claire sabotaged Zoey's car engine. Zoey slammed the brakes just in time, but still ended up with a mild concussion.

When Adrian arrived at the hospital, he looked at Claire with lingering fear and whispered, "Thank God it wasn't you who got hurt."

At this point in her memories, Zoey jolted awake from the dream, her back drenched in cold sweat.

When she came downstairs, she saw that devil of a woman flashing her a smug and provocative smile.

But the moment Adrian turned around, Claire’s face changed.

The smugness disappeared, replaced by a sweet, innocent smile.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have thrown acid at you."

Hearing Claire's apology, Zoey wondered if there was something wrong with her ears.

Claire had hurt her so many times—this was the first time she'd ever apologized.

Just as she was processing her shock, she suddenly noticed the kiss marks on Adrian's neck.

She understood everything with dawning realization. So Claire's apology had been bought with this.

He really was willing to go that far.

Adrian's brow relaxed upon hearing the apology.

"Zoey, don't hold grudges against Claire. No matter how much Claire acts like a child, it doesn't change the fact that you're my girlfriend."

Zoey gave a self-mocking smile and murmured under her breath, "Not for much longer."

But at that moment, Claire tugged on Adrian's hand and pouted, “Adrian, you promised that after I apologized, you'd take me racing."

"Of course~ When have I ever broken a promise to you?"

Adrian's eyes were completely focused on Claire—he couldn't hear what Zoey was saying at all.

Only when he and Claire reached the door did he remember that Zoey had been speaking to him.

He turned back. “What did you just say?"

"Nothing."

Relieved, Adrian turned and left with Claire.

After the door closed, Zoey pulled out her phone and searched for flights abroad.

Fortunately, there were seats available on international flights for the next month—no need to compete for tickets.

Zoey remembered her parents' messages urging her to come abroad and reunite with them soon, and a flash of loneliness crossed her eyes.

Perhaps spending the rest of her life overseas wouldn't be such a bad choice after all.