I Walked Away And He Lost His Mind (Zephyra and Steven) novel Chapter 219

Someone like my Uncle Julian, who was cast out by his father just like my mother was, would never be this eager to go home. There could only be one explanation—he was facing an even bigger problem.

Julian opened his mouth to protest, but I held up a hand, my eyes crinkling into a smile that left no room for argument. “We can go home. The day before your surgery is scheduled, I’ll go with you.”

To my surprise, he didn’t seem disappointed. Instead, his face lit up.

“Deal.”

He even ate an extra bowl of rice during dinner. Watching his undisguised joy, I pressed my lips together.

When we went home, if my grandfather was reasonable, I would be too. But if he started yelling and bullying Uncle Julian, I’d grab my uncle and we’d make a run for it.

You can’t choose your parents, but if they truly don’t love you, you can choose to walk away.

Just like I was doing with my father. As of today, our relationship was officially over.

Tonight, I stayed at the hospital to keep him company.

Sometime in the middle of the night, I vaguely heard Uncle Julian talking to someone. I was too deep in sleep to make out much, just fragments of words like ‘home,’ ‘gift,’ and ‘matchmaking’ before I drifted off again.

The next morning, after handling the paperwork for Uncle Julian’s hospital transfer, I headed straight for City Hall. My appointment with Steven was at nine, and I had a whole hour to get there. It was plenty of time.

A wave of relief washed over me, and I felt a giddy sense of excitement as I hailed a cab. After today, Steven and I would go our separate ways, never to cross paths again.

But disaster struck when I least expected it. Someone emerged from out of nowhere, clamping a cloth over my mouth and nose. My vision went black, and I was dragged into an unmarked van.

Steven wouldn’t wait for me. I grabbed my purse and scrambled to my feet, but Thomas grabbed my arm, his tone thuggish and his eyes hostile.

“Hey, you worthless trash, what’s with the attitude? Your elder is talking to you. Are you deaf?”

I ripped my arm from his grasp. “I don’t care what you want. We can talk when I get back.”

I turned to leave, but he seized my wrist and yanked me back. Caught off guard, I crashed to the floor.

A sharp crack echoed from my wrist, and I winced in pain.

Thomas looked down at me, his voice dripping with arrogance. “Zephyra, we let you win before because we didn’t see your true colors. We didn’t realize a woman from your gutter-trash background could be so manipulative. But today, no one can protect you.”