I Walked Away And He Lost His Mind (Zephyra and Steven) novel Chapter 242

“Why just a friend? Why can’t I be Somania?”

Why was he so certain I wasn’t her? I had admitted it to him on his last trip abroad.

Steven frowned, his voice deep. “Myron showed me your portfolio. Somania’s signature is butterflies—her style is wild, unrestrained, full of audacious hope. You prefer feathers, a style that shows reverence for life. It’s a world away from Somania’s reckless approach.”

He continued, his gaze intense. “Unless a person goes through a massive, life-altering event, their core style doesn't just change overnight. You can’t be the same person. But you always speak about Somania with such confidence, you seem to know Horace well, and you know things about her origins. You must know who she is. Why isn’t she at the competition? Where is she now?”

I listened thoughtfully. I hadn’t realized Steven was so perceptive, even without a background in design. He didn’t know me, but he knew Somania’s style so well that he could distinguish my current self from my past self.

“Why are you so determined to meet Somania?”

“You haven’t answered my questions.”

“You answer mine first, then I’ll give you the answers you want.”

Steven’s lips thinned. “Because she once did me a huge favor. I have to find her and thank her in person.”

A huge favor? I had no memory of ever helping Steven. I was just a designer for hire. What could I have possibly done for a man from a family as powerful as his?

My heart stirred. “What did she do for you?”

He shot me a look. “You still haven’t answered me.”

My gaze deepened. “I do know Somania. I know where she is. I can even connect you. But… what’s in it for me?”

The handsome man narrowed his eyes, his focus fixed on my face. “What do you want?”

A cold laugh escaped me. “And how do you know I never tried?”

In my past life, I was the perfect stay-at-home wife—obedient, respectful to my elders, never complaining to my husband. I had lived that way for years. When I was burning up with a fever and needed him, I didn't even dare ask him to take care of me; I only begged him to stay. I was human, vulnerable when sick. How could I not want to lean on the man I had loved for so many years? He must have felt sorry for me, because he agreed. I was moved to tears, thinking his heart was finally turning toward me. But then one phone call came from Verna. Even though I begged him to stay, even though he was a man who valued his word, he grabbed his car keys and ran out into the pouring rain.

I was left alone in that empty villa, watching his car disappear into the storm. I was so disappointed that time, so ready to give up on our forced marriage. But then… a simple gift from him was all it took to win my heart back.

Tsk. I was so cheap in my past life.

I glanced at his scowling face. “We’re getting off-topic. Do you want to meet Somania or not? If not, forget it. I’m leaving.”

I pushed against his shoulder, but he grabbed my arm firmly. “Monday, we get divorced. And you bring her to me.”