Left for Dead Came Back for Everything novel Chapter 179

A figure stood outside. For a fleeting, delusional second, he actually thought Eliza had taken pity on him and come downstairs.

Zander blinked hard, his vision taking several seconds to focus on the person standing there.

It was a middle-aged security guard in uniform, shining a flashlight directly into his face.

"Sir," the guard said, his tone less than friendly.

"This is a residential complex. You can't park in the visitor spots indefinitely. If you don't live here, please move your vehicle."

Zander looked absolutely wrecked.

His face was covered in stubble, his eyes completely bloodshot, his lips cracked and peeling. The windbreaker was balled up on the passenger seat, and the gray sweater was stained with whatever dirt he had leaned against yesterday.

"...Got it," he rasped, his throat so raw he could barely make a sound.

The guard eyed him suspiciously, but didn't push the issue, turning around and walking away.

Zander adjusted his seat back into position, unscrewed a bottle of water that had been sitting out all night, and chugged a couple of mouthfuls. The water was ice-cold and tasted like cheap plastic.

He picked up his phone.

Six unread messages.

The first four were from Yvonne.

[Zander, why aren't you home yet? Are you stuck at work?]

[Zander, where are you? Mom is asking.]

[Zander, I have a prenatal checkup today, can you come with me?]

[Zander, my stomach feels a bit off, what time will you be home?]

The fifth was from Eleanor, sent in the middle of the night.

He clicked it open.

[Tomorrow is the final day. If you don't go, I'll go do it for you. Figure it out yourself.]

The sixth was also from Eleanor, sent just three minutes ago.

[Call me back!]

Zander stared at the screen for five seconds before dialing her number.

Why did he insist on crossing him at every turn?! Couldn't he just back off and let Eliza be with him!

"I was just—"

"You were just what!" Eleanor's volume spiked again, and the faint sound of Yvonne sobbing echoed in the background.

"Listen to me, you cannot drag this out any longer! You have to finalize this divorce! Make a clean break from that woman! Your father said that as soon as the paperwork is done, we'll arrange for you and Yvonne to take your official wedding photos—"

"I don't care what kind of tricks Eliza is playing, but if she's still stringing you along! I will go confront her myself!"

"Mom!"

Zander finally snapped, his voice booming.

The car fell dead silent for a second.

"Don't go looking for her."

He dropped his voice to a low, defeated rasp.

"Just don't go near her, okay? I will handle this myself."