Facade of Love

Chapter 343 The Crushed Confession
Maxwell shot her down with such brutal honesty. Zoe’s voice only grew more wobbly, “I can take care of my own stability and
security. Who’s to say who is right for dating or marriage? Isn’t that something you figure out as you go along? You’re rejecting
me without even giving it a thought. Is it because there’s someone else you like?”
Zoe’s voice was tentative, almost afraid of the answer.
The air hung heavy for a moment before Maxwell finally said, “No.”
It seemed Zoe picked up on Maxwell’s chill because her voice slowly evened out. “So, it’s just that you don’t like me, plain and
simple?”
“That’s not it,” Maxwell’s voice was tinged with a hint of frustration, “You’re great, Zoe. That’s not what I am saying.”
The stairwell went silent for what felt like an eternity but was probably only half a minute. I could not make out the looks on their
faces, and I sure did not know what was going down, but it was clear as day that Maxwell had just turned Zoe down. After a long
pause, Zoe’s voice echoed, “Thanks for being honest with me. I get it now.”
Maxwell let out a tiny grunt, like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. When I heard footsteps, I got all jittery, scared of
getting caught. I ducked behind a column, trying to blend in with the shadows.
I swear I was not trying to snoop. It had been a total fluke. If they caught me lurking, I would die of embarrassment. As the
footsteps drifted away, I crept out from my hiding spot, breathing a sigh of relief. Close call.

“You... were you listening in just now?” The voice from behind nearly gave me a heart attack. I turned around slowly to find Zoe
with eyes all puffy and red, obviously from crying.
I tried to play it cool with a strained chuckle. “Uh, hey... what are you doing you here?” She was still a bundle of nerves, stepping
closer. “You heard it all, didn’t you, Yvette? That was not cool.”
I was tripping over myself to apologize, “If I say it was an honest mistake, would you believe me?” She let out a weary sigh,
brushing it off. “Forget it. Just don’t tease me about it, okay?”
I was quick to reassure her, “No way, I wouldn’t do that. You’ve got guts, you know.”
Confessing without any clue about how the other person felt and standing strong even after a letdown was very brave to me. She
rested against the railing, gazing at the snowflakes dancing in the air, and muttered, “Guts? More like foolish, if you ask me.”
I had never been the best at the whole comfort thing, especially when it came to love gone wrong. I gave it a shot anyway,
though. “Hey, love doesn’t come with a rulebook. You liked him, so you told him. That’s totally cool. If he doesn’t feel the same,
it’s his loss, seriously. You’re awesome—smart, kind, and a total catch.”
She burst out laughing, her eyes crinkling up like little crescents. “Yvette, you’re so old- school with your pep talks.”
I could not help smiling sheepishly. Comforting really was not my strong suit.
Chapter 343 The Crushed Confession
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She gazed out at the snowflakes drifting down, catching a few on her hand. As they melted into tiny puddles, she pulled back her
hand and said with determination, “You know what? I’m pretty great. He’s not losing me. I’m not giving up. Whatever happens,
I’ve got to try.”
“Wait, what?” I blinked, totally lost. “You’re...?”
Her grin was infectious. “Yep, I’m going after him.”
Panic fluttered in my chest. Nothing scared me more than one person who had checked out and another who would not let go.
That could get scary fast. Pride would go out the window, or worse, one would end up totally obsessed. Everyone had seen
those love–crazed characters in shows and books, right?
I took a deep breath and turned to Zoe. “Look, Zoe, love isn’t everything. Liking someone, loving someone... If it doesn’t work
out, you don’t have to focus on it forever. We’ve got to let things be. Things won’t always work out the way you expect.”
Zoe made a face, trying not to crack up. “Yvette, what are you even saying? What’s all this about wrecking stuff?”
I laughed awkwardly, feeling my face heat up. “I mean, Maxwell’s not a villain. He just doesn’t like you that way. It doesn’t mean
you’re enemies. Anyway, there’s more to life than just romance. People can be friends or found family, you know?”