Dear Ex-wife Marry Me by Twin Bridge

Fitch instantly noticed something was off with Zoey and inquired softly, "Feeling under the weather?"

Zoey didn't answer, reaching almost reflexively for the glass of water in front of her. But the water had sat too long and had turned cold. Just as she was about to speak up, Fitch seemed to sense her need, flagging down a waiter and requesting a cup of hot water. Zoey's lips had turned an ashen shade of white, and she didn't even have the strength to push away the man she resented.

He stood up and headed outside, while Zoey buried her forehead in the crook of her arm, leaning forward onto the table.

In a short while, Fitch returned with a box of ibuprofen. He tore the package open, gently lifted her head, and coaxed a pill into her mouth, following it with a sip of water. Zoey's eyelashes quivered, her hands shaking as she tried to push him away.

But Fitch called the waiter over again, instructed them to tidy up the stool, and then, taking off his suit jacket, he tied it around Zoey's waist.

Covered in cold sweat, Zoey was hoisted into his arms, finding refuge in his embrace.

Her vision was blurry, only able to discern his chin.

She tried to speak, to say something, but the words wouldn't come.

Placed in the passenger seat, the cold sweat on her intensified.

Fitch drove to his place, having not yet moved across from Zoey's. Recently, he and Nolan had been staying there.

Once on the couch, Zoey felt uncomfortable.

As her mind cleared slightly, she realized she had been taken to Fitch's home without her consent.

She wanted to protest, but where could she go at this hour? Going home would worry her parents and jeopardize her upcoming trip abroad. Besides, her pants were soiled, rendering a return to school impossible.

the ibuprofen began to

"Thanks," she murmured.

another steaming cup of water, holding

a little more," he

managed a weak

someone bringing over what

yet this was no time for pride. If she

"Okay."

pair of pants in the restroom and tossed her soiled ones into the trash. Catching sight of the bloodstain on the fine suit jacket, her brow furrowed. She packed the jacket into a bag, left the restroom, and approached Fitch. "How much for

looked like he

an opportunity to exchange contact information. He pulled out his phone,

rude, scanned the code

hundred bucks," he

him, tempted to ask if he'd made a mistake; a hundred dollars probably

expecting

deep breath and transferred

I can afford it. Thanks for today. I need to get back

"I'll drive you."

"No need."

and walked

Zoey was too drained to quibble, so she let him

she first stopped by her classroom to find

and asked softly, "Nolan, what's