“That night… at the party…” Her throat tightened slightly. “I overheard everyone talking about how Elias liked Amara too… and that he was planning to confess to her and ask her to be his girlfriend.”
Her breathing became uneven.
“When I saw Amara’s car on the road later, my mind was completely distracted.” Zoe’s voice cracked softly. “The only thing I could think about was that Elias was going to propose to her.”
She lowered her head further in shame.
“I don’t even fully remember what happened after that. My mind just went blank… and then I lost control of the car and crashed into Amara’s.”
Silence swallowed the room whole.
Zoe slowly lifted her tear-filled eyes toward Elias.
“I’m sorry, Elias,” she whispered hoarsely. “I never meant to hurt Amara. I really didn’t. I just… lost control for a moment.”
Maverick had gone completely rigid beside the bed.
Disbelief was written all over his face.
He immediately strode toward Zoe and bent down beside her, his brows tightly furrowed.
“Zoe, are you sure?” he asked tensely. “How is that even possible?”
His expression looked shaken and confused.
“Are you lying to protect Elias and Amara?”
Zoe immediately shook her head.
“No.” Her voice trembled harder now. “I’m the one who owes both Amara and you an apology.”
Maverick stared at her silently, unable to process her words.
Even Elias looked tense.
His eyes remained fixed on Zoe for several seconds before he finally spoke quietly.
“It’s good that you’re awake now.”
Zoe gave a weak nod.
A sad smile appeared faintly on her pale face.
“I hope you and Amara live a happy life together,” she said softly. “And I’ll tell the police everything that happened. I’ll accept whatever punishment comes for the accident.”
“Zoe—”
Maverick immediately frowned and moved closer to her bed.
His face looked troubled.
“You just woke up from a coma. Why are you already talking about punishment and police?”
Before he could continue, Zoe slowly reached up and held his hand weakly.
A sad expression appeared in her eyes as she whispered, “I know you love me.”
Her fingers tightened around his hand slightly.
