Finished
Chapter 222 You’re Free Now
Kelly wiped her eyes and stepped out of the kitchen, making her way toward the door.
Zev quickly stood and grabbed her arm, shaking his head. “Don’t open the door.”
Kelly stared at him, confused. It was clearly Gary outside. Why wouldn’t he want her to answer?
“Kelly, is Zev in there?” Gary’s voice sounded urgent, filled with concern as though something might have happened to Zev.
Zev looked at Kelly, his eyes pleading, silently begging her not to open the door.
Kelly stood there for a long moment, unsure of what to do. Despite not fully understanding his reasons, she trusted her instincts. She grabbed Zev’s wrist, pulled him into the bedroom, and shoved him into the closet.
After taking a deep breath to steady herself, Kelly moved quickly. She hid Zev’s shoes in the closet, then opened the door.
“Sorry, I was in the kitchen,” she murmured quietly.
Gary peered into the living room. “Has Zev … been here?”
“No.” Kelly lied.
Gary hesitated, then spoke again. “Kelly, if Zev comes looking for you, you need to tell me. He’s badly injured and ran off before fully recovering … I’m sure he’ll come to you.”
Kelly clenched her fists, looking at Gary. “How could he be injured? Didn’t you say he retired because of an injury?”
Gary’s expression softened with regret. “I’m sorry. Two years ago, he ignored orders and crossed the border secretly… He went to Oasisvale. He had a client list that Lucas wanted, and Cecil made him trade his life and the list to bring you back to the country.”
Kelly’s vision blurred.
She should’ve known this was coming.
Two years ago, when Cecil suddenly let her go, almost like he was showing mercy…
“Cecil sided with Daniel. The contact list was his ticket to Daniel’s favor and his leverage to secure a position in Daniel’s armed organization. Oasisvale was a brutal place, where survival meant stepping on others. Daniel and Lucas were bitter enemies, fighting not just for land, but for control and power.
“When the contact list fell into Cecil’s hands, he shot Zev in the heart. By the time we arrived, he had stopped breathing. If Cecil hadn’t missed the mark just a little, Zev would’ve died in Oasisvale two years ago.”
Gary finally told the whole truth. Zev had survived, and somehow, miraculously, managed to esc from the hospital.
If Zev had died, Gary probably wouldn’t have had the courage to tell Kelly.
1/2
Chapter 222 You’re Free Now
Finished
“He didn’t want me to.” Gary shook his head. “Do you know why I insisted you stay in Stoneville? After Zev’s vitals stabilized, we brought him back here. He was in critical condition for a long time–he was kept alive, stabilized, and slowly started to recover.
“The day Jasper was born, Zev underwent major surgery. His entire blood supply was replaced… but he pulled through. He never woke up completely, but he kept fighting.” Gary’s voice lowered.
Zev was the toughest person Gary had ever known.
Because Zev had once told him that he couldn’t die. He didn’t dare to.
He had once feared nothing, reckless and convinced his life meant little. He volunteered for peacekeeping missions, thinking his life was disposable, but later… Zev told Gary, “Uncle Gary… I don’t want to die.”
He had a wife now. He couldn’t die.
Kelly trembled, unable to stand any longer. She leaned against the doorframe, trying to steady herself.
She couldn’t even begin to imagine what Zev had endured in those two years.
He had stared death in the face, fought his way back to life. He had woken up, but his body had become a hollow shell, drained of blood and strength. For months, his muscles wasted away. He had been forced to watch his strength dissolve, surviving only on liquid meals.
Zev had faced countless mental struggles–challenges he loathed, leaving him feeling utterly powerless. He had been cared for by nurses, unable to even handle the simplest tasks.
He had to endure the agonizing recovery, forcing his body to adjust so he could stand and walk again.
During all those months, Kelly had resented Zev every night. She had been alone, pregnant and raising their child, giving birth and nearly dying from blood loss–while her husband wasn’t there.
But now, she understood… He had been there too, fighting his own personal hell.
It was just that she hadn’t seen him.
“I told him you were in Stoneville. That you and his son were both here. That’s what kept him going. He held on for you,” Gary said, his smile bitter. He knew, without a doubt, that Zev was now with Kelly.
“Kelly, you’re a doctor. If … he comes to you, help him stay on track. Make sure he trains properly. The best medical team in Stoneville kept him alive, and his body will recover faster now that he’s young.” Gary paused before continuing, “He broke the rules and risked everything to rescue you. The higher–ups have already signed the paperwork. In exchange for his actions, they’ve allowed him to retire.”
Kelly stood there, numb, unable to speak a word.
She hadn’t even invited Gary inside.
“Kelly … Lucas is dead. You’re free now,” Gary said softly, turning to leave.
They were free.
