Chapter 343


    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, in 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 y 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 snowkes dancing in the air, and


    muttered, “Guts? More like foolish, if you ask me.”


    I had never been the best at the wholefort thing, especially when it came to love gone wrong. I


    gave it a shot anyway, though. “Hey, love doesn’te 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 outughing, 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


    She gazed out at the snowkes 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?”


    Iughed awkwardly, feeling my face heat up. “I mean, Maxwell’s not a viin. 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?”This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.