Thierry sighed. They, too, would very much like to see Levi return. But he won’t. Can’t. He closed his eyes as if the thought physically hurt. There’s no way he could’ve survived that kind of explosion at Mount Drago.
While he and Judy knew better, both the Lopez and Black families were firm in their belief that Levi had committed high treason and hence escaped to Keerea.
“Zoey, let’s go back inside. It’s so cold out here. There’s no point waiting for his return.” Caitlyn tried to talk some sense into her daughter.
“Listen to your mother, Zoey,” Aaron added. “All evidence suggests that Levi is a traitor. There’s no way he’s coming back.”
Zoey, however, was adamant. “No, I’ll wait for him. He promised me he’ll be back in three months; it’s not yet three months until midnight!”
The others could only shake their heads at her dogged determination. “Why do you do this to yourself?”
Melanie and Jennie were especially unsupportive and freely dished out sarcastic comments. “It’s no use, Zoey. That traitor wouldn’t dare return.”
“For all we know, Levi is having the time of his life now in Keerea, surrounded by beautiful women. He probably forgot all about you!”
Zoey ignored all of them. With Forlevia in her arms, she waited for Levi at the door without a word.
Time passed by. The sky turned from clear blue to a warm orange set aglow by the evening sun, then darkened completely as the night fell. Still, she persisted, despite seeing neither hide nor hair of her husband.
Her family members attempted once again to dissuade her. “Stop this nonsense, Zoey. He’s not coming back.”
“No.” Grim determination shone in Zoey’s eyes. “I’m waiting.”
Another hour passed. Then two. Soon, it was approaching midnight.
It was then that Cora, together with everyone from the Lopez and Black families, came out to the door again.
“What did we tell you earlier, Zoey?” Cora had nothing to offer but mockery. “But you won’t listen to us. What good does it do for you to be so pigheaded? Blind faith won’t do you any good.”
Zoey smiled dolefully to herself. Maybe he really won’t come.
“Only one minute left till midnight,” Logan said, glancing at his watching.
The rest were equally disparaging in their remarks. “Wake up, Zoey. He has turned his back on the country. You don’t think he still gives a damn about you and Forlevia, do you?”
“You’re being a fool if you keep on waiting.”
“Time’s up. Let’s go back inside.”
“Yeah. You should realize by now he doesn’t have the guts to return.”
Just as they were about to drag Zoey back into the house, a voice cut through the air like a ricocheting bullet, freezing everyone in place. “Say that again?”
“Dad!” Forlevia shouted in excitement. She twisted herself out of her mother’s hold. The moment her feet hit the ground, she started running toward the approaching figure before anyone could realize what was happening.
Levi picked her up, enveloping her in a bear hug.
Tears sprang to Zoey’s eyes instantly. She crashed into him and held him with all her strength, sobbing. “What took you so long?”
“Holy sh*t…” someone from the crowd muttered in shock, a sentiment echoed in the hearts of all the others. Didn’t Levi defect to Keerea? How can he still walk back here like nothing’s happened?
In the next instant, they noticed something even more incredible—Levi was free of his wheelchair.
Zoey, too, noticed. She drew back to give him a once-over incredulously. “How…?”
Levi smiled. “You’d rather see me in a wheelchair?”
“No… Of course not. I’m happy but… It has only been two months. You’ve recovered already?” The shock was still present in her tone.
“What’s happening? What’s the ruckus about?” Just then, Thierry emerged from the house with Judy in tow.
The sight of Levi almost gave him a heart attack on the spot. Thierry felt his legs give out as he fell back heavily on his butt.
