Chapter 651
Kian laughed and said, “Still living a better life than you, aren’t I?”
Zola fell silent.
“What? You want me to save you?” Kian asked.
“Do you even have the means to save me?” Zola snapped back. “You’ve become insignificant compared to Bryan. And with Bryan and Eileen getting married, you’re just standing by helplessly, right?”
The noise around Kian seemed to lessen, as he probably moved to a quieter area. “Did you call just to taunt me, or… Are you trying to use me again? Do you think I’m still that naive?”
Zola replied, “I’d call it a mutually beneficial arrangement, but if you see it as me using you, then there’s nothing more to discuss. You’ve always held me solely responsible for Vivian’s misfortune, but did you ever stop to think that Bryan was the one who accepted Vivian’s advances in college because he didn’t want to be with me?”
“He never accepted her advances,” Kian said, well-informed about Vivian and Bryan’s histories. “He just never turned her down, which gave Vivian false hope.”
“Then isn’t he also to blame for using Vivian?” Zola retorted. “The whole school was abuzz with their supposed romance. Even Vivian was fooled by the facade he unintentionally created. Why do you pin all the blame on me for how Vivian ended up? Your inaction allowed Vivian to pursue Bryan, even though you knew Bryan had no interest in her! Bryan used her. If it weren’t for your actions, why would Vivian have pursued him?”
Kian was silent. The weight of Zola’s words hit him hard. He knew deep down that these truths were undeniable.
After the Warren family’s fall from grace, Kian might have remained a figure in high society. But the weight of guilt and remorse had weighed heavily on him. How could he indulge in luxury knowing Vivian was still lost in confusion?
He had chosen to fall from grace as a form of self-punishment.
“It’s not just your fault or mine,” Zola said firmly. “Bryan is at fault too.”
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Zola’s voice grew more bitter as she continued, “And so is Eileen. If it weren’t for her, Bryan might have chosen Vivian. Now we’re at odds, while they get to enjoy marital bliss. Why should they be happy while we suffer?”
Her words carried through the night, settling heavily on Kian’s heart and deepening his anguish and rage.
Zola continued, “Believe in yourself. You can still get your revenge. Those who have nothing to lose have nothing to fear.”
Just as Zola finished, the door opened. She quickly ended the call, erased the record, and handed the phone back to the nurse. “Thank you. I have no regrets now.”
Eileen and Bryan took Gabriela to the mall for the first time. Nearly ten months old, Gabriela lay in the stroller, one foot jauntily propped on the handle, her large, curious eyes observing everything. With a pacifier in her mouth, she charmed everyone who passed by.
Bryan carefully selected ingredients for Gabriela’s meals, moving slowly through the supermarket aisles, with Eileen watching him closely. His focus was entirely on baby-related items. He didn’t pick anything for Eileen.