Chapter 3
Zoe's POV
The next morning, I woke to delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen.
I padded over in my robe to find Kyle carefully flipping pancakes, the table already set with fresh orange juice and cut fruit.
"Good morning, Zoe." He turned to smile at me. "I made your favorite pancakes."
Wait, how does he know I like maple syrup pancakes? He only learned to make these after we got married.
"How do you know I like these?" I raised an eyebrow.
Kyle froze, then said somewhat frantically, "I... I guessed. Most girls like sweet stuff, right?"
I nodded without pressing further. But my suspicion deepened.
Kyle brought breakfast to the table, saying carefully, "Try them. If they're not right, I can make new ones."
I took a bite. They tasted exactly like the ones he usually made.
"Not bad." I said flatly.
Kyle visibly relaxed, sitting across from me. "Zoe, thank you."
"For what?"
His expression grew serious. "For helping me when I'm down and out, even if it's this way... I might have been too impulsive last night."
Guilt stabbed at my heart again.
"Kyle, actually..." I was about to tell him the truth.
Just then, my phone rang.
I glanced at the screen, my heart racing instantly.
Leon. My ex-boyfriend.
"I'm back in the country. Free to meet today? About the F1 technical collaboration project."
Kyle keenly noticed my expression change, following my gaze to the name on screen, his whole body tensing.
I quickly put away my phone, trying to change the subject. "Kyle..."
"Zoe," he interrupted, his voice barely audible, "your husband... is it Leon Johnson?"
Kyle's question pierced my heart like a needle.
My fingers gripped the phone tightly, Leon's message still flashing on screen. The living room air seemed to freeze.
"Kyle..." I took a deep breath, deciding to come clean, "Actually my husband..."
"Forget it!" Kyle suddenly shot up, waving dismissively with forced indifference. "I don't care WHO you married! Whether your husband is Tom, Dick, or Harry, what's it to me?"
He turned to leave, but his slightly hurried steps betrayed his true feelings.
His obvious insincerity made me laugh bitterly.
"Fine, since you don't care, I'll tell you directly." I said coldly. "Yes, Leon IS my husband."
Kyle's steps stopped instantly, his whole body freezing in place.
"Surprised?" I continued. "That genius race car driver Leon, my boyfriend of many years, is now my husband. Though we're separated now, legally we're still married."
Kyle slowly turned around. "So..." his voice was hoarse, "so you've been missing him all along?"
"That's none of your business." I responded coldly.
Kyle's face darkened instantly. He strode toward me, fury burning in his eyes.
"None of my business? Zoe, do you think I'm an idiot?" He said through gritted teeth. "You were with me in that bathroom last night... now you're telling me you miss your husband?"
"That was just physical need." I deliberately used the most cutting words to retaliate. "Did you think it meant something special?"
Kyle's face went pale, the anger in his eyes gradually turning to hurt.
"Good, very good." He laughed coldly, backing away. "I get it. Looks like I really am just a tool."
With that, he headed for the door, slamming it hard behind him.
I watched his retreating figure, complex emotions surging in my chest.
Very good, Kyle Harrison. Since you want to prove you don't care, let this game continue.
The next morning, I put on a simple black dress, preparing to meet Leon.
Kyle sat on the living room couch, hair disheveled, clearly having slept poorly. Seeing my carefully styled appearance, complex emotions flashed in his eyes, but he still tried to maintain a cold expression.
"Going out?" His voice sounded casual.
"Mm, meeting a business partner to discuss some projects." I deliberately downplayed it.
Kyle's hands clenched into fists, but he still pretended not to care. "Oh, whatever."
I grabbed my car keys, heading for the door. "I might be late tonight. There's food in the fridge, handle dinner yourself."
"Zoe!" Kyle suddenly called out, but when I turned back, he bit his lip. "Never mind, it's nothing."
I didn't say more, walking out without looking back.
At the upscale café in LA's business district, I'd arrived early. Sitting in the private booth waiting, my mood was complicated.
Three years. Leon and I were finally meeting again.
Just then, a familiar Ferrari engine sound came from outside, that deep, powerful roar instantly cutting through the afternoon quiet.
Looking through the window, I saw a red Ferrari 488 Spider elegantly park outside the café. The door opened and Leon stepped out, still tall and imposing, wearing a perfectly tailored Italian suit, his hair slicked back immaculately.
Three years later, he seemed even more charming.
"Leon, still as flashy as ever." I walked out of the café, unable to resist teasing.
Leon turned to see me, his eyes instantly lighting up, lips curving into that charming smile I once knew so well.
"Three years, and you're still beautiful, Zoe."
He approached for a hug, but I politely stepped back, extending my hand instead.
"Welcome back."
Leon paused but gentlemanly shook my hand. "Thank you. Shall we go in and talk?"
In the café's private booth, we sat across from each other. Leon ordered two coffees, still remembering to get me an unsweetened cappuccino.
"You still like unsweetened cappuccino." Leon smiled, his gaze tender.
My heart fluttered slightly but quickly steadied. "Some habits haven't changed. Let's talk business. The F1 technical collaboration project you mentioned?"
Leon's expression turned professional. "I'm now working with a European technical team, mainly handling F1 aerodynamic design. I came back hoping to collaborate with Phoenix Racing. Your technical foundation is solid, especially in engine tuning. The F1 project needs Phoenix's technical support. Your judgment has always been sharp."
"Sounds promising." I listened attentively. "What's the specific collaboration model?"
"Technology sharing, personnel exchange, and..." Leon paused, "I hope to develop long-term here in America."
I raised an eyebrow. "Why? Isn't European F1 technology more advanced?"
Leon looked at me deeply, meaningfully saying, "For personal reasons."
The air quieted for several seconds. I could sense what he wanted to say.
"Zoe," Leon finally spoke, his voice very soft, "I've never forgotten you these three years."