Chapter 714 - You Don't Love Her Anymore?

Cora kept her brave front as she headed straight to her room. However, once she turned and was in front of the door, she halted.

The expression of Ivan upon bumping into her resurfaced in her head. The look in his eyes, his entire face, and demeanor, he had changed. 

Just after a year, Cora could tell that he had matured. She didn't feel that he felt awkward upon their brief conversation. If anything, she could tell that he had moved on.

"He should be…" Cora murmured with a bitter smile on her lips. "It's me who ruined us, anyway."

Despite the truth that she had known all this time, it still felt fresh. She had regretted it; hurting the man who loved her unconditionally, accusing him of cheating when he didn't, and didn't even give him a chance to explain.

It was late when Cora knew about it. And how she knew about it was the hardest slap on her face.

Zion didn't hold back. He was savage in his own way. 

After Cora told him about the reason for their breakup, Zion had arranged a dinner for them. He tricked her into coming, telling her he just needed a partner to the party he'd like to attend. 

Since Cora had been caging herself inside her room, writing, she agreed. Little did she know, it was not just any party. It was a charity event held by the Quin family.

Fast forward, Cora and Zion had met with Katherine Quin. At first, Cora thought Katherine's invitation was because the latter wanted to show her that she had won.

That Katherine had successfully ruined Cora and Ivan's relationship. Only for Cora to find out that Katherine's hostility towards her was because of something else.

It was because Katherine had fallen deep in love with Ivan after months of pestering him. However, Ivan didn't even look at her and consider Katherine. 

Katherine had planned to give Ivan up. However, she wanted to try for the last time. Hence, she mustered the courage to go to the Z Image Group. Fortunately, Ivan was still there.

Katherine confessed her heart. She had told him how she admired Ivan and thought he's really cool. But obviously, Ivan's reply was a cold and unhesitant 'no.' The reason Katherine lost her mind and tried to kiss him.

From Cora's perspective, they looked like they were kissing. But, before Katherine's lips could land on Ivan's lips, he had placed his hand in front of her lips.

Cora walked away immediately. Thus, she didn't hear Ivan's words to Katherine: 

"If you want to be loved, love yourself first. Have some self respect. This is why you can never compare to Cora."

Those words that Cora didn't hear… were uttered by Katherine herself upon their confrontation. Katherine had shown her dislike towards Cora during that event. Not only Katherine had to degrade herself in front of the man she had fallen in love with, her rival, Cora, didn't even appreciate the man.

It was an eye-opening confrontation Cora would never forget. Just as much as Katherine hated her, Cora hated herself even more. 

But it was too late. Regrets only happened in the end and only in the end, one would realize their mistake upon an impulsive decision.

Now, they'd come across each other after a year of their separation. And she had to see him for the next three days.

"I want to go home…" Cora whispered as she weakly opened the door of her room and went in.

****

"Ivan!" Zoey exclaimed excitedly upon seeing a  young, fine man approaching them from inside the mansion.

"Om em ji!" Excited to see him after a long time, Zoey sprung from her seat and sprinted towards Ivan.

"Oh… big sis! How can you be so excited to see me?" Ivan chuckled watching the excited Zoey after a long time.

However, instead of a hug, Zoey jumped up and hooked her arm over his shoulder. Her action forced Ivan to suddenly lower his head and body.

"Ouch!" 

"You punk! How dare you not answer my calls, huh? Do you think video calls are popular today, hah!?" Zoey grumbled, pinching Ivan's ears.

"Ah! I don't have time to create an account on Skype! You could have called me in the office since I have a business account there!" Ivan explained loudly, wincing at Zoey's pinching.

"Do you think our time zones are the same? Calling you in the office is not middle of the night in our country!" Zoey ground her teeth, as she head locked him.

"Ah! Ah! I'm dying!" Ivan choked, patting Zoey's arm as a gesture of giving up.

But Zoey didn't let him go immediately. When she did, she huffed and clicked her tongue.

Ivan who could finally breathe, cast glaring daggers at Zoey. "Just when I thought you missed me! Boss Matt! Your wife just got way worse! Is she pregnant?"

"Wha — what?!" Zoey scoffed but pursed her lips. "Do you think I am?"

A little taken aback at Zoey's reaction, Ivan shoved his hands inside his pocket and leaned forward to her.

"How am I supposed to know? Have you and my big brother-in-law been trying?"

"Well," Zoey fiddled her fingers. "We haven't really talked about it. Although our nights have very steamy and very ho --"

"Shhhh!!!" Before Zoey could continue, Ivan cringed and panicky shushed her. "Sis! Please don't traumatise me like that!"

"Hehe." Zoey just chuckled wickedly, pleased at the horrified expression on Ivan's face.

"I thought you became the old Matty. But you're still the same." Zoey giggled, glad to see that Ivan might've changed. But he's still the little brother she loved.

"Of course! I'm always the same." Ivan scratched the back of his head as he looked away, shying at the strange remark from Zoey, which sounded like a compliment.

"Come. Let's troll Wenwen and Terter. Gelo is also there, you see." Zoey perked her chin toward the three, who were sneaking their drinks to Matthew and Zion's table.

"Oh. They started early, huh? They didn't even wait for Ryan." Ivan nodded as he watched the three annoy Matthew and Zion for a toast.

"Right. Where's Ryan?" Upon hearing the man's name, Zoey inquired.

"Uh…" Ivan scratched his jaw. "He told me he'll get his gears ready."

"Hey!" Just as Ivan answered Zoey's question, a loud shout came from behind them. Instinctively, Zoey and Ivan, and everyone on the table, turned their heads into Ryan's direction.

He had snorkeling goggles on his head, a floatie hooked on his shoulder, and his attire just screamed "he's ready for a swim!"

"How dare you drink without me?" Ryan ground his teeth. His eyes were bloodshot as he stared at Owen and Carter. 

Without a second hesitation, Ryan stomped his feet towards them. As he passed by Zoey and Ivan, Ryan paused.

"Congrats, Boss Z." Ryan greeted before he resumed walking to kill his other friends himself.

"So, that's the gear he was talking about." Ivan awkwardly sighed, shaking his head as he didn't expect that.

"Wow. Ryan is taking this to a different level." Zoey nodded in agreement.

"We've been working day and night. He's obviously craving to unwind."

Both Zoey and Ivan watched Ryan toss his floatie towards Owen. He was really upset as the party started before he came. 

"Oh!" Suddenly, Zoey remembered something. "Cora is here. Have you seen her?"

"Mhm. I just bumped into her." Without even shying away, Ivan nodded.

Zoey narrowed her eyes as she studied Ivan's front. Taking notice of what she was doing, Ivan chuckled.

"It's been a year, sis."

"You don't love her anymore?" Zoey asked without filtering out her words.

Ivan remained silent for a while and smiled gently.. "I'm happy for her."