Chapter 9 The shock hit me hard Gary actually remembered . However , had I ever truly forgotten ? We had once been so deeply in love . Back then , he was just a poor boy who stood in line for three hours just to buy me my favorite cake . We swore by the ocean that we would be together for life . However , this was already my thousandth lifetime . I no longer wanted to be with him . I closed my eyes , letting the heat of old love rise for a fleeting moment , then opened them again . My gaze was cold . " Fine . I'll go back with you . I hope this gift of yours is worth it . " Charles caught the corner of my sleeve , his eyes clouded with worry and confusion . I held his hand , gave it a gentle pat , and told him with one look that I was fine . The way we moved in quiet harmony only stoked the jealousy burning in Gary's bloodshot eyes . He had no right to question it , so he lowered his head in pain . I returned to the country with him . Secretly , I switched on a livestream and descended into the basement . There , I looked at Lucy , her face bearing scars identical to mine , and felt nothing but mockery . Even with new scars , the old ones did not vanish , just like how the harm she had done would never disappear . She raised her bruised , swollen face and spat curses at me . " Zoey , do you think I'll wag my tail and beg ? Dream on ! If you've got the guts , kill me ! " I hadn't even reacted yet when Gary exploded . His hand lashed across her face , again and again , with an expression so savage it was impossible to imagine there had ever been tenderness between them . Lucy's eyes brimmed with hatred . She had expected me to despise her , yet my calm indifference cut deeper than Gary's rage . So , her love for Gary twisted into venomous hate . Her red - rimmed eyes locked on him , and she screamed , " Gary ! Do you think you're some spotless saint ? Didn't you enjoy yourself when you were in my bed ? Didn't you say I was wilder than Zoey , and that you liked me more ? Or were those photos I took of you somehow forced ? " When I framed Zoey , and when I strangled her dad to death with my own hands , did you even care ? If you'd paid the slightest attention , you would've noticed something was wrong . But you didn't care ! And now that you're afraid she'll leave you , you're suddenly the tragic lover ? Doesn't that disgust you ? " Gary trembled with rage , fists clenched so tight that his knuckles turned white . I only laughed . " You're right , Lucy . If you still have more to say , say it now . " Seeing that I didn't stop her , Gary didn't dare to move , allowing Lucy to continue . Lucy was spitting out every vile deed she had done to me , dripping with malice and trying to provoke me . I only listened impassively . Frustrated , she turned her venom on him . She bared all his sins , such as tax evasion , cutthroat business schemes , and countless affairs . With each word , Gary's face grew darker , until it was finally black as the bottom of a pot . Lucy laughed , sounding wild and unhinged . " Gary , the woman you claim to love has now seen exactly what kind of man you are . A rotten man like you deserves nothing better than to rot in hell with me . Don't even dream of her forgiveness . She'll never forgive you ! " Gary's face went pale . He turned to me , regret burning in his eyes . Slowly , he sank to his knees , pulled out a knife , and held it out to me .