Chapter 24 Three days after Zoey's funeral , Maxwell woke up in bed , staring at the ceiling . He dragged himself up and poured a glass of ice water . He still wasn't used to it - the days without Zoey . For so long , there had always been warm tea waiting for him . She made sure of it . He never once had to worry about something as small as tea . But now ... Now he'd made up his mind . He was leaving . He got in his car and drove to the university - the place where he and Zoey once lived , once loved . Somewhere on that campus was the memory of a twenty - year - old Zoey . He remembered it clearly . How Zoey had appeared in his life like a beam of light , illuminating everything . And how ... he lost that light . And no matter how hard he searched , he could never find it again . But when he arrived , the campus was empty . School was out for break . The emptiness left him disoriented . He wandered for a while , then finally sat down at the front gate , staring out at nothing . A familiar voice startled him . " You're ... Maxwell , right ? " Maxwell looked up , dazed for a second , before forcing a polite smile . He nodded . The teacher smiled , then glanced around , puzzled . " Where's Zoey ? She's not with you ? " " You two were always together , " the teacher chuckled , a little nostalgic . " Back then ... she was crazy about you . We could all see it. " Maxwell's smile faded . His eyes dimmed . It was then that the teacher finally noticed the small urn beside him and the funeral portrait of Zoey staring quietly from the lid The teacher froze . The words caught in his throat . Maxwell forced another smile . " It's okay , sir . I believe ... she's still right here . Beside me . " The teacher sighed . There was nothing else he could say . " I remember ... she always liked waiting for you under that big tree , " the teacher murmured . " She'd show up all dressed up , smiling , waiting for you ... And later ... you confessed to her under that very tree . And now ... " Another sigh He walked away . But for Maxwell , something clicked . Like a long - forgotten memory snapping into place . He stood up suddenly . He remembered . He had buried something here . Frantically , he started digging the ground beneath the tree . And there it was . He opened it with shaking hands . Inside ... was a single , thin letter , written by Zoey . 1/2 Chupter 24 +25 BONUS Maxwell read it slowly . Every word sliced deeper than the last . It was only now that he truly realized - Zoey had carried so much pain and sadness . And yet , she never said a word . She chose instead to punish him the cruelest way she could . The paper blurred as his tears fell , soaking through the ink . His shoulders trembled , lips pressed tight until he couldn't hold it back anymore . " Zoey ... Zoey ... " He sobbed until his voice gave out . When the crying stopped , he made one final decision . He went home , pulled out the suit Zoey had always liked on him - the one she used to say made him look his most handsome . If he was going to see her again ... he wanted to look perfect . Then he went to get his hair cut neat . Not like the messy , careless version of himself she always scolded . After that , he took a long , hot shower and scrubbed himself spotless . Zoey always had a thing about cleanliness - she hated anything dirty . Standing in front of the mirror , he looked himself over , smoothing the collar . For the first time in a long time , he smiled . It was the kind of smile you wear when you're about to meet the love of your life . Then , he swallowed every last sleeping pill . He lay down on the bed , pulled the blanket over his chest . Outside , fire started crawling along the edges of the villa . He'd marked a boundary - kept it contained . He didn't want to trouble anyone else . As the flames grew , his stomach churned , but oddly... there was only peace in his chest . Because soon ... soon , he would see her . He didn't care if she forgave him . He only hoped that she was living happily now . As his consciousness faded , it felt like stepping into another world . The sunlight was warm . Even the air felt different - gentle , full of life . And beneath the tree ... he saw Zoey . She was waiting there . A laugh escaped his lips . Tears followed . " I finally found you , " he said . " This time ... I won't let go . " Zoey laughed too and ran toward him , throwing her arms around him . " Okay . It's a promise . "