Chapter 12 In Frankland . Avery , or rather , Zoe , sat at the dining table in a haze . She was wearing a haute couture gown and a freshly auctioned pink diamond necklace worth millions of dollars . Fixed on the red wine in her glass , her mind drifted . Everything felt like a dream . She could hardly believe that her life had split into two halves . Just a month ago , Zoe was in a living hell . She suffered both physically and mentally . Yet now , here she was in an Orlendian - style villa . She was even drinking one of the world's rarest wines , of which only ten bottles existed . Guilt - ridden , her father , Rowan Quinn , spared no effort in making it up to her . It was as if he were desperate to make up for a lifetime of neglect in one fell swoop . The moment Zoe stepped off the plane , a stretch limousine whisked her away to a villa on the outskirts . The house was dim , lit only by a few scattered candles . Then , the old man on the bed raised a frail , trembling hand and took hold of hers . " You must be Zoe , " he said , his voice weak . " I ... I'm your biological father . " She pulled her hand back , uneasy . Rowan had saved her from the hell she'd been living in , but had he not abandoned Michelle , she would never have ended up in that situation in the first place . Zoe knew better than to jump from the frying pan back into the fire with the man who started it all . She was not ready to forgive him . But Rowan sighed and slowly said , " I've regretted abandoning you and Michelle every single day , but I had no choice . The project I was involved in was top - secret , so I was confined to a lab for years . I couldn't bear the thought of you both waiting in an empty home for me , year after year , so I suggested a divorce . " But when I finally got out , she was gone . I sent for you at once , but a crisis dragged me back into the lab . Now it's finally over , but the years of radiation in that lab have given me cancer ... I suppose this is my rightful penance . " Rowan gave a bitter smile , his eyes filled with regret . " Zoe , I don't expect your forgiveness . My only wish is that you'll inherit my estate and live the rest of your life well . " Hearing that , Zoe's nose stung . Before she could stop herself , tears fell . Every word she had so carefully rehearsed for this moment vanished from her mind . Chapter 12 2/2 She rushed forward , threw her arms around him , and choked out between sobs , " I'll consider forgiving you ... but only if you promise me one thing . " Rowan's dim eyes brightened . " Anything . Just say it and I'll agree . " " Just stay with me a little longer . I haven't felt loved in such a long time , " Zoe said . At that , the man who had endured a lifetime broke down in tears . They clung to each other , weeping . After coaxing him to sleep , Zoe stepped out and placed a hand on the doctor's shoulder . " How much time does he have ? " she asked . " About a month , " the doctor said , sighing . He paused for a moment before adding , " In Midernia , there's a notion that sometimes , you can cheat fate with a celebration . A wedding , for instance , is thought to lift the spirits . It gives someone a reason to fight and hold on a little longer . " Hearing that , Zoe suddenly recalled the arranged marriage Rowan had mentioned on the phone . She nodded . Honoring the marriage had been her promise from the start . The idea of it improving his health was merely secondary . " Start preparing for the wedding , " Zoe calmly said . The butler looked at her in surprise and replied , " But Ms. Quinn , you haven't even met the groom . Isn't this too hasty ? " She thought back to her failed marriage and let out a mocking laugh . " What does it matter ? Don't they all end the same way ? " Zoe no longer believed in love . However , if marriage could bring advantages and benefits to everyone , then why not ? She vowed to live for herself for the rest of her life . Marriage would no longer be a shackle , but a stepping stone . She would never again depend on a man . With this money , she would build her career and forge her own path . Drawing a deep breath , Zoe straightened her back and walked away . At the end of the villa corridor , a tall man leaned lazily against the wall . " I've finally found you , " he said , a smile tugging at his lips .