The words made Zoe falter . For the past ten years , she had never truly had a home . Not in the McPhersons and not the Tarvers - none of those places were her home . Those places gave her no warmth . Instead of offering solace , they wielded the word of family as a weapon to inflict harm . The banquet hall was already in chaos . " Isn't that Mr. Tarver ? He's in charge of Tarver Group , and wasn't he Ms. Quinn's ex - husband ? someone said . " Oh my God , is he here to crash the wedding ? " For the first time , Malcolm's smile vanished . His face hardened as he stepped forward , shielding Zoe behind him . " Security . Take him away , " Security guards poured in and surrounded Elijah . He raised his eyes , gaze sharp and venomous as he locked onto Malcolm . A silent battle of wills ignited between them . Snapping back to reality , Zoe looked at Elijah , who seemed like a relic from her past . Her heart was filled with a sorrow beyond words . " Elijah , why are you here ? " she asked . " You read the documents I gave you , so you should understand . I never loved you . " Despite having guessed the truth , hearing her say it so plainly made Elijah flinch . He stared at her , the woman who had haunted his dreams endlessly . Then , he took an unsteady step forward . " No , I don't believe you . Even if you never loved me , I love you , " he said , his voice hoarse and ragged . Zoe's eyes were unwavering as she met his gaze and said , " Elijah , didn't I make myself clear ? I never loved you , and I never will . " " But you're my savior . Won't you give me a chance to repay you ? " Elijah replied , trembling . It seemed as if he would shatter with a single touch . " You mistook me for someone else , and you subjected me to so much cruelty , all in the name of repaying a debt , " she calmly said . " Now , who else will you hurt in the name of repaying Chapter 15 me ? This kind of gratitude isn't something I can accept . " At that , his already weary face went deathly pale . 2/3 " No , Ave , that's not it . It was that bitch , Lara , " he blurted out . " She blinded me to the truth , so I brought her here today so you can take revenge , and so you can make her pay for all you suffered . " As Elijah's words fell , Lara was shoved into the hall . She was nothing like her former self . She hugged herself as she trembled , mumbling again and again as if in a trance . " I know I was wrong . I really know I was wrong . " Elijah's brow curled in disgust as if he were looking at filth . " I already punished her thoroughly . Ave , do whatever you want . She's powerless now . " For the first time since he appeared , Zoe's expression changed . She shot him a disgusted look and coldly said , " This is my wedding . You barged in and ruined it . Now , you bring her here just to disgust me ? Do you want me to hate you , Elijah ? " Hearing that , he froze , then suddenly laughed . The madness on his face broke free , obsessive and deranged . " Fine , " he said . " Hate me as you wish , it's better than being treated as non - existent . " Then , Elijah pulled out a gun and levelled it at Malcolm . " Come with me , or watch him die . " Malcolm's brow furrowed . The security guards around Elijah immediately raised their weapons in unison . He was ready to drag everyone down with him . Finally , Zoe panicked . She hadn't expected him to be so far gone . " What do you want , Elijah ? " Elijah's eyes were filled with anguish as he locked onto hers . " Let's start over , " he said . " Give me one month , and I'll make you head over heels for me . " I know the truth now . I know how the Tarvers humiliated you , and even how I ... I hurt you , " he added , afraid she would refuse . " But I regret it deeply , and I only realized how much I love you after you left . Please , I swear to spend the rest of my life making it up to you . Just come home with me . Or else ... I don't know what I'll do . " At that moment , a group of trained bodyguards stormed in , completely surrounding the hall . The mass of bodyguards made Zoe realize something - Elijah wouldn't crash a wedding without a plan . He had planned everything and was determined to take her with him today . Then , one of the bodyguards dragged another person forward and tossed him to the floor . The Chapter 15 gun that had been aimed at Malcolm shifted , pressing against this person's head . Madness burned in Elijah's eyes . " Ave , you love Walter , don't you ? " 3/3 The rest of the words choked in his throat . Pride wouldn't allow him to use another man as leverage against Zoe , but his desperation had overridden his pride . His hands trembled as he tightened his grip on the gun , and he closed his eyes in resignation . The scorn of Hartington awaited him by morning and it was a fitting punishment for his actions . Walter lay on the floor , dishelved and pitiful . He stretched a hand towards her and pleaded , ' Ave ... save me . " Chapter 16 1/4 Chapter 16