Noticing that Liz seemed down after her encounter with Zac, Ethan didn’t push the subject any further.


    Soon, her number was called. After a brief exam, the doctor confirmed it was just a sprain and prescribed some anti- inmmatory medication.


    As they walked out of the hospital, Liz took the medicine from Ethan’s hand.


    “Thanks again for today. Looks like I owe you another meal,” she said with a small smile.


    Ethan couldn’t help but smile back. “Let me give you a ride.”


    “It’s alright. Myw firm’s over thirty kilometers from here. It’ll take you more than an hour round trip. You should get back to work. I’ll just call a cab.”


    Seeing she truly didn’t want to inconvenience him, Ethan didn’t insist. Instead, he helped her hail a cab from the curb.


    “Just text me when you get there,” he said.


    “Okay.”


    He gently closed the door for her and stood there, watching the taxi disappear from view before finally turning to leave.


    By the time Liz returned to the office, it was already past 2:00 in the afternoon.


    She sorted the evidence Shannon had given her and submitted it to the court with an emergency request for a restraining order.


    The next morning, the court granted the order. Liz immediately sent the news to Shannon, letting her know that Peter would be formally notified within 24 hours.


    She also had the ruling delivered to the local police station and the neighborhoodmittee. If all went smoothly, Shannon would be able to bring her daughter home the next day.


    Shannon called right away. “Thank you, Ms. Smith. I’m going to pick up my daughter first thing in the morning.


    “No need to thank me. But it’s best if you don’t go alone.”


    Peter had already attacked Shannon in public once. There was no telling what he might do if she showed up by herself.


    “You’re right. I’ll bring some people with me.”


    After hanging up, Liz got back to work.


    Suddenly, a calendar notification popped up on her phone. It reminded her that her wedding was scheduled in three days.


    She paused, her eyes lingering on the screen. Then, without a word, she deleted the event.


    As she nced at the calendar, she noticed that Jane’s birthday wasing up soon. She was already taking Ethan to dinner on Friday night, so she could hit the mall afterward to pick up a gift.


    With that in mind, she texted Ethan asking what kind of food he liked and if he had any dietary restrictions.


    Ethan texted back quickly.


    “I’m pretty flexible with food – spicy, mild, whatever. No allergies or anything. Just pick somewhere you like.”


    Liz stared at the message for a moment, then settled on a high-end steakhouse downtown.


    The week flew by, and before she knew it, Friday had arrived.


    Work ran a littlete due to a case, and by the time she reached the restaurant, she was more than ten minutes behind schedule.


    Just as she parked and walked toward the entrance, a ck Porsche Cayenne pulled up in front of her.


    Xena stepped out with Zac beside her. Xena froze for a second when she saw Liz, but quickly regained herposure and smiled.


    “Well, isn’t this a surprise, Ms. Smith? What a coincidence running into you here.”


    Liz didn’t respond. Seeing that the Cayenne had no intention of moving, she simply walked around it and headed inside.


    Behind her, Xena’s overly sweet voice rang out. “Zac, you were so insistent on bringing me here. You even said the steak was amazing. Be honest, did you bring Ms. Smith here before?”


    Liz had, in fact, rmended this ce to Zac a long time ago. But he had turned her down, saying it was too far from the office


    and not convenient.


    So it turned out, the real issue wasn’t the distance. It was only inconvenient because she was the one asking.


    Liz pressed her lips together and forced herself not to dwell on it. She picked up her pace.


    But she still caught Zac’s reply.


    “No. You deserve the best.”


    Liz’s grip on her purse tightened and a bitter ache welled up in her chest.


    Jane had been right all along. The eight years she spent with him really had been a waste.


    Then again, wasting eight years was still better than wasting a lifetime.


    Just then, she spotted Ethan sitting by the window. He waved at her with a smile.


    “Liz, over here.”


    She pushed her thoughts aside, returned his smile, and quickly made her way to the table.


    “Sorry I’mte,” she said as she sat down across from him. “Work ran over a little.”