When Love Becomes a Thing of the Past (Zoey) novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7 

I rubbed my tired eyes and waved dismissively. “I’m fine, really.” 

The perceptive shopkeeper offered me tissues and a cup of floral tea before turning to tend 

their flowers. 

I sat quietly for a long while, letting my emotions settle. Finally, I chose a bouquet of daisies 

and prepared to leave. 

As I reached for my wallet, the shopkeeper stopped me. “This one’s on the house.” 

I looked at them, confused. 

They smiled softly, lost in memory. “Miss, I just remembered something Joseph said back 

then. He told me someone might come asking about this order one day. ‘If she comes alone, 

give her flowers. Tell her: Keep moving forward; the starlight will light your path.“” 

That day, I broke down completely at my mother’s grave. 

I never imagined he would reach out to me like this. Never thought I’d still need his comfort 

after all this time. What must it have taken for him to leave those words with the 

shopkeeper? I alone understood the meaning of “if she comes alone.” It meant he was no longer here. 

That evening, my colleague called. “Zoey, your flight’s booked for next week.” “Who’s your insurance beneficiary this time? Your husband?” 

I shook my head. “Please list Doctors Without Borders.” 

Why them?” 

sniffled softly. “Because he was their doctor.” 

As I stumbled out of the cemetery, I saw Jackson waiting. He looked disheveled, unshaven, exhausted. Wordlessly, he handed me a box. Inside lay a camera – the same model as my 

When Love Becomes a Thing of the Past 

0.3% 

Chapter 

mother’s. “Couldn’t fix the old one.” 

We stood in silence, staring at each other. I didn’t take the box. I didn’t care how he’d found me, or where he’d discovered this 1994 camera. What I treasured was already broken. An identical replacement meant nothing. 

Seeing my rejection, he rubbed his temples wearily. “Come home. The wedding’s next week. Invitations are out. If you keep making trouble, there’s no fixing this.” 

I laughed bitterly. “I’m the tr 

He sighed, grabbing my hand. “Zoey, I know you’re acting out because you love me. You 

But she demanded an apology. I gave her that old camera to get her off your back. You humiliated her publicly – I had to do something.” 

think I favor her, giving away your 

Looking at him, I felt a flicker 

pity. “Jackson, I don’t love you.” 

He froze, then his expression hardened. “Don’t lie. If you didn’t love me, why look at me like