Zoe's P.O.V.

Selena's voice echoes through the penthouse. "Zoe?"

So it's Selena. Sky must have sent her to check on me. I shouldn't have left so hurriedly. Now she won't let me go. But I've made up my mind, and it won't change.

Grasping the handle of my suitcase, I take a deep breath, trying to compose myself. As I wipe my tears, Selena comes toward me, her eyes filled with concern.

"Zoe, what the hell are you doing?" Selena asks, her gaze shifting to the packed bag beside me. "You're not seriously thinking of leaving, are you?"

I avert my eyes, can't able to meet her gaze. "Selena, you already know it's for the best. Sky will be better off without me."

"No, he won't," she insists, stepping closer. "Zoe, you're thinking wrong. Sky needs you. He loves you more than anything. It's not right. You can't let your fear destroy everything."

I can't hold back my tears any longer. "Selena, you don't understand. Everyone I love leaves me. My parents, my brother, my grandmother... they all died." I recall the times when I lost my family: all the suffering, sleepless nights, loneliness, and the times I blamed myself. My legs become like jelly, and I almost lose my balance, but Selena holds me steady just in time.

"Today, I almost lost Sky, Selena." I stare at her, my vision blurry with tears. "It confirmed to me that I'm cursed. Whoever comes close to me dies. I can't let Sky be next. I can't put his life at risk."

Selena shakes her head and squeezes my shoulder, her eyes filled with empathy. "Zoe, it's not your fault. What happened to your family wasn't because of you. And Sky's accident wasn't your fault either. You're not cursed. You're just human, and bad things happen. But leaving Sky won't solve anything. It will only break both of your hearts."

"Do you think I don't know that?" I sob, my chest growing heavier. "It hurts so much, but I'd rather bear this pain than see him hurt because of me."

And I promised God that I would leave him if He spared his life. Now that He has saved Sky's life, I have to keep my promise. I don't tell Selena about this because I know she'll think I'm crazy. She won't understand me. Nobody will understand what I'm going through or how hard it is for me to leave Sky. It's like ripping out my heart and hurling it away.

As Selena opens her mouth to convince me that I shouldn't leave Sky, I decide to agree with her. "Okay, I'm not leaving Sky."

Selena's eyes widen in surprise at my sudden change of heart. "What? Really?"

I nod, wiping my tears. "Your words made me realise that I'm doing wrong with Sky. Let's go see him."

She looks at me suspiciously. "Are you sure, Zoe? You'll come with me to see Sky?"

I force a smile, nodding again. "Yes. I was crazy to think about leaving him because of my fear."

She lets out a sigh of relief, wrapping me in a tight hug. "I'm so glad you've changed your mind. Sky will be so happy to see you."

As we head downstairs, my mind races. I know Selena won't leave me alone, but I have a plan. I need to protect Sky, even if it means deceiving her.

We reach the door, and I pause, patting my pockets with a frown. "Oh no, I think I left my phone upstairs. Can you grab it for me, Selena?"

She looks at me, surprised. "Are you sure? We can get it later."

I shake my head. "No, I need it. There's something important on my phone that I need to show Sky." I give an excuse, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Okay. I'll be right back." Selena nods and hurries back upstairs.

The moment she's out of sight, I move quickly. I step outside and shut the door. My heart aches, knowing I'm about to betray her trust, but I need to do this for Sky.

As I hear Selena's voice, I slip the key into the lock and turn it swiftly. "I'm sorry, Selena," I whisper, tears streaming down my cheeks. "I have to do this. For Sky's safety."

She pounds on the door, shouting my name. "Zoe! What are you doing? Open the door!"

I place my hand on the door, my sobs shaking my body. "I'm sorry, Selena. Please understand. I love Sky too much to risk his life. Tell him I'm sorry. Tell him I love him. And make him understand that he should move on from me."

She pleads, "Zoe, please! Don't do this. It's not right. Open the door. We can talk..."

Her voice fades away as I wipe my tears and leave, feeling a hole in my heart growing with each step I take away from my home.