CHAPTER 29

Zoe paces back and forth as she waits to be introduced to everyone. She loved the changes that Evie made to her dress. It was still the same Royal blue and yellow but with an Isle design. Her heart was telling her to listen to her friends, so here she is at Cotillion. She could hear horns being played.

"The future Lady Zoe!" Lumiere announces. Zoe walks out to stand beside Lumiere. "You work it, girl." Zoe lets out a giggle before looking at her friends.

"Whoo!" Evie cheers and claps.

"Yeah, Zoe!" Carlos yells and claps.

"Hi,"Beast says as he meets Zoe halfway down the stairs.

"Hi," Zoe says nervously.

"Hey, Ben is on his way," Beast tells her.

"Okay," Zoe says as he leads her over to Belle.

"And you look beautiful," Beast adds.

"Oh, thank you," Zoe says with a smile.

"I know we were shocked at first, but you... you are exactly what Ben needs," Belle says with a smile.

"And lucky for me, she doesn't go by first impressions," Beast jokes causing Zoe to laugh. Evie walks over and bows. "Of course."

"Hi," Zoe says as Evie leads her to the others.

"Hi. How are you?" Evie asks her.

"Uh, sort of feel like I'm gonna throw up," Zoe answers her with a laugh.

"Yeah? Okay. That's okay. Look, we're right here with you, okay?" Mal says as she joins them.

"Okay," Zoe says with a nod before the horns are played again. Zoe and Evie let out an excited squeal.

"King Benjamin!" Lumiere announces. Zoe smiles as everyone bows to Ben.

"Go get him," Evie tells Zoe. Zoe walks forward and meets Ben, who bows to her. Zoe awkwardly bows back.

"Zoe, I wish I had time to explain," Ben says as they stand up straight. A door is opened and out walks Uma in a formal dress. Zoe gasps in shock while Evie and Mal look at each other confused. Ben goes to meet Uma. Ben leads Uma down the stairs before kissing his ring that is on Uma's hand. "I'm sorry. It all happened so fast. Something happened to me when I was on the Isle with Uma. A connection." Ben looks at Uma, who nods.

"What are you saying?" Zoe asks him.

"I'm saying..." Ben starts.

"It was love. It was," Uma says with a laugh. "I just... I realized how alike Ben and I are, you know?"

"We are," Ben says with a smile as he stares at Uma.

"I know," Uma says with a giggle.

"You're so beautiful," Ben tells Uma.

"Ben," Zoe says and he doesn't look at her. "Ben. Did you go back for her?"

"He didn't have to. I dove through the barrier before it closed, and I'm an excellent swimmer," Uma explains.

"You are," Ben says with a smile.

"Aw, thank you," Uma tells him. "Listen, Zoe. I just really want to thank you, I do, for everything. Thank you. Thank you so much." Uma hugs Zoe, who stands their shocked, confused, and hurt.

"Don't you see, Zoe? You were right. You knew that we weren't meant to be together. That's why you never told me that you loved me," Ben tells Zoe, who struggles to say something. Ben and Uma then start dancing.

"Come on," Mal says as she and Evie pull Zoe away.

"Not too thrilled I risked my life for him," Carlos says.

"We're with you, Zoe," Lonnie says as she walks over.

"Let's get out of here," Jay says as he joins them. Jane runs ahead of them.

"Okay," Zoe agrees before they start leaving.

"Zoe," Beast says stopping her.

"Honey, we're so sorry. We had no idea," Belle tells her.

"I'm gonna talk to him," Beast says before Zoe continues to leave.