Harriet was stunned by Zoey's question, trying to decipher the emotions hidden behind Zoey's plain yet pained expression. What happened? Harriet gulped, reaching out toward Zoey, but she stepped back, putting distance between them.
"Just what the hell is happening?" Harriet asked, her brows furrowed in confusion.
Zoey laughed bitterly, rubbing her temple in frustration. "Harriet," she said, her voice cracking as she finally met Harriet's gaze. "Let's not play games here, okay? Just tell me the truth. Do you really love me? Zoey Foster? Or was it Sophie Reed?"
Harriet ran her fingers through her hair, loosening her tie as she felt a sense of urgency. "I love you," she said, emphasizing the you. "You, meaning you, Zoey Foster. Not Sophie Reed. It's you, you're literally right here in front of me! What the hell is this?" Harriet laughed in disbelief, hoping to lighten the tension.
"Me?" Zoey pointed at herself, shaking her head in disbelief as she scoffed. "Do you know who my heart donor was?"
Harriet hesitated, avoiding Zoey's penetrating gaze. The bitterness in Zoey's laugh sent a chill through her. "Zoey," Harriet mumbled, trying to maintain control.
"Do you know who my heart donor was?!" Zoey's voice rose, anger lacing her words.
Harriet clenched her jaw, a knot forming in her stomach. Just tell me you don't know, Zoey thought, but she lost it when she saw Harriet nodded slowly.
Zoey laughed, tears streaming down her face. "Bullshit," she mumbled, wiping her cheeks furiously. "All this time, you knew who my heart donor was?"
"It's Sophie," Harriet said almost in a whisper, her fist clenched tightly at her side.
"Is that why youâ" Zoey paused, swallowing hard. "Is that the reason you wanted me to use you? Is that why you asked me to give you a shotâbecause you knew that Sophie was my heart donor?!" Zoey's voice trembled with accusation.
Harriet tilted her head back, staring at the ceiling as she let out a frustrated sigh. "For fuck's sake, Zoey, I didn't do it because you're the recipient of Sophie's heart," she said, struggling to keep her composure as she faced Zoey's furious glare. "I told you, I want to start over againâ"
"Yeah, start over again with the heart recipient of your ex," Zoey spat, the bitterness cutting through the air.
Harriet sniffed, her eyes blurring with unshed tears. "God, why would you even ask me if you don't believe what I'm saying right now, sweetheart?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Zoey glanced at Harriet, noticing the tears pooling in her eyes. She swallowed hard, the tension rising between them. "Come on, Zoey, just tell me what you want. I can explain it to you," Harriet said, reaching for Zoey's hands.
"Don't touch me," Zoey replied, pulling her hands away from Harriet's grasp. Harriet's frustration bubbled over, and she clenched her fists, fighting against her own rising anger.
"Goddamn it," she hissed under her breath, glancing down at Zoey's bag. "Is that it? This bagâis it because you're leaving?" She gulped, dreading Zoey's response.
Zoey locked eyes with Harriet, her heart aching at the pleading look in her gaze. "Yes, I'm leaving," she answered flatly.
Harriet scoffed, another heavy sigh escaping her lips. Her own lips trembled as she lowered her gaze, trying to keep her composure. "Why are you leaving?" she asked, her voice cracking with emotion. "I... I literally told you, Zoey, it's you that I love. Why wouldn't you believe me? At least hear me out," she implored, tears cascading down her cheeks.
Heaving a sigh, Zoey moved closer, picking up her bag as she contemplated her next move. "And at least give me some time to think this through," she said, gripping the strap tightly.
"Don't leave," Harriet reached out for Zoey's hand, her own shaking as she grasped for connection. "At least don't leave," she pleaded, desperation thick in her voice.
Harriet's breath hitched as Zoey brushed past her, jaw tight and fists clenched as she struggled to keep calm. She tried to understand, to accept that Zoey's anger was justifiedâafter all, she hadn't told her she knew who Zoey's heart donor was.
She glanced over her shoulder, watching Zoey walk toward the door. Desperation surged within her, and she turned around, gathering every ounce of courage to reach her. Just as Zoey was about to open the door, Harriet grabbed her, pulling her back. She cupped Zoey's cheeks and kissed her, roughly, her own tears mingling between them. Zoey's eyes widened as she felt Harriet's trembling lips, but, gathering her strength, she pushed Harriet away.
"What the hell, Harriet," Zoey hissed, wiping her mouth harshly.
"Zoey," Harriet's voice cracked, her shoulders slumping. "Please... don't leave. Don't leave me," she begged, voice thick with despair.
Zoey scoffed, looking at Harriet up and down. "Were all those 'I love you's' for me? Was all that... for me?" Her voice broke, her gaze falling. "What am I even expecting? You've been in love with your ex for so longâhow could I ever compete with that?"
"Zoey, sweetheart..." Harriet choked, struggling to find words amidst the growing ache in her chest.
"I love you, you know?" Zoey said, letting out a bitter laugh. "Leaving you like thisâit's killing me. But I need to think, Harriet. I need to clear my mind," she pleaded, her eyes glistening with tears as she met Harriet's gaze.
"Zoey, please..."
"Just give me time, Harriet. Time to process all this," Zoey said, lowering her gaze, though deep down, she knew she needed space to escape her own heartache.
"If that's what you need, I'll give you all the time you want. But... not like this?" Harriet took a shaky step closer. "Please, just stay with me. Stay here."
Zoey shook her head. "No, Harriet. I need to go," she replied firmly.
Harriet sank down, running a hand through her hair as her body trembled. "Damn it," she whispered, unable to hold back the sobs that wracked her.
Zoey clutched her bag tightly before turning toward the door, her hand on the knob.
"I love you, Zoey. How can I make you believe me? Those 'I love yous' were meant only for you, all those moments, every touchâit was always you, just for you. Please don't leave me," Harriet sobbed, burying her face against her knees, her voice breaking.
Zoey closed her eyes, Harriet's devastated cries piercing her heart. She turned around, dropping her bag as she crouched down, cupping Harriet's tear-stained face. "Look at me, Harriet," she whispered softly.
Harriet glanced up at her, her face red and swollen from crying. "Zoey, please don't leave," she begged again, clutching Zoey's hands against her cheeks.
Zoey faintly smiled, shaking her head. "I have to. Just let me clear my mind. Please, don't come to my office, don't visit my houseânot yet. I need this time," she said gently, hoping Harriet would understand.
"I need you," Harriet whispered, a plea echoing in her words. "I need you here, Zoey. Please don't leave."
Zoey's breath hitched. "Harriet, please. Just this once, give me the time to sort through this. When I'm ready, we'll talkâmaybe then, we can work things out," Zoey said, leaning down to place a gentle kiss on Harriet's forehead.
She pulled Harriet's hands away, stood up, and picked up her things. With one final glance, she opened the door, Harriet's sobs echoing behind her as she closed it. Leaning against the door, Zoey let out a bitter laugh, tears slipping down her cheeks. "I love you, you know?" she whispered to herself before walking away.