Chapter 1007: Chapter 1007

And then, Zoey found herself leaning against a tree, her eyes locked onto the silver moon above.

Yet, within her, anger burned.

She had almost given up.

She had almost forgotten.

She had promised her aunt, a promise she had vowed to keep no matter what.

A small, bitter chuckle escaped her lips.

She had let her emotions control her.

She had almost thrown everything away, for what?

For a feeling? The thought disgusted her.

"Aunt Jereva would be disappointed."

What the hell was she doing?

She couldn't possibly throw everything away for something .

Lumindra, who had been silently watching her, smiled warmly.

She felt the shift within Zoey.

The shame was still there, but now… now, it was buried beneath something stronger.

Zoey exhaled heavily and wiped her tears one final time.

Her eyes were red, swollen from crying, but she didn't care.

She turned to Lumindra, smiling.

No other words were needed.

They were bonded and they could feel each other's emotions.

Lumindra's smile widened.

She fluttered into the air, then landed softly atop Zoey's head.

"You can praise me later," she said teasingly.

Her voice grew gentler.

"So… what do you plan on doing now?"

Zoey didn't hesitate.

"I have to see him again."

Lumindra nodded, a hint of pride creeping in. She knew Zoey had finally made her choice.

Atticus had already returned to where he had been meditating earlier, the middle of the island.

On the way back, he had encountered his ever-annoying, pride-filled spirit.

And, of course, Ozeroth couldn't resist making his thoughts heard.

"Tsk. What you did back there was acceptable. But you could be better."

The spirit floated beside him, arms crossed, his tone dripping with haughtiness.

"You have to be colder. Cooler. You can't let anyone of their gender catch you off guard! Women are dangerous, boy! You give them an inch, and they'll take your entire soul!"

Why hadn't this bonding thing come with a mute button?

Ozeroth continued, undeterred.

"But let's just be grateful you didn't embarrass yourself. I was fully prepared to knock some sense into you if you dared act like a fool."

He dramatically flipped his hair.

"Honestly, you should thank me for keeping you in check! Without me, you'd be a helpless romantic, stumbling over your words like a fool!"

Instead, he moved to the center of the clearing, preparing to sit, when something popped into his mind.

"Right… what's the deal with you and Zoey's spirit?"

His usual dramatic flair momentarily stopped.

"…What do you mean?" he asked, his tone strangely neutral.

Atticus arched a brow.

"I could sense some tension between you two." He tilted his head slightly. "Do you like her or something?"

"HOW DARE YOU!" His voice boomed across the clearing.

"The great Ozeroth does not 'like'."

He puffed out his chest.

"I have women fawning over me from the entire spirit realm!"

"They beg to be with me! Worship the ground I walk on! My magnificence is—"

"The faster you start being truthful to yourself, the better."

"Did that purple-haired pretty girl knock you on the head or something?! What the hell are you talking about?!"

Atticus shook his head, his smirk deepening, but said nothing.

Just as he was about to sit—

His gaze flickered. His head subtly turned to the side.

Ozeroth noticed immediately.

"Oh? Did she come for round two?"

He snorted, floating beside Atticus with a smug expression.

"What a needy little thing."

Then, a figure emerged from the foliage of trees.

Purple hair flowed behind her in waves. Her clothes were dirtied, wet patches staining them from her time crying in the forest.

Atticus's eyes met hers.

A cold breeze swept through the clearing. Yet, its coldness did not reach them.

The silver moonlight bathed them in its radiance.

"I have something to say."

Her red-rimmed eyes held no more tears.

Atticus's perception remained sharp, sensing everything she was feeling.

Her storm of emotions had been overtaken by one.

A powerful, unwavering force.

'Her eyes have changed.'

Atticus remained silent.

Zoey inhaled deeply. Then…

"I am jealous of you, Atticus Ravenstein."

"I am jealous of you."

She repeated it again.

Each time, her voice grew stronger.

And then, her eyes blazed.

"But I will never let it hold me back."

"My reasons are far too important."

Atticus gave a single nod.

Zoey continued, her determined voice unwavering.

"You're better than me. You're too good for me.

"And as time passes, I will only hold you back.

"But I am human. And I am selfish."

"I want you, Atticus."

"I don't deserve you, but I want you."

She clenched her fists tighter.

"Right now, I am too ashamed to even face you because of this stupid feeling."

"But this will change."

"I will make sure it changes."

Then she lifted her head, her expression unshakable.

"And when I can hold my head up again…"

"I will come back and make you mine."

A thick, heavy silence settled over the clearing.

Atticus and Zoey met gazes.

They just basked in the intense moment.

They both felt warmth.

Warmth that they, unfortunately, couldn't have.

The moment passed, and without another word, Zoey turned and walked away.

Only Atticus and a ranting Ozeroth remained.

Ozeroth exploded the moment Zoey left.

"She was supposed to grovel and beg! How dare she still stand tall!"

His tone shifted slightly.

"…At least she acknowledged that we were better than her."

"She said I was better than her. Not we."

"Potatoes, potatoes!"

He waved a dismissive hand.

"You. Me. We're the same."

Atticus tilted his head.

"You're okay. I'm great."

Shaking his head, he turned his gaze toward the direction Zoey had left, his thoughts churning.