Chapter 0006

As Zoey had mentioned to her mother, today she mustered the courage to meet with Jonathan at his family mansion. To avoid drawing too much attention from her family, Zoey used the excuse of accompanying Hayden—just like the previous night.

But actually, Zoey genuinely wanted to go, without being forced or tricked by Hayden again.

After observing the surroundings, Zoey saw Jonathan in the kitchen. She mustered the courage to walk up to him.

"I need to talk to you," Zoey whispered, tiptoeing to reach Jonathan's ear.

This man was incredibly tall, and his height was abnormal to Zoey. At 5'5", Zoey already considered herself quite tall for a woman. Jonathan and the rest of his family were unusually tall compared to the average, with Jonathan standing at 6'3".

So, next to Jonathan, Zoey felt incredibly short.

Even her brother, Hayden, was only six feet tall, which already made Zoey feel like she was short. Next to Jonathan, she felt like a dwarf!

"Go ahead," Jonathan said casually, taking a carton of milk from the fridge before closing the door.

"Not here," Zoey replied, looking up at Jonathan with a gloomy and nervous expression. Her heart was racing, almost ready to explode.

To be honest, there was a lingering fear of this man that made Zoey's hair stand on end. Jonathan's aura was intimidating, and his gaze was hypnotic.

"Hmm." Jonathan walked ahead, followed by Zoey.

He led her to the rooftop, locking the door so they were alone. Zoey grew more anxious, her heart pounding. But she knew Jonathan wouldn't do anything strange to her since they were still at the Roberts residence.

"Sit," Jonathan ordered, already seated in a lounge chair.

Zoey nodded and chose to sit in the chair beside him.

"Did you come to tell me you've broken up with your boyfriend?" Jonathan asked coldly, without looking at Zoey.

Zoey shook her head. "I came to ask you to cancel our wedding. I'm sorry, but I only recently found out that my dad asked your dad for me to be your partner. That was my fault for pressuring my dad to arrange our match in the past. I'm sorry, I was immature. My actions might have made your dad uncomfortable with my dad, so maybe he pressured you into agreeing to marry me. But now, there's no need to feel burdened anymore because I don't want to be your wife, and... and I won't bother you anymore. You can cancel the wedding."

"You think it's that easy to cancel this wedding? The invitations have already been sent out," Jonathan suddenly growled, glaring at Zoey in anger.

"But—" Zoey stiffened.

'I don't even know the wedding date. How come the invitations are already sent out? Last night, Dad just gave me a sample invitation. What on earth?' Zoey's mind wandered around.

"You're being even more childish now! After making your dad beg on your behalf, you're still insisting on canceling the wedding?!"

Zoey swallowed hard. "That's why I came to apologize and admit my mistake."

"Do you have a brain?" Jonathan snapped sarcastically, silencing Zoey. "Your fake padded chest isn't helping you act more mature. You might as well take it off!"

"Jonathan!" Zoey shouted, a mix of anger and humiliation. Jonathan's comment wasn't just sarcastic—it was bullying and body-shaming. To be honest, Zoey felt deeply hurt by Jonathan's inappropriate words, but mostly, she was embarrassed.

The truth was… she was wearing a padded bra. Jonathan's comment about her small breasts made Zoey feel insecure, which is why she wore the bra to enhance her chest size.

"Can you not make a big deal about my chest? You've always brought it up. What's your problem with it?!" Zoey fumed, though she wanted to cry, she was too embarrassed.

Crying over her small breasts? Seriously? How pathetic.

"Tch," Jonathan clicked his tongue softly, glancing at Zoey's chest, making her immediately cross her arms in front of her.

"Fine, but if you really want to cancel this wedding, it's not a big deal for me."

Zoey hesitated, looking at Jonathan with a mix of shame and flushed cheeks—a remnant of Jonathan's earlier words. Jonathan's tone was calm again, but somehow that only added to the horror and danger. Zoey grew even more scared! This man was too mysterious, and Zoey couldn't figure him out.

"I've already felt your body," Jonathan said nonchalantly, "and if you still want to cancel the wedding, that's fine. But when you get pregnant later, don't expect me to take responsibility. And one more thing, don't drag my name into it!"

Like being crushed, Zoey's heart felt like it was about to burst and shatter, leaving her numb and in pain. Zoey froze, feeling slapped by Jonathan's words.

This man was truly exploiting that tragic night. Zoey was speechless!

"But if you agree to marry me, then from this moment on, you'll call me 'hubby'," Jonathan added with his winning smile.

Zoey clenched her hands tightly—she was anxious and restless. Jonathan threatened her and now acted as if he could do whatever he wanted with Zoey. But—

What was Jonathan's real motive for insisting on marrying her? Jonathan was always so annoyed and uncomfortable around her. Zoey had already apologized for her father's request that Jonathan marry her. Jonathan was free now!

Could Jonathan have feelings for her? Impossible! If he liked Zoey, he would have proposed properly or at least expressed his feelings. Not raped her and used her as a tool to subdue her. Jonathan seemed… like a bastard!

Did Jonathan have a grudge against her?! That made more sense to Zoey.

"H-hubby," Zoey whispered nervously. She had no choice! She was terrified of getting pregnant, and if she thought about it, she felt selfish rejecting the wedding. Her dad had sacrificed so much for this!

The truth was… Jonathan had succeeded in threatening her by exploiting that tragic event.

"Not bad," Jonathan muttered softly, leaning back in his chair and staring straight ahead.

"But we're cousins. We can't get married."

"We're not related by blood," Jonathan replied simply. "Break up with your boyfriend as soon as possible."

Zoey nodded. 'Maybe Jonathan doesn't want to see Dad begging him over and over to marry me. Jonathan and Dad are close, so maybe that's why Jonathan is so insistent. Or… is this revenge?'