Zoe Sanders wasn’t sure if every cheating man had two phones. Mason’s lover sent a picture to him while he was in the bathroom. She was a delicate young lady, but she was dressed in elegant attire that didn’t exactly fit her age. So, she looked a little out of place. “Thank you for the birthday present, Mason.”Zoe stared at his phone for a long time. Then, her eyes welled up. She knew Mason had kept a lover on the side, but she didn’t think she’d look like this. Aside from the obvious heartache, Zoe was surprised at her husband’s taste in women as well.She felt sorry that she saw his secret. Then, she heard the bathroom door opening. Mason wrapped a towel over his defined muscle and sturdy chest. He was tall and sensual.“How long are you going to look at it?” He took the phone away, glanced at her, and started getting dressed. He wasn’t the least bit embarrassed over the fact that she caught him cheating. Zoe knew very well that he was able to act this way because he was the
Six years! That was how long she had loved him! Zoe closed her eyes abruptly.…It was a Friday night. Something bad happened in the Sanders house. Mason still wasn’t home. They received news that the eldest child in the Sanders family, Noah, might be facing a ten-year sentence because of the Sanders Group’s financial case.Ten years imprisonment was long enough to ruin someone’s life. Her dad was hospitalized due to a brain hemorrhage. It was critical and he needed to undergo surgery immediately. Zoe stood in the hospital hallway and called Mason non-stop, but he didn’t answer. Just when she was about to give up, he sent her a text via WhatsApp. It was brief as usual. “I’m still in Hucksburgh. Find Ava if you need anything.”She gave him a call again, and he answered this time. Zoe said at once, “Mason. My dad is…” Mason cut her off abruptly. He sounded a tad impatient, “Is this about the money? I told you. Just look for Ava. She’ll hook you up… Are you even listening, Zoe?”
Mason went back to Brookesville three days later. It was already evening when the black RV rolled into the villa and the chauffeur killed its engine. Then, he opened the car door for his master.Mason got out of the car. He saw that the chauffeur was about to take his luggage and said, “I can do it myself.”The servants rushed at him as soon as he entered the living room. “Something happened to your father-in-law a few days ago, Mr. Mason. Ms. Zoe is in a bad mood. She’s upstairs now!”He knew what had happened to the Sanders family. Irritated, he took his luggage upstairs and opened his bedroom door. Zoe was tidying up the dresser. He put down his luggage, loosened his tie, and studied her. Zoe had loved doing the house chores, cleaning up, and making snacks ever since they had gotten married. If it had not been for her outstanding looks and graceful physique, she would have been no different from a nanny.Zoe did not say a word for a long time. Mason was quite worn out from the
“Yeah. You gave me a hundred thousand dollars every month when my family was in trouble. However, I feel like a hooker every time I take the check from you. “It felt like you were paying me after you had your way with me in bed!”…Mason cut her off coldly. “Is that how you see it?” He pinched her chin softly. “Do you think hookers don’t know how to please a man sexually, like you? You don’t even know how to moan. All you did was squeal like a kitty!“You want to divorce me, huh? Do you have any idea the kind of life you'll have if you leave me…?”Zoe felt pain from his pinch and raised her hand to break free. He caught her hand and stared at her ring finger. “Where’s your wedding ring?”“I sold it off!” She said miserably. “I’m going to divorce you, Mason!”It took everything she had to utter those words. She had loved him for six years. If it had not been for what she saw and the fireworks that night, she might have still felt compelled to lock herself in this loveless ma
He had to have her. There was no changing his mind. Furthermore, Zoe looked so delicate beneath him. He might not have loved her, but he did love her body.Mason was unapologetic as he moved to have sex with her. Zoe held him off by his shoulders, her breath labored. “I didn’t take the pill for the past few days, Mason. You’re going to get me pregnant.”He stopped in his tracks. He might want it badly, but he had not lost his good sense. He had no plans to have a baby with Zoe. Not yet, anyway. Mason paused for a while before sneering. “You thought things through, it seems!”Her defiance meant nothing to him. He placed one of his hands on her side and took out a box of condoms from the nightstand with another.He was about to tear it open when his phone rang! He ignored it, tore it up, and leaned in to kiss Zoe. She shook her head, trying to break free from him.His phone kept ringing.Mason finally picked it up, displeased. It was his mother, Lisa. “Your grandma isn’t feelin
Mason knew his grandma said that on purpose, but he stole a glance at Zoe nonetheless. She had no intention of acting all lovey-dovey with him. She chatted with Barbara for a while before standing up and said, “I’ll make the pretzels now.”The smile on Barbara’s face was gone as soon as Zoe left. Then, she leaned back. “What’s up with Lilith, Mason? You can look after her a little, but fireworks are a tad too much. Zoe might be jealous of her and pick a bone with you.“You should make more effort for Zoe. Don’t neglect her.“She might just run away if you continue to treat her like she’s nothing.”…Mason gave Barbara some answers to appease her, but he did not bother to justify the fireworks. Perhaps it was Ava’s doing! They had been chatting for a while when Zoe came in with the snacks. He looked at her and saw that she kept her shirt clean. She was so elegant and beautiful. Every lady should follow her example. He lost his appetite for food all of a sudden. Barbara, on th
Zoe released her grip on the car door handle. The atmosphere in the car was oppressive.Mason was actually tired from his trip and the subsequent visit to Lockwood Manor. He rubbed his brow with one hand and gripped the steering wheel with another, the impatience clear in his voice. “When are you going to stop being unreasonable?”So, he merely thought she was being unreasonable. How disappointing. Zoe sat upright and said softly after a brief pause, “I’m serious, Mason! I don’t want to be with you anymore!” He turned around and looked at her. He looked so dashing with his sharp features. She used to fall for him every time, but she felt nothing now. Not even a little. …Mason stared at her and unbuckled his seat belt. “Out of the car!” Zoe exited the car as soon as he unlocked the doors and walked briskly toward the villa. She puffed up her chest, determined to go through with the divorce. Mason smoked a cigarette before he got out of the car and went upstairs. They e
Zoe tightened the thermal jug’s lid and said softly, “I’ll find a way around it! The money I made from selling my wedding ring will support Dad’s medical bill for half a year. “As for Noah’s legal fee, I’m going to sell this house. Aside from that, I’ll look for a job that’ll let me support the family.” Tears started to build up in Zoe’s eyes. Her birth mother left this house for them. They had never had to sell it away despite the hardships they went through in the past. Mia was taken aback. She might have stopped persuading Zoe, but deep down she disagreed with it. Both of them went to the hospital after Zoe was done with her preparations.Gordon Sanders had stabilized greatly after the doctor treated him. He was merely a little distressed, worrying about Noah’s future. Zoe said nothing about her divorce. In the afternoon, Gordon’s doctor came to check on him.Doctor Cecil was a young and revered neurosurgeon with a Ph.D. Boasting a height of six feet, he was graceful, gentle
In the evening, Gwen was preparing to leave work.In the parking lot, she spotted Zion’s car, but it was empty. Just then, a school leader passed by and said to her, “Zion came to school. There’s a donation ceremony happening in the auditorium. You should go check it out. "Then, you two can head home together afterward. On a cold day like this, a nice dinner would be perfect. What a cozy idea!”Gwen playfully replied, “You really know how to enjoy life.”The leader, holding a bag of groceries, laughed, “See? Your teacher’s wife has been nagging me since morning to go home and cook while babysitting the grandkids.”Gwen smiled softly, watching him leave.In the sky, clouds glowed orange and yellow, their edges tinged with gold.She carried a thermos as she walked toward the auditorium. Along the way, a few students noticed her and started chirping excitedly, cheekily calling her “Ms. Gwen.”Gwen corrected them, “It’s Ms. Gwen.”The students laughed and teased, “Ms. Gwen! Mr. Z
Gwen stared dazedly at the man.Zion, dressed in a black coat, stood tall in the study, exuding an oppressive aura. He walked toward her and pulled the teary-eyed girl, her face streaked like a little tabby cat, into his arms. One hand gently smoothed her hair as his voice softened to the extreme, "Still saying you didn’t cry."Gwen leaned against his shoulder, mumbling, "You did it on purpose.""Are you at least a little touched?"She pounded on him twice more in response.Zion chuckled lowly, letting the girl vent while his heart ached silently.These past five years had been filled with fear and uncertainty for him. He had been afraid that before he could make a name for himself, Gwen would fall for someone else. If that happened, what could he possibly use to ask her to come back to him?The love story of a poor boy and a rich girl might've existed in novels, but the reality was often harsh.Gwen didn’t care, but he couldn’t bear to let her endure hardship.Now, as they
Zion and Gwen's marriage seemed inevitable, with no one putting up any resistance. Occasionally, Gwen even had a strange illusion.It all went so smoothly that the years of separation seemed like they had never happened, as if she and Zion had always been together. After their reunion, he didn’t even ask her about her life abroad and treated her just as he did before.She was no longer as youthful and tender, but Zion still saw her as if she were a 20-year-old girl. Gwen felt a bit dejected, thinking to herself, he must just like girls around 18-year-old.But unfortunately, the spring river flows eastward and cannot return!Zion only smiled.In winter, the days grew shorter. After work, Gwen arrived at Zion's villa, but he had not yet come home. The two housekeepers had already started preparing dinner.When Gwen got out of the car, she received a call from Zion. Her voice was soft and tender.“When will you be back?”On the other end, Zion checked the time and said, “I’ll be
Zion noticed Gwen gazing at him with those wide, expectant eyes again. With a chuckle, he reached into the pocket of his trench coat, pulled out a sleek wallet, and carefully extracted a platinum card. He placed it in her outstretched hand and said with a smile, “This is my secondary card. There’s no credit limit.” Gwen gasped softly, then teased, “Wow, aren’t you generous? Thank you, Teacher Qin.” Zion gave her a light tap on the head. Not missing a beat, Gwen wrapped her arms around his neck and grinned mischievously, “Thank you, my sugar daddy.” Zion’s response was to pull her close, cupping her cheeks as he kissed her fiercely. Though he once carried himself as an educator and now as a refined businessman, he found himself utterly smitten by her playful antics. After the kiss, Zion leaned close to Gwen's ear and murmured something uncharacteristically crude that sent a shiver down her spine. He playfully nipped her nose. “Turns out you’ve got a thing for bad boy
Zion could sense Gwen’s cautiousness and chuckled softly. Then, he cupped her face and planted a firm kiss on her lips. “Don’t worry, I won’t touch you. We agreed to save that for our wedding night. Besides, I just drank last night, so I probably wouldn’t be much use. I want your first time to be special, so I’ll make sure I’m well-prepared.” Gwen’s cheeks turned crimson. She buried her face in his chest, mumbling, “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.” How peculiar! Back then, even though they were together, their relationship had always been proper and restrained. But now, here they were, sharing a bed, their bodies so intimately close it was both thrilling and embarrassing. Gwen had never experienced this before. Zion seemed to understand her thoughts. He leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “I haven’t either. Before the wedding night, I’ll make sure to study hard.” Gwen didn’t dare ask how he planned to “study,” though she had a pretty good idea—i
Zion maintained a respectful demeanor and immediately greeted, “Mr. Noah.” Noah, however, didn’t make things difficult for him. He gave a light cough, which could be considered acknowledgment. Then, turning to his youngest daughter, he said, “Go upstairs first. Your mother’s been waiting for you all night; she probably has something to say to you.” Gwen hesitated and didn’t move at first. Zion gently nudged her, his voice soft, “You should go.” Only then did Gwen start to move. But before heading upstairs, she walked over to Noah. As the youngest daughter and the most adept at charming her way out of trouble, she hugged her father. Only then, with visible reluctance, did she head upstairs. Her father’s anger dissipated by more than half after the hug. Watching her go, Noah turned his attention to Zion, his tone calm but firm: “Have a seat. Let’s talk.” Zion immediately sat down and, with practiced ease, poured Noah a cup of tea. Noah feigned irritation and remarked, “
But Gwen was not satisfied.With reddened eyes, she pitifully asked again, "Are you married? Is there someone else by your side? Do you still love me?"As she asked, she was more persistent than before, yet it made the man's heart ache even more.Zion remembered that when they parted ways, Gwen was still an innocent, naive girl. Now, however, she was willing to ask such direct and revealing questions. The braver she became, the more pain he felt in his heart.Zion no longer teased her. He looked into her eyes and answered seriously."No, I'm not married. There's no one else by my side. Her leg healed, and she got married earlier this year. And yes, I still love you. Very much."...Gwen's eyes turned even redder.Her voice trembled as she said, "That doesn't mean I have to be with you. I'm still mad at you."Zion took a step forward and gently wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes. It had been five years, and now she had become a teary little kitten. He remembered how
At that moment, Gwen was completely flustered. She didn’t understand what Zion meant, nor did she understand why he was deliberately getting close to her. She wanted to ask, but before she could, Zion had already led her out of the car. The restaurant arranged by the school leadership was nearby, just off campus. Gwen had been there with Zion before, but not in a private room. Returning to an old haunt brought a sense of nostalgia. Zion walked side by side with Gwen. He was six-foot tall, and she was about five-foot-five. They made for a strikingly good-looking pair. Considering their history, the school leaders naturally couldn’t resist teasing them a bit. Gwen felt slightly uncomfortable and replied, "We were young and foolish." Over the years, Zion had grown seasoned in the business world, exuding an effortless charm. He responded with a light smile, "I wonder if we can pick up where we left off—still holding a grudge?" As soon as those words were said, the schoo
After running away in a flurry that night, Gwen retreated into her home, avoiding the world outside for several days. Her father, Noah, meanwhile, busied himself with his new hobby of keeping turtles—purchased on a whim after his wife, Gwynn, teased him for being too old. In an attempt to prove his youth, Noah even released the turtles back into the wild one evening, making a point of marking one with the name "Zion" on its shell in a bold act of petty revenge. Gwynn, ever the pragmatist, found the gesture immature and pointless, but it brought him a fleeting sense of satisfaction. Gwen, however, was unaware of the antics her father had indulged in. All she knew was that her father had been unusually concerned during her self-imposed seclusion, urging her to get out and take a break. Noah's insistence that she shouldn’t remain cooped up at home was an attempt to draw her back into the world, to reconnect with life. But she couldn’t shake the weight of everything that had transp