Zachary almost cursed. "Did he bail?"However, he had just whipped out his phone when he saw Barzel, who had already changed into the clothes Zachary brought.Barzel's hair was now clean, revealing its original dark blond hue. It was quite long and covered his ears.His cheeks were fair and speckled, and his bangs dangled over his brows in front of his cobalt-blue eyes. He was carrying a plate of food and watching Zachary as he said, "Sorry. I was hungry." He left to find food when he stepped out of the bathroom and found no one around. Since it was complimentary, he brought some back to his room.As Zachary lowered his phone, Barzel asked, "Would you like some?" Zachary shook his head and settled on the couch, while Barzel put the plate on the table and continued eating."What's your name?" Zachary asked."Barzel," Barzel replied while keeping his head lowered and continued stuffing his mouth full of food. "Just ask me if you have any questions."Zachary was quite surpr
Irene sat down and told him, "Let's be serious, Zachary."Zachary sat opposite her in turn, his eyes fixed on her. "I was being serious.""Then tell me. Are you visiting Lulu to see her baby or were you just lying to me?" Irene asked, looking him in the eye.Zachary did a double take, though he had to admit that he had been feeling troubled because he was not allowed to acknowledge his own child.It was as regretful as it was painful, and he certainly was upset that Irene stopped him.Naturally, he understood that Irene was doing this for Lulu's sake, but did he not have the right to be informed and to the child's custody? "I was lying a little," he replied. Even if he was upset and disappointed about it, he had no genuine intention of ruining Lulu's life now. "I admit that Martin is good and has done better than I have," Zachary said, knowing that it was his own fault things ended badly between him and Lulu.If only he had the strength to protect her from harm and from bre
Zachary refused to answer, leaving Irene unable to stay composed at all.He knew Isaac much earlier than she did, and she scarcely knew a thing about his past.What was Zachary trying to say? [Explain yourself, Zachary Slate! What were you trying to say?!]Zachary simply lay in bed, lifting a brow when his phone jingled with a notification, but he did not check it.He knew that Irene was flustered—and certainly had the capacity for it.As it turned out, no one could stay unaffected when something like that happened to them. He certainly did not believe in empathy—one had to experience the same anguish as the person to really know how it felt, and those who had never gone through it would never understand it.Meanwhile, his phone kept jingling, and he finally picked it up for a look.[Zachary Slate!][Zachary Slate!!!]He was being spammed with his own name.Chuckling, he slowly got to his feet and answered the door.Irene was actually stunned, since she did not expect h
Irene remained composed in spite of Zachary's sharp glare and suddenly smiled."Look, I was just trying to convince you not to bother Lulu.""So what was the point of all that?!" Zachary snapped. "What do you think?" Irene asked him in return."I think it's pointless," he replied.Irene heaved a long sigh and said, "Me too. I mean, if a person likes you, that's basically love, right? Can a person love you without liking you? That's ridiculous."That was why she remained so composed when Zachary told her that Isaac only 'liked' her—from her perspective, that was good enough, since there was not much difference between liking and loving!Zachary pouted. "Then why did you bother giving that crap?""I'm not," she said, but Zachary pushed her out of her room before she could explain. "Fine, I get it. You don't want me looking for Lulu, right? I won't go.""As long as you understand." Irene smiled.Zachary rolled his eyes after closing the door behind her.Why should he listen to
Lulu's phone was on silent mode since the last time it rang, it woke Jean right after she put her to sleep.Jean was crying a long while afterward too, so Lulu always put her phone on silent to avoid that from happening again—at least it meant peace for her baby. Earlier, she left it on the couch while washing the dirty laundry, and she was now in the bedroom to feed Jean.Lulu did not see or hear her phone vibrating repeatedly.And after she fed Jean, she folded the laundry and put them in the closet. Once she was done with housework, she lay in bed and took a nap with Jean in her arms.She did not sleep well, after all—in fact, she had not gotten a good night's sleep after she and Martin consummated their marriage.He would come on to her every night and for hours! She therefore needed her nap to recharge during daytime.Martin returned just then, putting some fish he brought in the kitchen. He was planning to make soup for Lulu since she has not been lactating much, and Je
"Of course I know you trust Lulu." Irene smiled begrudgingly. "But I don't trust Zachary…"His move this time definitely left her flabbergasted!"I'll talk to him," Martin said.Irene thought then that Martin was an upstanding person and that he loved Lulu to bits. There probably would not be conflict and he would protect Lulu, right? It was not as if she thought badly of Zachary.In fact, she would save Zachary instead of Martin if she had to choose, since she knew Zachary longer and was closer to him. She was only human, and she was not noble enough to abandon people she was attached with.If anything, she was only nice to Martin because he was Lulu's husband, which was an undeniable fact.She would like Martin to protect Lulu because she was concerned that Zachary would harass Lulu for custody of Jean.She had tried to reason with Zachary endlessly, but it could not be denied that Jean was Zachary's.He therefore had the right.But now, things were fine between Lulu a
Lulu looked up at Martin and said, "You're a married man. What's wrong with that?"Martin appeared to pause for a moment as he watched her, but his lips soon curled up in a grin. "You're right."Before she had a chance to speak, he gathered her fiercely in his arms and kissed her fervently! And with that, they eagerly jumped in bed for yet another round of passionate lovemaking.They had been married for a while now, but it had just been a few days since they consummated. For them, this was their real honeymoon!When they were done, Lulu leaned her head against Martin's shoulder and asked, "Your break is almost over, right?"Martin nodded and turned toward her. "You don't want me to work?""No," Lulu said, staring at his face. "I'm just worried."After all, his work was dangerous, and she was worried that he would run into trouble again.She caressed the surgical scar on his chest and murmured, "I hope I'll grow old with you.""We will," Martin replied, taking her in his arm
Zachary felt a little awkward—to be precise, he felt too embarrassed to start.After all, he was well aware that coming unannounced would cause trouble for both Martin and Lulu, and that he would be imposing.Still, it takes one man to know another, and Martin turned toward Zachary just then. "You want to see the baby, don't you?"While Zachary appeared taken aback, Martin said, "I understand that you're no stalker and that you wouldn't have wished us well in Cloud City if you really wanted to cause trouble for us."Pausing for a moment, Martin then continued, "I understand how you feel, but I also hope you understand—Jean may be your baby, but most of all, she's Lulu's. I won't allow you to take Jean away from Lulu… Unless Lulu gives her to you willingly."Martin knew very well that Lulu would refuse after carrying Jean around in her belly for ten months.There was a blood tie that bound mother and daughter now, and there was no way it could be severed at the drop of a hand.Ev
Soon after the wedding, Mr. Fowler proposed for Stan to work at his company to get used to the work over there.He was worried as he did not have much time left, and it would not do if he was gone before the proper arrangements were made.Still, Stan returned to Franconia with Isaac and his family, sorting out things at work and finishing every task he had on hand.While Isaac used to have a lot of free time with Stan around, he was just slightly busier after Stan left. After all, no company should operate in a way that losing a single person would stall all their operations.And after a week, Stan sorted out all the remaining tasks he had in Franconia and returned to Zidonia to start work at the Fowlers' family business.While Stan had property in Zidonia too, he moved into the Fowlers' mansion, but not as a live-in son-in-law. He was simply aware of Mr. Fowler's illness, and Rea wanted to spend more time with her parents.And as the son-in-law, he was obliged to do that much.
Despite feeling wistful, Mr. Fowler eventually passed Rea's hand to Stan. "I hope you will both cherish each other from now on."Rea told him, "We will."Thereafter, it was the usual proceedings of a wedding, with exchange of rings and vows, the wedding speech, and the luncheon!Though everything went smoothly, Mrs. Fowler could not help shedding tears.She was pleased that her daughter was finally getting married, especially since she was looking forward to this.But now that Rea really did marry, she was worried that her life might get difficult and unhappy.Such was the worrisome nature of mothers.-Later, Stan led Rea to Isaac's table.They were all acquainted, but Stan introduced everyone once again to reacquaint them with Rea.After all, she was no longer Zachary's friend's cousin now, but Stan's wife.Erin was grinning from ear to ear. "Congratulations.""Thank you." Rea smiled in return."Congrats," Baby said, imitating the adults.Rea reached out to stroke his c
Zachary said, "I heard you sealed the deal with Rea Fowler, and her family is preparing for your wedding."Stan smiled. "I'm the look of success—getting a girl couldn't be simpler. See? I'm getting married already.""Well, I guess we're all taken now," Erin said.Tommy poked his head up just then. "Congratulations, Uncle Stan.""Thank you." Stan chuckled, patting his head."Also, I heard that you're marrying into the Fowler family?" Zachary asked.Everyone turned to stare at Stan in shock, but it was understandable.Stan was not that modest that he would have to go that far—he had money and was successful enough to afford a wife.Still, Zachary—who knew the Fowlers—suggested, "To be fair, they do need someone to take care of the family business…"-Either way, it meant that Irene's family would be delaying their return trip to Franconia.After all, none of them had expected to attend Stan's wedding so soon after Zachary's.Stan himself did not expect that either, as he had
"What's the problem? We've already slept together," Rea said as she put her clothes on.She frowned as Stan was still on the bed and not moving. "What, are you going to stay in my bed forever?""What am I supposed to wear?" Stan shrugged. "You haven't brought my clothes here.""I'll get it for you."Rea remembered his suitcase then and hurried downstairs to bring it up."Wear whatever you like. I'll be waiting downstairs," she said and hurried away.Stan got out of bed and put on a suit—it was only right to dress formally when it came to discussing marriage.After cleaning up and heading downstairs, he found Rea sandwiched by her parents.Stan had no idea if she had already mentioned it, but both Mr. and Mrs. Fowler were both staring at him, leaving him further tense.Clearing his throat, Stan began, "Excuse me, but—""Yes, we agree to you marrying our daughter.""You mean marrying into our family," Rea corrected them.Everyone else was staring at her before asking all at o
If Rea asked her parents now, they would only get sad, and life would become difficult for everyoneWhat should she do to make them happy?Right, she could get married! Her parents would definitely be pleased. As for the choice of bridegroom, did she not have one readily available here?If Stan could pretend to be her boyfriend, he could definitely be her husband too.They could fake their marriage if they had to!Putting the medical file back where she found it, she wobbled up to her feet and left the room.Stan had yet to step out of the bathroom when she returned, so she sat on the bed and waited.After a while, Stan stepped out with a towel around his waist and paused when he saw Rea sitting there. "Where are my clothes?" He asked, presuming that Rea had forgotten since there was nothing on the bed or the table. "My suitcase is still in your car trunk."Rea turned toward him. "Let's get married."Stan was left speechless for a moment and soon chuckled, "Did you forge
Mrs. Fowler smacked her daughter, but while Rea thought she was angry, she said instead, "Just do your best."Rea's mind was blown—were her parents bewitched? They were completely different from before! A long time ago, her parents had used to tell her that she did not have to marry as long as she was happy.But later on, they had persistently sent her on blind dates… and now, they were telling her to seduce a man?Touching her mother's forehead, Rea asked, "Are you sick?"Mrs. Fowler slapped her hand off. "Your dad and I are leaving now.""Yeah." Mr. Fowler nodded. "The chauffeur is waiting."Rea walked them to the door and watched as their car left before returning inside.She did not go upstairs since Stan was asleep, and she would be bored—she was the type who just could not sit still.However, it was inappropriate if she left since that would leave nobody home.In her boredom, she thought of pranking Stan. She headed upstairs to find him asleep, and soundly at that.Ca
Unable to argue against her parents, Rea said, "Fine, fine. Whatever you say."Mrs. Fowler smiled. "Then help Stan upstairs to get some rest.""Which room?" Rea asked.Mrs. Fowler realized with a start and quickly said, "Oh, there's no bedding in the guest room… So let him stay in your room."Rea was left staring at her in shock. "When did you get so open-minded? Letting a man stay in your daughter's room?"Mrs. Fowler shrugged. "What can he do when he's drunk?""Haven't you heard of drunken fumbles?" Rea asked.Both Mr. and Mrs. Fowler shook their heads at the same time. "Nope."Rea was left totally speechless—this was just outrageous!She would think that Stan was actually their son, if it was not for the fact that they were not acquainted before.They were not like this before either—even if they were urging her to get married, they were not throwing her at a man like this!Mr. Fowler then said, "If anything happens, we'll demand that he takes responsibility and marries y
"I get it," Stan replied quietly. "I wouldn't have been upset even if you didn't explain yourself. But since you did, I forgive you."Rea's brow creased as she pursed her lips. "See? I knew it. We really shouldn't be too nice to you."While Stan was speechless, Mrs. Fowler was enthusiastically putting food on Stan's plate. "This is our family's favorite dish. Try it."Stan nodded after a bite. "It's good."Mrs. Fowler smiled, while Mr. Fowler poured him a glass of wine. "Can you hold your liquor?"Stan smiled. "More or less.""You're being humble now." Mr. Fowler smiled at him. "You're definitely a good drinker.""A little."Rea had enough right then. "Dad, Stan has work to do, and he has to return to Franconia tomorrow. You're going to make things difficult for him."Mr. Fowler smiled awkwardly. "Right…" "You think?" Rea huffed, snatching his wine away. "Everyone only gets to have one glass."Mr. Fowler glared at Rea. "Party pooper."Rea shrugged. "I'm doing this for your
Rea turned her head aside. "Then what's your hobby?"Stan did a double take and remembered his life… which was work and more work.It had been years since he took leave, and he would not get to goof off the last few days if it had not been for Zachary's wedding.Hobby? He certainly did not have anything like that.Now that he thought about it, his life was boring and monotonous, and he did not have anyone very close.That was why he wanted a kind, understanding wife to care and offer him company while he took care of her needs.When he looked up at Rea, he clearly felt that she was not for him—he needed someone to take care of him, but with her, he would be busy taking care of her instead."You're looking at me weirdly," Rea suddenly said."How so?" Stan asked.Rea moved closer, looking him in the eyes and asking solemnly, "Don't tell me—you've fallen for me?""You don't just suffer from a flawed personality—you're narcissistic too."Stan pursed his lips and checked the tim