Chapter 3
Ruby held Zachary tighter and smiled at me.
“Mrs. Conrad, thank you so much for the blood transfusion. Without you, I’d probably still feel dizzy”
She turned to Zachary. “Can she come home with us, please?”
He tapped her nose gently. “You’re the kindest pregnant woman ever. I’ll do whatever you say.”
Since I needed to go back for my luggage anyway, I didn’t turn down Ruby’s offer.
Inside the spacious black car, just as Ruby had hoped, I soon spotted a pair of lace underwear with wet stains stuck between the seats.
“Ah! Why is this still here? Zachary, didn’t you say p
threw it out?”
Ruby blushed and lightly hit his chest, curling into his arms.
He chuckled and apologized to her while subtly glancing at me.
When he realized I wasn’t reacting, the boredom he’d felt back in the hospital suddenly returned.
“Queenie, you’ve been on your phone since you got in,” he said with a hint of irritation.
“Are you texting your cousin–or is it someone else I don’t know about?”
After I booked the plane ticket, I locked my phone. “Just reading the
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news.”
Zachary’s mood grew worse after hearing that.
He suddenly grabbed my phone while I was distracted. He stared at the screen with a frown and asked, “What’s the passcode?”
“It’s my birthday.”
We’d been married for nine years.
Even though it was just a six–digit code, he kept trying and still failed to unlock it. Eventually, the phone locked itself.
The ride continued in silence until we reached the house.
As soon as the car stopped, Zachary rushed to help Ruby, who was struggling with pregnancy sickness, into the main bedroom. He looked worried. He then asked the maids to prepare Ruby’s favorite food.
When I went downstairs, he noticed my lonely back as I walked toward the guest room.
After a moment of thought, he told the chef, “Make two more dishes that Queenie usually likes. And prepare three sets of dinnerware.”
In the guest room, I unpacked my suitcase, only to find that all my clothes. had been cut up. Thankfully, the passport I’d hidden in the inner layer was undamaged.
Just as I was about to grab my documents and leave, Ruby blocked the door. She was holding a black bottle, eyeing me with disdain.
“Queenie, I didn’t think you’d be so patient. I’ve humiliated you and made you a joke in high society, but you still cling to the Conrad family and refuse to leave.
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“I guess that makes sense. Your grandma passed away last month, and without her, you’re hanging on to Zachary for support.”
Then, Ruby seemed to remember something.
“Queenie, do you remember the day you begged Zachary to take you to the hospital to see your grandma one last time? Do you know why he refused? Because he promised to take me to the beach to watch the sunset that day. Look, this kissing photo on my phone was taken then.”
I couldn’t take it anymore. I slapped her phone away and grabbed her by the neck. The bottle she was holding slipped, and I immediately smelled gasoline.
In the scuffle, Ruby hurriedly ignited the gasoline on the ground.
Thick smoke filled the room, and flames spread rapidly.
I had just been discharged from the hospital, and the smoke overwhelmed. me. My body went weak, and I collapsed.
At that moment, I heard Zachary’s voice. “Queenie!”
Then, the maids‘ voices followed.
“Mr. Conrad, it’s too dangerous inside! Please wait for security to bring the fire extinguisher!”
“Move out of the way! Queenie is still in there!”
Ignoring the danger, Zachary rushed into the room. He didn’t expect Ruby to be inside as well.
“Zachary, save me-”
Before Ruby could finish, Zachary picked her up without hesitation.
Without even glancing at me, he turned and left.
Half an hour later, after comforting Ruby, he searched the entire villa but couldn’t find me.
***
Late at night at the airport, after sending the package, I boarded the flight to England, still coughing.
Before the plane took off, I received a message from Zachary.
“I don’t have time for this game. Ruby has a prenatal checkup at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. Come and check your lungs.”
I didn’t reply, took out the SIM card, and switched off my phone.
Zachary, from now on, we’d never see each other again.
***
The next day, at the hospital.
“Zachary, is our baby alright?”
Seeing Ruby’s pitiful expression, Zachary hugged her and softly replied, “The doctor said the baby is fine and wasn’t affected by yesterday’s incident.”
“That’s a relief. You’ve been so serious and quiet since we arrived. I thought something might be wrong with the baby.”
Ruby’s words caused him to pause for a moment.
In his mind, the image of me, cold and distant amid the flames, flashed uncontrollably.
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Chapter 1
Frowning, he opened his email again, frustrated that I hadn’t responded to
him at all.
I always responded to his requests, no matter how much he had ignored me before. Now, he thought I was trying to act distant.
With a sneer in his mind, Zachary carefully escorted Ruby out of the obstetrics and gynecology department, took her to lunch, ensured she got home safely, and then headed to the company.
Upon entering the office, a subordinate immediately informed him that his grandfather, Victor Conrad, had returned to America. Victor had. called for an urgent meeting with all the management in Conference Room No.1.
Without missing a beat, Zachary turned and made his way to the conference room, casually telling his subordinate, “Get me some of the newest designer bags and fashionable jewelry.”
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