Chapter 4
The subordinate quickly replied, “Understood, Mr. Conrad. I’ll have someone buy them and deliver them to Ms. Newman’s place as soon as possible.”
Zachary paused, pinched the bridge of his nose, and corrected, “Send them to the Snowden’s manor.”
In his mind, once I left the villa, the Snowden’s manor would be my only option for a place to stay.
A week later, after finishing a project, Zachary returned home to find at slim figure in a silk nightgown curled up on the living room couch.
“Queenie, I’ve told you so many times, I’ll come home when I’m done. You don’t need to-”
When Zachary entered and saw Ruby sitting on the couch, all his mocking and complaints stopped immediately. He stared at her coldly, his eyes fixed on her without a blink.
Ruby shuddered, looking both distressed and pitiable.
“Zachary, Mrs. Conrad hasn’t returned in a while. I’ve sent her several apology messages, but she hasn’t responded. Should I move out?”
Seeing Ruby on the verge of tears, Zachary frowned inwardly and pulled her into a hug.
He kissed her forehead in a somewhat detached manner, telling her to take care and not to worry too much.
“Whether Queenie accepts it or not, this will be your home, and your child’s, from now on.”
About thirty minutes later, Zachary, dressed in a bathrobe, stood alone on the balcony, smoking a cigarette.
He had quit smoking for a while, but tonight, for some reason, he felt the urge to smoke again.
As if by chance, Zachary unlocked his phone and saw my number at the bottom of his contact list. He hovered over the dial button for a moment.
After smoking two more cigarettes, he still didn’t call. Instead, he sent a
message.
“Queenie, tomorrow is Grandpa’s 80th birthday. You’d better not cause any trouble at the party for Ruby and the baby.”
***
At Victor’s birthday party, Zachary and Ruby made a grand entrance, looking like the perfect couple.
It wasn’t until Victor arrived that Zachary let go of Ruby’s hand and moved to Victor’s side to greet the important guests.
“Why didn’t Queenie come with you?” Victor asked pointedly.
Zachary rarely defended me, but he did so this time.
“Sorry, Grandpa. Queenie’s been busy preparing gifts and has been tired. I told her to rest for a bit. She’ll come later.”
Two hours flew by, and the party was nearing its end with the gift–giving ceremony, but I still hadn’t arrived.
22150
Zachary’s uncase grew. He walked to the side, took out his phone, and
called me.
“Hello, the number you dialed is….
He kept calling, but the line kept going to a busy signal.
At that moment, a deliveryman entered the hall with three gifts I had sent.
Victor smiled as he faced the curious stares from the crowd and began unwrapping the first gift.
Inside was a beautifully hand–stitched piece, made with hundreds of blessings to celebrate his birthday. It was clear to everyone that I had spent months crafting it myself.
Touched, Victor opened the second gift with tears.
Inside was the heirloom gem that Zachary’s grandmother had given me on our wedding day.
The sight of the gem left the entire room in stunned silence.
In high society, everyone understood the significance of a woman returning an heirloom.
Before Victor could fully process it, Zachary, with a dark expression, clenched his fists and stepped toward the third gift.
Just as I had expected, he coldly opened the final gift I had prepared. The box was large, but the contents were minimal.
Inside was only a divorce agreement and a medical report.
Zachary froze as he saw the word “divorce” written on the document.
