Chapter 1
They had been married for three years, yet he treated her like dirt while he gave Lilith all of his love. He neglected and mistreated her, and their marriage was like a cage.
Zoe bore with all of it because she loved Mason deeply!
That was, until that night. It was a downpour and he abandoned his pregnant wife to spend time with Lilith. Zoe, on the other hand, had to crawl her way to the phone to contact an ambulance while blood was flowing down her feet.
She realized it at last. You can’t force someone to love you.
Zoe drafted a divorce agreement and left quietly.
…
Two years later, Zoe was back with a bang. Countless men wanted to win her heart.
Her scummy ex-husband said, “I didn’t sign the agreement, Zoe! I’m not going to let you be with another man!”
Zoe smiled nonchalantly, “It’s over between us, Mason!”
His eyes reddened when he recited their wedding vows with a trembling voice, “Mason and Zoe will be together forever, in sickness or health. I refuse to divorce!”
Chapter 1
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 breadwinner in their family. It didn’t matter that she used to be a renowned violinist. She was a homemaker now.
Zoe didn’t press him about the picture. She couldn’t afford to do it. She said hurriedly when she saw that he was heading out, “I’ve something I need to say to you, Mason.”
He took his sweet time fastening his belt and looked at her. He probably thought about how meek and submissive she was on the bed earlier, “Up for another round?”
It might’ve sounded like they were intimate, but he was just toying with her. He had never cared about her. He had to marry her because of an accident.
He took his Patek Philippe watch from the night table and said nonchalantly, “You have five minutes. The chauffeur’s waiting for me downstairs.”
Zoe could just guess where he was headed. She said tentatively, “I want to go back to work, Mason.”
Go back to work?
Mason finished fastening his watch and looked sideways at her. Then, he took out a checkbook, wrote a figure on it, and tore it off, “Isn’t it nice being a homemaker? You’re not suited for work.”
With that, he got ready to leave. Zoe chased after him and said humbly, “I’m not afraid of hardships! I want to go back to work. I can play the violin…”
He didn’t have the patience to let her finish. The way he saw it, Zoe was like a vine that grew on a plant. She was used to relying on him. So, there was no way she could take on any hardships.
He checked his watch and said, “That’s all the time you have!”
Mason left without any hesitation. Zoe knew she couldn’t stop him. All she could do was talk to him when he gripped the doorknob, “My dad’s birthday is this Saturday. Can you come by?”
He halted for a second, “No promises!”
The door closed. Zoe could hear the car leaving as it veered off into the distance. The servants came upstairs in a few seconds. They were aware that the mister and the missus weren’t close. So, it was their duty to pass on messages.
“Mr. Mason said he’s going to Hucksburgh for a few days. It was an important matter, he said. Also, the company had sent over his laundry. Do you want to send them to the laundry service or take care of them yourself, Ms. Zoe?”
Zoe slumped onto the couch. She paused for a while and said softly, “I’ll do it myself.” Mason didn’t like the fragrance from dry cleaning. That was why Zoe hand-washed and ironed all his attires, including his suit jackets.
Aside from this, Mason was hard to please in other aspects as well. He didn’t like eating outside and he couldn’t tolerate the slightest messiness in his bedroom. Zoe went on to learn how to cook, tidy up their home, and floral arrangements. She was almost a perfect homemaker.
Her life revolved around Mason. Be that as it may, he didn’t love her. Zoe lowered her head and stared at the cheque.
Disasters befell her family last year. Someone pressed charges against her older brother and he was detained. The sudden onset of her father’s illness meant they were bleeding more than a hundred thousand dollars every month. Her stepmom, Mia, grumbled about how she should’ve gotten more money from Mason every time she went back.
“Mason’s the director of Lockwood Pharmaceutical Group. His net worth is more than hundreds of billions of dollars. You’re his wife. Doesn’t that mean his money’s as good as yours?”
Zoe smiled bitterly. Why would it be hers? Mason didn’t love her. He treated her coldly. There was only sex in their marriage life. He wouldn’t even allow her to carry his baby. She had to take a pill every time they had sex.
That’s right. She had to take a pill now. She opened a drawer after she was done eating the pill. A thick diary was in there. She opened it and started reading. She loved him so much back when she was eighteen years old…
Chapter 2
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?”
…
Zoe was raising her head and looking at a screen with a blank expression. It was broadcasting a piece of news.
‘The director of Lockwood Pharmaceutical Group rented the entire Disneyland and made a lady’s day.’
The fireworks were exploding throughout the entire sky as a young lady sitting in a wheelchair was smiling widely. Mason was standing right behind her, holding his phone.
Zoe blinked and said painfully after a long pause, “Where are you, Mason?” He paused for a while, seemingly unhappy that she was checking on his whereabouts. He said, “I’m busy. I’m going to hang up now. You should get in touch with Ava.”
He didn’t care enough to realize that she was about to burst into tears, but he lowered his head and looked at the young lady affectionately. Zoe’s vision was blurred by tears… She didn’t know that he could be this affectionate toward somebody.
Her stepmother, Mia, said, “Did you manage to call Mason? You have to get him to help us, Zoe…” She stopped abruptly when she saw what was shown on the screen.
She said after a pause, “Did he go to Hucksburgh again? I refuse to believe it, Zoe. Mason was unconscious back then. Are you telling me that Lilith actually brought him back with her violin? Let’s assume that it’s true for a second. Is this an appropriate way to repay her, though?
“He doesn't even remember your birthday!”
…
Mia was getting pissed off. She couldn’t help but shed a tear when she thought about the predicament the Sanders are in, “With that said, you have to keep a cool head. Don’t pick a fight with him now, Zoe.”
Zoe clenched her fists so tight her nails were digging into her flesh, but she didn’t feel pain at all. Pick a fight with Mason? She wasn’t about to do that. However, it wasn’t because she was focusing on the bigger picture. Instead, it was because she didn’t have the right to start a fight.
Her husband didn’t love her. Her status as his wife was virtually nonexistent!
She stared at the fireworks and said, “I’m sure these fireworks cost him a lot of money!” Mia didn’t catch her meaning. Zoe lowered her gaze and called Ava.
It was midnight. So, it was understandable that Ava wasn’t pleased that Zoe woke him up. She had worked with Mason for a long time. She enjoyed a privileged position. Furthermore, she knew his master didn’t care about Zoe at all. Naturally, she sounded cold and sharp.
“You’ll have to go through the usual procedure and get Mr. Mason’s signature to secure the cheque. It’s like the jewelry you’re wearing now. You need to register before you can use them. Do you know what I’m getting at, Ms. Zoe?”
…
Zoe hung up the phone. She kept her head lowered and stayed quiet. Then, she looked at herself in the mirror and raised her hand. Her wedding ring was fitted tightly onto her slim finger.
It was the only thing that didn’t require any procedures or signatures… How pathetic! Zoe blinked and said, “Get me someone so I can sell off this wedding ring!”
Mia was stunned, “Are you out of your mind, Zoe?”
She turned around and left. The hall seemed desolate in the dark of night, mirroring her loneliness… Zoe walked a few steps, stopped abruptly, and said firmly, “My eyes are opened, Mia! In fact, I’ve never looked at myself with such clarity.”
She was going to divorce Mason.
Chapter 3
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 trip. He could not be bothered to take note of her unusual silence. He took the necessities and went to the bathroom.
Zoe was soft and weak, he thought as he was taking a bath. He was sure she would have calmed down, unpacked his luggage, and gone back to the way she was by the time he was done bathing.
He was sure of it…
Mason walked out of the bathroom and saw that his luggage was left untouched. It looked like he was going to have to talk with her.
He sat on the couch and took a magazine casually. He said after a while, “How’s your father holding up? I heard about what happened that night… I’ve given Ava an earful for it.”
He sounded indifferent and insincere. Zoe stopped her chores and looked at him in the reflection of the mirror. Mason was so stunning and elegant. He was wearing a simple bath towel, but he still wore it better than the average guy.
Zoe stared at him so long that her eyes welled up. Then, she said calmly. “We’re getting a divorce, Mason!”
He was startled. He knew Zoe had been unhappy about his attitude that night. He sent Ava to the hospital the moment he learned about what happened to her family, but she would not accept his help. This was the first time she rebelled against him. She had been submissive all this time.
Mason took a pack of cigarettes from the coffee table and started smoking. Then, he said casually, “A few days ago, you said you wanted to go back to work, and now you want a divorce?
“Are you bored with your life as a homemaker? Is that why you want a different experience?”
“Take a look at the world, Zoe. A lot of people have to work overtime and spend time with insufferable people to make a living. You’re my wife and you live in a mansion, Zoe. What are you unhappy about?”
…
He sounded cold and heartless. Zoe couldn’t take it anymore. She sneered, “Your wife? Is this your idea of a wife?”
She rose suddenly, dragged him to the cloakroom, and slid open the wardrobe door. There was a series of jewelry in there, but they were all locked behind a password. Zoe had no idea what the passwords were because Ava was in charge of them.
She pointed at them and said mockingly, “What kind of wife needs to go through procedures with her husband’s secretary in order to use her own jewelry? What kind of wife needs to submit a form to her husband’s secretary for any amount of money?
“What kind of wife doesn’t even have enough money to call a cab? Tell me, Mason. Is that what it means to be your wife?”
Chapter 4
“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 marriage for a long time to come.
However, she saw all of it and she wanted nothing to do with him.
True, perhaps she would not have an easy life after the divorce. She might just have to spend time with insufferable people to make a living, but she was not about to regret making this decision.
Zoe withdrew her hand and started packing up her stuff. Mason was displeased. He stared at her. He never thought he would live to see the day she rebelled against him in this manner.
She was actually determined to go through with the divorce.
He was filled with rage. He swept her off her feet, and threw her onto the bed. Then, he pinned her down and leaned in close.
Mason whispered in her ear, “Aren’t you doing this because of Lilith? Why aren’t you being honest, Zoe? Didn’t you do whatever it took to become my wife? What’s the matter? What made you want to give it all up now?”
Zoe was trembling underneath him. It has been such a long time, but he still thought she was responsible for what happened back then.
It might have been due to the fact that they were touching each other or her passivity. Anyhow, Mason had the sudden urge to ravage with her. He gave her a meaningful look, closed his lips over hers, and undid her silk nightgown.
Zoe was exquisite. She had a delicate figure. It would have been fine if he had not touched her, but he had to do it with her at least twice before he was sated.
He kissed her slender neck, pinned both of her hands on her sides, and held them. Mason had always been dominant when it came to sex. Zoe could never defy him. She always let him have his way with her.
However, they were getting a divorce. How was this appropriate?
“No, Mason… Stop it…”
Zoe’s voice trembled. She looked so vulnerable, her black hair spread all over the pillow. She looked so beautiful that it made him want to destroy her and claim her for himself.
Mason kissed her forcefully and mocked her, “We’re still legally married. So, why can’t we do this? You always ask me to stop when we have sex, but when have you ever meant what you said?”
Chapter 5
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 feeling well, Mason. You should pay her a visit! Also, bring your wife along. She said she wanted to eat her pretzels.”
Lisa sounded cold. She didn’t like either her mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law.
Mason pinned Zoe down with one of his hands and glanced at her. He pondered for a second before answering, “We’ll be there shortly.”
He hung up the phone and started getting dressed. “Grandma’s sick. She wanted to see you. Let’s put a pause on all this divorce talk until we come back.”
Zoe laid limp on the bed. Eventually, she rose and put on some clothes. He looked at her slender figure as he zipped his pants. Then, he glanced at the box of condoms, pursed his lips, and left the room.
Mason was smoking in the car when she came downstairs. Dusk was coming. Zoe donned a silk blouse and long skirt. Her delicate calves were visible. She wanted to stay in the back seat, but he opened the passenger’s door. “Hop in.”
She had no choice. She sat in the car silently. The black Bentley drove out of the villa gate. Mason held the steering wheel with a hand and focused on the road. He stole a glance at Zoe from time to time.
They had been married for three years, but Zoe had rarely sat in his car. Now that she wanted to divorce him, she no longer had any interest in talking to him. Both of them remained quiet.
Half an hour later, they drove into a manor on the hill. The lights came on when the black gate swung open. It was as bright as day. Mason killed the engine and looked at her, “Grandma’s ill. She can’t take any more shocks. You know what to say.”
Zoe opened the car door and said coldly, “Don’t worry about it.”
He stared at her from the back and moved hurriedly to hold her hand. She tried to fight back. So, he tightened his grip on her hands. “Don’t forget about what you said.”
Her fingers twitched, but she was no longer trying to break free. Lisa was waiting for them in the living room. She could not help but frown when she saw them come in, hand in hand.
She said coldly, “Dr. Spencer just left. You guys should go check on Grandma.” She glanced at Zoe.
Zoe greeted her. Some time had passed when Lisa finally greeted her in return. She would have been disappointed under normal circumstances, but she could not care less about Mason now. Lisa's coldness no longer bothered her.
“Let’s see how grandma is holding up.”
Barbara looked really ill when they entered her bedroom. She was moaning, but her eyes glinted when she saw Zoe. “I’ve waited for a long time. You’re finally here, Zoe.”
Mason shoved her to his grandma, leaned in, and said, “I brought her here because I heard you weren’t feeling well.”
Barbara smiled, but she pretended she could not hear him clearly and asked, “Huh? Did you say you were trying to make a baby with Zoe? I think that’s much more important, Mason. I’m fine, anyway.”
Chapter 6
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 the other hand, loved it. She took a bite out of it and said, “You’ll be thirty years old in two years, Mason. Your friends are already raising two children. When are you going to have your own babies?”
Zoe remained quiet. Mason glanced at her and fiddled with one of her pretzels, “Zoe is still young. I think I’ll take it easy for another two years!”
Barbara knew what he meant, but she did not care to say it out loud.
…
Both of them had dinner at Lockwood Manor. It was quite late by the time they left. Mason buckled up and glanced at Zoe. She was looking out the car window.
She looked so fair and beautiful under the gloomy light. Mason stared at her for a good while before stepping on the gas gently. It was obvious he was trying to talk to her about something. That was why he did not drive very fast.
About five minutes later, Mason said, “I’ll ask my men to transfer your father to Lockwood Hospital tomorrow. He’ll be treated by the best professional medical team. Also, you should just let me know if you need more money.”
He spoke rather gently. This is his way of backing down. He did not love Zoe. He still had not forgiven her for tricking him back then.
However, he had no intention of replacing her with another lady. It was going to have a detrimental effect on his life as well as the company shares.
He would just have to get used to her!
Moreover, she was one of the prettiest and sexiest ladies alive. It was quite satisfactory when it came to sex, he thought.
Mason stole a glance at her when he stopped at the traffic light. He kept his hand on the steering wheel and said, “Ava will no longer come to our house. You can keep the jewelry for yourself. I’ll tell her about it.”
Zoe listened to him quietly. The air conditioner was very strong in the car. She had to wrap her arms around herself to keep herself from shivering from the cold.
She had been married to Mason for three years. She knew his character quite well. Truth be told, he was making a lot of compromises. She should be overwhelmed with gratitude, but she was not!
He said a lot and made some concessions too, but he had never said anything about Lilith. That was enough to tell Zoe that Lilith would continue to pop up in their lives if she agreed to his arrangements. Nothing had changed…
Zoe was tired. She no longer wanted to be trapped in a loveless marriage. So, she rejected him. “It’s okay. My father’s doing well at his current hospital.”
Mason knew what she meant. She was rejecting all of his offers and insisting on getting divorced.
He could not help but to get mad. “We signed an agreement when we got married, Zoe. You won’t be getting a single cent from me if you go through with this.”
“I’m aware of that!” She answered swiftly.
His patience was exhausted. So, he remained quiet.
They arrived at their manor twenty minutes later. Mason slowed down and told the guards, “Keep a close watch over the gate. Don’t let anything out.”
The guards were about to clarify his orders, but he had already driven away and parked the car.
Zoe was about to unbuckle her seat belt and get out of the car when Mason locked the doors.
Chapter 7
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 ended up sleeping separately. She took the guest room that night and Mason could not be bothered to soothe her. He was mad too. He changed into his pajamas and laid on the bed.
It was a little strange to have no one sleeping next to him. In the past, it did not matter how coldly he treated her. She would always wrap her arms around him from behind and doze off.
Morning came and a ray of light shone into the bedroom. Mason raised his hand to block it. Then, he woke up.
He could hear faint noises from downstairs. The servants were setting up the dining table. Zoe had always done it with them and prepared his breakfast separately.
Feeling better now, Mason got out of bed and had a change of clothes. Then, his gaze was fixed on a spot. Zoe’s suitcase was gone. He opened the wardrobe and found several of her frequently worn clothes also missing.
He stared for a few seconds and closed her wardrobe. After he changed into his usual working attire, he freshened up and wore his watch.
Mason went downstairs and asked the servants, “Where’s Zoe?”
The servant said cautiously, “Ms. Zoe left early in the morning, dragging a suitcase with her. She didn’t even ask for the chauffeur.”
“She thinks she’s so tough!” Mason proceeded to ignore what he’d just heard and dug into his breakfast. It was the usual black coffee and whole wheat bread.
However, the contents in the newspaper grabbed his attention. It was filled with articles about him and Lilith. Each of the headlines was more sensational than the other.
He read it for a while before asking the servant, “Did Zoe read the newspaper before she left?”
The servant answered honestly, “Ms. Zoe left before breakfast.”
Mason raised his head and looked at her. Then, he made a call to Ava.
“I need you to deal with the articles in the newspapers!” He gave her a few more orders and prepared to hang up.
He unfastened his tie and said casually, “Also, I need you to check where Zoe sold off her wedding ring. I want it by four o’clock.”
Ava was startled briefly before saying, “That’s impossible! Ms. Zoe loved you very much. How could she sell off the wedding ring?”
With that, Mason hung up the call and threw his phone onto the dining table. He had lost his appetite after reading the articles.
…
Zoe was back at her family’s place. Mia had just finished making chicken soup and was about to head to the hospital, but she was upset when she saw Zoe.
She pointed at the suitcase and said, “Every couple bickers. It’s perfectly normal for a guy to cheat a little. Lilith’s looks are modest at best, and she’s a gimp. I’ve asked around and found out that she’s a divorcee. There’s no way she could shake your standing in the Lockwood family.”
“Nobody respected me there!”
Zoe laughed at herself and poured the chicken soup into a thermal jug, “I’m going to visit Dad at the hospital later.”
Mia stared at her for a while before wiping her hands.
“You might give your dad a heart attack when he learns that you’re getting a divorce! Let’s just take a step back and assume you really can’t be with him anymore, Zoe. How do you plan on surviving without the Lockwoods? How do you intend to support our family?”
Chapter 8
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, and easy on the eyes.
Once he was done checking Gordon, he looked at Zoe and said, “A word, please.”
Zoe was startled. She put down her stuff and said tenderly, “Excuse me for a while, Dad.”
They passed by a quiet hallway. Cecil gave her a comforting grin and read Gordon’s medical record.
“I talked over Gordon’s case with other surgical department heads last night. We reached a unanimous decision to arrange for customized rehabilitation for your dad.
“Otherwise, it’ll be hard for him to go back to how he was before. The price will be slightly higher, though. A hundred thousand grand per month. ”
It was an impossible amount for Zoe now, but she answered without any hesitation, “Let’s do it.”
Cecil closed the medical records folder and looked at her quietly. In fact, they had known each other for a long time, but she had forgotten about it.
He was her neighbor when they were very young. The stars were visible outside her balcony when evening came and she missed her mother every day.
“Will Mommy come back, Cecil?”
Cecil had no answer for her. He could not have known either. He stared at her and thought back to the moment he returned to this country three years ago.
He thought she married someone who loved her when he heard about the news, but that was not the case. Mason was cold and treated her terribly.
He was about to say something when someone said from across the hall called out.
“Zoe.”
It was Mason. Clad in his usual business attire, it seemed that he had come directly from his company. He walked toward them, the sound of his shoes clacking crisply across the floor.
Mason extended his hand and said nonchalantly, “It’s been a while, Cecil!”
Cecil looked at his hand, smiled faintly, and took it in his grip. “What brought you here, Mason?”
Mason released his grip briefly and looked sideways at Zoe. “Should we check on Dad?”
Both of them were playing mind games with each other. Zoe did not realize it, though. She did not want to antagonize Mason in front of Cecil, so she just nodded and said, “Please excuse me, Dr. Cecil.”
Cecil gave her a brief smile in response.
Neither of them talked to each other on their way to Gordon’s ward. Ever since she made up her mind to divorce him, she no longer felt the need to please him.
Mason grabbed her hand when they were mere steps away from the ward and pinned her to the wall, a mixture of emotions in his eyes.
The way Cecil looked at her earlier told Mason that he loved her. Mason caressed her cheek. It was fair and smooth, very lovable. He said with a hoarse voice, “What did you guys talk about?”
Zoe wanted to break free of him, but she was subjugated as soon as he exerted more force on her. Both of them were pressed against each other…
Chapter 9
Zoe thought it was inappropriate. “We’re in the hospital, Mason!”
“Obviously.” Mason was unfazed. He pressed against her hard and whispered into her ears menacingly, “Do you know who he is?”
Zoe could read the subtext of his question. He was the director of the Lockwood Pharmaceutical Group. As such, he was clad in both power and status.
He would never allow his wife to get too close to another man.
Zoe smiled bitterly, “My mind isn’t filthy like yours, Mason. I’m not in the mood. Listen to me. I won’t get in bed with anyone else before our divorce is finalized.”
With that, she shoved him aside and went into Gordon’s ward. Mason was at her heels. His eyes narrowed. He could not believe Gordon was not staying in a solitary ward.
Mia took a chair for him and said softly, “Have a seat! Don’t just stand there, Zoe! You can go home with Mason later. Leave your dad to me!”
Mason sat down and chatted with Gordon. He might have been cold to Zoe all this time, but he presented himself flawlessly before his father-in-law. His many years in the world of business meant it was a piece of cake for him to please someone if he set his mind to it.
Gordon had always liked him. However, he rejected the idea of changing to another hospital when Mason brought it up.
He said with a smile, “There’s no need for all the trouble! I have a good time here. Dr. Cecil is very responsible too.”
Mason knew when to stop pushing. “What matters is that you like it!”
At that moment, Zoe handed him a peeled apple. Mason put it aside, grabbed her slender arm, and said to his parents-in-law, “I’ll take Zoe back with me now. Here’s wishing you a speedy recovery, Dad.”
Gordon nodded and watched as they left. Mia was packing up when Gordon said suddenly, “Are they having fights lately?”
She shivered and tried to cover it up, “Absolutely not! They’re very good together!”
Gordon sighed, “You’re lying! Zoe didn’t look at him the way she used to. Her eyes would glint in the past, but it’s gone now.”
Mia paused briefly before saying, “Try talking some sense to your daughter!”
Gordon leaned back slowly and said gently, “Fat chance! I’ll just play dumb. After all, she didn’t say anything to me! Noah has lost his freedom. I don’t want the same thing happening to Zoe.”
Mia was about to say something but decided otherwise.
…
Mason brought Zoe downstairs. The black Bentley looked graceful, dazzling in the evening sunlight.
Zoe was shoved into the car. She tried to get out of it but her arms were held down. He looked so casual. No one could have known he exerted pressure on Zoe so powerful that she could not move at all.
Clearly, there was a distinctive difference in men's and women’s physical strength. He did not release his grip until she stopped fighting. Then, he lit a cigarette and started smoking.
Zoe breathed rapidly and looked at his face. His features were so defined under the evening sunlight. Combine that with his identity, he was a girl magnet.
She was lost in a trance. This was the face that charmed her so much that she fell in love with it for so many years.
Mason looked sideways at her. He rarely concerns himself with her affairs. He actually didn’t care much about her, but he had no intention of marrying another lady.
Any man with a powerful identity and reputable standing would do the same.
He put out his cigarette shortly and took out a velvet ring box. A diamond wedding ring was in it. Zoe’s throat tightened. It was the same wedding ring she sold that night.
Did Mason buy it back for her?
Mason stared at her and took in every expression that was shown on her face as if trying to see through her.
After a while, he said, “Give me your hand. I’ll put the ring back on. Then, you’re going to come back home with me and pretend all of this never happened. You’re still my wife.”