Chapter 14
Queenie stared into Zachary’s eyes and suddenly laughed. “It’s because of that woman, isn’t it? Your secret girlfriend? What makes her so much better than me?”
Zachary’s expression turned cold. “You know about her? How long have you known?”
Hearing that, Queenie’s face darkened further. “Zachary! What’s that supposed to mean? Do you still want to protect her and keep her existence a secret? You’ve fallen in love with her, haven’t you? What’s so special about her? I’m the woman you love most!”
“This has nothing to do with her.” Zachary looked away. “I’ve made myself clear. What I felt for you was just an obsession. Let’s part on good terms now. Whatever compensation you want, I can give it to you.”
“Liar!” Queenie suddenly shrieked, grabbing his shirt collar. “Zachary, who do you think you are? You’re nothing but a reject from the Smith family!
“All you do is play video games, and even your own family can’t stand it. What’s wrong with me calling you out on it? Besides me, who else would want you? What is she compared to me? How dare you treat me like this?”
Zachary let her grip his shirt, watching her twisted expression with calm eyes. In that moment, he finally knew for certain what he felt in his heart.
He loved Yasmine, who stayed up all night taking care of him when he was sick, who always supported his dreams, and who was always gentle and caring toward
him.
Seeing that he remained unmoved, Queenie’s expression suddenly changed. She released his shirt, tears instantly filling her eyes. “Zach…” Her voice became soft and trembling. “Did I scare you just now?”
of
losing
you…
She reached out with shaking hands to gently stroke his cheek, her voice choking with sobs. “I didn’t mean to. I’m
just so afraid “I didn’t mean to say those things to put you down, either. You know I only said them because I care about our future! Zach, I really do love you.” Zachary watched her sudden change of attitude and found it almost laughable. He gently brushed her hand away. “Queenie, don’t do this.”
“No, Zach, listen to me…” Queenie knelt beside the hospital bed, gripping his hands tightly as tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. “I know I have a bad temper, but I can change. Didn’t you love the desserts from that place in Westdale? I’ll go buy some for you tomorrow…”
མཇ་ས་ཚེ
Zachary shook his head. “That’s not necessary.”
“Then I’ll go right now! Zach, please don’t hold those awful things I said against me, okay?” Queenie pressed his hand against her cheek, her voice trembling.” We’ve been together for so long. You’re just temporarily confused by some other woman. I… I don’t blame you…”
”
“Queenie, this has nothing to do with her.” Zachary pulled his hand back, his expression growing impatient. “Stop clinging to this. I really don’t love you anymore. That’s just how it is.”
“Why?” Queenie’s voice shot up before immediately softening. “It must be because of her. Zach, we’ve known each other for years. No one loves you more than I do. I don’t blame you for being temporarily confused. You…”
Zachary pushed her away, cutting her off. “Queenie, let’s just end this amicably.”
The words hit her like a slap in the face, and Queenie’s expression instantly twisted. She shot to her feet, tears still streaming down her face, but a cold smile curved her lips.
“Zachary, you’re going to regret this.” She grabbed her purse and headed for the door, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.
At the doorway, she suddenly turned back. “Do you think that woman really loves you? She’s nothing but-”
“Enough.” Zachary’s voice tumed cold as he cut her off. “What happens between her and me is none of your business. Please leave.”
The hospital room door slammed shut with a deafening bang. Zachary let out a long breath, as if he’d finally lifted a burden he’d been carrying for years.
He pulled out his phone, his finger hovering over Yasmine’s name in his contacts for a moment before dialing.
“Hello. The number you have dialed is currently unavailable…”
Hearing the cold mechanical voice, Zachary frowned and sent Anthony a message instead. “Where’s your sister? I need to find her urgently.”
Anthony didn’t respond, but he was probably busy and hadn’t seen his phone. Growing restless, Zachary got out of bed, changed his clothes, and prepared to go home.
Yasmine would always wait for him at home like she always did. This time would be no different.
