Chapter 624 Samuel Goes Crazy: Taylor, Who Is He? 2
After Samuel finished his question, Taylor glanced at Julian.
She deliberately adopted a mocking tone, "He's whoever you think he is. What, Samuel, do I need to report to you about my friendships now?"
Samuel was furious. "Taylor, don't push it! We're still legally married, and I won't have you keeping a husband at home and a lover on the side."
Taylor couldn't be bothered with him. "At least you're aware of your own behavior! Samuel, if you'd just divorce me cleanly and then take care of this Zenobia and her daughter, I might actually respect you for it. Your current behavior is truly disgusting."
Samuel's gaze could have frozen hell over.
Taylor waved her phone casually, "Remember to meet with my lawyer tomorrow."
She turned to leave, with Julian naturally accompanying her. As he departed, Julian cast an enigmatic look at Samuel, his eyes carrying that unmistakable masculine challenge that passed between rivals.
Julian was interested in Taylor.
In fact, Samuel knew perfectly well that given Taylor's character and busy schedule, she wouldn't cheat. But this Julian was too dazzling, too accomplished—Samuel was certain that the moment he divorced Taylor, Julian would be pursuing her. Julian, indeed, was quite the catch.
Samuel felt uneasy. He was about to follow Taylor, feeling they needed to have a private conversation, but he'd barely taken two steps when Zenobia's pained voice stopped him, "It hurts! My head is killing me."
She had effectively blocked his path.
Samuel immediately rushed to her side, supporting her as he asked anxiously, "What's wrong? Is the headache severe?"
Zenobia leaned completely against his shoulder, the picture of fragile femininity, but she hadn't forgotten the takeout box. "I'll be fine after I rest a bit. Samuel, could you please drive me back to the hospital? I don't want to disappoint Thalassa—she said she was craving creamy mushroom soup."
Samuel was moved by this display of maternal devotion.
He found himself saying: "Zenobia, you're such a wonderful mother."
Zenobia smiled softly, though the warmth never reached her eyes. Samuel helped her into the car, and she settled into the passenger seat—traditionally the wife's domain—beside him. As Samuel gripped the steering wheel, he couldn't help stealing glances at her.
Zenobia had changed considerably since their college days.
Back then, she'd been a striking beauty, like a vibrant rose in full bloom. Now she was hauntingly fragile, stirring protective instincts. Samuel couldn't help comparing her to Taylor—Taylor was undeniably more beautiful, but her privileged background created an invisible barrier between them.
Zenobia, on the other hand, seemed to understand his very soul.
Samuel's heart grew restless, and he didn't dare pursue that train of thought. Noticing his conflicted expression, Zenobia gently placed her hand on his shoulder. "Samuel, what's troubling you?"
His voice came out rough, "Nothing. Let me get you back to the hospital."
But in the next moment, Zenobia's head found his shoulder.
She gazed up at him with hazy eyes, her words soft and intimate, "Samuel, I've regretted it countless times over the years—regretted not fighting harder for us. When I returned to Evergreen City with Thalassa, I shamefully fantasized that you hadn't forgotten me, that you were still single, that there was no other woman in your life. But it was all wishful thinking. You have a beautiful, capable wife, and you two are so in love."
Zenobia traced the bridge of his nose with her fingertip—the same gesture she'd used during their intimate moments years ago when they'd lie entwined beneath the covers. In this private moment, what man could resist such temptation?
Sure enough, Samuel's body trembled violently.
He hadn't forgotten.
His Adam's apple bobbed as his voice turned gravelly, "Zenobia, don't do this."
Her gaze remained tender. "Do you love her? Tell me you love her, and I'll leave immediately, never to bother you again. Samuel, I'm going insane. I can't accept that you no longer belong to me. I can't bear watching you be gentle with someone else. In my heart, you're still my Samuel, my one and only love."
"Zenobia, stop talking."
"No, I need to say this! I'm afraid I'll run out of time, afraid that if I miss today, I'll never have another chance. I'm afraid I'll hold back because I'm Thalassa's mother, and Thalassa's life is in Taylor's hands. Samuel, my heart is breaking."
With those words, Samuel pulled her into his arms.
Their lips met in a searing kiss, clinging together like magnets. They embraced and caressed with desperate hunger, as if trying to reclaim all the lost years and repay each moment of longing on each other's bodies.
Clothes disheveled, both breathless and wanting.
Zenobia's eyes fluttered closed as she whispered Samuel's name repeatedly, "Samuel, this is wrong. I never wanted to destroy your marriage or ruin things between you and Dr. Montague. Samuel, let this moment last forever. Let me give myself to you, let us be selfish just this once."
Taylor.
Samuel snapped back to reality.
He'd forgotten about Taylor—forgotten he had a wife. And he didn't want a divorce. How could he be intimate with Zenobia, especially here on Julian's territory? The thought of that man still made Samuel's jaw clench.
He needed answers about Julian. He wouldn't allow Taylor to get too close to him. Taylor was his wife, not someone for others to covet.
As Samuel's mind cleared, his physical desire for Zenobia cooled as well. It wasn't that he lacked needs, but years of sleeping in separate rooms from Taylor had taught him restraint.
He gently patted Zenobia, indicating she should move away from him.
Zenobia felt mortified.
She'd genuinely thrown caution to the wind, ready to seduce Samuel completely—all to force his hand. Even if it meant losing Taylor's support and Thalassa's treatment, she'd still have Samuel and his billions.
With a man and money, having more children would be easy enough.
Besides, Thalassa carried common blood—a lifelong shame for Zenobia.
Unwilling to give up, Zenobia pressed against Samuel's shoulder, nibbling his neck and leaving lipstick stains on his white shirt.
She whispered breathlessly, "Just now, I remembered our first time. You were just as hesitant then, Samuel, but you still unzipped my dress. I was trembling so badly, and you kissed me for the longest time."
This kind of seduction had only one purpose—she wanted to sleep with him.
Samuel understood perfectly, but male pride and vanity made him pretend otherwise.
He continued asking her to move away, his voice hoarse with restraint, "Be good, Zenobia."
Those brief words carried unmistakable intimacy.
And a hint of indulgent affection!
Zenobia understood completely.
She slid back to her seat, straightening her clothes as if nothing had happened, then casually returned to discussing Thalassa's condition. She kept her hold on Samuel, but to her surprise, he simply dropped her off at the hospital entrance and left.
After placating Zenobia, he rushed home to deal with Taylor.
But Samuel didn't know that their passionate display in the parking garage had been captured by security cameras and delivered to Julian, who then presented it to Taylor as a reunion gift.
When Samuel returned to the villa, darkness had fallen.
In the driveway, Taylor's white Bentley sat pristine and untouched. Samuel remained in his car, staring at the vehicle with a mixture of relief and regret over his encounter with Zenobia.
But he reasoned that one kiss wouldn't matter much—just a momentary lapse in judgment.