Chapter 189 For a Lifetime
Alicia spoke seductively, biting her lip, then began to lower her head.
Realizing what she wanted to do, Zachary reacted swiftly and grabbed a fistful of her hair.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
He held her head in place, keeping her away from that area.
"Zach, I just want to make you feel good. Don't be so tense. Relax a little. I'll have you feeling amazing in no time!"
Alicia smiled shamelessly.
Her brazen attempt to pleasure him only deepened his disgust.
Though his body couldn't move much, his grip was strong.
Catching Alicia off guard, Zachary suddenly shoved hard. She tumbled off the bed and hit the floor.
"Zach, that hurt!" Alicia lay on the ground, clutching her bruised knee and whining.
But her act earned not a shred of sympathy from him.
"Get out. Don't let me see you again."
Alicia glared at Zachary from the floor. Time seemed to freeze in that moment.
After a few minutes, she slowly got to her feet.
Her pitiful eyes now mixed resentment with unwillingness.
"You really hate me that much?"
"I've liked you for so many years. Is your heart made of stone?"
"Alicia, this is my last warning. Stop flattering yourself. I've been crystal clear from the beginning—the person I like is not you."
Zachary's voice was harsh.
Alicia laughed—a laugh filled with bitter coldness.
"Too bad. It's too late now. Even if the person you like isn't me, you're stuck with me for the rest of your life."
"What do you mean?" Zachary's brow furrowed.
Alicia left the question hanging. "You'll find out soon enough."
With that, she glided out of his room.
But just as she reached the door, Alicia spotted the fried chicken.
She bent down and picked up the food container, squinting as she examined it carefully. A slow smile spread across her face.
Then, swaying her hips, she walked back toward Zachary with light steps.
"What are you coming back for? Get out—"
Zachary was livid. He grabbed his pillow and hurled it at her.
Alicia caught it with one hand, looking incredibly smug.
"Zach, don't be so mean to me. I'm just being nice and bringing you your lunch. But you should probably tell her not to do this anymore. I'd hate for people to call her a homewrecker."
She set the fried chicken at her feet, mockery flashing in her eyes.
"You're sick, so you need to rest properly. I'll come see you again tomorrow."
She placed the pillow at the foot of his bed, then leaned forward in an S-curve and blew him a kiss.
Her face was nearly identical to Quinley's, but the expression was completely different.
"Eat well. And this time I'm really leaving!"
She laughed and walked away, thoroughly satisfied.
The hospital room door stood open. A ball of rage churned in Zachary's chest.
He stretched to grab the food container.
It was the fried chicken Quinley had bought for him.
But right now, Zachary had no appetite whatsoever.
He picked up his phone from the floor and immediately called Quinley.
After such a huge misunderstanding today, he didn't want her to get the wrong idea.
But she didn't answer.
One call. Two calls. Three...
From initially not picking up to eventually turning off her phone entirely.
Zachary understood—Quinley was angry.
And her anger only made him more anxious.
So he immediately contacted his bodyguard and rushed toward the South City apartment.
Though they'd registered their marriage, Quinley had insisted on continuing to live at the South City apartment.
On the way there, Zachary's mind was in chaos.
He sent Quinley countless messages.
She didn't reply to a single one.
[Quinny, I'm sorry. Today was a misunderstanding.]
[Will you hit me? Just once? I was wrong. I was really wrong.]
[I promise you, it will never happen again, okay?]
...
Zachary, who never knew how to yield or bow his head, was now apologizing and humbling himself completely before Quinley.
All he wanted was her forgiveness.
---
After leaving the hospital, Quinley went straight home.
She was now living here with Elise.
"Cindy, why are you back so early? Zach is sick—you should spend more time with him."
Elise was leaning on the sofa, wearing reading glasses as she knitted a sweater for Quinley. She was quite surprised to see her return.
Quinley changed her shoes at the entrance and headed straight for the bedroom.
"I'm a bit tired. Came home early to rest.."
She told herself she wasn't angry, but seeing another woman entangled with Zachary had inexplicably set her off.
"Did you and Zach have a fight?" Elise asked worriedly.
Quinley shook her head and lied. "No, Mom. Don't overthink it."
"How can I not overthink? Zach is capable, comes from a good family, and he's a decent person. I just worry that other people have their eyes on him, and that would upset you."
People often say mothers and daughters are connected at heart. Elise's words hit exactly what was bothering Quinley.
"Mom, your daughter isn't bad either. If he's really like that, I'll divorce him immediately."
"Talking about divorce right after getting married—that's so inauspicious! Cindy, married couples need to work things out gradually. Zach seems like a reliable person. He probably won't let you down."
Elise used the word "probably."
Quinley's heart sank. "Alright, Mom, I know. Stop worrying. I'm tired. I'm going to sleep for a bit."
She went into the bedroom and locked the door behind her.
Quinley threw herself onto the bed. The moment she closed her eyes, those ambiguous images filled her mind.
Who was that woman?
Why did she have a face identical to her own?
What was her relationship with Zachary?
Quinley tried to force herself not to think about it, but her mind wouldn't stop racing.
Just as she was tormented by these thoughts, unable to find sleep, Zachary arrived.
Knock after knock echoed through the apartment, each one striking Quinley's heart.
"Coming, coming!" Elise tried to move from the sofa to her wheelchair, but in her haste, she fell to the floor.
Quinley didn't want to deal with Zachary, but she couldn't ignore Elise.
"Mom, take it slow."
She rushed out of the bedroom and helped Elise up.
The knocking continued.
"Cindy, go open the door quickly. I'm fine."
Elise finally settled into her wheelchair.
"Don't bother with him. Let him knock."
Quinley spoke stubbornly.
"Cindy, when couples have problems, they need to communicate more and sulk less. I'll open the door. Let him in so you two can talk properly."
Elise insisted.
And so Zachary successfully entered.
"You two talk. I'm going out for some air." Elise tactfully wheeled herself out the door.
Only Zachary and Quinley remained in the room.
"Quinny, please let me explain. Today was really a misunderstanding. I had no idea she'd come to the hospital or do something like that."
Quinley sat on the sofa with her arms crossed, her face dark.
Zachary groveled and explained. She didn't respond, instead she let him repeat everything he'd already said in his texts.
From the moment she fell in love with him, Quinley had known—the man she loved was too outstanding, too dazzling. She loved him, and so did others.
He was like a piece of glowing gold. Wherever he went, people coveted him.
"Zachary, tell me the truth. Who was that woman?"
Zachary took a deep breath. He didn't know how to explain this.
"It's Alicia."
Alicia?
Quinley didn't believe it.