Chapter 195 That Child is Yours
Six o'clock in the evening, Zachary's Maybach pulled into Maple Estate right on schedule.
His leg had healed considerably—the doctor had already cleared him for discharge. The man once known as a workaholic now had a new greatest pleasure besides work: clocking out on time. The moment he was off, he'd race home.
Since leaving her job, Quinley had been enjoying a leisurely life. Zachary had created a special garden for her in the backyard that had become her personal sanctuary.
As the car pulled through the gates, Martha and Elise were in the kitchen preparing dinner. Zachary wheeled himself in, carrying an enormous bouquet of stargazer lilies.
Ever since Quinley moved into Maple Estate, he'd brought her flowers every single day.
"Mr. Jennings, Mrs. Jennings is in the back garden watering the flowers!" Martha poked her head out from the kitchen, beaming as she reported Quinley's whereabouts.
"Got it. Can you put these in water?" Zachary handed her the bouquet and wheeled himself toward the back garden.
"Their relationship is so beautiful," Martha sighed wistfully.
Lucas limped in and echoed the sentiment. "Mr. Jennings has turned into a total wife-worshipper."
For a domineering CEO, he could think of nothing but his little bride at home.
"Don't be jealous. Go find someone yourself if you're so envious," Martha teased.
Lucas had never dated anyone in his entire life. His face flushed as he limped back outside. "I don't have that kind of luck."
Though he said it dismissively, his gaze drifted enviously toward the back garden.
---
Quinley stood in her rain boots, having just finished clearing weeds from the garden. When she spotted Zachary wheeling toward her, she quickly waved him off.
"Don't come over here! I just watered—it's slippery!"
But Zachary didn't listen. Like a stubborn child, he wheeled himself forward anyway.
Stubbornness usually comes with a price.
Sure enough, when the wheelchair hit the wet ground, it slipped out of control and he tumbled forward.
In that split second, Quinley threw herself down, using her slight frame to break his fall.
Their foreheads collided. Quinley winced, clutching her head with her eyes squeezed shut.
Zachary hurt too, but all he cared about was her. "It's my fault. I'm so sorry. Let me make it better."
He gently stroked her forehead, blowing on it softly. The warm air tickled her bangs.
"Does it feel better?" he asked as he continued.
Quinley's brow remained furrowed. "It still hurts."
"Where? I'll call Dr. Brown right away."
Quinley pushed against his chest. "You're crushing me. That's what hurts."
His six-foot frame was pressing down entirely on her small body.
Only then did Zachary realize how compromising their position was. And being this close to Quinley, his body had... reacted.
Beneath him, Quinley's cheeks flushed crimson. She turned her face away, unable to meet his eyes.
Understanding her awareness, Zachary's gaze darkened with heat. "I can't help it. You're too irresistible. I'm suffering too. Should we go back to the bedroom?"
The implication was clear. Quinley understood perfectly. Her face grew even redder.
"Zachary, it's not even dark yet! What are you thinking?"
"I'm hungry. I want to eat you." As he spoke, he couldn't help stealing a kiss from her lips.
"Dinner's ready!"
At the most awkward possible moment, Martha appeared. She caught sight of them and immediately covered her eyes.
"Didn't see a thing! Nothing at all! You two carry on!"
From inside, Elise called out, oblivious, "See what? What's wrong with Cindy?"
Quinley wanted to sink into the ground.
"Zachary!" she hissed.
But Zachary just laughed like a mischievous child who'd gotten exactly what he wanted. "Cindy, remember—you're my wife now."
---
After dinner, Zachary couldn't wait to retreat to the bedroom. His stomach was full, but another hunger still gnawed at him.
Quinley deliberately lingered in the kitchen, helping Martha clean up.
Martha, being a woman of experience, kept shooing her away. "Mrs. Jennings, you've had a long day. Go rest."
"I'm not tired." Quinley continued stalling.
In the bedroom, Zachary waited so long the metaphorical flowers wilted, but Quinley refused to come in.
After finishing in the kitchen, she went to Elise's room instead.
"Cindy, why aren't you resting?" Elise looked surprised.
Quinley sat on the edge of the bed and began massaging Elise's legs. "I'm not sleepy."
Elise sighed deeply. "Cindy, you're not getting any younger. Since you're married, you and Zach should have a baby soon. A woman's life changes completely when she has children."
Elise had entered full baby-pressure mode.
"Mom, I don't want children yet." Quinley's resistance was quiet but firm.
Elise immediately launched into a lecture. "You might not want them, but Zach does. Men don't feel like they have a complete home until there are children."
Quinley had always avoided this topic. The shadow of the child she'd lost still haunted her. Even in her most intimate moments with Zachary, she insisted he take precautions. She was terrified of history repeating itself.
"I'm tired. I'm going to bed." Quinley stood and left Elise's room.
When she returned to the bedroom, Zachary was propped against the headboard, looking like he'd been waiting for ages.
He opened his arms, but Quinley refused the embrace. Her mood seemed off.
"What's wrong?" Zachary pulled her close by the shoulders, his voice gentle.
Quinley shook her head. She didn't know why, but ever since leaving Elise's room, her mind had been full of thoughts about that lost child.
"Nothing. I'm tired. Let's sleep."
She lay down with her back to him, curling into a tight ball.
Something was bothering her—something she was hiding from Zachary.
Even the closest lovers, no matter how near they are, have corners of their hearts the other can't reach.
What Quinley wouldn't say, Zachary didn't press. That night, she slept restlessly. Truth be told, Zachary didn't sleep much either.
---
The next morning, Zachary rose early. Elise also had the habit of waking early. When he came downstairs, she was in the kitchen with Martha preparing breakfast.
"Mom, can I talk to you for a minute?"
To untie a knot, you need the person who tied it. Zachary told Elise about Quinley's strange behavior.
Understanding dawned on her face. She sighed heavily.
"Cindy still hasn't moved past that experience."
"What experience?" Zachary looked confused.
Elise raised her eyes and looked at him deeply. "Cindy never told you, did she? When she left Rosewood City, there was an accident. She was lucky to survive, but... she lost the baby."
The words hit Zachary like a thunderbolt, shattering his heart.
The child had always been a topic they never discussed.
"I know about the baby." He lowered his eyes, hiding the pain.
"But do you know that baby was yours?" Elise added quietly.
Zachary hadn't known.
His sharp eyes went wide as saucers. "Are you sure?"
Elise sighed heavily. "Cindy keeps everything bottled up inside. I can't imagine how much she's suffered alone."
In that instant, Zachary's heart plunged into an ocean of anguish. Heartache, self-blame, guilt—everything surged through him at once.
He forced himself out of the wheelchair and, supporting himself against the wall, made his way step by painful step toward the bedroom.
On the bed, Quinley was sleeping soundly.
Zachary couldn't hold back. He pulled her into his arms, pressing fervent kisses to her forehead.
"I'm sorry. This is all my fault."