Chapter 197 I Love You
"Quinny, please! I'm begging you to save your brother!"
Marlee knelt outside the gates of Maple Estate, clutching the bars and shouting for Quinley.
When Martha refused to let her in, she stayed there on her knees, wailing.
"Mrs. Jennings, don't trouble yourself. I'll call the police."
Martha was about to dial 911.
"I'll go see her."
Running away wouldn't solve anything. Only by facing it head-on could she truly move forward.
"I'll come with you."
Martha protectively accompanied Quinley outside.
When Quinley appeared, Marlee looked at her like a drowning person seeing a lifeline.
"Quinny, I'm begging you one last time! Your brother hit someone. This time he might really go to prison."
She cried herself hoarse, tears streaming down her face.
Martha couldn't stand it anymore. "You're really something. Your son is going to prison—what does that have to do with Mrs. Jennings? He assaulted someone and broke the law. Prison is exactly what he deserves. If you want to beg, go beg a judge. Don't wail here. It's disturbing."
"Leave. Don't come here again."
Quinley's voice was cold.
Marlee clutched the bars, refusing to let go.
"Quinny, I wronged you. I'm guilty. But you grew up with Denny. He's innocent! For the sake of growing up together, could you help him one last time? I promise you, it'll be the last time."
"Mrs. Jennings, don't soften your heart. You've done more than enough for them, and they've only taken advantage of you. If she wants to wail, let her wail. Let's go inside."
Martha held Quinley's arm, trying to lead her back.
"I treated him like a brother. I treated you like family. What did you treat me as? An ATM? A fire extinguisher? I never asked for much. I just wanted you to treat me like real family."
Memories flooded back, and Quinley's heart ached.
"I'm not Quinley anymore. Go back."
Quinley turned away. Marlee collapsed to the ground.
"I was wrong! I shouldn't have given your identity to someone else. I'll get it back for you! Quinny, please don't hate me!"
"There's no need. Just pretend I'm dead. Pretend you never had this daughter."
This time, Quinley didn't soften.
She walked away without looking back.
Marlee cried and shouted outside the gate for a while longer, but seeing Quinley's resolve, she finally left.
That evening, when Zachary came home from work, Martha recounted the incident.
"Next time she comes, call me immediately."
Though he spoke to Martha, his gaze fell on Quinley.
Marlee was despicable, but she was still Quinley's adoptive mother. Quinley valued relationships—what Marlee had done must have torn her apart.
After dinner, Quinley returned to the bedroom. Zachary set aside his work and followed her in.
She'd just showered and was sitting on the bed in a silk slip nightgown, applying body lotion.
Zachary walked over, took the bottle from her hands, and took over the task.
When it came to doting on Quinley, he had no limits.
"That was hard on you today. I won't let her harass you again."
Zachary spoke softly.
Quinley lay across Zachary's lap as he smoothed the lotion onto her bare back with gentle strokes.
"Actually, I wasn't that upset today."
Quinley spoke honestly.
"She raised me. What I did for them—that fulfilled my filial duty and repaid their kindness. Before, I was conflicted because I still had expectations. I hoped that at some point, they'd change and truly treat me as their daughter."
Zachary's heart ached. His large hand patted her back gently.
"You've done more than enough. They're the ones who kept pushing for more."
"That's why I've decided to cut my losses. I still have my life ahead of me. I shouldn't let these toxic things keep dragging me down. I've found Mom now, I have you, and I should cherish my happiness instead of dwelling on unhappy things."
Quinley lifted her small face, her eyes sparkling.
Zachary was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion.
He cupped her face and pressed fervent kisses to her forehead.
"I will make you happy."
Quinley looped her arms around his neck. "Show me how."
In that moment, she transformed into a coquettish woman.
Their position was already intimate, and now certain chemistry began sparking between them. Zachary's Adam's apple bobbed.
"Less talk. More action."
He was a man of action, through and through.
He pressed her down, enveloping her small frame with his broad chest.
"I love you."
Just before kissing her, he finally spoke those three words.
Desire surged—primal and consuming.
Quinley was lost in the haze, but at the critical moment, something occurred to her.
"You're not wearing a condom."
Since their marriage, all their intimate moments had included protection.
Zachary respected Quinley. He never did anything that made her uncomfortable. Including pregnancy.
"Can we skip it tonight?"
Zachary kissed her lips, his voice low and magnetic, even more bewitching under desire's influence.
"No. I don't want to get pregnant."
Quinley refused, pushing Zachary away.
She didn't want to get pregnant. She was afraid of having something only to lose it again. The tragedy of that child—she was terrified of reliving it.
Quinley grabbed her nightgown, pulled it on, and burrowed under the covers.
Zachary sat there naked, his body aching—but his heart ached even more.
Even in this situation, he didn't utter a single word of complaint.
He padded barefoot into the bathroom. Water rushed from the shower.
A few minutes later, he emerged.
Quinley had buried her head under the blanket like an ostrich.
He approached and gently patted her shoulder.
"It's okay. Let's just sleep."
He turned off the bedside lamp and naturally pulled Quinley into his arms, making no further moves.
"Are you angry that I'm selfish?"
In the darkness, Quinley asked guiltily.
"Silly girl, how are you selfish? We're both still young. There's no rush to have children. Besides, I want to enjoy just the two of us for a few more years."
He knew what weighed on Quinley's heart, but he didn't push.
Warmth flooded Quinley's chest. She turned and wrapped her arms around Zachary.
"Thank you for being so understanding."
Her nose tingled, tears threatening to fall.
Zachary's devotion melted away all her protective armor. She, who was always so strong and independent, suddenly had a weakness. Suddenly felt vulnerable.
"You're my wife. You're the person I'm spending my life with. When we married, I promised to protect you, cherish you, and make you happy for the rest of my days. Quinny, being with you makes me so happy."
Zachary, who never got sentimental, broke his own pattern. When he turned on the charm, no one could compete.
His words warmed the depths of Quinley's heart.
She pressed her head against his chest, listening to the powerful rhythm of his heartbeat.
Neither spoke for a long while.
Then suddenly, Quinley said, "Maybe... we could try."
"Let's try."
Zachary's response was immediate and enthusiastic.
Lightning met tinder.
Desire, once restrained, flooded out like a raging torrent.
In the interplay of light and shadow, they broke through the distance between them again and again.