Chapter 153 She didn't want Zachary; she didn't want him to touch her!

Zachary smoked a cigarette, thinking about Victoria and her illness.

The doctor said he needed to make her happy.

But now, he didn't know how to do that.

Everything he did was wrong.

Behind him stood a slender figure—it was Melissa!

She didn't dare disturb Zachary. She just stood from afar, watching his lonely figure.

Wasn't he supposed to be happy with a perfect family, a wife and a daughter? Why did he look so unhappy?

Zachary was about to leave after smoking two cigarettes, but as he turned around, he saw Melissa.

In front of this mature man, the young girl's thoughts were transparent.

He could tell that Melissa liked him.

Zachary's gaze was deep as he walked towards her, making Melissa's heart race. She thought Zachary would at least say something to her since they knew each other, right?

But to her surprise, Zachary walked past her without a word.

Melissa felt disappointed. She couldn't help but think, 'He must still love his wife.'

Zachary went downstairs and got into the car.

Victoria sat in the back seat, feeding Emily with great tenderness.

Her coffee-colored coat lay aside, revealing a light pink blouse and a long skirt.

Zachary closed the car door and looked at her sideways.

His gaze was focused and tender, as was the way a man looks at a woman.

Even the servants felt awkward!

Victoria noticed Zachary's gaze and softly said, "You can drive now."

Zachary felt inexplicably good when she spoke.

He wondered why Victoria had depression when she had Emily by her side, looking so gentle and loving at that moment.

He thought she was blaming and hating him!

Zachary reached out his long hand and gently touched Emily 's face. So adorable!

He enjoyed going out with Victoria and taking Emily along.

He wanted to spend more time with her, believing that even with depression, she would eventually get better.

For a long time, Zachary was patient and kind to Victoria.

Apart from being a bit aloof, she seemed normal in other aspects and stopped mentioning leaving him.

Zachary couldn't help but think that things were finally getting better between them. She seemed willing to be a wife again for Emily 's sake.

Winter arrived, and Emily turned one.

Zachary arranged for extra meals in the kitchen, gave bonuses to the household staff, and even opened a bottle of wine to celebrate, drinking half of it.

After the celebration, he worked in the study until late at night.

When he returned to the bedroom, Victoria and the child were asleep, and the room was filled with a sweet fragrance. Zachary didn't turn on the light.

He walked to the baby's crib by moonlight, gently touching the baby's face. It was so soft.

He couldn't help but lean in and kiss the baby, feeling happy and content.

He took a shower and lay down next to Victoria, who was wearing a light pink silk bathrobe. The soft silk fabric clung to her body.

From behind, her thin shoulders and the alluring butterfly bone were particularly enticing.

Zachary, in his prime, couldn't help but desire her, especially since it had been 60 days since Victoria gave birth, and the doctor also said that they could make love from time to time, and told him to treat Victoria with tenderness.

He turned over, leaned over her, and kissed her while loosening her bathrobe belt.

They didn't make love for a long time. Zachary was excited and eager for her.

Perhaps it was because she was sleeping, Victoria seemed less indifferent than before, showing physiological needs.

When she woke up, her expression was vacant.

She breathed lightly as if still savoring the previous sensations. She exuded the scent of a mature woman with a hint of innocent allure.

Then, Victoria buried her face in the pillow. She didn't want to face Zachary, nor did she want to dwell on the pleasure her body had just experienced. She was filled with guilt!

Zachary turned her face towards him and kissed her gently. He softly asked if she wanted to go again. Zachary was eager, his body hot with desire, wanting comfort from her body. He couldn't hear the words "no."

He felt comfortable and assumed she did too.

As Zachary entered her, Victoria let out a painful cry, not from physical pain but from emotional distress.

She didn't want Zachary; she didn't want him to touch her! Her fingers gripped the bedside lamp, repeatedly saying "no" as she couldn't control herself in the dominating yet gentle possession.

She ended up fiercely hitting Zachary's forehead with the bedside lamp, causing blood to trickle down slowly. Zachary grunted in surprise.

He looked at the woman beneath him in disbelief. Despite the joyous moment, she had struck him.

But instead of getting angry, he held her gently and asked, "Did I make you uncomfortable? What's wrong?" Victoria pushed him away.

She refused to look at him, huddling at the head of the bed, holding her thin body, murmuring repeatedly, "Don't touch me! Zachary, don't touch me."

Zachary covered his forehead and turned on the light, and Victoria shrank further, resembling a frightened animal.

She rejected his closeness and gestures of goodwill.

She feared his touch, unwilling to engage in marital intimacy, even though she had felt something just moments ago.

Finally, Zachary realized that Victoria was ill. She had postpartum depression.

He wanted to comfort her with a hug but was afraid of her fear and rejection.

He gently suggested, "Victoria, let's see a doctor, okay? You're sick! Seeing a doctor will help." He kept his distance and didn't force her.

Victoria finally relaxed a bit, tears in her eyes, softly saying, "Zachary, leave me alone, and I'll get better! Please, I beg you." But Zachary didn't want to give up on her.

He took Victoria to see a psychologist, who advised her not to take care of the child for the time being.

Zachary mentioned this once, but Victoria didn't agree.

Every night, she slept with the child while Zachary slept in the study. He didn't ask for intimacy anymore, remaining gentle and caring towards Victoria.

However, they no longer shared a bed, and gradually, they grew distant.

Despite his physical needs, Zachary didn't seek extramarital affairs.

He was selective and didn't want to betray his marriage. Their relationship was becoming unhealthy.

As Christmas approached, Sackler Corporation held a campus recruitment event, where about 50 college graduates made it through the initial round, and Zachary had to select his staff.

To his surprise, he saw Melissa's resume among the candidates. He paused for a moment. Secretary Thomas also noticed and was surprised.

'Why would Melissa apply to Sackler Corporation? She should have avoided it.' She thought.

She tried to understand her boss's thoughts and softly said, "I'll have someone reject her."