Chapter 156 Victoria's condition worsened, and she started taking medication!
They didn't part on good terms.
Later, they grew more distant. It seemed that it was only Zachary's persistence that kept their marriage together.
He couldn't let Victoria go.
Unbeknownst to him, Melissa's presence exacerbated Victoria's postpartum depression, leading her to take antidepressants and switch Joseph to formula.
Zachary was oblivious.
His attempts at compensation were futile in the face of their frigid relationship.
Perhaps he still cared for Victoria, but he was more enamored with the affection and adoration of younger women, which kept him away from home.
By year's end, Victoria fell seriously ill. She had insomnia, resorting to sleeping pills. In the beginning, she took one pill a day, but later, she had to take three pills a day before sleeping.
Despite the medication, Joseph's cries would startle her awake, leading her to sing lullabies to him in the dead of night.
Zachary remained clueless.
They lived under the same roof but were like strangers, each a thorn in the other's heart.
They didn't bother each other.
Zachary remained robust while Victoria withered away day by day.
In the past, Victoria would have attended the Sackler Corporation's annual banquet as the hostess, but this year, she was absent.
The people of Redwater knew of their strained relationship, and many women saw an opportunity.
However, Zachary didn't invite any women, and Mrs. Sackler attended as the hostess.
The banquet at Maple Ridge Lodge was lively.
After Zachary and Mrs. Sackler had an introductory dance for the banquet, he prepared to leave.
As Joseph had caught a cold, Zachary wanted to return home early to be with him.
He realized that he had been spending less time with Joseph lately.
Mrs. Sackler stopped him.
She approached Zachary, her voice low, whispering, "I heard you've been close to a female intern. Zachary, I understand that as a man, you need comfort, but since Victoria has been unwell, why don't you find a suitable companion for you? I still think Claire is a good match, and she's still waiting for you! As for the intern, she's not worthy of your attention."
Zachary frowned slightly. "Mom, that's not true!"
Mrs. Sackler was about to say more, but Melissa entered the banquet hall.
She was wearing a white satin dress from THE ATELIER, which Victoria had worn three years ago, exuding a pure and sexy aura.
It was the first time she had attended a banquet after their marriage.
The resemblance, the same dress, and the adoring gaze had a profound impact on the men.
At that moment, it seemed as though Zachary's coldness towards Victoria was being compensated.
As a mature man, he naturally understood that Melissa had dressed up like this to present herself as a gift to him.
As long as he was willing, he would have a passionate and fulfilling night.
He could do to Melissa what he had wanted to do to Victoria, and this young woman would comply with him until he was satisfied.
He gazed at her silently, his eyes full of mystery, a charm unique to mature men.
Melissa's face turned red. Her red lips parted, and shyly called out, "Zachary!"
She was expecting him to do something, but when Zachary approached, he only paused and said, "Your dress is beautiful."
Melissa was about to respond, but he had already walked past her.
She couldn't help but feel disappointed.
She could sense his admiration for her and his interest in her, otherwise, he wouldn't look at her like that, or had allowed her to sit in his car last time.
But why didn't he want her?
Just as Melissa felt dejected, Mrs. Sackler's sharp eyes scrutinized her, who asked Secretary Thomas beside, "Is this the intern?"
Secretary Thomas respectfully replied, "Yes! She's a young girl who doesn't know how to control her distance! She often finds excuses to be around Zachary, and Zachary doesn't often reject her advances!"
Mrs. Sackler sneered. "A chicken will always be a chicken, never a phoenix!"
Her words reached Melissa's ears, making her extremely embarrassed. She knew she shouldn't be entangled with a married man, but she couldn't control herself.
She liked Zachary!
Two days later, Secretary Thomas came to the villa to deliver some documents.
Zachary was having a video conference in the study, so Secretary Thomas decided to drop the documents in the living room and check on Victoria and Joseph by the way.
Coincidentally, Victoria was in the living room.
Secretary Thomas placed the documents on the table, with a yearbook on top, as a reminder to Victoria.
She held Joseph in one hand and picked up the yearbook with the other. Inside, she saw her husband standing side by side with Melissa, who had worn the dress Victoria had worn, and the brand of the dress was definitely not something she could afford.
Zachary's gaze was that of a man looking at a woman.
As Victoria was also a woman, she knew very well that even if they hadn't been together, there was something between them. Otherwise, how could such a pure and lovely young woman do something so absurd for him?
She smiled and closed the yearbook.
Secretary Thomas was a little anxious, as she whispered, "Aren't you going to do something? Are you just going to watch Melissa continue to revolve around Zachary?"
Just then, Joseph started to cry, probably because he was hungry.
Victoria got up to make him some milk, holding the child in one hand and preparing the formula with the other. "Thank you for your reminder, but I don't care anymore. In fact, even if I do care, I have no power to do anything. I can only take care of myself and Joseph. I am powerless to do anything else."
Secretary Thomas felt sad.
She walked over to Victoria, took the child from her, and asked softly, "Why are you using formula? The child is only three or four months old. It's not time to wean yet!"
Victoria smiled bitterly, "I've been taking medication recently, and I can't breastfeed anymore!"
Secretary Thomas's eyes were filled with tears, and after a long while, she asked in a low voice about Victoria's plans. She thought someone like Victoria would have a plan.
'My plan.' She pondered.
Victoria looked at the gloomy weather outside and said absentmindedly, "With Joseph, I have to hold on! If there comes a day when I can't hold on, I will let go. He has to grow up healthy. But I hope I can raise him myself and teach him about love and happiness."
After speaking, she hugged Joseph and comforted him patiently.
She didn't look like someone suffering from postpartum depression at all. She suppressed all her pain and gave all her tenderness to Joseph, the child she had fought so hard to give birth to.
As Secretary Thomas left the villa, snow began to fall from the gray sky, and she suddenly burst into tears.
She couldn't believe that this was the young girl she had once been jealous of. Victoria used to be so dazzling and talented, and even after she couldn't pursue a career in violin, she was still successful.
But now, Victoria seemed like a bird with broken wings, licking her wounds alone.