It had been a month. This was the first phone call from Simon Hawthorne.
Zoe Lancaster was slightly taken aback but quickly composed herself. "Is something the matter?" She hadn’t expected them to become so distant.
His voice sounded even more callous and unfeeling through the receiver, though he didn’t seem to think anything was amiss. "Peyton and I are trapped in the hotel. There’s a lot of media outside. Come over and put on a show for them."
Zoe couldn’t quite understand. "Why do you need me there?"
"Our relationship isn’t exactly legitimate right now. If we get photographed like this, it will ruin her reputation," he replied indifferently, his meticulous consideration for the other woman entirely apparent.
Yet, he was saying these things to his own wife. It was as if he didn’t find it inappropriate—or cruel—to ask his wife to save face for him while he messed around with his mistress.
"Alright." Zoe had no objections. It was fine, really. She hadn’t left Somerset Gardens in a long time. Even though she was well provided for there, being trapped for so long was stifling. This was the first time Simon had allowed her out. She didn’t care what he was doing and agreed readily.
There was a two-second silence on the other end of the line. Then, he hung up viciously.
Somerset Gardens was staffed with two chauffeurs—one for grocery runs and another for outings. Zoe changed into a plain long dress and paired it with a black blazer, completely concealing her pregnant belly. She rolled the car window all the way down. The warm, gentle breeze blowing against her face tasted like freedom.
As they entered the commercial district and she spotted a shop by the street, Zoe suddenly spoke up. "Pull over for a moment. I need to buy something."
The driver hesitated.
Zoe naturally knew what he was thinking and said nonchalantly, "Just come with me. I can’t run away, and I won’t." She wasn’t going to joke around with the child in her womb. Her body was still very weak, and she couldn’t afford any mishaps.
The driver finally agreed. They got out of the car and entered the store. She picked out a few items right in front of him, then paid at the checkout. Looking at what she had bought, the driver’s face turned a colorful shade of dismay.
When they arrived at the Bvlgari Hotel, she unsurprisingly saw the media staking out downstairs. Zoe calmly stepped out of the car right in front of them. The moment the reporters saw her, their eyes lit up, and they scrambled to raise their cameras, snapping away frantically.
This was going to be massive news! The official Mrs. Hawthorne had come to catch her cheating husband! Unfortunately, the hotel security kept them blocked outside, making it impossible for the paparazzi to get inside to film.
Following the floor and room number Simon had provided, she arrived at the suite and rang the doorbell. It didn’t open. She rang it again. This time, nearly five minutes passed, as if they were intentionally leaving her out in the cold. Zoe’s eyelashes fluttered. Taking a deep breath, she continued to wait patiently.
It wasn’t until her legs grew weak and sore that the door finally swung open at a leisurely pace.
She looked up and met the man’s deep, dark eyes. He was wearing a white dress shirt and a dark gray suit vest that outlined his perfect V-shaped torso, looking noble and entirely untainted by the mundane world. The faint scent of cedarwood was familiar yet strange. As he looked at her, his gaze was calm, but a cold, ruthless hostility lurked in the depths of his eyes. There wasn’t a trace of warmth to be found.
She couldn’t deny it. After loving this man for so many years, seeing them end up like this still viciously pierced her heart.
"Simon? Who is it?" a soft, gentle voice called out from inside.
Soon, Peyton Joyce walked over, her face brimming with happiness. She even hooked her arm affectionately through his. When she realized it was Zoe, she froze slightly. "Zoe?"
Simon looked at Zoe indifferently. "I had her come wait for us for a bit. In a while, I’ll go downstairs with her to deal with those reporters."
Peyton’s cheeks flushed as she playfully chided him, "Simon, I’m really fine. Let them write whatever they want. You’re more nervous about this superficial reputation than I am."
Watching their natural intimacy, Zoe lowered her eyes, devoid of any temper. That was, until a commanding voice came from above her.
"Go wait in the room next door."
Even though the soundproofing in a five-star hotel like this was excellent, she—the wife—was being chased to the next room to wait while they continued their passionate lovemaking. Zoe mocked inwardly, "Simon is as ruthless as ever. He knows exactly where to stab the knife for it to be fatal."
She slowly lifted her head. "Sure."
Seeing the woman so submissive, the coldness in Simon’s eyes deepened.
Zoe didn’t go over immediately. Instead, she lowered her head, opened her shoulder bag, and pulled out five or six small, colorful boxes. They were labeled with quantities of three and five. She held them out to the two of them. "I bought one of each different style of condoms. Why don’t you two take your pick?"
As her words fell, the atmosphere instantly froze. Even Peyton was taken aback for a moment. Peyton wondered, "I went to great lengths to rub salt in Zoe’s wounds, yet this woman has abandoned her usual sorrow and is acting like a completely different person. Why is she acting so crazy?!"
"Zoe Lancaster!" Simon’s chest heaved violently. A nameless fury rushed to his head, making his ears ring. Looking at the woman’s earnest expression as she held up those damn boxes as if she were wholeheartedly looking out for him, he wanted nothing more than to strangle her!
Zoe instinctively took a step back, caressing her belly as if to soothe the child inside, lest the baby be frightened by his menacing glare. "You called me here to clean up your mess, didn’t you? After all, we aren’t officially divorced yet, so keeping a low profile right now is for the best. Doesn’t giving you these save you a lot of trouble?"
He had made her come over just to force her to watch him and Peyton be intimate with her own eyes. So what was wrong with her being a little more considerate and playing along?
Peyton was so stunned she forgot to react. A moment later, she frowned. Peyton wondered, "What is Zoe planning? Is she still scheming to steal Simon away?! Otherwise, why is she acting so crazy?!"
Ignoring Simon’s emotional state, Zoe pursed her lips and said, "Can I go to the hospital for my prenatal checkup now? I helped you today."
She was indeed calculating. By yielding to his every whim, she could always exchange it for a momentary advantage. But her reactions only told Simon just how unreasonable she was!
A terrifying, ferocious glint sparked in his eyes. His thin lips curled into a downright cruel sneer. Instead of agreeing, he said, "Mrs. Hawthorne, you truly are a supportive wife. Since you’ve gone to such lengths, how could I not show you some respect?"
Taking a stride forward with his long legs, his large hand seized her wrist with astonishing force, making Zoe wince in pain.
"What are you doing?"
"Come downstairs with me!"
He dragged her toward the elevators with wide strides. Zoe’s body felt heavy, and she struggled to keep up. His anger had flared up inexplicably, and she was utterly helpless in his grasp, terrified that he would harm the child in her belly.
Watching their retreating backs, the smile on Peyton’s lips faded inch by inch. She wondered, "Why... why can this Zoe Lancaster make Simon lose control so effortlessly every single time?!" She twisted her cuffs tightly, her eyes growing redder and redder.
Moments later.
Zoe was forcefully dragged downstairs by Simon. With the media staking out outside, she immediately stopped struggling. The two held hands, appearing as though there was no conflict between them. Yet, the menacing aura radiating from him terrified the reporters so much that they didn’t dare approach.
That was, until Zoe was thrown into the car.
SLAM!
The car door shut. Before she could even sit properly, the man yanked her into his arms, forcing her to sit on his lap. "Weren’t you asking me for a favor? Let’s see your sincerity now."
Zoe stared at him in astonishment. Even though she had told herself countless times that she didn’t care, her emotions crumbled at this moment.
"Simon Hawthorne! Don’t go too far!"
How could she possibly be willing?! He had probably just finished doing the deed with Peyton Joyce!