"That’s right. Simon actually loved cilantro when he was a kid," Mr. Hawthorne recalled with a smile. "I can’t remember exactly how old he was when his tastes suddenly changed and he started saying he didn’t like it anymore. He would deliberately pick it out of his food every time. Later, Peyton said she didn’t like cilantro either, which gave him the perfect excuse."
At the time, they had wondered what was wrong with Simon. It wasn’t until Peyton visited the Hawthorne Residence and mentioned that she had inexplicably developed a cilantro allergy that everything suddenly made sense to everyone.
Smiling, Peyton glanced at the aloof man sitting beside her. A deep, undeniable affection was hidden in her eyes. "Perhaps."
Simon merely raised his eyes, offering no explanation.
However, Florence Finch chimed in, "Old man, I know you’re happy that Peyton is back, but there’s no need to bring up such trivial matters. How do you expect Miss Lancaster to feel?"
Zoe paused, surprised that Florence would say such a thing.
Mr. Hawthorne’s expression flickered briefly before he chuckled. "I’m getting old and senile. Alright, alright, let’s eat."
Zoe lowered her head. The food tasted like cardboard in her mouth; she had completely lost her appetite.
Most of the dishes on the table had likely been prepared to suit Peyton’s tastes. Zoe wasn’t a picky eater by any means, but witnessing the Hawthorne family’s blatant favoritism toward an outsider still left her with mixed feelings.
That was until a striking, well-defined hand with long, slender fingers reached into her line of sight, placing a salt and pepper shrimp into her bowl.
Zoe looked up at Simon beside her.
He was already looking elsewhere. Setting aside the serving chopsticks, he continued his conversation with Mr. Hawthorne with unhurried ease, acting as if he hadn’t been the one to serve her just a moment ago.
Peyton, however, noticed Simon’s subtle gesture. She looked at Zoe and said softly, "You should try it, Zoe. Mrs. Young’s salt and pepper shrimp is incredibly delicious. It used to be my absolute favorite, and I would always recommend it to everyone."
Zoe pursed her lips, staring at the shrimp. It suddenly looked like an eyesore.
She offered a polite nod in response. Then, when no one was paying attention, she picked the shrimp up and discarded it onto her side plate, never touching it again.
Zoe sat on pins and needles for the rest of the meal. She felt a distinct, uncomfortable sensation that she was the actual third wheel here. It was as if she were the villain who had intruded upon and ruined their inherent harmony. Finding an excuse to slip away, she stepped out into the courtyard and stood under a pine tree to catch her breath.
Perhaps affected by her mood, a slight wave of nausea churned in her stomach.
"Why are you out here all alone? Aren’t you cold?"
Behind her, Peyton stepped outside wrapped in a heavy coat. The cool breeze brushed past them, making the delicate woman’s face appear even paler and more pristine.
Zoe turned her head, giving her a cool gaze. "Just walking off the meal."
"I saw you barely ate anything. Did you lose your appetite? Do you want me to call the family doctor to take a look at you?" Peyton asked with concern.
Zoe furrowed her brows slightly. She felt an inexplicable sense of discomfort, even though Peyton was clearly showing concern for her. "No need. I’ll be fine in a bit."
Peyton breathed a sigh of relief. "It’s been so long since I last came back. It feels like everything has changed."
Zoe remained silent.
Peyton looked at her, pondering for a long while before frowning in helpless resignation. "I heard about what happened with Stella. She’s been spoiled since childhood and has a rather domineering temper. I know she did some terrible things to you...
"I want to apologize to you on her behalf. I know some things can’t be undone. She only took her anger out on you for my sake, as my sister. Zoe, whether it’s about Stella or... I feel deeply indebted to you."
The woman’s expression was so sincere that anyone would have been moved by it.
It seemed Peyton was fully aware of the friction and conflicts between Zoe and Stella.
Zoe looked at the woman and spoke slowly, "Your sister was caught doing drugs and is likely facing prison time, yet here you are, apologizing to me on her behalf. As her older sister, doesn’t your heart ache for her?"
Peyton had just admitted that Stella had been acting out to avenge her. Was Peyton really so impartial and selfless that she would put principles before her own flesh and blood?
Peyton seemed slightly taken aback by the unintentional sharpness in Zoe’s words. After a moment, she replied, "When you make a mistake, you have to admit it. I’m just being objective. I’m not taking sides."
Zoe couldn’t help but scrutinize the frail, delicate woman standing in front of her. She wondered if Peyton truly meant what she said. It was impossible to tell.
"Actually, there’s one more thing I want to say." Peyton turned to face her. Since she was about half a head shorter than Zoe, she had to look up slightly. "Thank you."
Zoe looked at her, completely bewildered.
But in the very next second...
"Simon has been taking care of me in Kaelan for the past two years."
Zoe froze. Her heart instantly clenched in her chest.
The truth she had always been curious about had been unexpectedly thrust right in front of her face. And it was so utterly—
Cruel.
Peyton spoke slowly, emphasizing every word. "I know the two of you are married. But Simon and I grew up together, and we’ve always shared a deep bond. If you hadn’t been so magnanimous, Zoe, I doubt he would have been able to come and care for me. So, thank you."
Zoe suddenly wanted to laugh. She truly was an absolute clown.
For two whole years, she had been under the illusion that Simon was busy working in Kaelan and only occasionally meeting up with Stella. Who would have thought that the truth hidden behind this fake "first love" facade was even more unacceptable?
He had flown to Kaelan the moment they registered their marriage. He had never left Peyton’s side, keeping her company the entire time.
Meanwhile, he had left Zoe all alone in the country, forcing her to live every single day in agonizing suspicion.
So this was what it looked like when he truly held someone in his heart. He could cross oceans for a single person and guard them fiercely, never leaving their side.
Even though her heart ached so intensely that she felt like passing out, and her hands, hidden inside her sleeves, were balled into tight, trembling fists, Zoe’s facial expression remained completely unchanged. Her delicate, palm-sized face had turned slightly pale, shedding some of its stunning, aggressive beauty and taking on a softer, more vulnerable charm that evoked a protective instinct. Yet, her demeanor remained as composed as ever.
Her lips parted slightly, and she spoke in a slow, emotionless drawl. "You didn’t hold back when you needed to use someone. Why start being so polite now?"
Peyton was momentarily taken aback before she let out a soft laugh. "You’re quite humorous, Zoe."
"I have matters to attend to and no time for idle chat. Please excuse me, Miss Joyce."
Unable to endure another second of this, Zoe turned on her heel and strode away.
She had only come back to fetch a few things, anyway. Now, it was clear that she was completely redundant here. Even a wife in name only should know when to take the hint.
Watching Zoe’s retreating back, Peyton’s expression remained unchanged. Only after a long while did she turn around and head back to the main hall.
When Simon returned after changing his clothes, he subconsciously scanned the hall. Not seeing Zoe anywhere, he asked a passing maid, "Where is Mrs. Hawthorne?"
"Mrs. Hawthorne grabbed a few things and drove off," the maid replied. "She left just a moment ago."
Simon’s brow furrowed slowly, and his thin lips pressed into a tight line.
Unfastening his cufflinks, he pulled out his phone and turned around, dialing Zoe’s number.
"Peyton has finally returned to the country, so you should spend more time with her. Where do you think you’re going?" Mr. Hawthorne walked out, leaning heavily on his cane. He coughed twice along the way, his sharp gaze fixed squarely on Simon.