Lulu flinched by instinct even as she felt the coolness over her chest, but she could not hope to win against a man's brute strength.As Zachary pinned her down, she struggled at first and eventually gave up, staring numbly at the ceiling while Zachary did whatever he wanted.If she closed her eyes, she would remember those moments…Terrified, she clenched her jaw, almost clawing through the sheets unwittingly.She told herself to stay calm, that the man was her baby's father and a man she once loved deeply—not those scum!Zachary in turn did his best, stopping in gradual disappointment.Whatever he did, she refused to respond to him at all."Do you feel nothing for me?"Lulu turned to him. "Don't you think I'm dirty?""I don't," Zachary replied.Lulu pursed her lips sardonically. "You really never had women, have you? You're an insult to other men, getting interested in broken goods like me."Zachary pursed his lips too.He could still taste her on his lips—it was a sweetn
Lulu continued, "I was kissed as many times as I was bitten—every scar is a reminder of what happened, and I can't forget. It's a nightmare that would haunt me for the rest of my life, so do you want that pain too? You'll see all the scars on me that would remind you of what happened to me. Do you really not mind that at all? Doesn't it make you think? Stop lying to yourself, Zachary… You're only human."Zachary's eyes were red, and he gulped as he asked, "Did I look like I hate it?"Lulu paused before retorting, "You're just overcome by lust.""If that's what you think, so be it." Zachary shrugged, holding her chin. "I lust for you, and I want you—is that not enough? If you don't want a relationship, so be it. Lust it is."Lulu closed her eyes. "Fine. Just bring Star back here."She had already made herself very clear, and she could not do anything if he still refused to give up. Perhaps he would get bored of her in time and come to understand his own heart.She turned and pic
"That still doesn't mean she can do it," Zachary retorted even as he tickled Star. "Mommy will go bald if you keep pulling her hair, and you won't get to see her pretty side when you get older."Lulu said nothing and headed to the kitchen just to avoid any intimacy with Zachary."You don't have to cook," he said. "Let's eat out.""Yeah," Lulu replied, keeping her back to him.Though she had been distant when she returned, Zachary was not pushy—he was sure that Lulu would understand in time, and would feel again.Walking up to Lulu, he passed Star back to her. "Carry her. I'll drive."Even as Lulu took Star, she avoided skinship with Zachary.She then packed diapers and milk from the nursery—it was necessary to bring truckloads of necessities while going outside with a baby.In fact, she had a full backpack while holding Star in her arms as she stepped out to the car and took the backseat deliberately.Zachary glanced at her from the rearview mirror but said nothing as he drove
Meanwhile, it turned out that Zachary had made a reservation at a luxury restaurant.The environment was good and the food was incredible.However, Zachary did not think he could change Lulu's heart just from that alone. It was only with time that everything, including her mindset, would change.While it was a good plan, Star was not playing along and started bawling as soon as the first course was served.She was simply inconsolable, whether it was Zachary or Lulu holding her.Having no choice, Zachary carried her outside. "You eat. I'll take care of her."However, Lulu could hear Star crying outside too and lost her appetite.She headed outside as well and told Zachary, "Take her home. I think Star isn't used to being outside."Zachary shook his head. "It's alright. You eat—I'll stay with her here."That did not assure Lulu at all. "I'm not feeling an appetite. Let's just go."Zachary wanted to say more, but gave in seeing that Lulu was determined. "Alright."Lulu held out
Lulu picked up her fork and started to eat without quite tasting it.Seeing that she was only eating noodles, Zachary slid an egg into her bowl. "Take it. You didn't even put salt in the noodles."Lulu kept her eyes lowered, unable to eat—even deep breaths did not calm her heart, as all her senses and her thoughts were a mess.Soon, she put down her fork and got up. "I'm not hungry. You eat."Zachary frowned. "Do I make you uncomfortable?""No." Lulu quickly shook her head."If I'm not the problem, then why can't you eat?" Zachary pressed. "Or do I make you so sick you can't eat at the sight of me?""You know I don't mean that." Lulu looked at him in shock, seemingly stunned by his words.Zachary then kept eating. "If that's not the case, sit down and eat"Lulu pursed her lips in silence and sat down after a while, rasping, "Why do you have to keep making things hard for me?"Zachary said nothing, and slowly finished his noodles, drinking the broth as well. He eventually put
While Tommy was seriously learning, Isaac was teaching Irene too, specifically the posture.Still, Irene was smart and needed just an hour to start skiing on her own, although still not doing amazingly just yet.Thankfully, she would not fall since Isaac was right behind.On the other hand, Baby was brought along but could only play with the snow at the children's corner since he was too young to ski.They then took a cable car to the mountain top, and the overlooking view from above was unreal.The snow that never melted and the lofty height of the peak was a sight to behold. The snow itself was an epitome of white pureness and beauty, while the towering green trees sparkled with an emerald glow beneath the sun's splendor.And on the peak, Irene marveled at nature's masterpiece—surrounded by the clouds, it felt like they were up paradise.Leaning against Isaac's shoulder, she murmured, "This place is so beautiful."Isaac glanced at her. "We can stay here for a while."Irene w
Zachary's tone then changed sharply. "What right do you have? Who are you to question me, huh?!"His gaze was cold as ice.He had kept making compromises for Lulu to the very end, but she only cared about herself, refusing to accept him or try to make things work with him, even if it was Star's sake.Now, she was even ready to leave!How was he supposed to take that? How was that supposed to not hurt? How could he still stop himself from lashing out?Lulu could certainly feel his disappointment, and yet…Her eyes turning red, she asked, "Did you have to do it like this?""Like what?" Zachary retorted."You know I care about Star.""Do you?" Zachary laughed. "Don't you care only about yourself? If you did care about Star, you wouldn't be so stubborn, not giving a damn that she would be growing up in a broken family and leaving just because it feels right to you.""I could have gotten myself some young, pretty face," he continued, his tone getting sharper as he went on. "But wo
After all, Zachary knew very well that Lulu had put Irene up to this.And he also knew that Lulu would always keep everyone at arm's length if he did not push her, which was why he refused Irene."It doesn't matter who asks," Zachary said bluntly, holding her gaze as he spoke earnestly. "We both know what Lulu is worried about, and I told her that I don't care about that. And if I don't care, what is there to worry about? But she's the one who refused to get over herself, so if I keep making compromises, she would just stay that way and never open her heart to anyone. All I ask is for her to come around for Star's sake."Irene was left silent for a long while since Zachary was right, but as a fellow woman, she would see things from Lulu's perspective too."She's still traumatized after what happened," Irene said, pursing her lips. "I understand her concerns, and she's worried that you'd take exception in the future. Even if you love her now, you know how fickle love is.""I won't