Irene found it hard to begin since she was worried about shocking Lulu, but she had to ask."Are you traumatized?" she asked vaguely.Lulu was taken aback but sat down again as she came to her senses and said bluntly, "Very."Irene nodded. "I know a good psychiatrist. Why don't you get a consultation?""Why?" Lulu asked, puzzled."Zachary's different now that I've met him again," Irene explained, holding Lulu's hand and assuring her gently. "Even if he couldn't before, he can protect you now. Don't reject him immediately—can't you try for Star's sake?"As Lulu turned silent, Irene pressed tenderly, "Do you really want Star to grow up in a family with a single father, or with a stepmother? Zachary said we can't decide on something that hasn't even happened yet, and I agree with him. What about you?"Lulu thought about it and decided that Zachary was right.She hung her head. "It's all my fault.""No," Irene said, shaking her head. "Neither you nor Zachary are at fault. You both
Zachary was a little surprised. "Is this a trick so she can reach Star?""No," Irene replied. "Lulu's not like that. You know her.""I really don't." Zachary chuckled exasperatedly.After all, he had never expected Lulu to get together with Martin York.At first he thought she just wanted to spite him, so it really hurt when they really got married and things appeared to be going well for them.In fact, Zachary felt hate for Lulu, though he eventually came around—why obsess with getting her, if she could be happy instead? He was the one who let her down first, allowing her to slip through his fingers because of his own incompetence.Martin's death therefore felt like providence, and he wanted to seize that chance."I won't let her down this time, Irene," Zachary said, determined."I believe you." Irene nodded, convinced. "And I can see your resolve.""Yeah, but not Lulu." Zachary sighed."She has more concerns from her standpoint," Irene argued."You really are two peas in
Lulu almost reached up in reflex to wipe her tears, but she pretended to be fine."I thought you were out," she said nervously."Irene told me that you don't want to see me," Zachary replied. "But I had the feeling that we'd have to face each other anyway, so it's ideal to run into each other without warning like this.""Yeah." Lulu nodded, relieved.Zachary's eyes remained glued to her. "You don't have to feel embarrassed. There's no reason for us to act like strangers.""Yeah," Lulu murmured softly, pursing her lips."Star hasn't been crying a lot, actually. The new babysitter does her job well and shows a sense of responsibility even if she's not Star's mother. I lied since I wanted Irene to pass the message and make you worry."Lulu looked up. "When did you become such a schemer?""Does that count as a scheme?" Zachary asked in return. "I'm just trying to get you back to me and Star. If you want to call me selfish, I'll admit to it."Before Lulu could say anything else, he
"Because of Martin," Lulu admitted, but also partly to gauge if Zachary took exception.Seeing the slight change on his face, she asked, "Do you take exception? He's my past, and you'll have to face it all the time if you want to be with me. Have you really thought about it?""No, I don't take exception," Zachary replied. "I'm just shocked that you tried to abandon Star. Don't think that lowly of me.""He was the one who told me to keep her," Lulu said.She was not testing Zachary this time, but was telling him that Martin York was a good man.Zachary said, "I know."-The next day, Lulu and Irene went to the psychiatrist together, and Lulu told her that she met Zachary yesterday.Irene was not surprised. "How do you feel?"Lulu mused to herself for a while before saying, "He changed a lot."Irene smiled. "Did he change for the better or for worse? Do you prefer him the way he is, or the way he was?"Lulu thought about it. "He's just different."Zachary used to be bright an
Lulu shook her head. "That's not it.""Then what do you believe is the reason?" the psychiatrist asked.Lulu was stumped at the actual question and stared quietly at him."Your mindset is wrong," he said bluntly. "You didn't want that experience, did you? You were forced, you were the victim—that means you're still pure, and you need to understand that."It was a revelation for Lulu.She had always been burdened by those memories, but she had indeed been forced and was the victim."You're keeping yourself caged by morals," he continued. "Morals which you dictated yourself when everyone who knows it knows that you're innocent. They don't care about it, because they feel for you and care for you."Lulu indeed felt much kindness just then, from Martin's colleagues and Irene—especially Irene, who kept her company during her darkest moment, encouraging her and assuring her."What do you say is a person's reason for being?" he then asked.Lulu shook her head, unable to answer again.
Lulu said, "I'll take care of Star from now on."Zachary nodded, as he understood what she was saying. "Got it. Come on in."As Lulu entered, she asked, "Are you going to move?""Do you prefer this place or the old one?" Zachary asked in return. "We will stay wherever you like. They're all mine anyway.""It's nice here," Lulu said.The new place was smaller, but it was quiet and comfortable."I think so too." Zachary smiled.The babysitter returned after coaxing Star to sleep, and Zachary gestured. "I'd like to have a word. Can you come with me?"The babysitter nodded followed, and Zachary gave her a large envelope that he had prepared earlier."Thank you for taking care of my daughter so well, but we won't be in need of your services now that her mother's back…""I understand," the babysitter replied as she took the envelope. "Thank you.""You'd definitely find better work with your sense of responsibility," Zachary said. "It's not much, but it's a token of my sincerity."
"Okay," Lulu murmured, lowering her gaze while taking out the ingredients. "Can you let me go now?"She would not be able to cook otherwise.Zachary took the vegetables from her and placed them in the basin to wash it."I'll learn to cook too, so you'll have an easier time," Zachary said. "Hiring a maid is fine, but I think it's uncomfortable having someone else in the house."As Lulu said nothing, Zachary asked, "Why aren't you saying anything? Am I wrong?""No," Lulu quickly explained. "You're right. Having someone else is inconvenient."Still, Zachary soon changed his mind. "Nah, there's a lot of work to do around the house, on top of taking care of Star. It'd be taxing if you have to do it alone, so we should get a maid to help with the housework. And since I don't know how to cook, we need someone to do that.""You can make the arrangements," Lulu told him.Zachary nodded. "I'll get someone reliable.""How about a young one?"Zachary scratched his head—was Lulu referring
Star's grape-like eyes were round and sparkling, and Zachary found her adorable from every angle.Giving her a peck on the cheek, he said, "You have to grow up faster, kiddo.""You'd be old by then," Lulu said as she placed the dishes on the table. Zachary turned toward her, hardly able to hide his genuine sentiment. "Do you think we'll still be together by then?""Dunno," Lulu replied, returning to the kitchen.Even though they were getting along fine now, who knew what would happen in the future? There were just so many unknowns in life.Zachary realized that he was getting impatient too—things had just calmed down between them, and it was no surprise that Lulu was afraid to answer.Soon, Lulu finished cooking and went over to check on Star after she set up the table.Zachary was feeding her milk, since she was pouty and likely hungry.Still, while she was happily drinking, her eyes were narrowed and clearly sleepy.She was even sweating a little and her cheeks flushed, cl