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Novel Catalog
Chapter 45
to their arranged marriage?
Zachary’s eyes narrowed as he observed Serenity sitting at the table, seemingly engaged in conversation with Mr. Bill. He was not a man prone to jealousy, but the situation stirred something within him that he couldn’t quite shake off. He watched as Mr. Bill laughed a little too loudly, obviously trying to impress Serenity, and Serenity, for her part, seemed distant, as if she were trying to avoid his advances.
Zachary felt an inexplicable surge of protectiveness. He knew he had no right to feel this way. They were just legally married, nothing more. Yet, seeing his wife with another man, even if just for a blind date, unsettled him.
The tension in his chest grew tighter as he took another step into the coffee house. He hadn’t planned on coming here—he was only at Beans and Cream to fulfill his grandmother’s errand—but now that he was here, he couldn’t bring himself to leave. He didn’t know what he was doing, but he felt compelled to stay and see how things would unfold.
“Serenity,” he called out, his voice steady but with a hint of something he couldn’t quite conceal.
Serenity’s head snapped up, and her eyes widened when she saw him standing by the entrance.
“Zachary,” she said, her tone neutral, though a hint of surprise flickered across her face. She wasn’t sure how to react. The last time they’d spoken, they had barely exchanged more than a few words, and now he was here, as if his presence had disrupted the delicate balance she had managed to maintain.
Mr. Bill, noticing Zachary’s entrance, raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t expect you, sir. I’m Bill.”
Zachary’s gaze flickered briefly to Mr. Bill but then returned to Serenity, his expression unreadable. “I didn’t realize my wife was busy.”
There was an edge to his words, though Serenity couldn’t tell if it was just his usual aloofness or something else entirely.
Jasmine returned from the restroom just in time to catch the tension in the air. She looked between Zachary and Mr. Bill, realizing what had happened. “Oh, this is awkward,” she mumbled under her breath.
Zachary’s presence had undeniably shifted the mood. Serenity was caught between awkwardness and confusion, unsure of what to make of his sudden appearance. Would he leave, or was this his way of showing that he wasn’t as indifferent as he appeared?
Grandma May’s meddling was certainly starting to make things interesting.
