MONTHS PASSED.
“You seem like you swallow a whole watermelon, Zoe,” Grant blurted out soon as Zoe stepped out of the clinic.
They’re inside the hospital, and it’s Zoe’s follow-up check.
“In two days, your baby will come out. Are you sure you don’t want to know the gender?”
Zoe sighed as she sat down on the chair in the waiting area. She could feel the heaviness of her baby.
She shook her head. “No.”
Grant frowned. “Why?”
Zoe glared at him, making Grant gulp, feeling terrified. “What is it to you? Why are you asking about it?” she asked.
Grant bit his lower lip. “Er, nothing. Am I forbidden to ask?”
Zoe rolled her eyes as she stood up.
Grant cursed inside his head. ‘Because Helios is asking about it,’ he wanted to say aloud, but he pressed his lips together.
Damn that idiot. It’s been months, and Zoe is nearly in her labor, yet Helios is still stuck with his fake marriage.
“Anyway, Grant…” Zoe turned to look at him, “Mom and Cindy want to come before my due date. You must arrange a flight for them,” she added.
Grant frowned and whispered, “Demanding.”
Zoe happened to hear it. “You take responsibility for your words, Grant. You don’t want me to find a job to save money. You volunteered,” she uttered coldly.
Grant smiled awkwardly. “Ehe, I… I know. Don’t worry. He—I mean, I’m going to settle their tickets.”
Zoe knitted her forehead but nodded after. She continues to walk to the parking lot of the hospital.
Grant opened the door for her, and she got in. He then walked to the other side and hopped inside. He started the engine and sped away from the building.
“Anyway, where do you want to go?” Grant asked.
“Let’s drop by at the mall. I will buy stuff for my baby,” she said. It’s not that Zoe is taking advantage of Grant’s generosity, but she really wants to buy more clothes for her baby.
It’s been months since they flew to this place. And Zoe slowly loved the atmosphere of it. She loves her surroundings. Even though they’re in the city. The place is not as busy as Manhattan.
The pain is still there… inside her. The wound healed, but the scar was left in her heart. She cried for a month every night… and even stalked Helios when Grant bought her a phone. But she stopped it because she was just hurting herself.
She hates to see Helios with Chloe, seemingly happy.
She can’t help but feel jealous of Chloe. She was supposed to be in Chloe’s place if only she accepted it.
She tried her best to ignore everything, but every time she caresses her baby bump, she thinks of Helios. His promises… which he broke.
She was afraid to ask Grant why Helios did it, but the man always says that she must trust Helios.
How hard could Helios be to be with her?
Is it that difficult to disobey his father?
“Zoe…” Grant called her attention.
However, Zoe just keeps her gaze outside the window.
Grant heaved a deep sigh as he decreased the speed of the car. “About Helios’s father…” he stated, which made Zoe turn to him.
“What about with that old man?” she asked, totally losing her respect for Helios’s father.
“He was diagnosed with cancer, and it's stage 4. Helios was supposed to fly, but his father…” he paused when Zoe turned her eyes away from him.
Grant sighed. “You should know about this, Zoe… Hear it out. Don’t you think it’s time for you to know more about Helios’s sacrifices?”
Zoe scoffed. “You mean excuses?”
“Zoe… all he wanted is your trust. He might have the title and power but his father—”
“How about us?”
“Don’t let selfishness evade your heart. Listen. Look deeper. With all the mafia, his father, and his company… Helios is giving his best to fix everything. The old man couldn’t make it for a month. And all he ever wanted is for you to trust and wait for him.”
Tears fell from Zoe’s eyes, but she wiped them right away.
“Chloe’s brother has the urge to grab the opportunity to rule the black organization, which I know you couldn’t understand. And Helios was trying to balance everything. He’s doing all of this to keep you safe. You and your baby. Don’t you think those are his sacrifices? Do you still think that those are excuses?” Grant asked.
“Let’s talk once we get home, Grant. You’re driving,” she said.
“Aren’t we going to the mall—” he didn’t finish his words when Zoe spoke.
“I’ve changed my mind. I want to go home,” she said.
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