Chapter 41
When Jessica and Zachary got back to the hotel, it was already 10:30 pm.
Jessica showered first. When she was done, she climbed into bed and lay down. By the time Zachary emerged from the shower, she was already fast asleep.
Compared to the first day, Jessica seemed a little different. That night, she had shifted to the center of the bed, while her usually clenched hands were surprisingly relaxed.
He sat at the edge of the bed and quietly studied the perfect curve of her profile. Reaching out, he gently touched her forehead to check her temperature.
Zachary didn’t go to sleep. Instead, he remained on the bed, quietly watching her.
Jessica was curled up slightly, hugging a pillow to her chest. Her golden curls spilled across the soft ivory pillow like a porcelain doll. There were only two pillows on the bed–one beneath her head and the other tucked in her arms.
A chuckle slipped from Zachary. He could have watched her like this for hours, but the moment was cut short by a sudden vibration on the nightstand. It came from her phone.
Zachary picked it up and glanced at the screen. The buzzing stopped, replaced by a notification, which showed four missed calls, all from the same number.
He switched off the bedside lamp, leaving only the soft glow of the floor light, and stepped out onto the balcony with her phone in hand.
The device buzzed again. This time, he answered the call.
“Jess, don’t hang up just yet!” Derrick exclaimed.
Zachary simply curled his lips, staying quiet.
“You finally answered my call! I’m sorry I got drunk the other night. I didn’t know that I’d do something like that… I swear I’ve already paid the price!” Derrick choked out. “It’s over between me and Celine, and I don’t care what’s going on between you and Zachary anymore. Please… just don’t leave me, alright?”
His voice was so full of desperation that it was almost pathetic. Zachary figured that Derrick should still be in the hospital, judging from the faint voice of a nurse asking something in the background.
It seemed that Derrick hadn’t fully recovered yet, given how his voice trembled.
“Mr. Quinton,” Zachary finally piped up.
As soon as Derrick heard a man’s voice on the other end of the line, he jumped straight out of
Chapter 41
bed, panicked, tearing his stitches in the process.
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He gasped, a painful cry escaping his lips, before questioning, “Who are you? Where is Jess? Why do you have her—”
Zachary interrupted his questions. “Mr. Quinton.”
Derrick went silent. He could hear the composure in the man’s tone, which he found
concerning and terrifying. He had no choice but to get himself together, just to keep himself from sounding weak in comparison.
What shook him the most was realizing that someone like that was right beside Jessica.
Zachary continued, “She’s exhausted and just went to bed.”
Those seemingly innocent words hit Derrick like a harsh blow. “Who the heck are you? What’s your relationship with her? Jess would never let just anyone into her bedroom!”
“Ricky! Ricky, are you talking to that bitch on the phone again?”
The sharp click of high heels echoed through the enclosed room. “My goodness! Your wound has reopened! Doctor? Nurse? Anyone!”
It was pure chaos on Derrick’s end.
“What would you like to know, Mr. Quinton?” Zachary calmly asked as he turned back into the
room.
Derrick roared, “Everyone, shut up!”
Within seconds, there was a dip in volume on his side.
Zachary placed the phone on the nightstand, but didn’t hang up. He leaned forward, head bowed, gazing down at Jessica before him. His large hand gently brushed her baby–soft cheek as he whispered, “Jess…”
“Yeah…” she murmured drowsily in response.
“I want you.”
With that, Derrick’s long–restrained tears finally burst forth like a broken dam.
In the meantime, Jessica slowly opened her eyes to find Zachary right beside her. She was fully awake now.
A second later, their lips met. Her soft, seductive moan traveled to Derrick’s ear. Zachary glanced at the phone on the nightstand, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
His large hand threaded through her hair and rested gently at the nape of her neck, pulling her closer as his kisses grew deeper and more tender.
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Jessica barely had time to react or resist. Waves of pleasure crashed over her, pulling her deep into his loving touch.
Chapter 42
