CHAPTER 41. Just a showNo one mentioned the wedding again that night. Andrea smiled, chatted, and played with her daughter, but the Kellers only had to look at Zack's face to know that nothing was going well. Finally, the baby started crying for her bottle, and Andrea asked permission to leave.When Zack entered the room half an hour later, she had already changed and was trying to put the baby to sleep. He ran his fingers through his hair slowly, sitting in front of them on a small stool and trying to catch her eyes."I'm sorry, I shouldn't have spoken to you like that," he murmured, and Andrea looked at him. "I regret what I said, please forgive me."The girl took a deep breath but didn't stop rocking her daughter."There's nothing to forgive, Zack. You didn't say anything that wasn't true," she responded firmly."Yes, I did," he denied with frustration. "You're not my employee, you're my friend...""No, I'm not your friend," she interrupted. "Your friend wouldn't have charged you

CHAPTER 43. Wake up, Zack!Andrea stared at the chocolate in her cup as if she could find an answer there while Mr. Nikola waited for her to speak. Why didn't she want to marry Zack? Andrea knew that the answer to that question wasn't easy to explain. She remained silent for a moment, trying to organize her thoughts. Then, she took a deep breath and began to speak."Mr. Nikola... before I met Zack, I was already married."The man in front of her looked surprised for a minute but then his expression softened."I understand. It didn't end well," he murmured."It ended in the most horrible way possible. The truth is, my marriage was a very unfortunate experience. At first, I was very excited about the idea of getting married, I was young and in love. I imagined that marriage would bring me happiness, love, and fulfillment; but nothing could be further from the truth." Andrea sighed, if she had to lie, she would at least do it with a part of the truth. "It has taken a lot of work and ener

CHAPTER 45. A Broken Bed"And how do you want it?"The question was simple, but he couldn't answer it."Voluntary, sincere, real," Zack thought, but instead, he just took a step back, letting the air flow between them."I can do it myself," he smiled softly, and Andrea left the bathroom, realizing as she closed the door that she was suffocating.She closed her eyes for a moment and sat on the edge of the bed. He was very handsome, literally sexy enough to take her breath away, but she couldn't afford to fall for him.But it was difficult! Especially when the damned man came out of the bathroom, half dripping water over all those tattoos."Can you help me with the shirt?" Zack asked innocently, and Andrea nodded because he had already done the hardest part, which was putting on his pajama pants.But putting on his shirt meant touching him, and touching him anywhere seemed dangerous because Andrea felt warmer than ever.Lying in that bed was a challenge, but the truth was she was so exh

CHAPTER 47: Guilt and Lies (I)Zack wanted the ground to open up and swallow him right then and there. How or why that woman was there, he didn't know, but he was sure it meant nothing good for him.Andrea saw his face darken in an instant, and Zack's arm wrapped around her waist as he leaned in close."What's happening?""Nothing good, Sweetie," he growled, and Andrea saw the twins enthusiastically talking to the newcomer."Who is she?" she asked softly but then remembered that Zack didn't usually bring women home, so she wasn't just any ex; she was "the ex."Zack sighed, knowing he had to tell her."That's Giselle," he said quietly.Andrea stayed silent for a moment and then spoke."You were right, your sisters weren’t going to stay calm," she murmured. "They had enough imagination to bring her here. Are you afraid she'll cause a scene?"Zack nodded. He had never feared this moment because there was no reason for his family to meet Giselle. After all, they lived on opposite ends of

CHAPTER 49. Searching for the truthZack stood there, fists and teeth clenched. His expression was a mix of anger, frustration, and pain.For a moment, he was speechless. He was furious and hurt by the way Andrea had taken the blame for an affair that had never happened. She had assumed responsibility for both of them, and the thought of his family thinking badly of her enraged him.—Did you get me drunk and take advantage of me?—he growled, pressing her against him, feeling her shiver.—Why did you take that blame?Zack felt his ears ringing with rage. Not against Andrea, of course, but against the whole situation that had pushed them to the brink of a family collapse.—Because it was necessary! Didn’t you see how your dad was looking at you?Zack gritted his teeth in frustration.—That was my problem, Andrea! I should have fixed it, not you!—he exclaimed.—Do you have any idea what my family will think of you? What my dad will think of you?—And who cares what your dad thinks of me!?