CHAPTER 147. I’m so sorryIt had been a while since the sun had set when Zack pulled into the driveway and turned off the car. The house was lit up in the darkness, and he could see the silhouettes of the furniture through the windows, illuminated by the soft yellow glow of the lamps. He opened the car door and got out, his shoes crunching on the gritty asphalt, his heart heavy in his chest. He was only there for a quick shower; there wasn’t time for more before he had to return to Andrea’s side. The doctor had been clear: if he wanted to be with her, he needed to get rid of the dust from Africa.He tried not to take too long and then stopped by his parents' house to give Adriana a kiss, who was already asleep in her crib.When he got back to the hospital, his siblings took the opportunity to rest as well.“You should go too; you’ve been traveling for hours,” Zack told Chiara, and she nodded.“I will, in a bit, but first I want to make sure you’re okay,” his sister said, stroking his
CHAPTER 148. I Shouldn’t Have LeftZack nodded with a sigh. He knew exactly where Andrea had contracted that illness, and what hurt him the most was that they were still paying for Mason’s hatred.The doctor left, and Zack spent the entire night there, praying as he rested his forehead on Andrea’s hand, repeatedly telling her how much he loved her. Nurses came in periodically to check on her until, almost at dawn, one of them hurried out and returned with the doctor.Zack felt his heart leap into his throat as they rushed him out of the room, and shortly after, the doctor came out with a somber expression.“Is she okay?! Is Andrea okay?!” Zack demanded.The doctor nodded slowly, but Zack could sense the bad news.“Your wife is fine... but what we were expecting has happened. She’s started bleeding, and we just confirmed it: the embryo has detached,” the doctor informed him. “I’m very sorry, Mr. Keller.”Zack clenched his lips and fists as he tried to process the news, but his consolat
CHAPTER 149. You leftIt took a long time for Zack’s breathing to return to normal, but even after he fell asleep, he never stopped holding her in his arms. Andrea gently stroked his face and gave him a kiss. Recovering physically from everything that had happened to her was the first step. The second was to get Zack back once and for all, but to do that, she had to bring back the man she had once known. If he wouldn’t let her help him, then she would have to force him.The Keller siblings came by throughout the day. Mrs. Luana also stopped by to bring Adriana, and Andrea cuddled with her baby for a while, listening to the comforting words that only a woman with Luana’s age and experience could offer.“The doctor says I might be able to take you home tomorrow afternoon,” Zack murmured that night. “The rest of the treatment will be in pill form, so you’ll be more comfortable at home.”Andrea smiled softly. “I’ll be comfortable anywhere that has a mattress. I feel... weak,” she murmured
CHAPTER 150. Runner.“Just tell me what I need to do... anything. Please, Andrea, just tell me what I have to do to keep you from leaving...,” he begged, holding her hands and kissing them.“It’s just that I’m not going anywhere,” she stated, and Zack looked at her, confused. “Those are your suitcases, what’s left of your things... you’re the one who’s leaving.”Zack’s lips opened and closed several times as he tried to process the news.“Um... are you... are you kicking me out?” he asked, stunned.“I wouldn’t use that word, but yes, you’re not going to stay with Adriana and me anymore,” she said.Zack stood up and ran his hands over his head. His life was truly a cruel irony; just when he most wanted to stay, she was putting his bags at the door!“Andrea, I love you... At least you know that, right? That I love you?” he murmured desperately. “I don’t want this to end, Andrea. It’s true that I tend to run, but that’s because I feel it’s better than confronting someone I love... And I
CHAPTER 151. No more running awayNikola Keller listened intently to every word his son said, and when Zack finally finished, Nikola shook his head in disapproval."You're disinherited," he declared, and Zack rolled his eyes."Dad, you know I never cared about the money...""But I do, and since you've clearly shown how stupid you can be, your share of my inheritance goes entirely to my granddaughter. End of story!" he stated firmly, and his son could only smile because he knew that no matter what, Nikola would never accept that Adriana wasn't his granddaughter—blood relation or not. "I told you once, if you lost her, I’d make sure one of your brothers won her over, but Andrea and my granddaughter are staying in this family no matter what, so you'd better agree!"Zack laughed as he squeezed his father's hand affectionately and nodded. "Of course I agree, Dad. And I promise I’m going to win Andrea back... and if I can’t, I’ll just kidnap her, but one way or another, they're staying," he
CHAPTER 152. I Want to Kiss You"Good..." she sighed, trying not to show the relief she felt from that answer. "Your mom cooked a lot. Are you staying for dinner?""Only if there’s ice cream for dessert.""And you wash the dishes.""Deal," Zack smiled.They shook hands like it was a business transaction, but neither of them could deny the shiver that ran through them. That tension, that desire—it would never disappear between them, but Andrea needed more, and he had to be willing to give it.They had a peaceful, harmonious dinner, and as hard as it was for Zack, when the clock struck ten, he said goodbye with a kiss and headed for the door. It was torture sleeping without Andrea, but it was a necessary torture.The next morning, he got up early and went to the city center to buy her breakfast at her favorite café, when an ad caught his eye. He took the rental notice and stepped outside, looking for the building, and then called the number listed. A short time later, he sealed the best
CHAPTER 153. Back on the couchAt exactly nine in the morning, the two were ready. Zack opened the car door for them, and they quickly settled the baby into her car seat. They dropped her off with the grandparents, and Adriana's smile was epic as soon as she was in Nikola's arms.After saying their goodbyes, they began their tour of the city's daycares. Zack was adorably restless. He was still the tough businessman with his six-foot-three frame, but he practically had stars in his eyes every time he turned to her and asked, “Do you think Adriana will like this one?”At some point—she wasn’t sure when—Andrea found herself walking hand in hand with him as they went from place to place.When they arrived at the next daycare, their eyes lit up the moment they saw the place. There were endless bright colors, small gardens with playful animals running around everywhere, and even a cozy corner for reading stories to the little ones. It had exactly the kind of loving and nurturing environment
CHAPTER 154. A Hothead, a Dominatrix, and a DateAndrea nodded with a tired smile.“Well, we’ll have to make sure he gets it, one way or another.”“The hard way is usually better. Trust me on that,” Luana laughed, pointing to the group enjoying themselves on the terrace. “Look at them, aren’t they lovely? I raised five kids. And do you know which one was the hardest to teach?”“Which one?” Andrea asked curiously.“My mother-in-law’s son!” Luana replied, and they both burst into laughter. “It’s an indisputable fact: men, no matter how good they are, need training—no exceptions! Or do you think Nikola was always that wonderful man you know now?” she scoffed playfully. “Your dear father-in-law was unbearable, and it took me years to whip him into shape, but it can be done!”Andrea sighed as she laughed, and they chatted for a while until it was time for dessert.“Well, I have something to tell you all too,” Loan said during dessert. “In a week, I’m heading out for the championship, and t