CHAPTER 26. Shirt offAndrea didn't say a word as they headed to Zack's apartment. The baby had calmed down a little, but they hadn’t.“Okay, we’ve got the medicines, the formula, and the baby... and our nerves!” Zack muttered as soon as they arrived.He opened the door to his apartment, and Andrea tried not to be surprised, but just the living room of Zack’s place was three times the size of her entire little apartment.They gave the baby a bath, and Zack decided to leave diaper duty for another day, as it was obvious the child wasn’t feeling well. She wasn’t crying or vomiting anymore, but she didn’t want to sleep; she just wanted to be held.By three in the morning, they were both like zombies, completely exhausted, but Adriana wouldn’t sleep, just dozing off a bit and then whining as soon as they tried to lay her down.Zack went to take a shower to wake up, and when he tried to rock Adriana to let Andrea shower, the baby refused completely.“Come on, princess! I love you, let momm
CHAPTER 27. The Boss's Unacknowledged Mistress“Andrea, I’m very glad that Adriana and you have someone to take care of you, because I think I won’t be around much longer,” the old lady told her.“Don’t say that, Mrs. Wilson. I assure you that you’ll be discharged very soon,” Andrea murmured, her heart heavy.“Either way, I won’t be returning to the apartment, dear. A kind social worker came by, and I think I’m going to accept that offer I declined a few years ago. I’m moving to a senior residence.”Andrea’s eyes filled with tears, and Zack could see how hard she was struggling with that decision, but in the end, she had no choice but to say goodbye.“I promise we’ll visit you very often, Mrs. Wilson,” she said. “You’ll see that you’ll feel very good being around other elderly people.”As they left, Zack saw her wipe away her tears, hugging her daughter as if she were her only defense against sadness.“You two are very close, aren’t you?” he asked.“Well... the day I came home and fo
CHAPTER 28. Zero convictionBen was a man with a special charm, but ever since he had reunited with the mother of his child, that charm had disappeared for other women. It wasn’t surprising then that no one else paid him any attention in that crowded elevator, especially when he was wearing his usual cap, head down, grumbling at Zack over the phone.His focus was on his best friend until he heard the conversation next to him, then both he and Zack fell silent.“You have to accept it, honey, these men sleep around in private with as many as they can, but don’t think he’ll acknowledge you in public. Mr. Keller must have a mistress in every branch, and rumor has it he has many... branches.”“Don’t mess with me, Ben! Where the hell is that?” Zack snapped angrily.“Yes, I’m on the elevator...” Ben said offhandedly.“I appreciate your concern, ladies, but whatever happens between Zack Keller and me is our business alone,” Andrea was saying, and for once, he was glad she defended herself, ev
CHAPTER 29. A Family Welcome"You still shouldn't have done it," she said. "I don’t see the point in proving those witches wrong now. Or do you think they won’t know in January? What are you going to do? Transfer me to a different branch?""That wouldn’t be a bad idea," he replied. "Ben will be in charge here, but I have to go back to the United States. If you’re up for expanding your horizons, you’re welcome to come with me."Andrea crossed her arms and sighed in resignation. He was a good man, but his dominant nature could be exasperating at times."I better get to work.""Yeah, make the most of it because we only have two more days," he warned her.And indeed, two days later Zack refused to let her go to work and spent the time telling her almost everything about his family. He didn’t bother to mention Giselle because, truthfully, his family had never met her. Zack wasn’t sure why, but it seemed that whenever there was an opportunity for them to meet, she always had some important
CHAPTER 30. Little Thor and SweetieZack wanted the ground to swallow him up. He had no idea when his sister had met Giselle or if that was even true. But if it was, it must have been in the past year when they were already separated. His hand unconsciously tightened around Andrea's, and she knew something was very wrong.“Well, if you met Giselle,” he said sharply, “then I don’t understand why you're putting on this act because you know perfectly well that the woman beside me is not her. Giselle and I separated a long time ago. This is Andrea, my girlfriend, so come say hello properly or save the theatrics.”“Alright, little brother, don’t get upset,” Noémi said dismissively. “You must understand that you were with Giselle for years. When you told Dad, 'My girlfriend is pregnant,' we all assumed you were talking about Giselle.”Andrea remembered Zack’s words like a punch: "If life were fair, I’d have a wife and a baby." So whatever had happened, it was clear it had been very difficul
CHAPTER 31. Baking! "I'm so sorry, it's obvious that was really important to you.""I should have told you before, but... the truth is, no one in my family ever met Giselle. I didn't think my sister would bring her up," he murmured."Yeah, you should have told me. Now I look like a homewrecker, but at least I'll be a very sweet homewrecker," she replied, and Zack lifted his head to look into her eyes."If my sisters came here to make trouble, it's only going to get worse," he said. "Maybe it’s better if we stay at a hotel, or a cabin...""Absolutely not!" declared Andrea. "We came here so you could have a beautiful Christmas with your father, and if your sisters get difficult, that's on them. What's the worst they can do?"Zack sighed, shrugging his shoulders. "I have no idea, but they'll come up with something," he murmured helplessly. "And by the way, what was that 'Little Thor' thing?"Andrea let out a laugh and smiled mischievously. "You said I should give you a cute nickname, an
CHAPTER 32. Christmas spiritZack was caught up in the Christmas spirit, and although some thought they were too old for these games, no one dared contradict Mrs. Luana. They scattered around the mansion's kitchens, and Zack raided the sweets pantry.Adriana was more than happy in Mr. Nikola's arms, who pampered her like a princess. Soon after, Andrea was pounding the dough.“Everything okay?” Zack asked as he approached her. “No, wait, that's too much dough, and if you add too much flour, it will be too tough...”“That's what I want.”“But then no one will want to eat it,” Zack replied.“Trust me, when I'm done with this house, no one will want to eat it,” she declared. “Besides, your mom said the prettiest house, not the tastiest.”Zack pointed a finger at her and laughed. “You’re a cheater! I like it! Need help?”“Actually, yes, the dough is heavy, and my fingers hurt,” she said, pouting.Zack rolled up his sweater sleeves and stood behind her, putting his fingers into the dough to
CHAPTER 33. “Seriously, nothing?!”“Mom... what are you talking about?” Zack whispered, and his mother raised her eyebrows suggestively.“Son, your father was one of the most respected bankers in this country for years. Trust me, he's used to people lying to his face, but never this poorly.”“Mom...”“Save it, Zack. I heard everything you said,” his mother warned.“Were you eavesdropping at the door?” he exclaimed.“Yes. Any problem?” Luana replied firmly, and the big guy that was Zack Keller shrank.“No, Mom.”“No, Mom, exactly. Now... let's take a walk, and you’re going to tell me everything in detail without skipping anything. Agreed?”Zack nodded when he realized he didn’t have many options. They walked along the path around the mountain, his mother hanging on his arm, and Zack told her absolutely everything that had happened since Giselle’s miscarriage. When they returned and had the house in sight again, Mrs. Luana stopped.“I’m really sorry, Mom, but I didn’t know how to take t