Chapter 856

Zach’s lips curved into a subtle smirk.

Madelyn looked around at the photos she had just set up, feeling quite pleased. “Weren’t you heading to the office?” she asked.

“Why can’t I spend some time at home with you?” Zach asked, reaching out and gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Does it still hurt?”

Despite trying to remain calm, Madelyn was taken aback by Zach’s forward comments. Her cheeks turned a shade of pink, and she gently pushed his hand away. “Thanks for asking,” she said with a hint of coolness. “I’m doing much better now.”

Zach raised an eyebrow at her response, “Still not used to me, huh?”

Zach’s outburst took Madelyn by surprise. Keeping her cool, she said, “If you care about me, a ‘thank you’ is appropriate, right? Don’t dump your outside frustrations on me.”

When she tried to step back, Zach’s hold on her wrist stopped her, pressing her against the wall. His eyes showed clear irritation, “When will you start thinking? You know a simple ‘thanks’ isn’t what I’m after.”

Madelyn shot back, “Isn’t my body the one you wanted? Haven’t you already had that? What more do you want from me?” She felt uneasy under his intense gaze Zach smirked, “There’s more to it, and you know it.” Inside, he mused, ‘She’s good at playing dumb. I wonder how long she can keep it up.’

Madelyn hesitated, knowing arguing would not help, “Okay, I get it. If you don’t like something, I won’t mention it.” Wanting to shift the focus, she said, “Unless there’s something else, I’m off to see Dal.”

“Hold on.” Pleased with her response, Zach gently picked up Madelyn, causing her eyes to widen.

Grasping his shirt collar, she said, “It’s still daytime. Maybe later?”

Zach teased, “Later for what?”

Lost in thought and grumbling inwardly about Zach’s unpredictability, Madelyn realized she might have misunderstood his intentions. Zach reached into the cupboard to retrieve a well-used ointment as she sat in his lap. He squeezed a little ointment onto his hand and raised the hem of her sleepwear. She felt ashamed and closed her legs tightly.

‘So this was his intention,’ Madelyn realized. “I’m okay; it doesn’t hurt,” she said, even as Zach held her firmly.

“Don’t worry,” Zach replied soothingly.

The mere thought of their previous intimate moments aroused Zach, and Madelyn could sense that.

But she did not dare to move. In the next second, he was already kissing her and made further advances. His breathing grew uneven. After a brief moment, he gave her several gentle kisses and paused, looking at her intensely.

“You sure you’re okay? You can be so stubborn sometimes,” he said.

“It’s a little sore.”

“I think some gentle rubbing might help. It should feel better soon.”

“Zach, can you let go for a moment?” Madelyn asked, a hint of embarrassment in her voice.

“Just be patient with me.”

The two spent about an hour in the room. After that, Zach carefully fixed Madelyn’s hair, making sure it looked neat.