Chapter 61

It was already morning by the time Mason had handled the company

matters.

He quickly freshened up and prepared to leave. Ava gazed at her

boss's handsome face, feeling a bit disoriented. Despite both of them

working through the night, she had reapplied her makeup several

times, but Mason still looked sharp and vibrant.

Coincidentally, there were a few executives in the conference room. In

an attempt to appear close to Mason, Ava positioned herself nearby

and cheerfully asked, "Mr. Mason, would you like to have breakfast

first, or shall we head home? I've ordered your favorite cream puffs.”

Mason wasn't fond of sweets. The only time he praised cream puffs

was when Zoe made them.

Ava, unaware of this fact, assumed it was the master chef at Dafford

who made them, so she ordered them several times.

Every time, Mason left it for the driver.

Now, as Ava brought it up again, Mason remembered that Zoe hadn't

made any pastries for him in a long time. In the past, Zoe would always

bring him freshly made treats to taste when he worked in the study. Her

face would be filled with anticipation.

She probably wanted him to compliment her.

However, he was always indifferent, taking a bite and then ignoring the

rest. Zoe would then look disappointed.

Mason drifted off, and Ava couldn't help urging, "Mr. Mason?"

Mason snapped out of his thoughts, looking at Ava's expectant face. He

responded in a detached tone, "It's time to go home."

This kind of rejection left Ava feeling awkward.

Mason didn't care about her emotions. He took the exclusive elevator

down to the parking garage and got into his car. Despite feeling tired

and needing rest, he couldn't shake the urge to visit the hospital and

check on his wife.

In less than half an hour, Mason appeared in the VIP ward of Lockwood

Hospital.

The corridor was quiet.

Zoe's room door was slightly ajar. Through the gap, Mason saw her on

the phone, her voice softly audible through the crack.

"Mia, I'm doing fine... Yes, I'm performing outstation. The pay is quite

good. Don't worry, Mason hasn't given me a hard time."

After a few more words with Mia, Zoe hung up.

Mason was about to push the door open when he froze. Zoe was

crying, lying on the pillow.

He silently stood at the doorway, observing Zoe's tearful state. It

reminded him of the past when she used to cry in hiding, like a child.

He didn't know when she grew up.

She rarely cried nowadays.

It seemed like it was from the time the Sanders family fell into trouble

and Noah was taken into custody.

Mason never paid attention.

He also remembered the night at the hotel when he forcefully took her

on the couch, and she resisted so vehemently.

'Is she crying because of that? Did engaging in that act with me

become so unbearable for Zoe now?’

Mason wasn't a saint. His view on marriage was straightforward. There

could be no love, but there must be physical intimacy. Without the basic

physical connection between husband and wife, a marriage couldn't be

sustained.

He gently closed the door, not wanting to disturb Zoe.

Mason walked to the end of the hallway, took out a cigarette from his

pocket, and lit it. Holding the cigarette between his fingers, he slowly

inhaled.

He looked out the window.

The autumn chill was in the air, and the red maple leaves resembled

flames.

After about half an hour, a nurse approached him cautiously and said,

"Mr. Mason, Mrs. Zoedoesn't seem to have much appetite today. She

didn't touch the breakfast we sent over. Would you like me to persuade

her?"