Chapter 69

Zoe didn't meet his gaze. She leaned against the headboard and spoke

softly, "I guess those terms you laid out last night also include me

turning a blind eye to Lilith and any future affairs, right?"

Mason remained silent.

Zoe continued, "Mason, the moment you chose to get involved with

Lilith, you didn't need to consider my feelings anymore, did you?

Besides, are we really husband and wife? Just like you said, we're

just...marriage partners.”

She made it clear. There was no need for her to act foolish and

resentful anymore.

Mason sneered.

Approaching her, he lightly held her chin, using a slender index finger to

stroke her rosy lips. He gazed at the moistened color, his voice slightly

hoarse. "Quite articulate, I must say.”

Unable to bear it, Zoe wanted to turn away.

However, Mason suddenly leaned in, pinning her against the head of

the bed. His prominent nose and lips pressed against hers, a soft and

enticing touch.

Mason lowered his gaze, his Adam's apple involuntarily moving up and

down.

"Someday, I want to taste this.”

Zoe wasn't an innocent girl anymore. After three years of marriage with

Mason, she could easily understand the implications behind his words.

After a night out drinking, he sometimes asked her to help him with that

matter, but she always refused. When he persisted, she would bury her

face in the pillow and cry. So, she hadn't done that for him in the three

years they'd been married.

In the past, she refused due to a woman's modesty.

Now, she was unwilling because she no longer loved him. Naturally,

she wouldn't do such things for him.

Zoe's lips trembled.

Mason let her go and went to the bathroom to change into the clothes

he had worn the night before. When he came out, he casually

remarked, "I'll be waiting for your answer. Mrs. Lockwood. Don't keep

me waiting too long."

Zoe looked up. Her eyes were red, filled with grievances and

humiliation.

Mason snorted and turned to leave. Downstairs, the driver was already

waiting. The black, elongated luxury car gleamed in the morning light.

The driver opened the door, holding the car roof, and asked, "Mr.

Mason, are we heading to the company?"

Mason didn't answer.

He turned and looked in the direction upstairs. He saw Zoe standing by

the window, quietly looking outside. The projections of the window

mullions seemed like ribbons that imprisoned her, adding a touch of

tempting fragility.

Only outside the window, a maple tree's branches extended.

The red maple was fiery, full of vitality.

After watching for a long time, Mason softly said to the driver, "Let's go

to the company.”

Seated in the car, he leaned back against the leather seat, closing his

eyes to relax.

He thought about Zoe, her decision, her silence about Lilith, and his

anticipation for her return.

They would act like a loving couple during the day, and at night, they

would address their physical needs. Perhaps, in a few years, he would

let her give birth to the heir of the Lockwood family.

This would all be done without love.

He didn't love Zoe, and Zoe no longer loved him.

It was normal.

In their circle of couples, most of them were like this, and they lived

harmoniously. When husbands became dissatisfied with their wives’

postpartum figures, they would explore outside.

The wives wouldn't say much, and the clever ones would act deaf and

mute. Some even helped their husbands conceal and manage affairs

with mistresses.

Everyone was like this.

Mason went to the company.

Ava was in a particularly good mood because Mason had rarely been

to the office recently. He had been with Zoe at the hospital.

She felt a bit envious.

At six o'clock in the evening, Ava knocked on the door and entered,

saying, "Mr. Mason, I've confirmed with Mr. Aiden's assistant. We're

scheduled to meet at 7:30 at The Sauvage. We can go pick up Ms.

Lilith now."