Chapter 88

Zoe continued to caress his handsome face.

After a moment, Mason caught her delicate fingers, preventing her from

touching him further.

He firmly pinned her wrist to the pillow. Just as he was about to fully

indulge in the moment, Mason noticed some faint pink scars on Zoe's

fair wrist. It was remnants of the cuts she had inflicted the last time he

forced her.

Mason's black eyes narrowed slightly. However, he chose to be gentle,

pressing against her without being rough. He kissed the delicate scars

tenderly, his voice husky and uncharacteristically soft. "Does it still

hurt?"

Unable to bear the memories, Zoe turned her face away. That night in

the hotel, Mason had treated her like a prostitute, and she could not

forget or let go of it.

She could endure his roughness, but his tenderness was unbearable. It

reminded her of the times when she had begged him for affection and

pity, like a stray dog desperate for love.

With moist eyes, Zoe suddenly cupped Mason's handsome face. Her

soft lips met his, mimicking his usual kissing style. She clung to him

tightly, exuding the demeanor of a woman who was accustomed to

pleasure.

Mason, holding the nape of her neck, stared intensely at her. His whole

body trembled.

After everything was done, Mason put on a bathrobe and leaned back

on the couch, smoking. In the deep night, the tendrils of smoke seemed

poetic.

Zoe took a bath, brought a medical kit, and knelt beside him. Then, she

gently tended to Mason's injuries. Perhaps bothered by the scent of

cigarettes, she delicately removed the cigarette from his lips.

Mason remained silent, his dark gaze fixed on his wife. She wore a silk

nightgown, appearing gentle and completely different from her

provocative demeanor on the bed just moments ago.

No man disliked intimacy. Considering himself an ordinary man, Mason

had been with Zoe for three years. Their intimate life had only

increased over the years.

However, this was the first time Zoe had been so proactive and

passionate. Mason could not decide if it was good or bad. At the

moment, his body was sated, yet afterward, an inexplicable emptiness

lingered.

Watching her face, he wondered if what he really wanted from Zoe was

this.

Yet, he was dissatisfied even after obtaining it.

Mason's fight with Gregory created quite a stir. Both the Lockwood and

Waldolf families wanted to protect their reputations, so they used their

influence to suppress the matter within their circles.

However, rumors about Gregory developing feelings for his childhood

friend's wife began circulating.

Ella, who had just returned to Brookesville, got wind of the gossip. She

invited Zoe for coffee.

At first, the meeting was silent.

Ella learned about Zoe's return to Mason from Leslie. She finally spoke

hoarsely, “That scoundrel, Leslie, found a way to send me to another

city. He must have had some ulterior motive."

She held Zoe's hand. "How is Mason treating you?"

Zoe casually tossed her long hair over her shoulder and replied, "Quite

well. He brought Liam back from overseas, and spent three million to

help my brother with a lawsuit. He bought us a new place, hired new

servants, and by the way... I smoothly acquired a two percent stake in

the Lockwood Corporation.”

She spoke of her dealings with Mason as if it were inconsequential.

Ella knew her too well.

Despite the luxurious houses, servants, and shares, Zoe was indifferent

to these. She was doing everything for Noah's sake.

Zoe took out an envelope from her bag.

She handed it to Ella.

Opening it, Ella found a torn divorce agreement with Mason's signature.

She looked up at Zoe in surprise.

Zoe's expression remained calm. "Initially, he was ready to let go, but

for some reason, he changed his mind about the divorce. I know

Mason's temperament the best. Since escape is not an option, I'd

rather make myself comfortable... Ella, the situation is actually not all

that bad now."