Chapter 17: Chapter 17

"Impressive." I chuckled dryly. "As far as I know, Zachary, I am doing all of this shit because of the things you did to me."

"Is it your ego talking? You can't accept that I'm marrying your sister?" he said mockingly. "You even stoop this low to ruin us?" Disgust was evident on his face.

I couldn't help but stare at him. I didn't think I was really in a relationship with someone else before. He used to be compassionate and thoughtful in his speech, but it turned out he was the opposite of all that.

How dare he say that in front of me?

Before my tears fell, I turned my back on him. I feel like I'm going to explode with anger and resentment. There is a part of my heart that hurts, not for myself but for my lost child. I can't accept that it's as if he's implying that my reason for retaliating against him—them—is too shallow just because they killed my child.

I walked out of the house, trembling. It seemed that I suddenly ran out of strength with mixed emotions. I wanted to get away from him, but before I even left the yard of the house, I rose again into the air. My eyes immediately fell on Zachary's emotionless face as he carried me.

"You can't get away from me," he said coldly.

I avert my eyes. Even if I wanted to struggle, I couldn't because I was holding the kitten. I was tired of arguing, so I didn't try to speak.

"Oh, hijo! What happened?" Aunt Victoria greeted when we went inside.

I turned my head toward Zachary's chest. I didn't have the strength to smile at her or keep up with my partner's trip. I was stunned when I felt him turn to me, pressing me closer to his body.

"Nothing, auntie. My wife just sulked. I was soothing her," he replied.

I tsked in the back of my mind. He's really a pro at lying. I'm not surprised that he fooled me around then.

He deserves an Oscar.

The old woman laughed and jokingly slapped Zachary on the arm. "Oh! You, naughty man. You must have pissed off your wife. Don't you know that pregnant women are more sensitive? Go ahead, she might start crying later."

I bit my lower lip because of what I heard. I felt a hollow feeling in my stomach that I couldn't explain. Envy? Dismayed? Regret? Or maybe all of that?

Back then, I just got a chance to bear my baby for a few weeks. I didn't experience being pregnant for nine months. I didn't feel the agony and joy of being pregnant during the times that should have been reserved for me. That's all. .  .  robbed to me.

"Alright. Go upstairs so you can rest; I'll just cook before I call you again to come down," said Aunt Victoria.

Zachary nodded and thanked the lady. He silently walked up the stairs, carrying me in his arms. When we got to the second floor, he opened a room.

"Put me down," I said blankly, but he ignored me.

He just walked straight until we got close to a bed. It was made of bamboo and had foam on top that served as a bed. He gently laid me down there. I was still stunned when he didn't immediately move away from me. Both of his hands jailed my body, while his head was slightly bowed.

He looked at me seriously. I couldn't help but swallow when his eyes traced every corner of my face. It only stopped when the kitten on top of my stomach made a little noise.

He finally stood up properly. His attention—even mine—was already there. She's currently purring on my belly. Her little head tilted slightly while looking at me before she let out a meow.

I couldn't stop smiling. In an instant, I felt relieved as I saw her playing on top of my stomach. She looked soft and delicate.

I caught my breath when I felt Zachary's hand on my stomach when he tried to stroke the kitten. He petted Angel. She whirled around his hand like she wanted to play with him.

"Consider this as a vacation," he spoke lowly, still busy with the kitten.

My smile quickly faded. I know he's talking to me. I just ignored him and took the kitten to put it by my side. I turned my back on him.

Vacation in hell?

As far as I know, vacations are fun and relaxing. It was impossible for me to feel that while being with a demon like him. I'm guaranteed to feel only anger and stress on a daily basis.

"Don't worry, you won't see me often. I'll just be checking on you twice to three times a week," he added.

I stopped there. Part of me sighed a little. I still didn't say anything to him; instead, I closed my eyes to convey to him that I didn't care.

I heard him take a deep breath. Later, I heard his footsteps leaving the room as the door closed. I opened my eyes just then and peeked at the door for a moment.

I will stay here, not because I will follow his demands. I will only endure one month to destroy his life even more. I brought this on myself. Well, he brought his downfall, too.

I got up and sat on the bed. I looked around the room. It's not big, but it's not small either. Just enough for two to three people. There is also no other things besides the bed, built-in cabinets, and nightstand on the side.

I only slapped my head in the end when I realized I didn't have anything with me. I left my bag and cellphone in my car. I turned to the kitten when she started biting the bed cover. I smiled again and then caressed her.

"It doesn't matter; I brought you," I whispered.

I laid down and then played with her. Her paws were trying to catch my fingers, which are now tapping over the bedsheet. I giggled when she tried to bite me.

I played with her for a few more minutes until she got tired and fell asleep. I also felt sleepy, so I took a nap for a while. I was distracted when I heard a noise. I didn't open my eyes; I felt the surroundings first.

"Calm down, Eunice. We'll talk when I get back. I'm just fixing some things here," I heard Zachary say.

At first, I thought Eunice was with us too. But when Zachary spoke again, I found out that he was talking on his phone.

"I just need my baby; that's why I'm with her."

I slowly opened my eyes when I heard that.

Now, he needs a baby from me because his fiancee can't give it to him easily. What a shame.

Our eyes immediately met. He was standing on the other side of the bed, facing me. His face is emotionless, and so am I. We stared at each other for a few minutes.

Slowly, my side lip rose. "Even if you kneel in front of me, you will never have my child, Zachary."

***

In all my plans, nothing was there to eat with the person I hated. That's why, no matter how many times I swallow the food I eat, I feel like it doesn't reach my stomach. On the contrary, I felt like I was going to puke seeing Zachary talk and smile with Aunt Victoria.

"How is your work, hijo? Are you getting enough rest? I hope you are not forgetting to eat on time, huh? Alas! Being hungry is bad for the body," said the lady.

I stopped chewing when I heard that. I simply peeked at Zachary from my side, and from a happy face, it turned serious for a moment. Maybe if we weren't facing Aunt Victoria, I would have smirked at the old woman's question.

He let out a small smile. "I'm on leave now, Auntie," he replied. I felt his eyes shift toward me. "I'll take care of my wife first."

I couldn't help but wince. He is really good at lying and manipulating people. Expert.

"You, hija? What is your job?" Aunt Victoria smiled curiously at me.

Just like Zachary, I just smiled at him before answering, "I'm a businesswoman and a fashion designer."

Her eyes widened slightly. "Well, well, that's great. Both of your jobs are great."

I almost rolled my eyes, knowing that Zachary's license was at stake. Soon, he will be jobless. A ghostly smirk appeared on my lips as I thought about it.

"But I hope you don't lose time with each other. It's still important that the husband and wife have their sex life so they can make a baby again," Aunt Victoria laughed jokingly to me.

I choked. Zachary quickly handed me water, but I didn't take it. I reached for my own glass that was beside me and drank it. I was still stunned when I felt his hand on my back, caressing it gently. I simply glared at him when I recovered from the choking.

"Are you okay?" he asked instead of paying attention to my death stare.

I didn't respond to him. I moved a bit to get his hand off my back, and then I put the cutlery on my plate. I offered Aunt Victoria a small smile.

"I'm done. I'm going up to the room." I said goodbye.

Even though it was impolite to skip my dirty plate, I really couldn't take long to fake my association with Zachary. I carefully got to my feet and turned away from them, giving them a final glance. Zachary was even looking after me as I left the kitchen, as Aunt Victoria was speaking to him.

I laid my body down on the bed when I entered the room. I was still slightly stunned when the kitten on the side purred because of my careless act; luckily, she didn't wake up completely. When I stared at the ceiling, that's when I slowly realized that we were going to sleep together tonight. My nose twitched in disgust, and then I threw a pillow on the floor along with a blanket that was ready for us.

Less than a few minutes later, the door opened unexpectedly. It spit out Zachary, who was carrying a glass of milk and a plastic bag whose contents I couldn't tell. He immediately frowned when he noticed the scattered pillows and blankets at the bottom of the bed. Even so, he continued walking until he reached the nightstand. He dropped the things he handled there before facing me.

"Drink the milk before you go to sleep," he said simply, his eyes not leaving mine.

"I don't drink milk brought by anyone," I said earnestly.

"I am the father of the child you are carrying, Atasha," he reminded her.

I laughed sarcastically. "Exactly, Zachary. Exactly," I said mockingly, turning my back against him.

I closed my eyes while secretly clenching my palms.

Never again will I fvcking trust you.

I heard him take a deep breath. Later, I felt the other side of the bed sinking, so I got up quickly and looked at him badly.

"Don't fvcking test my patience, Zachary. It's not like you brought out that we're married; I'm going to fool around with you," I threatened.

He looked at me seriously before gently raising his eyebrows. "And where do you want me to sleep?"

I just gave him a stupid look and glanced at the floor.

"The bed is for two. We can share," he said.

"And there are two of us in bed." I looked at Angel. "You must know how to count, right?"

His hand went up to his senses and gently massaged them before looking at me again. "Look, Atasha. I'm tired. Whether you agree or not, I'll sleep beside you," he said in a dismissive tone, finally laying his back on the bed.

His lack of shame made my jaw clench. I didn't talk to him anymore and just got out of bed. I don't care if I don't feel comfortable lying on the floor; the important thing is that I can't be next to him.

I even heard him cursing when I finally laid down. I just closed my eyes and chose to ignore his presence. But less than five seconds later, I gasped when I suddenly rose into the air. He was carrying me in his arms 'again'.

"I'll sleep on the fvcking floor," he said before I could even curse.

He carefully put me down on the bed. I didn't say anything to him, and for the second time, I turned my back on him.

"Damn it," I heard him murmur.

I don't know if it was because of the fatigue from the flight or because of what happened that I didn't realize that I fell asleep. I was distracted when I heard a faint grunt. I slowly opened my eyes, and Zachary immediately greeted me. He was at the foot of the bed and slightly turned away from me. I frowned when I noticed the kitten in his arms; he was nursing it in a small bottle fed.

"Sssh. Don't be noisy; your mommy might wake up," he whispered.

The kitten seemed to understand because she only let out a weak meow before quietly continuing to feed on the bottle feed that was meant for animals. I heard Zachary's restrained laughter and gently caressed Angel's fur.

"Be nice when I'm away, little baby. Don't keep your mom awake at night, okay?" Zachary spoke again, to which she answered with a weak grunt.

I don't know why, but I felt something strange in my system as I watched him take care of the kitten. He swayed a little more, as if he were sleep dancing the kitten in his arms. I watched him for a moment before secretly taking a deep breath. I closed my eyes again and faked a smile in the back of my mind.

Apparently, you are capable of being kind. Why didn't you do it to our baby back then? Is your reason really enough for you to kill our child?