Chapter 5

Ellie’s P.O.V.

Exhaling sharply, I turned.

Zack stood a few steps away, one hand in his pocket, the other loosely holding his phone. There wasn’t a speck of concern on his face.

His keen gaze moved over my face, scanning me, as he added casually.

“I came to visit Dad. Didn’t realize I had walked into a storm.”

Heat crept up my neck.

I looked away.

“You can go back to your day. I don’t need an audience.”

Although I expected him to leave, the sound of deliberate footsteps approached me.

I glanced at the side.

Zack moved beside me now, leaning against the car as his one arm rested casually along the roof.

He inched closer, close enough that I could smell his expensive perfume.

“I wasn’t aware this requires an invitation.” He whispered. “Next time, I will be careful.”

I took a step back instinctively, my heart racing.

To ignore that six feet three inches of pure masculinity, I reached into my bag and pulled out a tissue, focusing on wiping the last traces of tears from my face.

‘Doesn’t he have anything better to do?’ I muttered under my breath.

Zack’s expression remained indifferent as he said, his voice thoughtful.

“I would have offered you a handkerchief, but… I am not sure if it would survive the situation.”

My hand stilled for a second. I raised my head and glared hard at him.

But Zack… he didn’t look away.

“I am fine.” I said firmly. “This has nothing to do with you.”

“Hmm.” His eyes studied me up and down. “Well, this is… interesting.”

Again?

I frowned. “What is so interesting here?”

He tilted his head.

“A newly married woman standing in a hospital lot… looking like this. Must be missing her ex-boyfriend.”

I squeezed the tissue in my grip.

“You assume too much.”

“Do I?” He pushed off the car, moving closer, just enough to shift the space between us.

My heart betrayed me at that critical moment. It skipped a beat and then raced wildly.

“I am not…” I said, holding my ground, “crying over my ex.”

My sharp retort silenced him momentarily. There was a faint, almost imperceptible shift in his expressions as he said,

“Then why do you look like someone just buried your future?"

He added, his tone factual.

“If this is about my father, he isn’t dying today.”

Of course, he wasn’t.

Mr. Walton was sent just for scans, not a life-threatening procedure.

As I had to meet him today, I composed myself quickly.

“I am going back inside. He must be done with the scans.”

I turned around, walking away. But then…

“Ellie!”

The way Zack called my name with rare softness halted me in my tracks.

I glanced over my shoulder.

“You should be careful,” he said quietly. “Not everything in the world is what it looks like.”

…

Five hours!

That was how long I watched strangers meet the people come for while I waited for a husband I had never seen.

“I am sorry, ma’am,” the nurse spoke gently, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Mr. Walton has been taken in for a procedure. You won’t be able to see him today.”

The words settled like a cold weight in my chest.

“Oh!” I forced a small smile. “I see.”

And that was it!

Just another door closed in my face…

By the time I stepped out of the hospital, exhaustion clung to me heavier than my clothes. The drive back felt longer than usual, the earlier calmness of the surroundings gone.

The entire day was wasted.

When I pushed the mansion door open, my mind was stuck in a loop, trying to figure out the actual reason behind this delay when....

“How was your visit?”

That cold, unhurried voice made me jump. My heart slammed against my ribs as I turned sharply.

Zack sat casually on a highchair in the living room, one leg stretched out, the other bent slightly.

His sleeves were rolled up, the top buttons of the shirt undone, just enough to reveal a glimpse of her collarbone and the firm line of his chest.

I swiftly straightened, forcing my expectations back in control.

“He wasn’t in his room.”

Completely unbothered, Zack spoke lightly.

“Unlucky.”

That single word snapped something inside me.

“Didn’t you know?”

His brows lifted, “Know what?”

“That he was going to be taken for a procedure today.” I frowned, my voice tightening. “It was already scheduled. Why didn’t you tell me?”

Zack didn’t even blink.

“You asked me about the details of his stay.” He replied calmly. “And I gave them to you. Simple.”

I stared at him, disbelief washing over me.

“You had time to stand there and make comments. But you couldn’t tell me something so important?”

I shot back, anger rising fast now. “Why did you keep it a secret?”

Zack pushed himself up from the chair in one smooth motion.

“Don’t blame me.” He said, his tone infuriatingly calm. “It’s not my fault your husband didn’t wish to see you.”

I froze, the words hitting harder than they should have.

And before I could respond, he started walking toward me, adjusting the cuff of his sleeves with slow, deliberate movements.

Every step he took closed the distance between us.

“He married you,” Zack continued, his voice low. “Sparing five minutes before a procedure wouldn’t be a big deal.”

My throat tightened.

I had no answer, no defence.

Just that uneasy, creeping doubt that he planted in my heart.

Zack walked past me, like a king leaving the battlefield after a victory. I was still deep in shock when a sudden brush of hot breath against my ear made me flinch.

His deep whisper slithered into my ear as he leaned close enough to me to make my pulse spike.

“I wondered, why didn’t he wish to see you, Ellie?”

My heart stumbled as I spun over my heels, only to find Zack standing too close to me.

That infuriating smirk curved his lips, his amber eyes watching me like he already knew exactly what I was thinking.

“You…”

I pointed a finger at him, my voice trembling with anger.

“You… you are wrong.”

“I am stating facts.” He replied calmly. “Whether you like it or not.”

My patience snapped. I spoke firmly. “You don’t know anything.”

Zack tilted his head, observing me. Then, almost lazily, he added.

“You should understand something.”

His voice dropped, just enough to feel dangerous.

“You haven’t become the lady of this mansion by signing a few papers. You don't belong here.”

That did it!

“They aren’t just papers.”

I shot back at him immediately, my voice sharp and unwavering. “That’s a marriage agreement.”

I held his gaze, refusing to back down this time.

“And I meant what I signed, Zack.”

For a split second, something flickered into his eyes. But then, it vanished just as quickly.

“I am trying to meet my husband.” I continued, my tone steady despite the storm inside me. “Not fighting a property case.”

I took a cautious step away.

“And you… you are overthinking it.”

Then, without waiting for his response, I walked away, my steps firm despite the way my heart was still racing.

Zack's icy voice followed me.

“Don’t even think about my family's assets. You will never get your hands on them, Ellie.”