Chapter 53


    Zoe kept Mia''s situation a secret.


    Gordon assumed that Mia had some business and would be away for a couple of days, with a nurse


    taking care of things. Seeing Zoe sitting there, lost in thought, he couldn''t help but say, "You should


    go home. There''s a nurse here."


    Zoe shook her head. She didn''t want to go anywhere right now. She just wanted to stay here.


    As night fell, Gordon finally sumbed to sleep. Zoe sat alone on a simple chair, silently lost in her


    thoughts. A faint red mark on her cheek served as a reminder of the beating she endured from


    Carly.


    Outside the hospital room, separated by a transparent ss pane, Mason stood silently. He


    observed the injuries on Zoe''s profile, her absent-minded expression, and the emptiness in her


    eyes. Memories of the day she came out of Rosemary''s house, fatigued but radiant when speaking,


    shed through his mind.


    "Actually, I''ve always been like this. It''s just that you never noticed."


    "Mason, that 300 thousand doesn''t include sleeping with you. I remember you always kept your


    personal and professional life separate."


    …


    At that time, Zoe was lively and vibrant. Mason knew that if he let go, she would quickly regain her


    vitality.


    However, that meant that she wouldn''t be Mrs. Lockwood anymore. She might be Cecil''s or


    Gregory''s wife.


    Between helping others and helping oneself, Mason chose to help himself. He silently left, confident


    that Zoe woulde to him.


    She had always been very clever.


    …


    On the rooftop of the hospital, the wind was strong. The first light of day was visible on the horizon.


    Zoe quietly watched that sliver of light, knowing that the sun would rise soon. However, those rays


    of light couldn''t prate her heart.


    Her brother had once said that life offers many choices, but Zoe now felt she had no way out. She


    could only beg Mason.


    Even if his lover schemed against Mia, she would have to lower her head and ask him. Zoe was


    well aware of the price she would have to pay. What Mason wanted from her was nothing more than


    the appearance of a marital rtionship.


    In the dim light, a tall figure appeared behind her.


    He had been apanying her for a long time.


    Zoe inadvertently turned her head and unexpectedly saw Cecil. He looked like he had just rushed


    back, covered in sweat. As he gazed at her, his eyes were gentle and warm.


    Zoe''s nose tingled.


    Without the need for words, she guessed why he suddenly returned.


    However, she couldn''t afford to be weak, at least not in front of Cecil. She didn''t want him to do


    anything more for her. She couldn''t repay his selfless sacrifices.


    She also didn''t want to burden a good person.


    So, Zoe forced a faint smile and said to Cecil, "Long time no see, Cecil."


    Cecil stood beside her.


    They watched the sunrise together, gazing at the light on the horizon.


    The early morning breeze lifted Zoe''s ck hair. She turned her head slightly, pretending not to


    care, and said, "After thinking for a long time, I''ve decided to return to Mason. Actually, being Mrs.


    Lockwood isn''t that bad. At least, I won''t have to work so hard and worry so much. A woman always


    needs a ce to call home. It''s tough being alone."


    She finished speaking, looking directly at him.


    Cecil did the same.


    Their eyes met, conveying indescribable bitterness, helplessness, and his pity for her.


    They didn''t know that this scene was captured from a certain angle, and the photos were sent to


    Mason''s phone early in the morning.


    At 6 AM, Mason, dressed in a snowy white bathrobe, leaned against the big bed, examining those


    photos.


    It was taken on the top floor of the hospital. The pair on the rooftop shared an intimate gaze. Cecil


    was looking at Zoe affectionately.


    Mason stared at the images for a long time, his face calm.


    …


    At 8 AM, Zoe took care of her father''s breakfast, informed the nurse, and then left. As she departed,


    she discreetly handed someone an envelope containing 300 dors.


    Outside the hospital, she called Mason.


    Mason was driving and answered her call but remained silent.


    After a while, Zoe broke the silence, "Mason, I''d like to see you."


    Mason''s voice was cold. "So, you finally want to go home, Mrs. Lockwood? The crabs are in


    season, and Daisy is a good cook. Will you join me for dinner tonight?"Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!