Madelyn hurriedly showered and draped a bathrobe over herself before stepping out of the bathroom. She had been at it for quite some time, and her baby was getting restless from hunger. The Southern Haven Villas was ill-prepared for her new needs, so she had to run out to get a few things.
As Madelyn made her way to her room, a bodyguard stopped her at the door. Just then, Zach emerged from the balcony as he had been taking a phone call.
"Whatever you need will be delivered within the hour,” he announced.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"I'd like to go to my room, if that's alright with you," Madelyn replied, avoiding eye contact.
"In due time, you'll move in here. I'll stay at the Southern Haven Villas with you for now," Zach said.
‘Sharing a room with him? What about Yvonne? Isn't he supposed to be marrying her today?’ Questions clouded Madelyn's mind, but she chose not to voice them.
Soon enough, the doors opened, and the staff moved Madelyn's belongings into the room. Her wardrobe was extensive, and it quickly overran Zach's modest collection of sleepwear, filling up nearly the entire closet. Her shoes were also neatly placed beside his.
"I could stay in a room by myself, you know. With our baby around, it's just not convenient," Madelyn suggested cautiously.
"That's something we'll all have to get used to," Zach said, brushing a stray strand of her damp hair behind her ear.
A maid chimed in, "Ms. Jent, all your things are here. Is there anything else you need?" "No, thank you," Madelyn replied, glancing at her vanity table and the other odds and ends that now occupied much of the room.
Another servant approached, "Sir, Ms. Jent, dinner is ready." Zach grunted his approval. "Okay." Once the household staff had dispersed, he said, "Give me the baby." Silently, Madelyn handed over their baby. The marks from a few hours ago still colored her forearm. Zach cradled the baby in one arm and took Madelyn's hand with the other. They descended the staircase, appearing to all the world like the perfect family unit—no signs of the undercurrents of tension apparent to any observer.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmZach had bolstered the security around the Southern Haven Villas, and the staff stood silently at attention. Giovanna, holding a baby bottle, came out of the kitchen nervously and walked past Zach. "Ms. Jent, it's time for the baby's feeding,” she stammered.
Zach tried to play with the baby, who seemed less than amused and bit down on his finger at the slightest touch. Madelyn's eyes were fixed on a spot on the floor where a bloodstain had recently been cleaned. For a moment, it was almost as though nothing had ever happened.
"I've thought of a name for our baby, Dalton Jardin. What do you think?" Zach asked.
Madelyn thought Zach was treating the baby like a plaything. She was surprised that he sounded almost like a loving father.
"Sure, any name is fine. You decide," Madelyn replied.
Just then, the tranquil atmosphere shattered as a bodyguard walked in, announcing, "Sir, Frida Young and her daughter have arrived.” Without looking up, Zach commanded, "Let them in."