Chapter 29
Serenity found herself tossing and turning throughout the night, haunted by stressful dreams that left her feeling drained by morning.
As was her routine, Serenity hung her laundry on the balcony after starting the washing machine before heading to bed.
It was at that moment she noticed the newly installed stainless steel rods on the balcony, perfect for airing out her laundry. The space was also adorned with a variety of potted plants, many of which were in full bloom or showing budding signs of life. Regardless of their size, each flower boasted intricately designed petals.
Serenity’s attention was instantly captivated by the vibrant flowers.
After hanging her clothes, she eagerly began assembling the flower stands she had purchased the previous morning. Once set up, she carefully arranged the potted plants on them.
While engrossed in her task, she suddenly felt an unsettling sensation, as if someone were watching her. Looking up, she was met with Zachary’s unwavering gaze, his eyes piercing and devoid of emotion.
Having been married for a few days now, Serenity had become accustomed to his stoic demeanor.
“Good morning, Mr. York,” she greeted him, adding a compliment, “These flowers are wonderful. You did a fantastic job!”
She knew she could count on Zachary to get things done right.
Zachary replied in a deep voice, “If you ever run into any issues, just let me know.”
For him, her requests were always manageable.
“Absolutely,” she responded with a smile, returning her focus to the plants.
“Where did you find these beautiful plants?” she asked curiously.
Zachary responded with a slight untruth, “I checked out several flower shops, but I can’t recall the names.”
“Oh, I see.” Serenity chose not to probe further, content with the lovely results he had brought home.
“What’s on the menu for breakfast today?” she inquired, eager to know what the day would bring.
Now that…
As Serenity absorbed Mr. York’s comment, it suddenly hit her that she had completely overlooked the most crucial meal of the day. Quickly pulling out her phone, she noted that the time had slipped past seven o’clock. Standing up, a hint of embarrassment crept into her voice as she said, “I forgot to grab breakfast this morning, Mr. York. There’s still a chance to pick up a quick takeout. How about I get us something while you brush your teeth? What do you feel like having?”
Zachary responded in a flat tone, “I’m not fussy. You can decide.”
Even if he had preferences, Zachary felt compelled to go along with her choices to maintain his facade. His actual favorite foods were not exactly budget-friendly.
“Alright,” she replied.
Serenity quickly made her way downstairs and hopped on her e-bike to fetch breakfast. It wasn’t long before she was back.
She returned with a delicious spread that included bacon wraps with cheese, hash browns, and a refreshing apple juice.
Zachary gazed at the breakfast laid out before him, struggling to muster the desire to take a bite. Serenity, however, was completely unaware of his hesitation as she eagerly dug into her meal after setting everything up. She then went back to her project of creating a mini garden on the balcony.
After a lengthy silence, Zachary finally reached for a bacon wrap and took a bite. While the wrap was a bit greasy, the flavor was quite satisfying. No one could tell if the bacon’s fat was healthy or if it had been cooked under safe conditions, but he thought, “Never mind. An occasional wrap won’t be the end of me.”
At that moment, Zachary felt a twinge of regret for hiding his true identity as the heir of the York family from Wiltspoon. He was complicating his life by trying to present himself as just an average wage earner.
“Serenity,” he began.
