Chapter 83

Chapter 84

Zachary found himself at a loss for words. Staring intently, he finally spoke softly, “It’s late. Get some rest soon, and please don’t fall asleep here again. It gets chilly at night, and you’ll regret it if you catch a cold.” With that, he turned and walked away.

Before long, Serenity heard the sound of his door closing and locking behind him. She couldn’t help but chuckle to herself, “Who is he trying to keep out by locking the door?” It dawned on her that she was the one he intended to keep at bay!

Meanwhile, back in his room, Zachary headed straight for the bathroom, but not for the purpose of taking a bath. Instead, he stood before the mirror, examining his own reflection. A faint blush lingered on his cheeks, indicating that he was indeed a bit flustered.

He lifted his hand to trace the contours of his face, lingering on the spot where Serenity had touched him, searching for the tingling sensation that her fingers had ignited. He turned on the tap and splashed cold water on his face, trying to cool down.

Reflecting on his earlier reaction, Zachary couldn’t help but grin and mutter to himself, “I can’t remember the last time someone touched my face.” Now that he was an adult, his serious and distant demeanor had always kept others at a distance, making it difficult for young women to approach him through the protective barrier of his bodyguards.

There was little chance for anyone to get too close or overstep their boundaries with Zachary. Yet, despite this seemingly impenetrable defense, he had let his guard down around one woman at home.

Serenity had crossed the line, breaking the innocence of his face. But she was also his legal wife, which made it impossible for him to retaliate after she had dared to touch him. To add to his embarrassment, his reaction had been met with laughter.

Taking his time in the shower, Zachary was momentarily reminded of Serenity’s playful antics. He opened his bedroom door and took a step outside but quickly retreated back into his room, hesitating for a moment. He was giving the situation some serious thought.

Zachary playfully teased the girl, suggesting she might get a free peep show if he stepped out without his dressing gown. A few moments later, he confidently strutted out of his room, ensuring his dressing gown was securely fastened to keep everything hidden. He made his way to the balcony to check on the girl, curious if she had dozed off on the swing as he suspected.

As expected, she had indeed fallen asleep there, and Zachary felt a mix of emotions, especially after warning her not to nap in that spot. To rouse her from her slumber, he gave the swing a gentle kick, causing it to jerk upward and startle her awake.

“York? Is it morning already?” she blinked at him with sleepy eyes, which tempted Zachary to playfully ruffle her hair.

“You fell asleep here,” he pointed out. “Get up and head back to your room. I told you not to do this, yet here you are. You could’ve just told me you wanted to feed the mosquitoes, and I would’ve moved your bed to the greenery.”

Despite his seemingly harsh words, there was a softer side to him that Serenity seemed to sense. “You might be mean, but behind that tough exterior, there’s a softie,” she remarked, leaving Zachary momentarily speechless.

“Oh,” was all he could manage as Serenity got up and quietly retreated to her room, her fatigue evident. She quickly showered and then fell into a deep sleep. The night passed quietly without any disturbances.

The next morning, Zachary awoke to find breakfast waiting for him on the table. Serenity was outside, tending to the plants on the balcony. He stepped outside to greet her.

“Morning, Mr. York,” she said with a cheerful smile.

Zachary responded with a hum, watching as Serenity continued to water the flowers. The roses were particularly vibrant that day, and he couldn’t help but think about how beautiful it would be when they fully climbed over the balcony and bloomed. This thought took him back to the rose garden at the gate of the Yorks’ home, bringing back fond memories.

estate.