Chapter130 Confrontation
Winona really hadn't expected a public argument to make Lydia think of her own situation.
"It's not like that..."
"Don't lie to me. If that boy forced you into it, I won't let him off the hook!"
Lydia was dead serious, looking as if she'd grab a knife and fight Zachary Bailey if Winona so much as nodded in agreement.
Winona Sullivan shook her head helplessly, "It's not that, Mom. He never forced me... the truth is, he’s never even touched me."
Since the divorce became public, she’d embraced her freedom, no longer hiding their painful truth.
"What?" Lydia's eyes widened in shock, "You two haven't... you know, since you got married?"
"Is Zachary... should I get the doctor to prescribe some more of that medicine from last time? Maybe if he takes more it'll work!"
Embarrassed, Winona now feared Lydia might cause further trouble by meddling with Zachary’s diet. She hastened to defend him, “No, he doesn’t need medication. There’s nothing wrong with his health. It’s just... he just doesn’t want to... with me. Don’t worry about it. Someday, with a woman he likes, a baby will come naturally.”
"Impossible, he was the one who insisted..." Lydia stopped herself, realizing she had to talk to Zachary directly. She didn’t want to deepen any misunderstanding between them – that would be unforgivable.
Her mood for shopping evaporated, "Let's head back, we'll have dinner at Crest Manor tonight."
Initially reluctant, Winona decided to go after noticing Lydia's mood swings, suspecting her words had struck a nerve . So, quietly, she followed.
Upon returning home, Lydia went straight to the upstairs study.
Sarah was puzzled, "Winona, what’s wrong with Lydia? Wasn’t the shopping trip enjoyable? Why does she seem upset?"
Winona merely shook her head, opting not to elaborate.
An hour later, Zachary Bailey, who should have been at the company, drove back home...
First, he glanced at Winona Sullivan, then headed upstairs.
Zachary knocked on the slightly ajar door to the study, "Mom, did you want to see me?"
Lydia inhaled deeply before speaking, "What's this between you and Winona? You were the one who insisted on marrying her, and now she’s living like this? Three years and nothing between you... Didn't you promise me you’d be devoted to her? Is this how you show your commitment? And to think Winona's been keeping it from me all these years!"
Zachary was taken aback that Lydia had called him over this.
"She told you we haven't... been together since our wedding?"
Zachary came down from the study and approached her.
She was sitting on a long couch, her right side against the armrest, with plenty of space to her left, but Zachary sat down right next to her.
Their legs touched, suggesting an intimacy anyone would notice.
Winona frowned and shifted away, "Can't you sit further away? Isn’t this couch big enough?"
Zachary’s face was expressionless, "Who told you to say we haven’t slept together in three years?"
Winona lifted her eyes from her phone to his face, her voice innocent yet inquiring, "What else was I supposed to say?"
"Mom was just asking about the kids, you could've simply told her you didn't want any."
"Who doesn't want them? Me? You? We've already aired our dirty laundry in court, why should I cover for you?"
If sarcasm could turn into knives, Winona Sullivan looked like she wanted to stab him multiple times.
Zachary Bailey frowned. "Mrs. Bailey, is your resentment because we never slept together while we were married?"
Winona let out a scornful laugh: "No, I'm actually quite grateful for your restraint over these years. I shudder at the thought of it—sleeping with you must be unbearable! What a waste of your... 'physical gifts.'"
Her emotions took over, and her voice spiked uncontrollably.
Little did she know, Lydia had just come downstairs and caught every word!
Winona was dumbfounded, In Regal Oaks or any other empty apartment, she might forget her surroundings, but this was Crest Manor, teeming with staff, not to mention her mother-in-law's abode.
She stood abruptly, her purse twisted in her grip, fleeing without even a goodbye.
Zachary's thin lips pressed into a line, he was about to follow.
"Zachary..." Lydia called after him. Since the wedding, this was the first time she had used such an affectionate tone.
He turned back, a picture of composure. "Yes?"
"When you're not working, maybe peruse some... educational materials, or ask around—friends with experience."
Zachary Bailey: "..."
She nodded towards the door, "You'd better go after Winona. It's hard to get a taxi here, and you shouldn't let her leave alone."
Within seconds, Winona Sullivan was out the gates of Crest Manor.
But behind her, hurried footsteps closed in, and her wrist was suddenly grasped.
"Zachary Bailey, let go..."
His jaw clenched tight, he dragged her to his car, shoved her in, and then stood imposingly in front of the open door.
"Mrs. Bailey, you think I’m lacking in bedroom skills, huh?" His looming figure and fake smile struck a chord of intimidation.
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