Chapter 157 Ex-Husband
After leaving Winona Sullivan's apartment, Zachary Bailey had planned on going straight to the office, but Lydia's call had summoned him back home.
As his car came to a stop, he massaged his temples and lit a cigarette before stepping out.
The living room atmosphere was heavy.
Sarah was out; his parents sat on the sofa with stony expressions, not even looking up as he entered.
Zachary slipped his shoes off, greeting them, "Dad, Mom."
He was about to sit when Lydia cut in sharply, "Did anyone say you could sit? But of course, Mr. Bailey is such an important person now. You think you don't need to mention something as big as a divorce—what's sitting on a sofa in comparison?"
Zachary remained silent.
He had anticipated Lydia's eruption upon discovering the news. He had intended to find a calm moment to discuss it, but he hadn't expected the social media explosion.
With resignation, he said, "Mom, you can take your anger out on me, but let's skip the sarcasm.”
"Being snarky?" Lydia was fuming, her anger simmering just below the surface as if she could twist off his head, "What has Winona ever done to you? For the three years since she's been part of our family, she's worked tirelessly without complaint, never criticizing your poor skills, your cold demeanor, or your lack of charm. And now you're divorcing her for Fiona, a woman who can't even measure up to her?"
In the days following his divorce, the name 'Winona Sullivan' echoed incessantly in Zachary Bailey's ears, causing a throbbing pain at his temples. Pressing a hand against his forehead, he turned to look at Evander standing beside him.
Evander offered him a helpless glance. He was just there for appearances; the small decisions at home didn't need his input, and the big ones were out of his control.
Zachary Bailey grumbled, "Way to make men look bad."
...
"Regretting it now, are you?" Lydia's shrill tone snapped him back to reality.
Zachary rubbed his temples, weary from the nagging, and said half-heartedly, "Mom, I'm already divorced from her."
The moment those words left his mouth, the living room fell silent.
Seeing that he wasn't just speaking out of hurt but truly believed the marriage was over and didn't want to dwell on it, Lydia's fiery temper cooled slightly. "Fine, if you've made up your mind, I won't force you. I liked Winona, but after all, you're the ones who have to live together. A loveless marriage won't yield any happiness; it only sours the relationship..."
Zachary's expression darkened; he remained silent, his lips pressed tightly together.
Lydia carried on, "If there's no love between you, I won't insist. But as for Winona, I truly do like that girl. I'll just consider her my goddaughter."
Zachary couldn't help but pinch the bridge of his nose in frustration. "She was my wife."
"Ex-wife," Lydia corrected him, her gaze stern. "From now on, you're just her brother. Keep an eye out for any eligible young men for her, will you?"
It seemed as though a memory struck her, and she asked, "What about that inquiry I asked you to make last time? Do Matthew's parents mind him marrying a divorcee? How did that go?"
She kept her eyes fixed on Zachary, but his face remained impassive, his gaze indifferent. He showed no signs of jealousy or anger, just a hint of annoyance.
"It seems they are quite particular," Zachary replied, his tone detached. "They care a lot about family background; it has to be on par with or better than the Watson family's. They're not open to considering a divorcee, or even someone who's had previous boyfriends. They want someone young, beautiful, learned, competent – someone who's as comfortable in the living room as in the kitchen, who can honor the elderly and nurture children..."
Lydia's eyes widened with increasing irritation as she listened. "Do they have a throne to inherit or what? Are they looking for a princess for him? Given how polite and well-mannered Matthew is, it baffles me that he has such ludicrous parents. It's like they're dragging down the whole standard."
"So don't make any wild introductions, we have our own social circle, and someone as stupid as Winona Sullivan is sure to lose out."
Lydia was about to retort, but Zachary Bailey had already headed upstairs.
Winona's phone had been off all night. When she turned it on the next day, she discovered her trending topic purchase had vanished and everyone had refunded her money with the same message, "Sorry, we've decided not to run the story."
The Facebook post that had sparked a flame war had also disappeared.
Overnight, the waves had subsided, leaving behind still waters.
It was clear whose hand was behind it all—afraid that Fiona's reputation would be so much as sullied by a speck of dirt.
And indeed, how could the future Mrs. Bailey afford the stain of being labelled a mistress?
Winona was relieved she was divorced now, spared from facing these ordeals as Mrs. Bailey.
The pounding on her security door resonated like thunder, pulling her out of her thoughts. She rushed to answer.
The man knocking was Austin Robinson, sweating profusely despite the chill of winter. Upon seeing Winona, he let out a long sigh of relief but his tone was harsh, almost scolding, "Why the heck was your phone off? No answer when I knocked either, I thought something happened to you!"
Austin caught himself, aware he had been too sharp. He cleared his throat, "I was just worried about you."
Winona, still a bit stunned from the shouting asked, "Did you need something?"
"The mess online yesterday, and you suddenly going silent," Austin's concerned expression hadn't yet faded when he abruptly opened his arms and pulled Winona into a tight embrace, "Scared the hell out of me. Promise me, no matter what happens, you can't lose hope."
Winona found his emotional tone odd and was about to inquire when she heard a loud 'bang.'
They both turned towards the noise—
There stood Lydia and Zachary Bailey not far away, staring at them. The sound had come from a gift Lydia had been holding, which now lay on the ground.
Zachary Bailey wore a stony, grim expression, while Lydia looked utterly shocked, glancing back and forth between Winona and Austin.
Winona locked eyes with Lydia and hastily tried to extricate herself from Austin's embrace.
But with Zachary Bailey watching, Austin wasn't about to let go.
He held Winona Sullivan tighter, pulling her close to his chest, "Good morning, Zachary!"
Nodding towards the presents scattered on the floor with a nudge of his chin, he asked playfully, "Are these offerings for forgiveness or just your way of saying hello?"
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