Chapter 324 Infertility
The window-side booths were all equipped with small sofas facing each other. Zachary plopped down next to Winona, and Matthew, who came in a step later, shot him a fierce glare before sitting next to Phoenix.
Zachary greeted politely, "Mrs. Watson."
Phoenix smiled and stood up. "Someone just invited me out for coffee, and I'm running late. I'll skip eating, you go ahead."
She rubbed her stomach and added, "I'm getting older and tend to have indigestion. Beef and such are more suitable for you young folks."
Once Phoenix left, the tension at the table skyrocketed.
Zachary leaned closer to Winona, eyeing the food with disdain. "I don't like French cuisine. Let's go get something else."
Winona, who was starving after only having a small cake in the morning, wasn't having it. "If you don't like French cuisine, why did you come in?"
He had clearly done it on purpose earlier. With so much space outside, he chose to smoke right under Phoenix's nose.
Zachary said, "Mrs. Watson invited me in. It's not good to go against the wishes of an elder."
Winona picked up her knife and fork to cut the steak. "Then go eat by yourself."
"If you want to eat, I'll stay with you."
"No need to put yourself through that."
Zachary immediately cut a piece and put it in his mouth, responding smoothly, "It's not a problem at all."
Matthew watched the natural interaction between the two. Winona was always polite and cautious around him, afraid of offending him, never as relaxed as she was now.
Even though they were arguing, there was a unique tenderness to it.
A sudden pang of jealousy hit Matthew, dull and uncomfortable. It gnawed at him, especially because, when Winona first faced difficulties, he had been the one she came to. If he had stepped up and helped her back then, maybe he would be the one sitting beside her now.
The regret was tormenting.
Matthew looked at her, his fingers tightening around the knife and fork, the swirling anxiety and displeasure making him a bit out of control. He blurted out, "Winona, back then..."
Zachary's forehead veins bulged. What he feared most now was Matthew bringing up the past. The love letters Winona had written to Matthew were still in his study drawer.
He threw his knife and fork onto the plate and stood up abruptly.
His sudden movement drew the attention of those around him, including Winona.
Matthew's words were cut off halfway.
Winona felt utterly embarrassed and asked in a low voice, "Zachary, what are you doing?"
"My leg's numb. I need to stand up."
"If your leg's numb, why throw the knife and fork? And make such a loud noise? Sit down quickly."
Zachary kept a straight face. "The food is terrible. Come with me to eat something else."
Winona raised her hand to cover her face. "Do you still want to pass your probation period? Sit down now."
Zachary glanced at her. "It's a bit hot in here."
Winona was puzzled.
Before she could understand why Zachary suddenly changed the subject, she saw him reaching to unbutton his shirt. Winona suddenly remembered the shocking scratch marks on his chest and quickly said, "What do you want to eat?"
"Anything but this."
Winona's eyelid twitched, and she forced a smile. "Then let's go."
She gave Matthew an apologetic look and said, "Matthew, sorry, I have something to do. I'll treat you to dinner next time."
This last sentence was purely out of politeness, but Zachary still pursed his lips in displeasure.
Matthew replied, "Alright."
Winona dragged Zachary out the door. As soon as they reached the street, she let go of his hand and walked quickly ahead.
Zachary hurried to catch up. "Winona..."
He tried to grab her, but Winona shook him off.
"Don't touch me, you jerk. On your first day of probation, you threaten me. You failed your test. Stay away from me."
In his haste, Zachary had forgotten that he was still just a probationary boyfriend who could be dismissed at any time. He quickly stepped in front of Winona. "I wasn't threatening you. It really was a bit hot in there."
He wiped his forehead and showed his sweaty hand to Winona. "See, I'm sweating."
It was from fear, though.
Winona said, "Stop pretending. Just because you're sweating, you want to take off your clothes? Are you a pervert?"
She didn't believe him at all.
"I wasn't taking off my clothes. I just felt a bit stuffy and wanted to unbutton one."
Zachary wasn't wearing a tie today, but his shirt was buttoned up to the top, right at his Adam's apple. In this weather where even short sleeves feel hot, it did look quite uncomfortable.
Winona said, "Even if it's stuffy, you can't unbutton it."
If someone saw those scratch marks, she would be utterly humiliated.
Seeing her attitude soften, Zachary immediately tried to please her again, taking her hand and leading her towards the car. "Unbuttoning one won't show anything. Don't think of me as so indecent. Although I want a legitimate status, I wouldn't flaunt it like that."
Zachary felt both aggrieved and angry. "Even though I'm just an intern boyfriend now, you can't just fire me on a whim, and you can't judge me based on your assumptions. I'm not a machine. I have feelings too."
Seeing his righteous indignation, Winona couldn't help but wonder if she had misunderstood him.
She felt a bit guilty. "Sorry, I wronged you on this."
Zachary said, "It's okay. I was really bad before."
Winona remained silent.
It seemed she wasn't comforted but felt even more guilty.
Once in the car, Zachary didn't ask where she wanted to go and drove straight towards Regal Oaks.
Winona had no objections. She hadn't slept well last night and could use a nap.
Passing by a pharmacy, she said, "Pull over for a moment. I need to buy some medicine."
Hearing her mention buying medicine, Zachary's first reaction was that he might have lost control last night and hurt her again. He frowned and stopped the car. "You stay in the car. I'll go buy it."
Seeing his lack of reaction, Winona asked in confusion, "Do you know what medicine to buy?"
Zachary had mentioned wanting a child this morning. Now that she was going to buy birth control pills, he wasn't even a bit angry?
"Yes," Zachary didn't look at her, his voice lowered as if he had done something wrong, "When you were hospitalized, I was outside. I remember the medicine the doctor prescribed, one was an anti-inflammatory ointment."
Winona's face instantly turned red. She turned and covered his mouth. "Birth control pills. I'm going to buy birth control pills."
Zachary's expression immediately turned cold, and he said stiffly, "No need for that."
"Why?" Winona was sure he hadn't used protection last night.
But she had said she wouldn't have his child, at least not now.
Not having a child and not using protection, why not take the pill?
Winona looked at Zachary, her eyes widening in disbelief as he remained silent. "Could it be that not only do you have sexual dysfunction, but you're also infertile?"
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