Chapter 6

Zachary stood by my bed, frozen for a long time.

"Do you have to be so passive-aggressive? We're family. Is it necessary to be so petty about everything?"

"I'm not family with you people. In all those family reality shows and family gathering photos, the woman by your side has never been me!"

"Even in your spouse column, my name has never appeared. What kind of family is this? At most, I'm just a nanny!"

Zachary looked somewhat bewildered, a flash of panic in his eyes.

Then, as if he'd figured something out, he said:

"Sophia, I already told you that Autumn and I have no relationship. We're just friends. Do you have to be so petty?"

"Besides, we haven't even gotten our marriage certificate yet. What right do you have to restrict my freedom!"

"If you want to marry me, you can just say so. There's no need to talk in circles. And I never said I wouldn't marry you. Do you really need to put on such a show?"

Hearing these words, I wanted to laugh, but today I really didn't want to argue with this man anymore about these things.

"Who you marry has nothing to do with me, as long as you don't marry me. I never thought about restricting you. After all, I have no right to. Now can you leave? I need to rest!"

Zachary listened to me using his own words against him and stood frozen in place.

For the first time, I, who had always been obedient to him, was being so sharp-tongued.

It stuck in his throat.

Although he'd never said he would marry me, he did want to give his son a family.

And over all these years, I had always stayed within bounds. Zachary had been thinking that in another two years, he'd go get the marriage certificate.

But my words today seemed to turn Zachary's plan into wishful thinking.

For a moment, he flew into a rage from embarrassment.

"Fine! This is what you said. Don't come begging me to marry you later!"

With that, Zachary slammed the door hard. Outside, Ethan had cried himself hoarse.

Zachary thought that since I had taken care of this child for so many years, I couldn't possibly ignore him completely.

So Zachary left his son on the couch and went back to his own room to sleep.

Before long, Ethan's voice gradually weakened.

The next day, when I went out.

I happened to run into Zachary anxiously carrying Ethan in his arms.

His eyes were bloodshot as he glared at me. "You didn't check on Ethan at all last night?!"

I was somewhat speechless. "Didn't I already tell you that?"

Zachary gritted his teeth.

Not having time to think much, he carried the child and left without another word.

The child's gastroenteritis hadn't been effectively relieved and had instead caused a fever. But the company needed Zachary to rush over to handle things, so he had no choice but to call me.

I didn't want to answer, so Zachary just kept calling relentlessly.

I simply blocked his number.