Chapter 688

To think Zachary owned a villa there and it was on the hilltop with the best view too Stuffing her phone back into her pocket, Serenity turned around and walked to the sofa for a seat. She did not break gaze with Zachary.

Zachary was looking at her. He wondered if she was angry or pleasantly surprised.

Serenity appeared surprised, but not the good kind.

“Seren, w–we rushed to get married, so I…”

Zachary drew close and sat next to her. The moment he took a seat, Serenity scooted to the side, pulling a distance between them. She told him off, “Stay right there. Don’t come too close to me.”

Tensing her facial lines, Serenity uttered furiously, “I know why you kept it from me. Do you think I’ll go after your money when I find out you own a villa?

“How much do you make annually as a senior executive in York Corporation? I bet it’s a few million dollars. You’re always busy at work, either working overtime or going to business parties. Do you claim the spending and hours from the company? You didn’t have a girlfriend or a wife. You said that your family is doing well financially, so you don’t need to hand out an allowance to your parents.

“You must have saved a lot of money to buy a villa that costs more than ten million.

“I know you’ve been holding out on me since the day we got married. You think I’m a conniving woman, out to get your money.”

While speaking, Serenity picked up the cushion on the sofa and smacked Zachary with it. “Zachary, for you to hide a villa from me, you weren’t 100% honest with me. I can’t believe you took it out on me the other night for keeping things from you and not treating you like family.

“That’s some double standard you have there.”

Zachary let her whack him with the cushion. It did not hurt anyway.

He chose to tell Serenity about the villa, but he had more than one property. Zachary brought up one to see how Serenity would react when she found out that he had something to hide from her.

She was mad.

“Yes, Seren. You’re right. I have double standards. I know I’m so full of myself. You’re right to say that about me.”

He extended his arms to pull Serenity, together with the cushion, into his embrace Zachary said apologetically, “I know my wife isn’t conniving, and she isn’t out to get my money. Don’t be mad, Seren.

I feel bad when you’re mad.”

Giving his arm a good pinch, Serenity peevishly said, “Why tell me now?”

“I usually stay there. I feel that the place is my home.”

Well, it was his personal space, a home that belonged to him.

“I think we should spend our first night there together.”

Pursing her lips, Serenity pinched his arm once more. “You’re only telling me now because you found an excuse to make me less mad at you.”

Despite the pinches, Zachary refused to let go. He trapped her with his arms.

“I really want us to be in our home. It means something to me.

“Please forgive me for keeping it from you, Seren.”

Serenity tried to push him away, but his hold on her was secured. She gave up in the end.

“Is the villa paid for, or are you still paying the mortgage?”

Zachary did the math in mind before uttering, “I joined York Corporation fresh out of college and have been working for a few years. I started off with an annual income of a few hundred thousand dollars. It took me a few years before I earned my first million. Now, I bring home several million a year.

“Although I saved my wages, I wasn’t in the position to pay the house in cash. I’m on a mortgage, but I put down 80% for the down payment, so I didn’t have trouble making the monthly repayments. I put aside some money after deducting the mortgage to afford another property before marrying you.

“That was why I told you that the apartment in Brynfield and the national MPV will go to you if we divorce. It was to make up for your lost time.”

Serenity responded, “No wonder you asked me to sign a contract when we first got married. You were so generous to give the house to me. Since you can afford a villa, why didn’t you get a better car?“