Chapter 391

Kai left after dropping his remark. Zach stared at his departing figure and felt somewhat displeased.

Hearing Kai’s words, Jadie felt unease. “Zach… why were you talking about Madelyn? What happened to her?”

Zach cleared his throat, feeling the pain in his stomach again. He didn’t want anyone to see him in this miserable state.

Back when Madelyn used to be around, he rarely felt this kind of pain. She would go to great lengths to make him drink less. She was practically glued to him all the time. Whether it was during work or social events, even if he had a drink with a potential client, she would scold that potential client to make sure he drank less. Sometimes, her actions even cost him potential clients, and Hayson punished her for it.

And for every meal, be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner, she would personally bring it to him.

Since Madelyn stopped pestering him, he always felt like something was missing.

Zach replied, “It’s nothing. Why aren’t you resting at this hour?”

Jadie felt uneasy because Zach was clearly keeping something from her. But when she saw him like this, she didn’t press further. She adjusted his blanket and lowered her head, saying, “I had a nightmare and couldn’t sleep, so I came out for a walk.

Zach gently patted her head to comfort her. “Go back to your room and get some rest. Aren’t you going back to school tomorrow?”

“How about I feed you some pumpkin soup? You never eat when you drink,” Jadie said as she opened a food container and ladled some pumpkin soup into a bowl. Since it was piping hot, she blew on it before offering it to Zach.

Zach looked at the hope in her eyes and couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

After finishing the meal, it was almost three o’clock in the morning.

Jadie was tidying up.

Zach interrupted her, “It’s almost dawn. Kevin will take care of these things. Go back to sleep.”

Jadie, with her head lowered, stood by the bed. “Zach, I don’t want to sleep alone, I’m scared. Can I lie down beside you for a while? Just like when we were kids, you were always there for me no matter what I did. I felt safe.”

Zach was staying in one of the best hospital rooms, and the bed was quite large, big enough for three people.

“Jadie, we can’t go back to how things used to be,” Zach explained calmly. “You’re older now, and you should understand the differences between men and women. Even in a boyfriend–girlfriend relationship, without being engaged, it’s not appropriate for a man and a woman to share a bed. You should know these things.” His eyes held an indifferent look.

Jadie, feeling unfairly treated, retorted, “Zach, I don’t understand. I’m just scared and wanted to be with you for a while. Why won’t you even grant me this request? Do you even consider me your girlfriend?

Weren’t we in this relationship with the goal of getting married?”

“Last time, back at home, I saw you kiss Madelyn,” she added. “You can do things like that with her, so why not with me?”

“Zach… do you really like me?” she asked with tears in her eyes. “Did you agree to be with me just because you didn’t want to upset me, knowing I have depression?”

“If that’s the case, Zach,” she said, “I’d rather not be with you. I’d rather stay abroad for the rest of my life and never come back.”

Tears welled up in Jadie’s innocent eyes as she spoke. She ran out crying.

Jadie was right about one thing. Zach had been overly accommodating to her to avoid causing her any distress.

Zach frowned and quickly dialed Kevin’s number, telling him to look for her. His already agitated emotions were now even more turbulent.

Ten minutes later, Zach received a message from Kevin.