Chapter 857

Madelyn caught her breath. Zach helped her into a fresh skirt before carrying her downstairs to eat.

Dalton, his face showing signs of healing, played with his spoon as he sat in a kiddie chair. The maids smiled, watching the couple come down the stairs. After Madelyn took her seat beside Zach, a maid swiftly brought over a bowl of chicken soup. Seeing it, Madelyn’s face showed a hint of displeasure.

“You don’t like the soup?” Zach asked.

“It just tastes different from what I’m used to.”

Understanding her, Zach said, “You don’t need to eat it.” He signaled to the maid, “Take it The maid nodded, replying, “Yes, Mr. Jardin,” and promptly removed the bowl.

Zach then asked, “Ready to dig in?”

away.”

Madelyn always took her time eating. Even as a kid, finishing just one plate of food could take her up to half an hour. Her father, Hayson, had a saying: “Stay quiet at the dinner table and bedtime.” Because of that, she usually did not chat during meals unless someone spoke to her first. As she ate and then helped clean up Dalton’s little spill, Zach watched with a contented look. She did not even realize he was observing her so closely. Thankfully, Dalton’s clothes remained spotless after the spill.

“In the future, make half as much. It’s plenty.”

“Understood, Mrs. Jardin,” the maid replied.

The maid took Dalton away from the table, leaving Madelyn and Zach alone. After finishing his meal, Zach instinctively reached for his pack of cigarettes. However, seeing that Madelyn was still eating, he paused and set the pack back down.

Feeling his lingering gaze, Madelyn asked, “Why are you always staring? If you want to smoke, just go ahead.”

Chuckling, Zach said, “I’ll go have a quick smoke, then come back and join you.”

Madelyn watched as Zach went outside to smoke. She did not like the smell of smoke, which was why Zach always went outside to do it. Seeing him smoke made her lose her appetite, so she went upstairs without finishing her meal.

After a heavy snowfall, the maids went outside to do some shoveling. Zach’s phone buzzed; he answered it and said, “What’s going on?”

Kevin said, “The ring design is with the designer now. Eric told me it’s pretty detailed, so making it will take about two months.”

Zach exhaled, his intent gaze momentarily obscured by the smoke, “Tell him to speed it up. I want the ring in a month.”

Kevin replied, “Understood. I’ll pass on the message.”

The ring’s design held a deep meaning. Zach had personally drawn it with thoughts of a lasting future with Madelyn after their passionate night together. While he once did not feel strongly about whom he ended up with, as evidenced by his earlier relationship with Yvonne, with Madelyn, everything just clicked.