บท 11: Carrying My Child
MONIQUE'S POV
She remained dazed after Zion kissed her on the lips. It was never in her wildest dreams that he would do that when they were strangers.
She could sense that aloofness exuding in his body, telling her to remain at arm's length.
Yet, at times, she could no longer brace herself from vulnerability; he was there to catch her before she reached the ground.
His stoic countenance—no one could fathom what was running through his head—was only a facade. But the truth is, he was actually thoughtful.
'I hope we can get along well. I'm willing to do anything for him as long as he will not sell me to a slave clubhouse.'
This country has a reputation. However, certain regions under the control of the underground lords provided such services to wealthy people.
She's praying that her husband is not a member of that organization. She had this fear in her heart because of his sturdy bodyguards following her around.
When she got ready for the wedding, they were outside the door, guarding it. She wondered if they thought she would run away.
But where the hell is she going? What she should do is hide until she has legal documents.
"Hey, bro! Congratulations!"
Monique was pulled out of her train of thought when Zion's friends approached them and started showering them with greetings and best wishes.
She was astounded when they began jesting. Watching such scenes before her, she found Zion's friends wonderful and comedic.
They seemed harsh at times, but it must be just their typical interactions, joking at each other.
And with all of this chaos, her dear husband merely frowned, knitting between his brows. Even so, his handsomeness has not diminished.
'Am I thinking he is gorgeous?' Monique was taken aback. She just realized that she actually married a fine stud!
Probably she didn't notice earlier because she was bursting into tears all afternoon, afraid to be sent to prison.
But she mustn't deny that Zion is way better-looking than Leroy.
'No. Why am I comparing them in the first place? Zion is just my nominal husband, and Leroy is my true love.'
Monique shook her head and fanned her hand to her face when suddenly she felt warm. She picked up the glass of sparkling water on the side table and drank a mouthful of the contents.
All of a sudden, as the conversation goes on, the subject becomes ridiculous, causing her to spit some of the water.
'What are they talking about?'
Now they suspect her of being pregnant!
~ ~ ~
Zion was on the verge of smacking his friends when they came up with the wrong assumption.
"The hell are you saying?"
Zion is about to express his thoughts when someone kicks the door, and an older man emerges from it, entering the wedding hall like he is someone from royalty.
'Tsk.' Zion twitched his mouth. He knew that this old geezer would never stay idle.
"Zion! What is the meaning of this?"
"Why do you ask? Isn't it obvious that it was my wedding?"
The older man, none other than David Dawson, was livid. He wanted to counter his beloved son but noticed a few prominent guest presents as he scanned the wedding hall.
Although their family dispute was not a secret to the nobles, he avoided displaying such a violent temperament.
Still, he needs more connections to win against his enemies, including Zion's maternal family.
"Son, I am your father. How could you not invite me to your wedding?"
Zion rolled his eyes, then uttered mockingly, "I intentionally don't invite you. But since you're here already, why don't you take a seat?"
He had a grin on his face. David snorted, seeing this. He knew Zion just wanted to mess with him by angering him.
David ignored his son's unwelcome tone. He trailed the red carpet in the middle, followed by his wife, Minerva, Zion's stepmother, and their bodyguards, but she was blocked halfway.
"How disrespectful!"
The sophisticated woman spat when she was stopped to strut forward and join her husband.
"What are your men doing, Zion?" asked David angrily.
Zion raised a brow and said, "They were only doing their job."
Upon saying that, he leaned on the backrest and placed his right arm around Monique's shoulder, startling the latter.
But she understood Zion wanted them to act intimate. Thus, she plays along.
Now, their bodies brushed against each other, and she could feel the firmness in his chest.
Suddenly, she had the urge to rest her head on his broad shoulder and close her eyes. Her eyelids were actually heavy. She just wanted to nod off, but her stomach was growling. She was famished.
She woke up too early in the morning to do her hair and make-up, as they had a photoshoot before the wedding began.
Then, by the afternoon, her worries when her purse disappeared, along with her essential documents, exhausted her so much. Now, all she wants to do is have a full meal and then take a rest.
But since her father-in-law arrived, she could sense that there was tension between the father and son.
Also, Zion's staff and bodyguards were on high alert. Many of them pose for a fight while the chefs hold tight with kitchenware such as knives and serving spoons.
"Zion, don't be an unfilial son! Why are you treating your mother this way?"
Zion scoffed. He has the urge to roll on the floor and laugh his ass out.
He got up from the loveseat and strode toward the edge of the stage. He stood tall, both hands shoved inside his pockets, and the air surrounding him brought a chill to one's spine.
But in Monique's eyes, her husband is too incredible. He looks so manly, yet he carries himself with such elegance.
Standing at the upper steps by the stage, Zion eyed his father as if he were only a random person who lost his way but entered the wrong territory.
"My mother has long gone, and she died miserable. Now, stop forcing me to call an insignificant person my mother!"
His every word carried sarcasm and insults. But Monique could sense the pain in them.
David, on the other hand, found his son's behavior to be irritating. At that moment, he decided not to care about their family image anymore.
"What an ungrateful son you are! You don't just disrespect your stepmother; you even married a random woman!"
Monique lowered her head, not meeting the questioning stares of the older couple.
Their eyes were full of contempt, sizing her up.
'They're right. I'm just a random woman who needs a husband to save me from misery.'
"Come here."
Monique, dwelling in her own world, realizes that Zion called out to her.
In fact, his arm extended toward her, hinting for her to join him.
Monique rose from the loveseat in a hurry, but suddenly, she felt the discomfort creep toward her head, then her world spun, and her vision slowly blackened.
"Signora!" The staff, including Lemuel, cried out when Monique suddenly tumbled.
Fortunately, Zion had a superb reflex. He flew their distance and caught her body before she fell to the floor.
"Tsk. What's wrong with her? She must be acting up."
This comment was from Zion's stepmother, Minerva.
Zion hissed, cast a dagger look, and retorted, "She's not like you, who loves faking her illness to earn my father's sympathy."
Minerva was livid at being insulted.
David saw that his wife was embarrassed; thus, he bellowed.
"Zion! I am warning you! Divorce that woman right now!"
Zion sneered. He scooped Monique from the floor and carried her with such ease.
He descended the stairs and walked past his father.
"I'm not sorry to disappoint you. But she is already carrying my child."
Everyone dropped their jaws upon hearing his confirmation. He walked to the door, ignoring his employees and friends, who were congratulating him again.
While David almost passed out at this news, Lemuel had the widest grin on everyone. He was ecstatic. He has been following Zion since they were kids, and this is the first time he was genuinely excited for him.
More to say, he was actually excited to serve the young Zion.
His mighty Signorito!
'Hehe... Sir! Good luck producing that child you talk about!'
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