Bound By A Broken Night novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16

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“Where is my little pumpkin?” Zabrina Wallace asked the moment she stepped inside, both arms laden with paper bags from a well–known baby boutique.

“Mom, why are you here again?” Zandrie said irritably, shooting her a glare as she marched straight toward the crib like she owned the place.

“I’m not here for you,” Zabrina snapped back without slowing.

She dropped the bags unceremoniously on the floor, disinfected her hands with practiced efficiency –and within seconds, the tiny sleeping figure was already cradled in her arms.

“My little pumpkin…”

“He’s asleep, Mom,” Zandrie protested, exasperation etched across his face. “Why are you disturbing him?”

Zabrina ignored him completely.

Zandrie looked seconds away from strangling her when two–month–old Malakai let out a soft whimper, his tiny brows knitting together as he stirred.

“I’m here to visit the only legal grandson I have,” Zabrina said primly, pursing her lips as she gazed down at the baby with unmistakable adoration.

“I still can’t tell who he looks like,” she mused softly. “But I know he’ll be as handsome as his father. As any Wallace.”

Pride colored her voice as she flicked a glance toward Zandrie before returning her full attention to my son, her expression melting into tenderness.

I turned toward Zandrie–and found him already looking at me.

Guilt crept into my chest, heavy and unwelcome.

Zabrina Wallace doted on Malakai far more openly than she ever had on her other two grandchildren. Her affection was genuine. Undeniable.

And undeserved.

At two months old, others might not see it yet–but I did.

Aside from a few features he inherited from me, Ashton Pierce’s genes were undeniably dominant.

“Kids can inherit traits from their great–grandparents on either side,” Zandrie said casually, rolling his eyes as if the thought were ridiculous. “It doesn’t mean Malakai has to look like me.”

His tone was light, dismissive–but I knew better. He was helping me.

And that only deepened the ache of guilt settling quietly in my chest.

1/3

Chopwesto

+25 BONUS

I never wanted to deceive Zabrina Wallace. She was a gentle, loving woman–far kinder than the world had been to me. But for now, I had no choice. Malakai and I needed Zandrie.

Still, when everything finally fell into place, I would tell her the truth–no matter the consequences.

Since I gave birth, Zandrie’s mother–like her son—had barely left my side. They had been an immense help. Even Zandrie, despite knowing the nature of our arrangement, fulfilled his role as a responsible husband and father to Malakai with surprising sincerity.

“Thank you,” I said quietly after Zandrie finally succeeded in ushering his mother out.

I’d thanked him repeatedly–but it still didn’t feel like enough.

“You’re welcome,” he replied with a small, gracious smile before heading to his desk.

After I gave birth, we converted part of our shared place into a workspace. Even if we couldn’t visit the company in person, work didn’t stop–we simply brought it home.

There was too much at stake to slow down now.

“Almost ninety percent of the farmers who left have already returned,” Zandrie said, scanning the report from the office. “They came back as soon as they heard about the new benefits.”

“As expected,” I replied, satisfaction warming my chest.

“Next, we’ll conduct large–scale retraining programs and seminars. In two months, we can start planting new varieties of pineapples and other fruit–bearing crops.”

Everything was unfolding exactly as planned.

“The factory’s new machinery is also on the way,” Zandrie added.

“Just in time for the next harvest,” I said. “Within a year, we’ll be fully on track. By then, we can open a subsidiary abroad–to reach a wider market.”

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