Too Late for Regret:My Ex-Husband Are Trying to Win Me Back novel Chapter 8

Lynette had barely left when Zachary returned. He had just stepped inside when his phone rang—Charmaine, claiming chest discomfort again.

Without hesitation, Zachary changed clothes and made ready to leave. Passing Lynette's room, he noticed the door ajar. He frowned with a flash of irritation. She was an adult; how could she be so careless as to sleep with her door open?

Recalling her bad mood earlier, he considered checking on her. But Charmaine's call came again. With a sigh, he stepped back, closed the door, and went downstairs.

At the front door, his gaze fell on the small tree he and Lynette had planted together. It lay toppled on the ground. His chest tightened. It had been fine during the day. How had it fallen overnight?

A bad feeling gnawed at him. He glanced up toward Lynette's room, telling himself he needed to find time for a proper talk.

By the time he arrived at Charmaine's place, she had prepared a candlelit dinner.

When Zachary opened the door and saw the table full of food, he frowned. "I thought you weren't feeling well."

Charmaine tugged him into a chair. "If I hadn't said that, would you have come?"

Zachary had thought she was genuinely feeling unwell. Realizing she had lied, his concern dissolved into irritation. "Charmaine, it's midnight. You called me out at this hour. What would Nettie think? This is inappropriate."

For the first time in three years, Zachary spoke harshly to her. Charmaine froze, stunned. "But haven't we always been like this? You said you felt guilty toward me, that you'd make it up to me for life. I just wanted to spend an anniversary with you, and you speak to me like this?

"Right—you're married. You have a wife. And I'm nothing but an insignificant ex. If I'm ruining your marriage, then go. From now on, whether I live or die is none of your concern. What I did tonight was wrong. I won't ever do it again."

Seeing that Zachary still had Lynette on his mind, Charmaine suppressed her anger and said, "If we're innocent, there's nothing to worry about. Lynette is just overthinking. The more you try to explain, the more she'll suspect you.

"Zachary, I'm a woman. I understand women best. If she trusts you, you don't need to say anything. If she doesn't, whatever you say is pointless.

"After all these years, what has Lynette done for you besides causing trouble? Have you ever thought that maybe the two of you just aren't right for each other?"

Charmaine often said things like this, but they usually had no effect. This time, Zachary fell silent for a long while. After a long pause, he looked at her seriously. "Nettie is my wife. If she doesn't trust me, it means I haven't given her enough security. As for her causing trouble… I'm her husband. If she makes mistakes, I'll take responsibility. It's nothing.

"Charmaine, you've been divorced for years. If you meet someone suitable, you should try seeing them. You can't stay by my side forever as my secretary."