Zachary held Sophia tightly at the doorway. He made sure his hug was strong enough to comfort her but still gentle, so she would not feel even the slightest discomfort.
Meanwhile, Sophia leaned against his chest. She stayed quiet as her tears streamed down, soaking through his shirt within seconds. Even though Zachary noticed she was crying, he did not try to stop her. Instead, he quietly stroked her hair, offering a silent kind of strength.
At first, Sophia cried in a muffled, restrained way. Yet, gradually, her body started trembling, and her sobs grew louder and more uncontrollable.
Zachary let out a quiet sigh in his heart, then turned and carried her into his home. Since they lived right across from each other, it was quite convenient. Once inside, he led her to the couch and set her down. She had been in his place countless times before, but this time, her emotions were completely different.
"Here, have some water first," Zachary said, pouring her a mug of warm water. He gently placed it in her hands and made sure she was holding it steady.
Sophia took a small sip. Her eyes were red and puffy, and her emotions were all over the place. She asked, "Zachary, are you really sure you won't regret this?"
"Sophie, I'd only regret it if I kept holding back and never told you how I truly felt," Zachary replied. He reached over and tucked her hair behind her ear. "Let's both be a little braver, okay?"
He added sincerely, "I'm not rich like Marcus, and I can't spoil you the way he spoils Natalie. But what I can give you will always be exactly what you need—love, respect, gentleness, patience, loyalty, commitment... all of it. I'll give you everything I have to offer.
"I talked to my parents, and they don't think you're not good enough for me. Actually, they feel deeply for you. Have you heard the saying, 'love me, love my dog'?"
Sophia nodded. "Yeah, I've heard of it."
"That's how my parents feel about you. You're part of the package," he said with a warm gaze. "You know my younger brother, Zane. He used to date Ruby, but he swore to me that he never bullied you."
Zachary explained, "The whole thing between him and Ruby was always one-sided. She was just using his name to do shady stuff behind his back. Because of that, both my parents and I gave him a serious wake-up call."
Sophia suddenly smiled at the memory of the days she spent recovering at Goodwill Pharmacy. "Yeah, I remember. Back then, Natalie gave him an ultimatum—either break up with Ruby or get kicked out of the pharmacy. He didn't even hesitate and broke up with her right away."
"Exactly, so there's no need for you to hold anything against Zane. He's just a kid who has zero say in our family. If he finds out you're with me now, he'll probably bug you nonstop, begging you to put in a good word for him with Natalie."
Zachary chuckled as he said it because he knew exactly how much Zane idolized Natalie. Hearing that, Sophia suddenly felt lighter inside.
"Okay. Your words really lifted a weight off my chest. " She looked at Zachary, never having imagined the two of them would end up here.
Had she fallen for him? Of course, she had. Over the years, no matter what role he played in her life, he had always been the one who stayed by her side. He knew her better than anyone else, and he treated her better than anyone ever had.
Sophia leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him. Her voice was muffled. "Zachary, thank you. Really... Thank you so much."
"No, it's me who should thank you... for giving me this chance," Zachary whispered as he pulled her in tighter. "Sophia, believe in yourself, and believe in me too, okay?"
"Okay."
After Sophia said that, Zachary smiled gently and cupped her face, carefully wiping away her tears. "Sophia, can I kiss you?"
Sophia froze for a second. A few painful images flashed through her mind, but before she could answer, Zachary leaned in and kissed her. His kiss was tender and lingering, and he gently wrapped his arm around her waist, moving with such care that she gradually began to relax.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)
This one gets us readers asking for more! Excellent story, great twists......
Hope Grandpa Charles lives long enough to see Marcus and Nat's children, please. It will make him happy to see life is still worth living and that he didn't fail raising Marcus at least. Let him be happy at least in this aspect. Thanks...
Finished till 538....Waiting for more...
This really hurts. I am confused if Yvette sent a msg saying old love to Charles through Charlene. Why isnt it in her confession. Or did she actually set vivian up into sleeping with that man? And later blackmailed vivian with it till vivian commited suicide? Did Yvetty yhinks Charles would marry her after vivians death but he remained loyal. Hence her anger?...
Hope Nat can cure Marcus' mom. Looking forward to new updates. Thank you...
When will other chapters be updated...
Every chapter gets sweeter..and oh! I'm sure Nat's new patient is Marcus' mom - though the illness is quite intriguing....anyway, looking forward for the next updates! Thank you...
What an ending to the chapter...nice one..hoping for more updates...thank you...
OMG, OMG, OMG, this is getting better and better. Nat and Marcus are getting married!!!!! Yehey! Please update more..after a big drama ot is really nice to have love and a little happy events in between. Pretty please, update more. Can't wait!! Thank you so much!...
Recent updates are so good. Natalie's and Marcus' love story is also progressing...so, so good and exciting. Please update more. Thank you...