Chapter 9

Charmaine's heart sank, her eyes reddening. "Zachary, are you tired of me? Do you think I'm a burden?" Zachary felt a wave of irritation. For three years, every time he tried to draw a line, Charmaine would say things like this. To avoid her spiraling, he had always backed down, leaving things unsaid. But the memory of Lynette's shattered expression that night weighed on him. He didn't want to keep hurting her. He drew a breath. "Charmaine, I'm not sick of you. Stop twisting my words. I just think you should pursue your own happiness. I won't be eating dinner with you. Given our past, it's not appropriate for us to share a romantic meal like this." With that, Zachary stood up and left. Behind him, the sound of smashing echoed through the door. In the past, he would have gone back. This time, he didn't even turn his head. Three years of atonement were enough. That night, Zachary didn't go home. Afraid of waking Lynette, he stayed at the office. The next morning, his assistant Et