Who Cares About Him When I'm Married to the Richest Man?-Chapter 159: Hm... How Is This Not a Confession?

Chapter 159: Chapter 159: Hm... How Is This Not a Confession?

"Cigarettes? I found them tasteless, so I quit."

When Mason Jacobs felt the cigarette in his mouth tasteless, Zion Fitzwilliam was also earnestly answering Elara Hale’s question.

Elara was a bit surprised, "I thought smokers were all quite addicted."

Zion had mentioned wanting to quit smoking before, but she didn’t really believe him. If quitting were that easy, there wouldn’t be so many smokers in the world.

In her mind, as long as Zion didn’t smoke indoors or make her inhale secondhand smoke in front of him, she’d be content.

Tonight, when she returned, Zion casually asked why she smelled like smoke. She explained that she had attended a celebration party with Esther Carter, where some men smoked in the private room, and the smell clung to her.

She suddenly remembered that she hadn’t seen Zion smoking for a while, which led her to ask.

Unexpectedly, he had really quit.

"You’re amazing." Elara couldn’t help but give him a thumbs up, "Quitting just like that, your determination is truly admirable."

Zion looked deeply at her, "You don’t like the smell of smoke, right?"

Elara gazed into those deep, bottomless black eyes, her heart racing instantly. What did he mean by that? Did he quit smoking for her?

Her ears grew hot, her palms slightly sweaty, she was so nervous she felt lost. She wanted to ask, but was too shy to voice it out. Not asking, though, left her heart in turmoil as if a cat were scratching it, unbearable.

Recalling the words Esther imparted to her earlier, she got even more nervous, feeling heat rushing to her face. She thought she had sobered up before coming back, but now she felt drunkenly warm again.

Should she ask?

No, better not... what if she’s just overthinking...

Maybe ask... or maybe not...

What if he likes me... you’re dreaming...

In the end, Elara still didn’t have the courage to ask a single question, hastily escaping, "Uh... I’ll go check if Joanne Carter’s finished her homework, it’s time for dinner."

Zion watched her retreating figure, almost as if fleeing in panic, and smiled bitterly. She still didn’t want to respond, despite him making things so clear, and she clearly understood.

They had been cohabitating for nearly nine months.

Except for that initial marriage certificate, there had been no progress at all.

He sighed lightly, Brandon White’s joking words flashed through his mind, "Fitzwilliam, if you ask me, don’t be a perfect gentleman. What can’t be solved by spending the night? Haven’t you heard? A woman’s femininity is the key to her heart."

His fingers curled slightly, then he shook his head to clear those thoughts from his mind.

To him, Elara was like a treasure, a goddess, sacred and inviolable. He loved her, but respected her more. He wouldn’t use despicable means to have her, nor would he offend her.

She was already within the bounds of marriage; could mutual love be far behind?

Convincing himself, Zion exhaled deeply.

Elara soon brought Joanne out for dinner.

However, during dinner, she seemed somewhat absent-minded, spooning soup into her mouth even after finishing it.

Joanne exchanged a glance with Zion, silently asking, "Did you upset Aunt Hale?"

Zion hesitated and then shook his head.

Could his words before dinner have upset her?

It seemed likely. Her marrying him was for simple reasons: to adopt a child and have a temporary place post-divorce. Now that the child was adopted and she had money, his role seemed unnecessary...

The money in her hands was painstakingly arranged by him... He felt he had truly been hoisted by his own petard.

Did his words make her uncomfortable?

They finished dinner under this peculiar atmosphere, and Joanne tactfully returned to her room to study, leaving the space to the two of them.

Before she left, she winked at Zion, indicating he should make a good impression.

Zion couldn’t help but smile and waved her away.

Taking advantage of Zion going to wash the dishes, Elara took a bottle of beer from the fridge, poured a glass, and drank it resolutely.

Liquid courage, the earlier drink Esther gave her had almost worn off, and she felt she couldn’t express herself clearly while sober.

Since she had decided to make an effort, retreating would leave her with regrets, and she didn’t want that.

After all... after all... at worst, they would never speak again.

If he’s willing to give it a try, she’ll continue to live here and develop a connection with him. If not, she’ll move out tomorrow, as she recently rented a new place.

But she was really panicking. Even after two beers, she still felt anxious; it was the first time in her 30 years she took the initiative to confess.

Before marrying Mason, she’d never dated anyone. Even being with Mason was because he showed interest first, this was the first time she pursued a man.

No. Perhaps it doesn’t even count as pursuing, just asking... But why, oh why, did it feel so hard even to ask?

Lost in her anxiety, she unknowingly drank the entire bottle of beer.

When she came to, her head was already spinning, bewildered at the empty bottle in her hand; how did she drink so much?

Oh no—

As soon as this thought surfaced, Elara rolled her eyes and fainted.

Coming out from washing dishes, Zion saw her slumped on the table. He thought she had just fallen asleep, but when he saw the beer bottle beside her and the unnatural flush on her face, his heart tightened.

He must have pushed her to this point with those words...

She probably really didn’t want their emotions to get tangled.

Zion sighed, regretting his previous impulse, and leaned down to gently call her, "Elara? Elara? Get up, let’s go to bed."

Elara muttered something but didn’t move.

She had a small sliver of consciousness, enough to recognize Zion’s voice, but she couldn’t think of more than that.

Her body was completely taken over by alcohol, even lifting a finger felt hard.

Seeing her unresponsive, Zion sighed again, then bent down to carry her in his arms.

The moment her body lifted off the chair, some clarity returned to Elara’s head. She opened her eyes with effort and smiled at the handsome face so close to hers, "Zion..."

Zion’s lower abdomen tensed.

The woman he loved was in his arms, her fragrant, soft body pressed tightly against his chest. Her face flushed, eyes dreamy, she called him Zion, in a voice soft and sweet...

It was hard for him not to react.

He sighed softly in his heart, opened the bedroom door and placed Elara gently on the bed. After hesitating, he decided not to touch her clothes, merely pulling a thin blanket over her, speaking softly, "Be good, sleep it off, and you’ll feel better."

Even drunk, Elara didn’t forget her task, gripping Zion’s sleeve tightly to keep him from leaving.

Zion, puzzled, said, "Elara?"

Elara responded with a hazy "Mhm."

Zion sighed, crouching to hold her hand, and asked, "Are you unwell? Want some water?"

Unable to comprehend his words, Elara just wouldn’t let go.

"If you keep holding onto me, how can you sleep?" Zion asked with a chuckle helplessly.

Elara Hale couldn’t quite grasp why she was holding onto him, but subconsciously knew there was something important left undone, she couldn’t let go.

"Zion..."

Her hand flailed, hooking around his neck.

"I can’t let you go, don’t leave..."

Zion Fitzwilliam’s gaze softened, "Alright, I won’t go, I’ll stay with you."

Elara’s mouth was dry, she unconsciously licked her lips, her crimson lips resembling tender tofu, red and tempting.

Zion let out a bitter laugh, took a small breath, she was forcibly testing his willpower.

He didn’t have confidence in his own willpower, when she turned over, kicked off the quilt revealing her fair legs, he quickly wrapped the quilt back around her.

Under the quilt, her delicate legs continued to move, Zion’s mind was in turmoil, but he was resolute not to let her kick the quilt off.

Elara felt hot, whimpered pitifully, as if wrapped in something airless, she was unbearably uncomfortable, struggling for a long time without relief, anxiously, she opened her eyes hazily, "Hot..."

Under the light, the man’s handsome face reflected in her eyes, she dazedly reached out a hand to touch it.

"Zion... you’re really handsome..."

Her soft hand caressed his face, Zion swallowed, feeling stiff.

Elara licked her lips, thinking she was in a dream, if not, why would Zion be sitting obediently in front of her, letting her touch his face.

So in the dream, she brazenly pulled his face closer, kissed it, smacking her lips, "I think I broke even now."

Zion’s breath grew more urgent, the veins in his hands standing out from exertion, his voice low and restrained, "Elara, do you know what you’re doing?"

Elara said, "I’m kissing you."

"Why are you kissing me?"

"Because you’re really handsome, um... and nice to me... If only you weren’t gay..."

The intensity in Zion’s eyes almost couldn’t be held back, his voice carried a hint of unspoken endurance, "If I weren’t gay... what then?"

"I could sleep with you, then..." Elara gazed at him dreamily, a little drool trickling down her mouth, "Just like real couples..."

This answer filled Zion with fierce joy and impulsiveness, he took a deep breath.

He couldn’t stay any longer, he would lose control.

Taking advantage of her wasn’t the behavior of a gentleman, even if something were to happen, it should be when she was sober.

He was about to get up, only to find Elara still tightly gripping his sleeve, he tried to pry her hand off but didn’t dare to use too much strength, afraid of hurting her.

So after a long while, he couldn’t get her hand free.

"Elara..." His tone carried a plea, "let go."

Elara didn’t let go, in her dream she could do whatever she wanted.

She pulled Zion down to kiss him.

Kissing him, she slurred, "How many girlfriends have you had?"

Zion’s voice was dry, "None."

Elara paused.

The woman’s lips pressed against his, her soft body against his chest, the kind of thrill he wouldn’t dare dream of, his whole body felt electrified, using all his will to suppress the impulse to pin her beneath him.

Elara leaned against his chest, somewhat sadly asked, "Do you have that kind of fantasy?"

Zion didn’t react, she had already forgotten the question, raising her head accidentally bumped his Adam’s apple.

The man tensed, almost unable to resist, he clasped the back of her head and kissed her.

The repressed intensity surged forth, not knowing when, they rolled onto the bed, as Zion undid the buttons of her shirt, his senses suddenly cleared.

He gently propped up his body, seeing her hair sweaty from the heat, he sighed lightly, intending to rise, but Elara unwillingly continued to rub against his chest like a kitten.

Zion’s body was taut, his hoarse voice carried a trace of bitter laughter and plea, "Elara, spare me..."

Elara was tipsy, not understanding the man’s patience, she simply wanted to cling to him, not let go.

Zion coaxed softly, until she completely fell asleep, he finally managed to escape, like fleeing in a panic, into the bathroom, taking a cold shower for half an hour.

While showering, he couldn’t help but recall what Elara had said earlier.

"Zion, you’re really handsome..."

"I’m kissing you..."

"If only you weren’t gay..."

She must like him, right? At least a little, right?

Her enthusiastic invitation meant she didn’t mind physical contact with him, he... might have a chance, right?

The earlier kiss was so intense and fierce, as if some seal on his body had been released, Zion glanced down, sighed.

And continued another half hour of cold shower.

That night, Elara slept very well, she obtained everything in her dream, sleeping with a smile.

Zion, however, tossed and turned, hardly slept well, recalling the words Elara had said, the deep kiss, and the soft body.

She lay less than a meter away from him, on his bed.

He couldn’t think anymore, he’d need another cold shower.

That night, the only thing accompanying him was endless sighs.

The next day, Elara opened her eyes, struggled a bit to get up.

She vaguely remembered having a beautiful dream last night, but what it was about, she couldn’t quite recall.

Ah, right, she was drunk.

She meant to muster courage, ended up accidentally finishing a whole bottle of beer, completely losing consciousness.

Was it Zion who carried her to bed?

Elara’s ears turned red for a moment, somewhat vexed, the courage she painstakingly mustered, how could she end up drunk.

Such a waste.

She lamented for a moment, got up to wash, just as she’d finished washing, Zion came back from sending Joanne Carter to school, carrying breakfast, saw Elara exiting the bathroom, he cleared his throat uncomfortably.

Last night’s events seemed like an imprint in his mind, he’d been nervous all night, afraid Elara remembered his transgressions... though it was momentary weakness, it indeed was a rogue act.

Seeing Elara seemed normal, he finally relaxed.

Couldn’t help but let his gaze fall on her lips, a surge of impulse rising within him.

People really constantly want more. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Elara had no impression of last night’s events, she smiled at Zion, opened the bag he brought back, "What did you buy?"

"Sandwiches and soy milk." Zion casually stepped to her side, suddenly felt parched, cleared his throat slightly, and almost carelessly said, "Actually... I’m bisexual."