Who Cares About Him When I'm Married to the Richest Man?-Chapter 117: Oh No, She Seems to Like Zion Now
Elara’s steps faltered.
She turned to look back; Mason Jacob’s tall figure stood under the streetlamp, the dim, warm light casting shadows on his face’s contours. He looked at her with focus and determination; he was the man she had once been most fascinated with and loved the deepest.
However, things have changed. Her love had long faded during the time of divorce; stripped of the filter she once saw him through, he was just a philandering jerk.
So now when Elara heard him say such things, she only found it laughable.
She glanced at him and asked, "Did you have a fight with Cecilia? Can she not meet your mom’s expectations for the Jacobs family daughter-in-law?"
Frankly speaking, she had anticipated that Mason’s relationship with Cecilia would develop cracks. She’d been in the Jacobs family for two years and knew how temperamental Kylie was; she endured humiliation and hardship, and apart from her, how many girls could tolerate that kind of life?
Not to mention someone like Cecilia, whom Mason held dearly as a delicate flower. When she initially ceded her position, she predicted that one day Cecilia would find it hard to stay in the Jacobs family.
At the time, Elara thought that when the day really came, she would enjoy watching the show, watching how the Jacobs who schemed to kick her out would try to maintain their arrogant composure, how Cecilia, who flaunted in front of her, would act so miserable.
But now that the day arrived, Elara felt it all meaningless. She was no longer that old Elara; what happened in the Jacobs family, what happened with Cecilia, had nothing to do with her. She once hated, hoped for their regret and disgrace. But now, she didn’t even hold hatred; Mason was just a stranger to her.
In these past few months, with Zion’s help, she had already let go of the past dissatisfaction and completely moved on.
The only unexpected thing was how quickly this day came, and how Mason, the man who cradled Cecilia in his palm, now came to his cast-off original wife seeking reconciliation.
Turns out, his love for Cecilia was just so.
She looked at Mason, calm and polite, "Mason, when we divorced, you said the decision you regretted the most in your life was marrying me two years ago. You said Cecilia was your true love, and your heart had room only for her. It’s been just half a year, and now you’re saying this to me; does she know?"
Mason pressed his lips tightly together, his gaze deep with sorrow, eyes filled with painful struggle, but Elara could not understand.
After a while, he tried to explain, "She... she broke up with me and went abroad. Our relationship was good then. Later, when I met you and married you, I didn’t expect she’d come back. When she returned to look for me, I felt angry about being abandoned, so... I thought that was love, but it wasn’t. Elara, I don’t know if you can understand what I mean; I just hope you’ll give me another chance. We were good together, weren’t we?"
He was the Jacobs Group’s young master; since graduating college, his father, due to illness, had put work aside and gone abroad to focus on his health. It’s been ten years now. Mason has acted as the Jacobs Group’s ruler for a decade, and in Northgarde, he could essentially manipulate the winds.
He was proud, even arrogant. Elara had never seen him like this, carrying... such supplication and humility.
She found it amusing how peculiar people and things in this world could be. When she loved deeply, he was indifferent; now that she let go, he suddenly felt regret.
But Elara now recognized that Mason’s feelings for her were never genuine love, and now even less so. Cecilia probably couldn’t fulfill his demand for a virtuous wife and good mother, so he turned to her.
After all, his mother was spoiled and mean, and Mason was the most filial son.
Elara looked at Mason, her voice light as she said, "Mason, you always pride yourself on being a capable, upright man, but when it comes to handling family and relationships, you’re really quite poor. I gave up everything for you back then and you returned the favor with a brutal cut. Now, Cecilia is your wife; regardless of what happens, she’s the one you chose. If there are problems in your relationship, you should work to fix them, not discard it. She’s a person, not a rag. You’ve already failed one person; don’t fail another."
Having said that, she nodded slightly at him and headed straight into the neighborhood.
Mason watched her back, staggered back a few steps; for him to say those words tonight had reached his limit. His pride didn’t allow him to say another word.
As the CEO of Jacobs Corporation, he got whatever he wanted with just a beckon; he didn’t need to stoop so low to seek a woman’s plea. Even if that woman made him feel different, she was still just a woman.
He watched her disappearing figure, pursed his lips, turned, and got into the car to leave.
At this point, Assistant Harris in the parked Aston Martin beside dared to speak, "President Fitzwilliam, shall we go in?"
Zion Fitzwilliam attended a meeting in Atheria today, returned late, and did an exception by having Assistant Harris drive him home, fearing Elara would worry. Unexpectedly, upon arriving at the neighborhood gates, he saw Mason standing with Elara.
Assistant Harris initially thought to step out and drive Mason away for Elara’s sake, but Zion Fitzwilliam stopped him.
Assistant Harris didn’t understand, but seeing the profound expression on Zion’s face, he had to give up, yet he felt anxiety in the car for those few minutes, especially when Mason grabbed Elara’s wrist; President Fitzwilliam’s aura seemed murderous.
Now that Mason finally left, he was eager to send President Fitzwilliam in, then retreat to his small apartment and heal his wounded soul in bed.
Zion Fitzwilliam pushed open the car door and got out, "You can go back; I’ll go in myself."
Assistant Harris exhaled deeply, "Alright."
The evening was a bit chilly; Zion Fitzwilliam buttoned his suit jacket and walked into the neighborhood slowly.
As he walked, he couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.
Mason Jacobs was no longer worthy of being his opponent.
Elara opened the door to find the place in darkness. She switched on the light and called out, "Zion?"
There was no response; could he be working overtime today?
Having moved in together for so long, Zion rarely worked overtime; however, sales work hours are inherently flexible, so Elara didn’t overthink.
She placed the food she brought back on the table, about to sit and eat, when she heard a light noise at the door, and shortly after, Zion Fitzwilliam walked in.
Elara greeted him with a smile, "Working late today?"
Zion’s eyes paused slightly on her smiling face before shifting away indifferently, responding with a simple "Mm."
Elara casually asked, "Have you eaten then?"
Zion glanced at the small dishes on the table, maintaining his composure, "Been too busy, haven’t had time to eat."
Upon hearing that, Elara immediately stood up and said, "Then I’ll grab some tableware, want to eat together?"
Though she hadn’t bought much, it was snug for two people; besides, given it’s already past eight, eating less might be good for digestion.
Zion followed up smoothly, "Luckily I bought some groceries yesterday; let’s cook a couple of dishes."
He spoke as he opened the refrigerator door, retrieving a box of shrimp and a box of mushrooms.
Elara showed some hesitation, "It’s late already, when will it be ready? Why don’t we..."
Before she finished speaking, Zion interrupted with a smile, "I got paid today and am happy, let’s celebrate a bit."
Elara immediately changed her attitude, "Ah, we must celebrate this properly!"
She thought for a moment, "How about this, you cook and I’ll go down to buy two bottles of wine, let’s have a couple of drinks."
She had just seen Mason today, and wasn’t in a great mood.
Zion Fitzwilliam was heading to the kitchen as he said, "Order a delivery instead, don’t go, it’s not safe out there at night."
Elara wanted to argue that it was still early, she used to go out at midnight to buy late-night snacks for Kylie Dalton all the time, fearless as ever.
But then she thought, it’s nothing to be proud of.
Back in the Jacobs Family, they let her go out alone to buy snacks at midnight, yet now, not even after 8 pm, Zion Fitzwilliam didn’t want her to leave alone.
Elara wondered if others could understand this feeling, it was as though someone who had been pushing forward alone in storms suddenly had a person offering an umbrella, wiping rain off their face, wrapping them in a coat, telling them they should stop when it rains, they need not run desperately as it’s raining ahead too.
If someone hadn’t come along with an umbrella, they might still be running through the rain, perhaps for days, months, or even a lifetime. They might even feel proud because, even though it rained, they did not waste time.
But once someone came to them with an umbrella, they felt what care was really like, realizing not everyone is focused on how far they go, someone would also feel for their hardship.
Elara felt this way now, having struggled for so long, meeting Zion Fitzwilliam was like meeting someone who offered her an umbrella.
Her hand unconsciously clenched on the dining chair, her heart slightly twinged, it was a bit sour yet warm.
Uh oh, she might be... kind of into Zion.
But he was gay.
If he liked girls, she wouldn’t hesitate to pursue him, but he liked men. She couldn’t fully understand the life of a gay person but knew sexual orientation isn’t easily changed.
Otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many pretend marriages in the world.
If Zion knew she had feelings for him, how would he react? He’d probably find it disgusting, she was merely a pretend wife he found for show.
Thinking this, the sourness in Elara’s heart grew, she quickly dismissed chaotic thoughts, comforting herself: no worries, she probably just craved the care and attention he gave, not truly loving him.
People, after all, love being cared for. She’s just an ordinary person, feeling this way is normal. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚
No, she didn’t like Zion Fitzwilliam, not at all, not in that way.
Zion, busy in the kitchen, glanced at the living room, wondering why she suddenly became quiet.
Could Mason still have some lingering impact on her tonight?
With that thought, even the motion of his cooking became more forceful, it’s fine, Mason didn’t cherish her, but he knew her worth.
Sooner or later, he would erase Mason’s presence completely.
Elara was open-hearted, people like that could think it through.
In just a few minutes, she sorted out her mind, nonchalantly ordered two bottles of red wine, and was firm in believing she had no feelings for him by the time Zion brought the dishes out.
She poured wine generously, and with grand gestures, filled two cups to the brim. Zion took his cup, raising a brow, "So bold?"
Elara laughed, "Isn’t this to celebrate you? I’ve splurged today, a bottle costs 280, we must enjoy to the fullest, you know?"
Saying so, she took a sip of the wine, gulping down several mouthfuls.
Half a glass of red wine was drank just like that.
Zion paused, a touch of concern in his dark eyes. He knew she loved Mason deeply, yet never realized Mason’s hurt had lingered long.
She was someone who couldn’t handle much alcohol, ordinarily two beers would knock her out, yet today she drank strong wine like it was a beverage.
She was heartbroken, wasn’t she?
Zion put his glass down, went to her side, and said softly, "Let me help you sit down."
Drinking strong red wine like this, it doesn’t hit immediately but the effects will make her uncomfortable later.
Elara looked at him baffled, "Why help me? Cheers, eat, come on, sit down and drink."
She pulled Zion to sit at the table, took a few bites of food, then raised her glass again, "Come, cheers! May you find your beloved soon, and be happy every year!"
Zion frowned, what a random toast, seeing her bringing the glass to her mouth again, he immediately grabbed her wrist.
Elara’s eyes turned misty, "Why are you grabbing me?"
She had no idea how enticing she looked with flushed cheeks and dazed eyes.
Zion’s voice deepened slightly, soothingly, "You’ve had too much, you can’t drink anymore."
"I haven’t had too much," Elara tried to get the glass back, "Give it to me! You jerk, we agreed to toast, my glass is almost empty but you haven’t touched yours!"
Zion glanced at his untouched glass, well, she knew to call him out, she’s not entirely confused yet.
Seemed like tonight’s intention to chat with her over drinks was ruined.
Zion stood up, helped her off the chair, concern mixed with worry, "Is your stomach feeling hot? Any headache? It’s uncomfortable here, let me help you to the sofa."
Elara’s mind was somewhat clear, yet her limbs truly disobedient, the stiff chair was indeed uncomfortable, she obediently let Zion half-hug and half-drag her to the sofa.
Zion placed a cushion under her head and gently said, "Rest here for a while, I’ll make some hangover soup, it’ll ease you once you drink it."
As soon as he turned, two hands wrapped around his waist, Zion’s entire body froze.
