All this time, she’d been mad at him over Zera. She had thrown tantrums, avoided him, and refused to listen.
But he hadn’t expected her to calmly tell others that he and Zera were married.
Zera, sensing the shift, sneakily glanced up at Tyrone.
His face looked steady, but his body was stiff. She could feel it.
“Tyrone?”
She called his name several times before he finally snapped out of it.
After he escorted Zera back to her hospital room, Brad pulled him aside.
They ended up in the park behind the hospital.
Tyrone stood by the creek, lit a cigarette, and asked flatly, “What do you want to say?”
He and Brad had known each other since they were kids. If Brad had dragged him out here, he definitely had something serious to say.
Brad started carefully. “Let me be clear. I’m just telling you the facts. I’m not taking sides.”
Tyrone flicked his cigarette ash with sharp fingers. “Go ahead.”
Brad’s tone turned firm. “That night, Zera told us herself-she came back to the country for you. And her maid? Even more arrogant than Raine. She threatened Raine, saying she’d call you and have you kick Raine out of the city.”
Tyrone glanced back at Brad, his eyes darkening with something hard to read.
Brad pressed him. “Raine’s your sister, your own blood. You can’t turn your back on family just to stand with an outsider.”
Tyrone’s gaze grew heavier. “If it hadn’t been for the older generation blocking me back then, I would’ve married Zera.”
Brad gave a short laugh. “Tyrone, six years is more than enough to change a person. But Raine? You watched her grow up under your own roof. Don’t tell me your sister is more scheming than Zera.”
When Tyrone didn’t answer, Brad pushed further. “Think about it. Zera dumped you with a single text message and left the country. Do you even know why she really broke it off with you?”
Tyrone’s face darkened further, his expression almost frightening.
Brad didn’t stop. “She claims she’s had a miserable six years, that everything she’s done was for you. But have you ever asked your grandfather if that’s true? Do you even know if her story holds up?”
Tyrone’s voice was low and firm. “I know my grandfather. He’s capable of it.”
Zera was terrified of Edwin.
If Tyrone confronted him and his grandfather retaliated against Zera and her child behind his back, Tyrone would never forgive himself.
Brad finally gave in. “At least admit it, Zera came back for you, didn’t she?”
Tyrone corrected him. “Don’t make this sound so complicated. Zera isn’t a bad person. What we had between us is over.”
Brad stared at him like he’d lost his mind. “You know she’s your ex, and you’re willing to play stepdad-keeping her and her kid under your roof? Raising another man’s child?”
Tyrone’s face darkened.
Brad pushed further. “What is this? Six years ago you didn’t have enough fun with her, so now you’re trying to make up for it?”
Tyrone shot him a sharp, warning look. “I don’t cross lines with women. Not mentally, not physically. No matter what history I have with Zera, I won’t touch her.”
Brad clicked his tongue. “Funny. Raine told me Aella threatened to end her life, and you didn’t even flinch. And you claim Zera is your past?”
Tyrone rubbed his temple.
His sister had a big mouth. She told everyone everything.
Brad pressed on, “You’re always calling Aella dramatic and spoiled. But haven’t you noticed? She’s not the proud, untouchable heiress she once was.”
Tyrone stayed silent.
Aella had changed after marrying him.
She had become clingier, softer, even gentle at times.
But deep down, he didn’t believe her stubborn, reckless nature had truly disappeared.
When Tyrone returned to the hospital room, the maid was helping Zera with her meal.
He pulled out his phone and told her to open her payment app. After transferring her full month’s salary, he said, “Starting tomorrow, we won’t need you here.”
The maid froze, baffled.
She stood by the bed, flustered. “Mr. Winter, Ms. Caldwell, if I did something wrong, please tell me. I’ll change.”
Tyrone lowered his eyes, hiding whatever he felt. “You’re not suited for this job. Pack your things and go.”
The maid turned to Zera for help, but Zera lowered her head, too afraid to speak up.
Tyrone was the one who hired the maid. If he wanted her gone, what could she say?
The truth was, Zera had been very happy with the maid. Just yesterday, she had mentioned it to Tyrone, and he had even promised to raise her pay next month.
Why fire her so suddenly?
Then it hit Zera-Raine.
That night when Raine came to cause trouble, the maid had stepped in and said something out of line.
Raine must have run to Tyrone with it. That was why he dismissed her.
Zera hadn’t expected Tyrone to protect his family so fiercely.
From now on, she realized, she would need to find a way to get along with Raine.
Zera was smart enough not to ask questions, and Tyrone offered no explanation.
After the maid left, the hospital room fell into silence.
Tyrone seemed distracted, and Zera carefully spoke up. “Your wife is upset with you. She even told her coworkers that you and I are the real couple. Don’t you think I should apologize to her properly?”
Tyrone’s voice remained calm. “No. That’s not necessary.”
Zera tried again. “Your wife works at this hospital. If she sees you taking care of me, she’ll be upset and cause another scene. Starting tomorrow, you shouldn’t come. Just hire a nurse to look after me.”
Tyrone didn’t argue.
He said, “Zera, about what happened-I apologize on behalf of my sister and my wife. I’ll have someone renovate your place. For now, stay here in the hospital.”
Then Tyrone’s tone hardened. “I know you’ve been wronged, but I’ll say it again. Without my permission, you must not see my wife.”
Zera rushed to explain. “Tyrone, I only wanted to apologize. I didn’t mean anything else.”
“Even an apology is not allowed,” Tyrone said firmly.
As long as the two women didn’t meet, there would be no new conflict.
Aella was proud. Unless someone provoked her, she wouldn’t even notice Zera.
Zera was simple and quiet. If she stayed away from Aella, she wouldn’t get hurt.
Tyrone’s voice left no room for doubt. Zera quickly gave in. “All right, Tyrone. I’ll listen to you. From now on, I won’t go near your wife.”
After making sure Zera was settled, Tyrone finally went home. It was already past eight in the evening.
The house was dark and silent, as if no one lived there.
Dragging his tired body upstairs, he found the master bedroom door locked from the inside.
He stood at the door, his mind replaying Aella’s words at the hospital.
She had told her coworker that he and Zera were husband and wife.
The thought weighed heavily on his chest. Frustrated, he turned to the study and smoked.
One cigarette after another.
It was late at night when he finally used his key to unlock the bedroom door.
He switched on the bedside lamp and sat beside Aella. Tyrone didn’t wake her. Instead, he carefully slipped a diamond bracelet onto her wrist.
Then he brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead and watched her sleep.
Tyrone silently stared at Aella for a long time before finally getting up to take a shower.
The next morning, Aella woke up in his arms.
Disgusted, she pushed herself out of his embrace and reached for her phone.
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