And even though Zion looked at me several times through the rearview mirror, he didn’t say a word.
Right before we reached the hospital, Zion’s phone rang.
The voice on the other end sounded upset, saying something about “causing trouble at the house,” “pulling someone away,” and “forcing her to marry an old man.”
Zion’s face didn’t change at all.
“That’s her family’s issue. What does that have to do with me? Didn’t I tell you, when I’m with my wife, don’t bring me anything else?”
He ended the call right away.
A moment later, Zion parked the car at the hospital entrance, put his hand on my belly, and spoke softly, “Baby, we’re at the hospital.”
I thought Zion might still have a bit of conscience left.
But after I took my number and turned back around, I saw the seat beside me was already empty.
Zion’s reply showed up quickly.
[Something happened.]
[The day after tomorrow is your mom’s death anniversary. I will come back for you and the baby.]
[Do your checkup alone today.]
I laughed mockingly, finished all the examinations by myself, and sat quietly in the hallway waiting for the results.
On Instagram, that esports girl streamer posted a new picture.
The restaurant lighting was soft and close. The Zion who should have been sitting beside me at the hospital was sitting across from her, looking focused.
The caption under it read, [Thanks to Brother Zion, I wasn’t dragged off by my own mom to marry an old guy. I’ll love him forever and stay with him.]
My throat tightened. I bit the inside of my cheek, placed a hand on my belly, and slowly rubbed it.
“Baby.”
I asked calmly, “If one day Daddy and Mommy get a divorce… will you blame Mommy?”
The baby inside me shifted, very lightly.
I already knew my own answer.
After leaving the hospital, I headed to the office by myself.
I started going through the shares, sorting the projects, and splitting the groups and resources under my control.
Anything I could settle clearly, I handled right away; anything I couldn’t finish yet, I placed into lists, noted with risks, numbers, and plans for division, packed together, and sent to the lawyer that Grandma Ravenna contacted for me.
As for the Payne family assets, I could not take a single part of them.
But this company was something Zion, and I built it from nothing, and I had to take what belonged to me.
Not for my own sake, but for the child inside me.