I Refuse to Divorce!
Chapter 48

Mason thought about it, and then he acted on it.

He stepped into the cramped kitchen, wrapping his arms around herfrom behind. His chin rested on Zoe's slender shoulder blades, tiltingslightly as he tenderly kissed the soft flesh behind her ear.

The sudden intimacy caught her off guard, and Zoe's legs almost gaveway. She lowered her gaze, looking at the unwashed dishes in herhands, and said, "Mason, you said you just wanted a meal. What'sgoing on?"

Mason tightened his grip, whispering near her ear, "Zoe, come backwith me."

Zoe's body stiffened. It was the first time Mason did not command herto come back with him. Instead, it sounded more like a request, andthis subtle change added a hint of bittersweetness to the atmosphere.She bowed her head in silence.

Mason kissed her hair and raised his eyes slightly. "Okay?"

A sudden ring interrupted the moment.

Mason frowned slightly, not wanting to answer, but Zoe had alreadysnapped out of it.

"Answer your phone."

Mason glanced at the phone. It was Lilith.

He hung up, intending to explain something, but Zoe had figured outwho was calling. While washing the dishes, she casually said, "Youshould leave. Don't forget to transfer 15 thousand dollars to me."

She seemed indifferent, only caring about the money.

The ambiguous atmosphere from earlier vanished.

Mason stepped back, watching her silhouette. After a moment, heasked softly, "Zoe, no matter what, are you not going to come back tome?"

Zoe's back clearly conveyed rejection.

Mason, too, was proud. He could not beg.

Without saying more, he transferred 15 thousand dollars to her andwalked to the couch outside, taking his coat and leaving.

Zoe continued washing the dishes.

She heard the sound of a message on her phone, Mason leaving, andthe slight vibration of the door. She forced herself not to care becauseshe knew where Mason's tenderness tonight came from.

It was because of her value.

He would not have spared her a second glance if she had not securedRosemary and helped him with that project. He would not have deignedto come to her place just for a bowl of noodles, nor would he havespoken to her in such a soft manner.

He was Mason, the ruthless wolf in the business world.

Zoe persuaded herself not to care, but her eyes were slightly moist.She was not made of wood. She had feelings, too.

In the following days, Zoe did not hear from nor see Mason.

She felt relieved.

One day, she went to the hospital to visit Gordon. Shortly after arriving,she sensed something unusual in Mia's expression, as if somethingwas weighing on her.

Sure enough, Mia used the excuse of craving fish at lunchtime to say, “Ican't finish it alone. Since you also like it, why don't you accompanyme? We can chat.”

Mia fussed over the cushions for Gordon, straightened and rearrangedthem, and then finally left.

At the hospital's cafeteria, Zoe asked softly, "Mom, what's going on?"Mia tried to hold back, but eventually, she could not keep it to herself.She told Zoe, "That Lilith... Zoe, do you know her background?"

Zoe only knew that Lilith used to be a nurse.

She shook her head.

Mia was furious, coldly laughing. "One of Lilith's parents used to be thedriver for our family, and the other worked as a cook in our kitchen.Back then, your dad and I never mistreated them.

"However, they gave birth to a daughter who took your husband. Now,they're in this hospital, enjoying the VIP ward sponsored by Mason,using the best doctors... It's ironic.”

Zoe was surprised to hear this.