Not twins novel (Natasha and Kenneth)
Chapter 147

Chapter 147 A Lifelong Partner

The two of them got into the car, but Terence was nowhere in sight.

"Where's Old Mr. Watson?" Zachary asked.

Alas, Natasha said nothing. She hadn't seen Terence since they left the ward, so it didn't take long for her to figure out his intentions.

Just then, Zachary's phone rang.

"Ah! It's Old Mr. Watson," he mumbled before answering the call and looking around to see if he could spot Terence. "Hello, Old Mr. Watson. Where are you?"

"I've driven off first, Zach. I want to pop by the supermarket to get some groceries, so can I trouble you to send Nat home? Stay the afternoon, too. Let's have lunch together," Terence piped up happily. Struck by the realization of what Terence was trying to do, Zachary paused for a moment. He cast a sidelong glance at Natasha and lowered his voice. "I can go with you once I've sent Nat home." "No, it's all right. Grocery shopping isn't for youngsters like you. I'll be fine on my own. All you need to do is to send Nat home!"

"Okay," Zachary replied after giving it some thought. "Please be careful on your way. I'll let Nat know."

As soon as he hung up the phone, he turned to Natasha. "Well, Old Mr. Watson said he's making a trip to the supermarket and wants me to send you home first."

Once again, Natasha remained silent as she put on her seatbelt.

"Let's go then. We don't want to waste Grandpa's efforts, do we?"

That, without a doubt, had neatly encapsulated Terence's motives.

A smile tugged at Zachary's lips. "By the way, Old Mr. Watson also told me to stay for lunch," he added, peering at Natasha as though he was seeking her approval.

Natasha closed her eyes. "Looks like you're in luck. Grandpa is seldom this hospitable!"

Zachary's smile grew wider, unable to hide the joy bursting in him.

Feeling like he had won the Watsons' approval, he promptly started the car and sped off.

Along the way, Zachary couldn't help but steal glances at Natasha in the passenger seat. Even though she was injured and devoid of makeup, she still looked incredibly fresh and gorgeous. Her beauty was like a gift of nature, bestowing her with a magnetic charm that drew people in.

After pondering for a moment, Zachary looked at her again.

"Has Kenneth found out about everything?"

Natasha had been staring out the window when Zachary's words snapped her back to her senses. She turned to him and nodded. "Yes." "Did... Did he say anything?"

This time, Natasha shook her head. "Not at all. The outcome turned out better than I had expected."

"I thought people from prominent families like him would go all out to fight for custody once they replace out they have kids," said Zachary.

"That's right. I had braced myself for the worst, but thankfully, things turned out better than I could ask for," Natasha replied. At least now, I don't have to worry so much about the kids. Zachary tossed her another glance. "Have you wondered if he has other motives for not wanting to fight for custody?"

When it came to men, all it took was one look for them to discern the thoughts and intentions of one another. Zachary was no exception. He was aware of what Kenneth was up to, but he couldn't tell how Natasha felt about it. Natasha narrowed her eyes and smiled. "When you say he has other motives, you're referring to me, aren't you?"

That, without a doubt, was Natasha's personality shining through.

She'd never play dumb or beat about the bush when it was time to discuss serious matters, which was one of the reasons Zachary was attracted to her.

He nodded firmly. "Yes. I can tell he has that intention."

Natasha let out a chuckle. "I can't be sure if that's the case, but if he's coming after me just to get the kids, I'd say it's wishful thinking on his part."

"What if it's not for the kids?" Zachary asked, a hint of worry flashing across his eyes.

Natasha might not be able to see it, but I can. From the way Kenneth gazes possessively at her, it's no longer just about the kids.

A deep frown instantly creased Natasha's brow. "Then that'd be even harder!"

"Why's that?"

"Why would I let something that has failed before return to me that easily? I'm not a gambler. I refuse to gamble the rest of my life away. Besides, I'm doing just fine and don't see the need to have a man. Even if I must, I want someone who can be a lifelong partner instead of just being the icing on the cake," Natasha uttered solemnly.

It was clear that she was talking about Kenneth and Zachary and making it known that whims of infatuation didn't equate to true love.

The more Zachary listened, the darker his gaze became.

Even though Natasha hadn't given an outright answer, he now understood that she wasn't one to be easily coaxed.

At the end of the day, it'd depend on who could last longer on this journey and go all out to prove themselves.

Eventually, Zachary nodded. "Okay. I get what you're saying."

Natasha merely smiled and said nothing more as she once again stared out of the window.

Soon, the car pulled into Natasha's residential area.

Zachary carried the bags, chatting and laughing away with Natasha as they stepped out of the car.

Coincidentally, Thalia was parked nearby, and she happened to wake up right there and then.

Upon seeing the scene in front of her, she quickly nudged Anthony, only for him to open his eyes and give her a quizzical look. "What's wrong?"

"It's your mother!" Thalia exclaimed.

Anthony sat up immediately and looked out the window. True enough, there in front of him were Natasha and Zachary.

With that, his expression slid into a frown.

"Who's that man? He looks pretty handsome!" Thalia asked.

"He's our... school director."

"I suppose he's your mother's suitor?" Thalia mused, hitting the nail on the head.

Anthony, however, didn't reply.

Not long after, they watched Natasha and Zachary make their way up the building together.

A smirk crept across Thalia's face. "Ha! I knew it. A woman as beautiful as your mother will never have a lack of suitors. She deserves so much better than Kenneth.” Anthony merely rolled his eyes at her.

"Let's go," Thalia urged.

"Where to?"

"To replace them! They're all alone in the house. Aren't you afraid of him taking advantage of your mother?"

"Zachary Lynch is a gentleman! He's not as disgusting as you think he is!" Anthony retorted.

"O-Okay. But we still have to eat, don't we?"

After returning from a long drive, Thalia couldn't bear to wake Anthony up, so they had both fallen asleep in the car until now.

In fact, it was Thalia's hunger pangs that woke her up.

Realizing he was feeling hungry too, Anthony frowned and thought for a moment. "Hey, didn't you rent an apartment downstairs from us?" "Oh! Yes! That's right!"

"Let's go to your place, then!" Anthony shouted as he hopped out of the car.

Naturally, Thalia followed suit.

The apartment she rented was indeed right below Natasha's. The layout was the same, but the interior decorations were vastly different.

Alas, when Anthony opened the fridge, he was greeted by empty shelves and drawers.

Stunned and confused, he turned back to look at Thalia.

"In my excitement to rent the place, I forgot all about this," she grumbled. "Besides, I haven't been back here, so how could I have stocked any food? Also, I don't know how to cook either. What's the point of getting groceries..."

Anthony rolled his eyes in annoyance.

Oh, my gosh. How can a woman live like this?

"Shall we order takeout?" Thalia suggested.

Anthony, who was already famished, plopped down on the couch. "Fine."

Without further ado, Thalia grabbed her phone and browsed through the food options. A few minutes later, she looked up and beamed with pride. "There, all ordered!"

To her surprise, Anthony had fallen back asleep.