You're Out, Daddy novel (Natasha and Kenneth)
Chapter 164

Natasha's eyebrows furrowed as she stared at Zachary's hand that was grabbing her wrist.

Zachary didn't notice her discomfort and asked her impulsively, "Do you really feel nothing toward me, Nat?"

She stared at him. Feelings?

He was handsome, caring, thoughtful, genuine, gentlemanly, and polite.

Everything that he had fitted with the image of what a perfect man could be.

However, she didn't see him that way at all.

"Zachary..."

"You only need to say the word. I can bring you far away from here. I promise you that I'll treat Old Mr. Watson nicely and see the children as my own. One word, and I'll arrange a happy life for you and your family." Zachary spoke with emphasis on his every word. His crystal-clear eyes would make it hard for anyone to reject his offer.

But Natasha wasn't just anyone, and her eyebrows furrowed as she stared at him.

"I know I may come off as a little too hasty to you, but I've thought this through already. From the very first moment I saw you, I've been thinking about this thoroughly!"

Natasha tried pulling her wrist again, but Zachary had no intention of letting her go.

She said, "My wounds haven't recovered yet, Zachary."

He looked as though he remembered something when he heard that and immediately let go. "I'm sorry, I forgot..."

Natasha flexed her wrist a little and gazed at him with hesitation. "I'm honored to hear you like me that much, but I'm sorry, Zachary. I'm not as... easy-going as you. I can't do what you do." Zachary's eyebrows furrowed. "I know I was too hasty, but it's all right. I can give you time to consider-"

She shook her head. "No. My answer will remain the same. I won't leave with you nor

will I leave this place." "Why?"

"Because I only see you as a friend. I don't like you romantically. There are also still things that I want to do here."

Zachary's gaze was fixed on her as he grew silent.

Natasha didn't sound apologetic at all as she said, "You're a good man, Zachary, but I hope we only stay as friends. I believe you'll meet an even better woman one day. I hope you do, really." In response, he smiled bitterly at her.

To him, her last sentence sounded like she was mocking him.

"Are you rejecting me because of Kenneth?" Zachary asked.

It was the second time he mentioned Kenneth that day.

Natasha shook her head. "No." "Then, do you like him?"

That gave her pause because she didn't expect him to ask that question. "I don't know why you keep mentioning Kenneth. These are two different things."

A dark gleam shimmered in Zachary's eyes. "You have no idea how much I hope what you're saying is true, Nat."

"I don't have a reason to lie to you."

A faint, bitter smile hung on his lips again.

After a long while, Zachary raised his head and took in a deep breath to readjust his mood. "I understand. So, are we still friends?"

"We always will be, as long as you're willing to.

"What if I never stop chasing after your love? Can we still be friends then?"

Since she wasn't saying anything in response, he spoke up again. "You can reject someone, but you don't have the right to strip away someone's love for you, do you?"

Natasha replied, "You should pay attention to the people around you. I can tell that the lady from earlier really likes you."

Zachary's eyebrows furrowed when Winnifred was mentioned. "Both of us live in different worlds."

Natasha wasn't going to provide any more advice since she herself wasn't an expert on love. Since she didn't get it, she knew she had no right to tell someone else what to do.

At that moment, Zachary's phone rang.

He picked up the phone. When he saw the number of the caller, his frown intensified. Then, he turned on silent mode. Even though his phone kept ringing, he had no intention of picking the call up. Natasha stared at him. "If you have things you need to do, just go on ahead. I'll go back to my home now. Thank you for sending me back." Zachary nodded at her.

She opened the door and exited the vehicle.

The light in his eyes dimmed as he watched her leave.

The call ended again before another attempt to contact him was made. After she disappeared from his sight, he finally answered the call.

"Hello."

"Where are you?"

"Outside."

"With that woman?"

Zachary's brows furrowed again.

"I'm already at Glenport City. Come back now. I want to meet you."

His frown deepened when he heard that. "Why are you back?"

Instead of a reply, all he heard was the beeping sound of an ended call.

With no other choice, he started up the engine again and drove to his next destination.

Inside the condominium, Zachary saw a woman sitting on the couch in the living room when he stepped in.

She was a middle-aged woman but her elegance and obviously expensive skincare routine made her look younger. There was also a cold and prideful expression on her face.

His eyes darkened when he saw her.

He hesitated for a second before approaching her. "Why are you back here, Mom? And why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

Erin raised her head and stared at him. "If I don't come back, who knows what you'll be doing?"

Zachary was silent.

"Why can't you listen to your father's orders? Don't you know this is our best chance of entering the Lynch family?"

"Mom, why do you insist on entering the Lynch family? Isn't our life good enough already?"

"Good? How is it good? Do you want me to be ashamed of my status for the rest of my life?" Erin narrowed her eyes at him and continued, "I was pushed to the side by that woman for decades now. Even after she was dead, I still wasn't allowed to enter the Lynch family. Right now, your father has finally loosened up. If you take over the company and marry the daughter of the Lenoir family, he'll marry me officially. I'll be a part of the Lynch family. Why can't you agree to that?"

Zachary's eyes reddened. "Because he doesn't care about us—"

"That doesn't matter!" She cut him off and uttered with a twisted expression, "It's only because we haven't been living together for a long time. He'll understand after we officially become a part of the Lynch family. You are his biological son, after all. He'll treat you and me nicely..."

Zachary scoffed. "I stopped believing that lie a long time ago."

Suddenly, Erin stood up, stepped toward him, and shouted at him coldly, "I don't care if you believe in it or not. You must marry the daughter of the Lenoir family!

It's the only way I can enter the Lynch family." "And if I don't?"

She abruptly reached her hand out. Her skin was quite pale, and her fingernails were painted red. Putting on a kind, motherly look, she straightened his clothes and said, "I know what you're thinking, my good son. You're obsessed about that woman..." Her eyes met with his. "If you don't do it, you can only pick between me and that woman's survival..."

Zachary's brows furrowed as he stared at his mother.