CHAPTER 122: CHAPTER 122: BECAUSE OF LOVE

But once words are spoken, it’s hard to take them back.

Holding back her frustration, Zinnia returned to the room to grab a quilt for Jenson and tossed it onto the sofa.

She maintained a stony expression and was about to turn back when a strange noise suddenly broke the silence. In the quiet atmosphere, it sounded particularly loud.

Zinnia and Jenson exchanged a look as the sound echoed again, a long and awkward gurgle.

Only then did Zinnia realize it was her stomach growling.

Instantly, her face flushed crimson. How mortifying, especially when I was trying so hard to act aloof!

She was about to clutch her stomach and flee when he raised a hand. His large palm suddenly settled on her lower abdomen, rubbing it gently twice.

Zinnia had taken off her coat and was only wearing a thin, fitted knit shirt, so the warmth and texture of his palm were instantly, vividly perceptible.

He’s touching my pregnant belly!

In that moment, Zinnia froze as if under a spell. Her entire body tensed, and her heart hammered chaotically in her chest.

Jenson chuckled lightly. He looked up at her and asked, "When did you become such a glutton? No wonder you seem to have put on a little weight."

Nervous and exasperated, Zinnia pushed Jenson away. "You’re the one who’s fat! I’m going to sleep!"

She turned to leave. Jenson watched her indignant retreat, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

Zinnia slammed the door shut and fiercely turned the lock. Only then did she angrily clutch her stomach and lie down on the bed.

But falling asleep on an empty stomach was incredibly difficult. She tossed and turned for a long time, only growing hungrier.

She could endure the hunger, but her baby couldn’t.

Zinnia had no choice but to get up again. She quietly opened the door and poked her head out, hoping to see if Jenson was asleep so she could sneak out and find a snack.

To her surprise, the sofa was empty, but an enticing aroma now drifted through the air.

Zinnia’s little nose twitched, and she followed the scent toward the kitchen.

The sound of her footsteps made the tall figure in the kitchen turn to look at her.

The man was wearing only a white shirt and black trousers. His collar was unbuttoned, and his sleeves were casually rolled up to his elbows, revealing a handsome collarbone and strong, sexy forearms.

The dim, warm light from above enveloped him, and the steam from the cooking food swirled around his face. The scene was so warm and beautiful it was surreal, like something out of a dream.

Zinnia stood dumbly in the doorway until Jenson spoke to her in a calm voice.

"The noodles are almost ready. Go get us some bowls and chopsticks."

"Oh." Zinnia snapped out of her daze. She quickly lowered her head, blinking rapidly, before walking over.

Jenson made two bowls of noodles with egg, mushrooms, and shrimp and served them on the table. The soup was filled with golden egg, segments of bright green vegetables, tender red shrimp, and slices of enoki and shiitake mushrooms.

It had it all: color, aroma, and taste.

It was a familiar flavor.

When Zinnia was little, she went through a growth spurt and was always hungry. She wasn’t truly a daughter of the Forrest family. Even though Jenson had her back and Old Madam Forrest adored her, she was still ultimately living under someone else’s roof.

At night, the little girl didn’t dare trouble the servants for extra food. This went on until Jenson caught her sneaking into the kitchen for something to eat at midnight on two separate occasions. After that, he instructed the servants to make sure she had a late-night snack.

The servants didn’t dare to be neglectful, but Zinnia couldn’t accept it with a clear conscience. She would rather go hungry than sneak into the kitchen again.

Eventually, Jenson discovered her secretly eating dry instant noodles in the middle of the night to stave off her hunger. He was at his wit’s end with her.

So he learned to make noodles just for her, personally feeding the little girl himself.

Katherine Rhodes even asked him about making late-night snacks. Jenson simply said he was hungry himself, and since she believed him, she let him be.

During that period, whenever Zinnia got hungry at midnight, she would sneak over and knock on Jenson’s door. He would make noodles and even bring them upstairs for her.

She would hide in Jenson’s room, slurping them down happily. After she left, Jenson would have to clean up, opening the window to air out the smell. He really doted on her like a spoiled little princess.

However, Jenson later went abroad, and as Zinnia grew up, they gradually drifted apart...

It had been a very, very long time since Zinnia had eaten noodles made by Jenson.

"What are you spacing out for? Hurry up and eat before your stomach starts protesting again."

Jenson saw her staring at the bowl of noodles as if flowers might sprout from it, and he couldn’t help but give her forehead a gentle flick.

Zinnia finally picked up her chopsticks. With her eyes downcast, she took a bite of noodles and a sip of soup. A sheen of tears glossed her eyes.

"Delicious."

It was truly delicious.

Zinnia’s nose tingled, and she started devouring the food.

No wonder I fell in love with him. There was a time when he was so, so good to me, treating me like a priceless treasure he held in the palm of his hand. But that was affection for a little sister. I was the one who was too greedy, always wanting more, wanting a lifetime with him. Even during these past four years, besides not loving me and being cold to me, he never did anything truly awful. He never even deprived me of anything materially. He just... didn’t love me. But his marriage to me wasn’t voluntary either; he had no obligation to love me. The torment was all my own, born from unrequited feelings. In comparison, the attacks from the outside world and other people were far more hurtful, but I endured all of that. When it came to him, however, I was a bit spoiled. I couldn’t bear the slightest grievance, and every little hurt felt magnified infinitely...

"Stop eating," Jenson said, suddenly grabbing her wrist.

Zinnia struggled. "No! It’s delicious! I’m not full yet, and I haven’t finished. Let go of me!"

She pulled her hand free from his grasp and tried to lift another strand of noodles to her mouth, but she suddenly found it impossible to swallow.

It’s so delicious, and I really want to eat it. What is wrong with me?

"You’re crying as you eat, yet you say you want more? If you don’t want to eat it, I won’t get angry."

With a somber expression, Jenson took the chopsticks from her. He used one hand to pinch her chin, forcing her to look up, while his other hand wiped forcefully across her cheek.

Only then did Zinnia realize that she was crying, that she was choking on sobs.

How pathetic. It’s just a bowl of noodles.

Zinnia uncomfortably turned her head away, not wanting him to see her in such a pathetic state.

But Jenson wouldn’t release her. He leaned in, his lips drawing closer, as if he intended to kiss away her tears.

The familiar, scorching breath washed over her. Zinnia stared at the handsome face so close to her own, her eyes filled with a mixture of agony and panic.

She abruptly pushed him away, the movement knocking back her chair as she scrambled to her feet. "I’m finished. Thank you. Good night."

She turned, wiped her face hard, and fled into her room, slamming the door behind her.

Jenson remained seated, his gaze fixed on the closed door. The tips of his fingers were still damp with her tears, and his eyes were dark and unreadable.

Late that night, Jenson lay on the sofa.

The sofa was too short for him. Half of his lower legs dangled off the edge, making sleep impossible.

He picked up his phone and opened the group chat.

[FJC: Why would a woman cry while eating noodles?]

Finn Quinn quickly replied.

[Finn Lord: The noodles must’ve been terrible, obviously.]

[FJC: She said they were delicious.]

[Finn Lord: Then the person who made them must be annoying.]

Jenson, "..."

Frustrated, he tossed his phone aside. But just as he closed his eyes, the screen lit up again.

Jenson glanced at it again. Miles Chase had decided to chime in.

[Miles Universe: Or maybe it’s because of love.]

Jenson’s grip on his phone tightened. A moment later, a private message from Miles Chase came through.

[Zinnia cried while eating your noodles? Tsk. I have my suspicions you’re just flaunting your relationship late at night, Third Brother.]

Jenson’s gaze drifted from the phone, his eyes seeming to pierce through the bedroom door as a faint light flickered within their depths.