CHAPTER 464: A TALK BETWEEN SPOUSES

Coco sat still on her seat, fidgeting with the mug in front of her that was filled with hot chocolate drink.

Heiren had told the others that they needed to discuss something with Coco and Coco already knew what he was implying, but she felt so anxious about their reactions.

Not to mention, she hasn’t mentioned just yet that Rey kissed that morning..

Should I even mention it to them? Coco wondered, raising the mug to her lips and taking a small sip to savor the chocolate goodness of the drink.

"Wait a minute." Zaque spoke up and grabbed the tray with plates full of food. "I’ll bring this to Kairo."

"Thanks, Zaque." Heiren expressed his gratitude towards his friend. "I was thinking whether I should do it or not.. We’re not exactly on friendly terms, you see."

"Friendly or not, he needs to eat." The first husband said with a matter-of-fact tone.

After a brief moment of silence, Heiren spoke up, addressing Coco as he busied himself with putting away the clean dishes.

"When Zaque returns.." He said pointedly. "We need you to tell us whatever you have to tell us. No more delays."

He shot her a meaningful look, his gaze steady and expectant, indicating that the group was ready to hear whatever information Coco had been keeping to herself.

Coco sipped her chocolate, her throat constricting slightly as she swallowed.

There was an air of reluctance around her, a sense that she had been holding back, uncertain about the right time to share her news, but finally, she nodded her head in tentative agreement, her expression housing hesitation.

She knew that the moment had come, though she harbored doubts and reservations about the timing of the revelation, she acknowledged the need to share her information with the group now.

After Coco nodded in agreement, Heiren smiled softly at her, happy with her decision and silently signaling his support.

Satisfied with her cooperation, he resumed his task, returning his focus to tidying the kitchen as if nothing unusual had happened.

The atmosphere in the kitchen settled back into a comfortable one— the mediators continued cleaning, their movements smooth and unhurried while Coco nursed her hot chocolate, now lost in thought as she pondered the best way to begin the topic.

Coco sipped her hot chocolate, lost in thought, when Lala suddenly plopped down on the table with a small bite-sized cookie clutched in her grasp.

She perched herself in front of Coco, her tiny form poised elegantly, and began nibbling on the treat with deliberate slowness.

Coco tore her gaze from her thoughts, her attention momentarily diverted by the sight of Lala perched on the table, the sight of the garden fairy’s deliberate and dainty nibbles brought a soft smile to her lips, momentarily breaking her concentration.

However, Zaque reappeared in the room, closing the door behind him with a soft click which caused the sound of his return to break the quiet of the kitchen, alerting everyone inside about his arrival.

All eyes turned towards Zaque, the conversation momentarily pausing as the mediators’ attention shifted to look at their friend.

With Coco seeing Zaque approach, Coco felt a pang of nerves in her chest, the realization sinking in that the moment she dreaded had arrived— it was time for her to begin speaking.

Her hand trembled slightly as she put down her cup of hot chocolate, the nerves in her chest tightening involuntarily.

Coco took a deep breath, gathering her courage and mentally preparing herself to break the silence that had settled over the kitchen.

She gathered her courage and spoke the words that she had been holding back for so long, her eyes fixed on her companions, her voice cutting through the still air, a quiet yet firm tone echoing through the room.

"Rey.. Wanted me to marry Kairo." She said clearly.

The words seemed to hang in the air for a moment, the impact of her news sinking in as the mediators paused in their tasks, their attention suddenly fully trained on her.

"If Rey genuinely wanted you to marry Kairo." The third husband said, his eyes locked on hers. "Then why did he leave him here, while he departed on his own?"

Alhai’s voice was steady and measured as he closed the cabinet and made his way towards the table, taking a seat directly across from Coco, his gaze was direct as he asked his question.

"About that.." Coco’s face tightened into a frown, her voice tinged with frustration and worry. "I refused to marry Rey. I couldn’t.. I didn’t want you all to be put in a difficult situation because of me."

She paused, her gaze flickering around the room, her eyes meeting the faces of her husbands in name, each of them waiting for her to continue.

Coco’s grip on the cup in her hands tightened, her knuckles going white with the force of her grasp, her voice was steady, but the tension in her body was evident.

"Last night." She continued, the words tumbling out of her in a rush. "I spoke with Rey properly this time.. He informed me that the Baroness might come after Kairo, and.. And he wanted me to protect him... By marrying him, to ensure his safety."

Alhai nodded in understanding, his gaze fixed steadily on Coco, his expression contemplative.

"That’s correct." He affirmed, his voice unwavering. "By marrying Kairo, you will essentially become the shield that protects him from the Baroness.. She wouldn’t dare harm you without facing severe consequences."

"But how?" Quizen asked, confused.

"Her position as Kairo’s spouse would act as a formidable safeguard, shielding Kairo from any potential harm, because Baroness Hughes’ only child is Coco." Alhai pointed out, huffing.

"Wow.. That’s pretty smart of Rey." Quizen mumbled, his eyebrow furrowing.

Then, Zaque let out a sigh, joining the conversation with a question for Coco that caught the attention of his friends, making them snap their eyes to Coco.

"Did Rey truly leave the city?"