CHAPTER 465: A TALK BETWEEN SPOUSES [2]

Coco’s response to Zaque’s question was hesitant, her voice tinged with a hint of reluctance because Rey could have possibly done something before he left, no?

Still, she answered.

"I.. I think so?" She began, her words measured. "I did say goodbye to him this morning as he was leaving."

She paused for a moment as if trying to recollect the details of what happened that morning before continuing. "He bid me farewell and I watched him start walking away as he headed out to the city gates.. That’s the last time I saw him."

Zaque crossed his arms, his expression hardening as he questioned Coco’s actions.

"You said farewell to him personally and watched him leave without any of us accompanying you?" He echoed, the disapproval evident in his tone.

The other mediators in the room exchanged glances, their expressions mirroring Zaque’s surprise.

The realization that Coco had seen Rey off by herself without informing any of them was unexpected, causing the mood in the room to shift slightly, the atmosphere heavy with unspoken questions and concern.

Coco squirmed under the weight of Zaque’s gaze, feeling suddenly self-conscious of her actions.

She knew that her decision to bid farewell to Rey alone had been impulsive but had seemed like the right thing to do at the moment because he was alone, but what else could she have possibly done?

"Well, yes.." She admitted, her tone defensive. "I did say goodbye to him myself. I just.. I didn’t think it was necessary to involve any of you."

Quizen scoffed almost immediately, his expression showing his annoyance, but he remained silent.

Alhai frowned, the crease between his brows deepening as disappointment flickered across his face while Heiren clicked his tongue, his own frustration evident in his tightened jaw line.

Zaque, the oldest among them, let out a low groan and rubbed his temple, a gesture making his growing headache obvious.

The mediators’ reactions were telling for Coco, indicating that they weren’t pleased with her decision to bid farewell to Rey by herself without consulting them— or bring one of them for that matter.

Coco felt herself shrinking onto her chair, her gaze flicking around the room nervously.

"Haha.. I only wanted to make sure that he will be fine.." She laughed shakily, the sound not quite reaching her eyes and ears.

Quickly, she brought her cup to her lips, taking a long, deliberate sip, hoping the drink would help calm her nerves.

The tension in the room was thick and can be cut through with a butter knife, the mediators are still visibly displeased with her decision, causing Coco’s nervous laughter to serve as a highlight of her discomfort.

The atmosphere felt charged, as if a single spark could ignite a conversation filled with hisses and reprimands.

Zaque stared at her for a moment before he shook his head, the gesture conveying a mixture of frustration and disappointment.

"You said you bid him goodbye this morning before he left." He repeated once again, his gaze locked on Coco. "So, I want to know exactly what time he departed and what time you left the house as well."

He took a seat beside Alhai, his eyes narrowing as he waited for her response.

It seemed that Zaque was determined to get as much information as possible regarding Rey’s departure and Coco’s involvement in it, but Coco doesn’t know why.

Coco set the cup down with a careful clink, her gaze never leaving Zaque’s face.

"Rey departed before sunrise." She began, her voice steady but with a lilt of hesitation that was somehow clear for the husbands’ ears. "And I left after the sun had risen."

The words hung in the air, the room quiet as the men processed her response.

Alhai’s expression shifted slightly, his brow furrowing further— Heiren’s lips tightened in a thin line and Quizen’s fingers twitched slightly, as if he was restraining himself from speaking his mind.

They don’t think that Coco would do such a thing to them, but..

Zaque sighed, the sound carrying the weight of his worry and irritation.

"My dear wife." The mediator started, his tone firm but mixed with a hint of gentleness and love, "It’s important to remember that Rey is a mediator and we are almost in the heart of the main city, surrounded by watchful eyes and listening ears."

He paused, his gaze fixated on her, the meaning behind his words clear. "Rumors spread fast here and your actions with Rey, especially without any of us, your husbands, accompanying you, could be a breeding ground for gossip and speculation.."

Coco nodded, understanding the implications of their words regarding her decision because she felt understood where they’re coming from.

"Nothing happened." She assured him, her voice firm. "I simply escorted him to the gate—"

However, she broke off mid-sentence, her eyes widening slightly as the memory of the kiss that Rey gave her flashed through her mind.

The image and feeling of Rey’s lips pressed against hers, brief though it had been, took center stage in her thoughts for a moment.

Coco’s face lost its color slightly as the memory flooded her mind and she tried to quickly push it aside, hoping that the worried mediators had not noticed her brief distraction, but she forgot that she’s dealing with the husbands of Coco Hughes.

Zaque’s frown deepened, his eyes fixing on Coco with a perceptive gaze.

"Something happened." He pointed out, his tone leaving no room for evasion. "I can tell, Coco. You hesitated, as if you were holding something back. What is it?"

The other men in the room exchanged glances, their focus shifting towards Coco, their attention now fully engaged in the conversation.

They, too, had noticed the sudden pause in her speech, the brief moment of hesitation that had signaled something more beneath her words which means that something did happen and she just refused to tell them.

What if this would cause my chance to woo them to plummet to the ground?