The name stopped Zachary cold. For a beat, his mind shed to padded white walls and the vacant smile Ste had worn. Wasn''t she dered insane?

Recognition morphed into scorn. So she was faking it all along.

"Understood," he said tly.

He lifted the phone from the table. "You two start eating. I''ll rify the situation and be back in a minute."

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Vivian helped George toward the dining table, but a quiet grumble slipped out. "Why can''t he make the call in here? What''s so secret that he has to step outside?"

George caught the irritation in her eyes and lowered himself into his chair. "Why is that Ste Ross still haunting Zach?" he asked, voice gravel-rough with disdain.

He detested women like Ste.

"I honestly don''t know," Vivian replied.

Curiosity tugged at her. "You''ve met Ste?"

George''s gaze drifted toward the window where Zachary paced outside. "Of course. Years ago she nearly shattered Zach''s sanity. Once he saw her true colors, he cut her off entirely."

A weary sigh escaped him. "I never imagined she''d crawl back into his life."

His weathered hand curled into a fist, knuckles whitening, as though he could squeeze the unwee memory-and Ste Ross herself-out of existence.

George''s knuckles hit the hardwood armrest with a muted thump. "Seems we''ll have to teach that woman a lesson. Otherwise she''ll never stop haunting our Zach."

Vivian only dipped her chin, eyes calm yet weighing a thousand thoughts, choosing silence instead of words.

"Vivian, don''t let this upset you. You''re pregnant," George said, leaning forward, his voice surprisingly gentle. "Whether or not Zach has fallen under that woman''s spell again, remember this. I stand beside you. If she keeps wing at him, I''ll wager my very life to make her vanish so you and Zach can live in peace."

The threat carried no hint of bluster. Every crease in George''s weather-lined face insisted he meant every syble.

The steel behind his promise startled Vivian; she waved her hands in a quick, nervous flutter as though chasing off an angry bee.

"Please don''t even joke about that. Making someone disappear is illegal. I''m fine, truly. I''m not angry; I''m not that petty."

Zach and I never shared much romance anyway. If he wants to pine for his first love, so be it; anger would only hurt the baby. Besides, I''m carrying the Sinir heir, and Grandpa George has already ced plenty of assets in my name. No one in this house has treated me badly.

"You may be willing to swallow such grievances, but I refuse to ept that woman," George grumbled, cheeks puffed with indignation.

Vivian almostughed. "All right, let''s eat. Let''s see how Zach''s cooking turned out."

"Fine. Once we''re full, we''ll see about teaching that woman a lesson," George said with a huff.

Servants filed in, bncing steaming dishes that filled the room withforting

aromas.

George pointed his fork like a general directing troops. The servants piled every savory morsel onto Vivian''s te.

"Vivian, you''re eating for two now. You must take seconds so the little one can grow strong."

"Okay," she murmured, lowering her head to the meal and letting the food distract her racing mind.

Credit where it was due-Zachary had learned fast. Every dish looked vibrant, smelled divine, and tasted better than it had any right to.

Midway through her pregnancy, Vivian had been pampered so much that she had put on weight.

Outside, Zachary returned the director''s earlier call, one hand in his pocket, voice kept low so it wouldn''t drift indoors.

"You''re saying she met with Cecilia earlier?"

"Yes," the director answered. "Afterward, Ms. Smith insisted she continue treatment. Then the patient asked to see you. I felt you should know. Mrs. Sinir overheard-she won''t be angry, will she?"  s

"It''s fine. I understand. Leave her to me won''t meet her. We''ll

whatever Cecilia orders follo

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"Understood."

He ended the call, slipped the phone away, and strode back inside toward the

dining room.

George shot him a re. "Took you long enough."