Chapter 19

"I was expecting you at my mansion, considering you've visited before," Bernard brow furrowed. "I searched everywhere for you, at last, I've found you, Zoe."

Zoe smiled in response. Unbeknownst to him, Zoe had also been searching for him, but hesitated to reveal it, fearing it might make her sound cheap.

Bernard snorted, "Do you live by yourself now?" He asked again, lifting the glass to his lips and took a gulp of the silver oak wine.

"Yes I do, I'm divorce now. I got home that day and I was served a divorce paper by my husband, saying I was barren because I wasn't able to give him a child for the past three years of our marriage." Zoe responded as she sat on her couch beside him.

"It doesn't matter if you're barren or not, he doesn't truly love you." Bernard said bluntly, his word cutting deep into Zoe's heart.

"Aren't you relieved that your husband divorced you, considering the difficulties you faced in your marriage?" Bernard asked.

"Of course, I am relieved he divorced me, I couldn't have stayed married to him after his betrayal, especially when he got my sister pregnant."

Bernard's expression froze in horror as Zoe shared the scandalous secret. But he didn't bother if she was barren. His heart still beats for Zoe.

With her divorce behind her, Zoe revealed the peace of mind that came with no longer shouldering her ex-husband financial burdens and constant request for support.

"I'm sorry about that." Bernard said.

Zoe smiled, "there's nothing to be sorry about, I'm so glad that's over."

Bernard sighed and stared at Zoe, "Now that your marriage to your husband has ended. Can you still be mine? Despite…. everything?"

"Well, this wasn't the reason why I asked to see you."

Bernard stood in stunned silence, wondering why Zoe had invited him over to her apartment if not to reveal the news of her divorce.

His gaze met Zoe's, his eyes sparking with curiosity as he asked, "what could be the reason you wanted to see me? Do you want more of me?" He asked with a chuckle.

Zoe didn't answer.

With Bernard's expectant gaze on her, Zoe's mind went blank, leaving her unable to say what she truly wanted–that she is pregnant with his child.

Zoe rose from her seat needing relief, her word got in her throat, she quickly took a refreshing glass of water.

She sighed, "I'm sorry. I just feel a bit tense about what I want to say to you.

Tension gripped Zoe's body as she searched for the right words to tell Bernard—she was carrying his baby.

Bernard turned to her. "Feel free to talk to me please, Zoe."

"Alright, alright," Zoe said as she closed her eyes to take a deep breath. "I'm pregnant, Bernard." as she revealed she was pregnant, carefully withholding the one detail that could change everything… that the child was his.

She watched as his face transformed with shock and delight, even without mentioning that the child was his. Bernard didn't even think if Zoe got pregnant before she was divorced.

Before she could say a thing, Bernard suddenly pressed his lips on hers.

Zoe felt the softness of his lips, and she couldn't deny the spark that ignited within her—, she would be lying if she said she didn't crave more of it.

Bernard finally let go after having his fill.

Zoe took a deep breath, "I didn't mention that the baby is yours." 

"You and I had sex that night without protection, it's only natural that you'll get pregnant sooner or later.

Because you cannot get pregnant by that useless husband of yours doesn't mean you are barren!" Zoe, Bernard said. It's been three years and you haven't conceived a baby yet. One night with me and now you're miraculously pregnant with ours. I know that baby is mine, Zoe, and so are you."

Bernard knows how to take her breath away with that flickering heat from his eyes. He boldly said he wanted her and her baby, as if he truly meant it.

Zoe sat there, silently observing Bernard's expression, her eyes fixed on his face as she waited to tell him that the child belonged to him.

Zoe sighed…, her brief observation had led her to a promising conclusion; despite his wealth and charm, Bernard appeared to be a responsible individual. A quality that gave her hope for the future of their unexpected child.

"The child is yours, Bernard." She said, having been won by his unexpected responsible and caring demeanor.

Bernard chuckled.

Bernard had always dreamed of becoming a husband, but life had bigger plans – a child was on the way, bringing unexpected joy.

Bernard's dating history had left him wary, many women he'd been drawn to prioritized material possessions over meaningful relationships because of his wealth.

Bernard saw a refreshing sincerity in Zoe, a quality he'd been missing in his previous relationships.

"Of course, I know, Zoe.

Please keep our baby." Bernard requested, reaching out to gently place a hand on Zoe's stomach.

"You don't have to beg me to keep my child!" Zoe yelled, her eyes blasting with indignation. "Oh, you thought I was planning to abort it?" 

"Hey, don't get upset, okay? I never said you don't want our child." Bernard told Zoe as he tried to calm her down. He took her hand and stared deeply into her eyes. "I thought I'd have to convince you to keep our baby."

"I've waited three years for this baby, and I won't let anyone hurt my child," Zoe said.

A wide smile spread across Bernard's face. "Zoe, I want you to be mine, I want to be able to give you all the happiness you deserve. I promise to be a good father to our child." Bernard declared.

"I hope you won't give me an excuse because you are divorced now." He grinned.

Zoe smiled as her eyes locked into Bernard's, "Your unwavering support is all I need, let me handle the rest." She requested.

Bernard nodded, understanding Zoe's plea, "I'll be your safe haven, always." He declared. "But I want you to be mine forever, Zoe, be my partner, I love you and you are pregnant with our child, don't make things difficult." Bernard insisted.

Zoe toyed with the idea of playing hard to get, testing Bernard's commitment. "I will think about it.

I still have to work throughout my pregnancy." Zoe said, her eyes locked on Bernard's face, watching intently for his reaction.