When fate plays its hand

Zach’s hand wandered and slipped under her sweater, skillfully undoing the double row of hooks on her

back.

“Winter… Winter…” he murmured her name between kisses.

His voice was gentle, yet his actions were aggressive, as if he was about to devour her whole

Winter had to exert some strength to push him away. Her cheeks were flushed, and she was out of breath. “Why are you acting like a scoundrel in broad daylight? Get off me.”

Zach looked unsatisfied and pleaded, “Just let me kiss you a little longer…”

He leaned in again, whining shamelessly, “You’ve been at the hospital for two whole days taking care of Miranda. I’ve missed you so much!”

“You missed me?” Winter gave him a knowing look. “More like you missed my body!”

“Heh, you’re right. I missed sleeping with you. What’s wrong with that? After saying that, he reached out and wrapped his long arms around her like a clingy koala.

Winter was already used to his shameless antics. She said indifferently, “Mr. Graham, a rich scion like you has dated countless women. Why are you always so horny all the time?

Zach’s expression darkened. “Who are you calling homy?”

“You, obviously

Zach was speechless at her retort.

“In the future, don’t bother asking questions like that. It’s bad enough that you’re insulted once. Why invite insults for a second time?”

“Winter Jefferson! Can you stop running your mouth like that? Fine, I know how to handle this!”

“Hey, you-”

Zach smirked and silenced her with another kiss. This one was particularly long and passionate.

Winter nearly ran out of breath midway, and her cheeks were flushed from the lack of air. Yet, Zach, the scoundrel, refused to let her go until she bit his lip hard enough to finally break free.

“Are you half dog or what?” Zach winced in pain.

For once, Winter didn’t retort as she took in deep gulps of fresh air. Her cheeks were rosy like apples, her eyes were misty with tears, and her lips swollen.

She fixed her gaze straight ahead through the windshield.

Meanwhile, Zach looked utterly content in the driver’s seat, like a bear who had his fill of honey

Winter couldn’t figure out how things had gotten to this point between them.

After that passionate, drunken night, she had ended her partnership with Zach decisively. She just hadn’t had a chance to tell her family yet.

As for Zach, he had stormed off in a rage that night. The two hadn’t seen each other for a whole month, until…

Winter accompanied her mother, Natalie, to a social dinner. When she opened the door, Winter was shocked to find out that Natalie had arranged to meet with Zach’s mother, Phoebe!

The moment Phoebe saw Winter, she greeted her warmly and showered her with more affection than her

own mother.

Just as Winter was thinking of an excuse to leave the dinner, Zach barged in. He looked irritated at first, but his face lit up with a big grin the second he saw Winter.

Then, he greeted Natalie warmly and buttered her up with compliments. Words such as beautiful, radiant, and stunning gushed from his lips, making Natalie smile from ear to ear.

Just like that, the two former partners found themselves face to face again.

When both of their mothers went to the restroom, Zach spoke up. “It’s quite a coincidence, huh?”

Winter replied, “Indeed.”

“So, you still haven’t told your family that we “broke up?

Winter said indifferently, “I’ve been busy with work and forgot. Didn’t you also not say anything?”

If either of them had told their families the truth, this dinner wouldn’t have happened.

Zach remarked, “What do we do now?”

Winter shrugged. “Wait for them to come back and tell them the truth. What else can we do?”

He clenched his teeth.