Between Love and Duty

Chapter 1

**Synopsis:** Zachary Hawthorne adored children, but he was a Beta. Now, he felt it was time to leave his husband.
ABO theme, mature, steady, and silent younger Alpha protagonist X indifferent and bitter older Beta boss.
**Chapter 1**
Zachary Hawthorne's pheromones smelled like pine.
It was during their early days together that a petite Omega, vying for Zachary’s attention, had leaned in to make a remark. At the time, Zachary had been filled with arrogance, dismissive of his boyfriend, and when faced with such blatant provocation, he simply took a drag from his cigar, letting the smoke curl around them in the colorful ambiance of the bar. He replied, “If you have the guts, give it a shot. If not, quit the snide remarks.”
With that, he made a dismissive gesture, leaving the irate Omega stomping away in frustration.
After all, he was still human. Perhaps it was due to the allure of an Alpha’s appearance and their prowess between the sheets, or maybe it was because Zachary was nothing short of an extraordinary boyfriend, that his heart had softened, leading him to settle down like a ship returning to harbor.
As they walked past the pine trees lining the street, he would slow down, yet he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of self-mockery. He couldn’t smell the pheromones for himself; the scent of pine was merely hearsay.
Over the years, he had countless opportunities to ask about it, yet he repeatedly suppressed his curiosity, intentionally steering clear of the topic.
He knew this was a question he’d never have a say in.
With that thought, he quickened his pace, almost fleeing from the grove of pine trees behind him.
Upon returning home, Lydia Fairchild awaited him, clad in an apron, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. This sight tightened Zachary’s chest and prompted memories of how domineering he used to be at the beginning of their relationship.
Lydia, a naturally warm person, struggled with the heat, and that summer was particularly unrelenting. One night, the power went out, waking Lydia from his sleep, feeling grumpy as he lay on the thin mat. He casually ordered Zachary to fan him. With few thoughts in his mind, Zachary obliged and, despite the sweat soaking his towel, spent the entire night fanning Lydia.
Whenever this memory surfaced, Lydia felt a bittersweet pang arise. Though he tried to appreciate it, the sweetness often turned to an overwhelming sense of unreality, as if his happiness had been borrowed, as if Zachary had been lent to him.
Ultimately, he knew he was bound to return to a cold, desolate landscape, that he would never truly possess love.
This thought, however unfounded it seemed, gnawed at him like an unquenchable fire, constantly shouting in his heart.
Initially, he had chosen to ignore it, disregarding it with disdain. But now, he found himself hopelessly overwhelmed by it, letting it thunder and race within his heart, at times pricking him like a needle, and at others, expanding into a growing void that consumed him day by day.
He couldn’t shake it off, nor could he find a way to escape.
“Fairchild, what are you thinking about? Time to eat.”
Zachary’s voice pulled him from his reverie. Forcing a smile, he shyly accepted the chopsticks, scooping a mouthful of rice from his bowl.
Zachary's culinary skills were unparalleled; every dish he cooked was a harmony of color, aroma, and flavor, tailored to Lydia’s favorite three dishes and one soup.
Yet Lydia could only feel a wave of nausea rising. Much like his unfounded worries, he felt an inexplicable repulsion.
He couldn't eat, yet he refused to let Zachary worry, knowing that even a minor headache or slight discomfort would cause his husband to fret more than himself.
He didn’t want Zachary to frown.
So, he forced a few mouthfuls down, smiling through a mouthful of food and proclaiming, “Zachary, your cooking is fantastic.”
Zachary merely smiled, rising to clear the table.
Lydia watched his husband’s back as he moved towards the sink. Over the years, Zachary had changed significantly. When they first got together, he was still just a kid—barely out of college and interning at the Chamber of Commerce, thrust into projects alongside Lydia.
Back then, although Zachary had a rugged yet cold face, he was immensely reliable, quiet, and though an Alpha, he was rarely impulsive and had no temper at all — he was just a nice guy.
Lydia had immediately been taken with Zachary's good looks and patience, effectively luring him onto his ship.
From then on, Zachary was not just Zachary Hawthorne; he became Lydia Fairchild’s boyfriend, partner, and husband.
This brought Lydia a peculiar sense of pride, but beneath that pride lay a deep fear and sorrow.
His husband, his Zachary, wasn’t supposed to be like this.
He stared at Zachary's back for a long time, his nose suddenly feeling warm and his heart heavy with bitterness.
He couldn’t give Zachary what he desired; he was just a cold and heartless Beta who could not even sense pheromones. He was just a Beta who couldn’t provide warmth or children.
Lydia still remembered that chilly November in 2014, just after his twenty-seventh birthday, when he first became a project manager. He took a group of about twenty employees and interns to Chesterfield for the project.
Naturally, he had a short temper, and the project work was complicated. As the new leader, he found it difficult to chastise the formal employees and couldn’t be harsh with the charm-filled women and little Omeg—taking jabs at his Alpha boyfriend Zachary, grumbling through workloads as if Zachary were just a senior in college rather than a full-fledged intern.
Zachary was easygoing and quiet, often just nodding along, and then they would work late into the night together.
Over time, whispers began to circulate within the project team. Lucius Quinton, another intern, had caught Zachary in the restroom a few times, leaning in conspiratorially to say, “Don’t be fooled by Lydia Fairchild being a Beta—he’s full of surprises, he has a way with both men and women, so just be careful.”
Zachary frowned at this. “Why would I like a Beta? I’m planning to get married and have a bunch of kids someday.”
Laughing, they exited the restroom together, while Lydia, waiting in the stall, felt the weight of judgment as he flushed the toilet—his heart filled with a mocking smile.

Chapter 2

He never thought being a Beta was anything less than ideal. Free from the overwhelming scent cues that lead Alphas and Omegas into heat cycles, he could enjoy love and intimacy without feeling shackled to them.
Winter in Chesterfield was no harsher than in London, but it had a chill that seeped in deeper. Lydia Fairchild, always hunched over her desk with work, suffered from tension in her back and neck. At night, the damp cold air would creep into her bones, making every muscle ache. When she was unwell, work became a struggle, and she found herself relying on Zachary Hawthorne, who stayed close by as if she were anchoring him.
On the eve of New Year’s, the last day of their project, Lydia found herself wide awake, tossing under the covers while the cold gnawed at her. She picked up her phone and called Zachary.
Less than two minutes later, there was a knock on her door. She didn't bother to make herself presentable; instead, she wrapped a bathrobe around her and went to answer it.
“Lydia, what’s up?” Zachary asked, his eyes slipping away from her.
The humor of the situation hit her—calling an Alpha to her room at this hour couldn’t help but suggest she had something on her mind.
“Come on in; it's freezing out there,” Lydia said, reaching out to pull him into the room, lowering her voice to a whisper.
Zachary’s hand felt warm, even if his grip was a bit stiff, and Lydia felt a flicker of happiness before she let go.
He sat on the sofa, the loose bathrobe falling open slightly, revealing toned chest muscles. Zachary looked away, biting his lip as if he dared not meet her gaze.
With a slight smile, Lydia gestured to the glass on her table. “Want some water, Hawthorne?”
He nodded, but as he reached for the glass, Lydia snatched it up, bringing it to her lips first.
Zachary watched in confusion as she sipped from the cup, her lips glistening. Then she shot him a bold look—one filled with teasing and mockery—which startled him enough to take a step back. He licked his dry lips, suddenly aware of the dryness in his throat.
Without warning, Lydia stood, holding the glass in one hand and placing the other on Zachary's neck, drawing closer. Zachary found himself unable to object or even look her in the eye.
Her lips pressed against his, and he felt a rush as her sweetness flowed into him. It was intoxicating as if she were both a heavenly nectar and a dangerous toxin all at once.
Somehow, Zachary took the lead, pulling Lydia into a heated embrace, their lips moving from gentle contact to a breathless exchange. He, a novice at this, fumbled, but Lydia relished every moment, happy to guide him through the passionate chaos of youth.
In no time, their clothes lay discarded on the floor, and they both fell onto the bed in an entangled heap. She handed him a bottle of half-used lubricant, and while he hesitated for a moment, desire took over as he dove back into the moment.
Their first night was a mix of intentional flirtation and unguarded willingness.
The next morning, Lydia woke with the sun high in the sky only to find Zachary curled up at the foot of the bed with his head hung low, like a child caught misbehaving.
Lydia couldn’t help but chuckle and ran her hand through his hair. He looked up, locking eyes with her, then quickly dropped his gaze as he noticed the myriad of vibrant red marks staining her shoulder.
“I’m really sorry about last night, Lydia. Please don’t fire me,” he whispered, his voice thick with embarrassment.
Lydia felt a wave of disinterest wash over her. She huffed dismissively, retracting her hand.
She reached for a dress shirt from the bedside, tossing the covers back to reveal her body adorned with an artful array of kiss marks, like flowers blooming on a warm spring day.
Zachary took the shirt from her, unbuttoning it to help her get dressed. Though unsure, he was purposeful, but Lydia felt oddly indifferent to his attentiveness.
“How are you getting home?” she asked, lighting a cigarette and taking a thoughtful drag.
“I’ve got a flight later to head back home for the New Year,” he replied.
Lydia merely nodded, unable to muster a smile, and muttered, “Be careful on the way.”
As Zachary stared at her back, he faltered, “Let’s keep in touch when I’m back.”
She didn’t turn, leaving Zachary feeling uncomfortably exposed as he quietly excused himself. With no sense of urgency from her, he left.
The years spent with Zachary often felt surreal. For Lydia, the beginning used to feel ridiculous and embarrassing, as if it were merely a vivid dream he could never grasp.
Later, after dinner, Lydia lay half-recumbent on her bed, working through reports on her laptop. When Zachary walked in after finishing some chores, he noticed her frown deepening, which filled him with unease.
“Why are you still working? You should take a break,” he insisted, sitting beside her on the bed.
Lydia was now a senior manager at The Chamber of Commerce. Every report came from team leads, vetted by project managers, and then ultimately landed on her desk for final review. Many senior managers pushed their responsibilities onto the project managers, but Lydia meticulously checked every detail herself, earning admiration and a little caution from her colleagues.
“Did you even read this report?” she asked, giving him a sidelong glance.
But unlike foreign firms, the hierarchy between senior managers and project managers was distinct, even if less rigid than in governmental and financial institutions.
Years in this situation had made Zachary accustomed to Lydia’s work-centric attitude, but having matured over five years, he no longer felt subordinate to her whims. He hesitated, took the laptop from her, and declared, “Just rest. We can handle this tomorrow.”

Chapter 3

Lydia Fairchild had learned not to resist, finally accepting his kindness as something worth yielding to.
Zachary Hawthorne stretched out on the bed, his arm beckoning Lydia to come closer. Lydia found a comfortable position nestled against him, and he wrapped his arms around her completely.
Having spent years in the auditing field, Lydia had developed a habit of staying connected around the clock. Early in their relationship, whenever her phone rang in the middle of the night, Zach would chide her, “You’ve had a long day; why work when you’re home?”
Lydia would huff in response, “If it bothers you, just go to sleep.”
Later, Zach became a project manager himself, his workload becoming heavier. He gradually understood Lydia’s previous stress and responsibility. Still, he kept his phone on silent every night, not for his sake, but to avoid disrupting Lydia’s already scarce sleep.
Listening to Lydia's breathing grow slow and deep, Zach reached for his phone on the nightstand and opened his messages. The third chat was from Lucius Quinton.
As he stared at the screen, memories flooded back to his first days as an intern at The Chamber of Commerce.
Born in a province renowned for its rigorous entrance exams, he had poured every ounce of effort into securing a place at an ordinary university for his undergraduate studies in finance. Frustrated, he set his sights on an advanced degree at a prestigious finance school, but fate had other plans, leading to a wasted year of grueling preparation.
After finishing that exam, he found himself with no option but to send out countless resumes. With a mix of desperation and determination, he navigated the intense competition and landed a position at The Templar Enterprises, ultimately following Lydia to the Chesterfield project.
It was there that he met Lucius Quinton, another intern. Lucius epitomized everything Zach admired: a dual graduate of Read Financial, hailing from a major city, and a stunning Omega, effortlessly turning heads wherever he went.
Upon discovering that the project manager was merely a Beta, the disdain in Lucius’s eyes was palpable.
Zach felt helpless in this situation; changing a person molded by over twenty years of upbringing seemed impossible. Besides, he perceived himself as light-years away from Lucius in terms of status, making any attempt at intervention feel utterly out of place.
Lydia was well aware of Lucius's snide attitude, yet her upbringing and adherence to Omega protection laws prevented her from confronting him. She could only seethe silently, reminding herself, “He’s just an intern; once the project wraps up, he’ll be gone.”
Eventually, Lucius learned from some senior colleagues about Lydia’s questionable track record in her early years. Every time he faced Lydia, his rolling eyes seemed barely contained, and yet, she had no response to his arrogance.
Zach admired Lydia for enduring so much from someone so proud.
As their team struggled to keep up with the workload, they decided to recruit new interns. With Lydia managing nearly thirty people, she had no bandwidth for the details and tasked Zach and Lucius with the hiring efforts.
Zach sifted through hundreds of applications that week: a mix ranging from graduates from elite universities to ordinary degree holders, but only a handful were genuinely promising.
After painstakingly narrowing it down to five candidates, he presented them to Lydia.
Lydia glanced over the resumes on the screen before looking up at Zach and Lucius. “You both managed to overlook two national accounting school graduates, twenty-three undergraduates from top ten universities, and several international students. Can you tell me what criteria you used in selecting these candidates?”
Zach and Lucius exchanged puzzled glances, uncertain of Lydia’s expectations.
After hesitating, Zach replied, “Given the deadline, we clearly needed to choose candidates who could hit the ground running.”
Lydia nodded gently. “That reflects the difference between a student’s mindset and a professional one.”
Turning her chair to face them, she continued, “When you were in school, you focused on prestige, grades, and the reputation of your institution. That’s perfectly normal; it was your reality and something you could control.” She paused, letting that sink in. “But those priorities are only temporary. As you step into the workplace, you’ll realize that the things you once cared about aren’t really that significant. Yes, your school and grades matter when applying for jobs, but they aren’t the keys to success.”
Lydia pointed gently at the table, emphasizing her point. “What companies really want are capable team members. Right now, you two can attest that what’s more valuable than having a flashy degree is finding partners who can share the load.”
She turned back to her computer, her focus drifting back to the Excel sheets as she softly said, “Very few students realize this, which is why the job market and employment demands will forever be mismatched. There will always be plenty of graduates from prestigious institutions unable to find jobs, while companies complain about the talent in the hiring pool.”
Lucius interrupted, skepticism evident in his tone, “But everyone wants experienced candidates; if we don’t offer jobs to newcomers, how can they gain experience?”
Lydia lifted her water glass, taking a sip before responding, “You need to understand that not every company has the luxury of handpicking experienced interns. Many organizations, lacking resources or time, often settle for fresh graduates who just entered the workforce.”
Lucius fell silent.
Lydia turned to Zach, her demeanor softening. “So, you see, some of these obsessions are just that—obsessions. Once you move past this stage, you’ll understand that no school can guarantee you immediate success, and there’s really no decision you can make that will ruin your life.”
“Life is genuinely tough, no matter which path you take, each journey fraught with its own challenges. You must tread carefully, staying committed through each stage of your experience.”
Lydia’s words, though not earth-shattering, acted as medicine, helping Zach emerge from the despair, self-doubt, confusion, and regret following his failure in graduate school.

Chapter 4

Zachary Hawthorne had finally cast aside the deeply ingrained obsession with prestigious schools and embraced a different path.
Today, he found himself at the same age Lydia Fairchild once was, having shed the last vestiges of youth and naivety. After five grueling years in the corporate world, he had climbed two levels in just two years, securing the project manager position that Lydia had once held, all while outpacing countless competitors.
Following in the footsteps of his beloved, he walked steadfastly and resolutely on his own journey.
Who said they weren’t a perfect match? They were unmistakably made for each other.
As this thought crossed his mind, he glanced over at the man sleeping beside him, and warmth filled his heart.
He opened a message from Lucius Quinton, which read: “Has Manager Leland reviewed my report?”
Zachary paused at the message.
If all went as expected, Lucius Quinton would be promoted to project manager after this annual review, so his anxiety was understandable. Zachary couldn't help but feel nervous for him.
Lucius’s report this year had countless issues. Zachary had already looked it over, but he still worried that Lydia Fairchild would catch something critical.
On one hand, he didn’t want to see his friend face setbacks at work, but on the other hand, Lydia was someone he deeply respected and loved. No matter the circumstances, he couldn’t bring himself to ask her to relax her standards for Lucius.
He knew Lydia wouldn’t budge.
She was exceptionally hard on herself and, while she wasn't quite as harsh on her subordinates, many still saw her as a staunch authoritarian.
Zachary had overheard discussions in the bathroom many times, where people would critique Lydia, ending with a generous dose of sympathy for him.
He was reserved by nature, disliking small talk and avoiding confrontations. To outsiders, he often came off as dull, earnest, and unremarkable, leading them to conclude that Lydia was entirely domineering.
Yet, that was also a fair assessment; he rarely argued with her, more often choosing to embody patience and understanding, and his final concession lay with Lydia herself.
Many years ago—before he had even met Lydia—he never imagined he would fall in love with a Beta, nor did he ever foresee thwarting nature’s plan of attraction. He hadn’t thought he would willingly relinquish his rights to fatherhood for someone like her.
Yet, he gladly made all of those sacrifices for Lydia.
He often pondered that his love for her was the purest form of affection he could muster after suppressing all his instincts, making it all the more precious.
With a soft smile, he typed back in Lucius's chat: “He’s resting and hasn’t looked at it yet.” Then, he set his phone down on the bedside table.
Lydia had trouble sleeping, often waking up naturally around six or seven in the morning, which meant Zachary was gradually adopting an early bird routine along with her.
They had been married for four years, sharing most workdays coming and going together. So, when they appeared at the office side by side, most colleagues had grown used to it. Only a few newcomers with little insight still gawked and murmured about their relationship.
Lydia glanced at the surprised intern and scoffed quietly before turning to her office, shutting the door without uttering a word to Zachary.
Zachary stood outside for a moment, then sighed with a bitter smile. He was about to head to his desk when he bumped into the intern, now regarding him with a mix of sympathy and confusion.
She had a fresh, vibrant scent of grass that blended with the faint pine notes coming off him, creating an unspoken chemistry.
Irritated, he frowned and muttered, “Manager Leland is my partner.” Without waiting for her reaction, he turned and walked away.
Lydia Fairchild was meticulous about separating her personal and professional lives. Over the years, she had never given Zachary any special treatment because of their relationship.
In fact, in the beginning, to avoid unnecessary gossip, she assigned him the toughest and most thankless tasks.
Zachary was hard-working and reliable; he had no resentment over Lydia’s strictness, instead responding with increased diligence, and it was precisely because of these challenges that he became the first to be promoted to project manager among the five who joined The Chamber of Commerce with him.
It wasn’t until nearly noon that Lydia texted him: “Bring Lucius Quinton in.”
Startled, Zachary hurriedly called over the visibly exhausted Lucius Quinton from the adjacent desk, and together they walked into Lydia's office.
Without lifting her gaze, Lydia tossed a report at Lucius’s desk. “I’ve emailed you about the issues. Make sure to revise them before tomorrow night. Handle the minor problems yourself and have Zachary help with the major ones. Then, the two of you come back to see me.”
Lucius accepted the report, his face slightly askew, nodded, and quickly exited.
Sitting across from Lydia, Zachary asked, “Want to grab lunch?”
Only then did Lydia meet his eyes and say, “I don’t think we can consider promoting Lucius to project manager this year.”
Zachary’s heart sank for a moment, but he had sensed this coming. Hearing it from Lydia actually relaxed him. “Alright, it’s your call.”
Lydia bit her lip and after a moment, quietly confessed, “Zachary, you know I’m not targeting him intentionally.”
Zachary smiled gently, “It’s okay. I know.”
They both fell silent before simultaneously saying, “Let’s go eat.”
Having spent the morning rigidly reviewing reports, Lydia was now stiff and taut. Zachary instinctively stepped closer to support her, wrapping his arm around her waist. “Come on,” he said once she settled.
Zachary was naturally considerate, as if his love would never fade, as if everything could last forever.
Those unfinished thoughts swirled in Lydia’s mind as she struggled to comprehend them. Even though this man was already her husband, even though everything was perfectly fine.

Chapter 5

He shook his head, trying to shake off the ridiculous thought, but it only brought back his husband's words, "My head hurts."
Lydia Fairchild felt a weight on her chest, yet in the face of Zachary Hawthorne's concern and worry, she could only reply, "I'm fine."
Typically, they would grab lunch at the diner or a ramen shop, agreeing to avoid any talk of work, but without that, Lydia struggled to find other topics with him. Zachary was naturally reticent, leaving them in an awkward silence that hung in the air.
Time felt like it stood still in the quiet between them; Lydia could almost hear the ticking of a stopwatch, each second amplifying the mounting pressure and unspoken struggles within their lives.
Neither of them spoke.
What could they possibly say? Should she mention the rude woman they encountered that day? Or that a friend had just welcomed their second child?
Lydia thought that if their demanding jobs had swallowed up their chances to discuss the little things of life, then it was her own stubbornness and selfishness that had robbed Zachary of becoming a father.
So all they had left were elusive love and endless hardship.
She didn’t know how much longer they could last.
Zachary's voice broke through Lydia's thoughts again, snapping her back to the present, and she noticed that her husband had already finished his meal, while hers lay almost untouched.
With practiced ease, she pushed her bowl of ramen to his side. "You finish it; I don't feel like eating anymore."
Zachary frowned slightly. "You don’t like it? We can order something else."
Lydia shook her head. "No, I just don’t have an appetite."
Once more, Zachary finished her meal and then said, "Don't work late tonight. Come home early; I'll cook some of your favorites."
Her heart ached at the thought, and she pondered what it was about her that deserved this kind of treatment after five years.
She nodded softly, finding no words to express herself.
Back at her desk, Zachary was called over by Lucius Quinton. "Hawthorne, what does Lydia mean today by wanting you to help me with a major problem?"
Zachary hesitated for a moment and reluctantly replied, "It's just that the company you're overseeing is quite challenging and important; Lydia just wants me to assist you for her peace of mind."
Lucius scoffed. "If she doesn't like me, she can just say so."
Zachary sighed, lowering his voice. "It's all for work—there’s no issue of liking anyone here."
Later that evening, before seven, Zachary stood at Lydia's office door. He moved behind her, skillfully massaging her shoulders. Lydia felt an overwhelming sense of relief and leaned back against him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Let’s go home."
Zachary wouldn't take no for an answer. "Yep, home it is."
Lydia didn’t protest further. She gave a gentle squeeze to his hand that was on her shoulder and said, "Okay, let’s head home."
After they got married, they had purchased a 1,200-square-foot three-bedroom apartment in the city center, exhausting most of Lydia’s savings for the down payment. They opted not to buy a car, so they were still driving the Audi Q3 Lydia had bought when she first started working, often resorting to the subway during rush hour.
When they finally emerged from the subway station, night had fallen, and a thin mist hung in the air, veiling the storefronts around them.
Even within the haze, Zachary instantly spotted a little girl sitting by the side of the street. She had two pigtails, wore a bright red dress, and was shod in cute leather shoes.
Lydia couldn't help but focus more closely, noticing the girl was no more than five or six and had tears streaming down her cheeks.
Zachary let go of Lydia’s hand and walked briskly over to the little girl, squatting down to ask gently, “Hey there, why are you sitting here all alone? Where are the adults?”
Seeing him approach made Lydia's stomach churn.
She made an effort to swallow, pausing a few paces back as she watched Zachary kneeling beside the sobbing little girl.
Lydia couldn’t catch everything Zachary said, but she saw him gently touch the girl's shoulder and pull out a tissue from his pocket to delicately dry her tears. Then, the girl—without hesitation—took his hand.
Zachary glanced back at Lydia, waving her over. "Margery got separated from her mom. Let’s get her something to eat first."
Lydia was speechless, the name Margery echoing in her mind.
Zachary turned to Margery. “What do you want to eat? Uncle will take you.”
Margery thought hard for a moment, her eyes lingering on a place called The Shrimp Fryer, before finally pointing and saying, “I want that.”
Zachary smiled and led the way to the restaurant with Lydia and Margery in tow.
Zachary let Margery order a mountain of food, and when the dishes arrived, he asked Lydia if she wanted anything. She shook her head but couldn’t make out his follow-up words.
Once the food was served, Zachary peeled a plate of shrimp for Margery, feeding each one to her lovingly without taking a single bite himself.
Lydia felt heavy-headed and found herself spinning in a whirlwind of emotions. She couldn’t say anything against Margery eating shrimp, nor could she begrudge Zachary’s natural affinity for children. No matter how selfish she might be, she felt she had no say in this matter. Yet she knew all too well that her husband was allergic to shellfish.
Her senses dulled, everything around her blurred, and all she could hear was the tumult within. One thought raced through her mind, reminding her that Zachary was simply regretting not being able to have his own child.
She lost track of how Zachary managed to drop Margery off at the Town Guard House; she excused herself, claiming to feel unwell, and headed home alone.
Zachary furrowed his brow, instinctively reaching to touch his forehead but Lydia subtly pulled away. He remained oblivious and asked, “What’s wrong? Do you need to go to the hospital?”
Lydia pressed her lips together and shook her head, claiming she was just tired and wanted to rest.

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