The Runaway Groom

Irene's heart was seized with anxiety even as she put down her phone. She had to go back as soon as she could to find out what happened to Lulu—or more specifically, Martin, that Lulu could not raise her child. However, when she opened the door, she saw Zachary standing outside, his hand raised and ready to knock.

He was caught by surprise when the door suddenly opened, though he soon came to his senses.

"Were you talking to Lulu?" he asked, and shrugged before Irene could answer. "You don't have to hide from me if you were—I'm over it, and she isn't the only woman in the world."

Irene pursed her lips, and asked, "Is that why any woman would get to bed you? Because you're over it?"

Zachary was speechless—he knew what Irene was referring to but did not deny it.

He even said, "I think this is just fine. I mean, what's the issue? With no strings attached to my relationships, I don't have to get upset.”

“You really should clean up your act. You're a father now,” Irene told him. "If your daughter—"

"Could you not talk about that?" Zachary cut her short before she could finish.

Irene frowned. "The baby—"

“Lulu's baby,” he interrupted her again.

like she could bite him just then. "Could you

"If it's about Lulu, you don't have to

Don't you regret it later!" Irene snapped.

my mouth

"Lulu told me that something happened to Martin, and she asked me to bring her child over or leave her in

Zachary froze.

that he might have misheard, he strode up and caught her arm. "Are you for real,

nodding. "There's no reason for me to lie." Zachary's breathing turned rushed, and he asked, "Am I getting this right?

it right,”

go," Zachary said, suddenly walking faster than Irene. "We're still in Franconia,” Irene reminded him. “You have to book a flight to the

only

need to book a ticket to fly over," he said, whipping out a phone and

to sleep around from now on?" Zachary pouted. "Could you not hit

need to set an

“I know," Zachary replied.

just then.

him. “I'm counting on you to