The Runaway Groom

Still, Irene scoffed. "Well, I can give you that much. But was it glamorous?"

Zachary was speechless in turn—his marriage was certainly a dark part of his history and mentioning it was just hurting himself.

He quickly changed the subject. “Do you like grapes? We washed them before bringing them over—I'll get it for you."

Irene caught his sleeve. "By the way, does it count as your second marriage if you marry again?"

Zachary sighed. "You used to respect me so much, but you've really changed. You're just like Isaac now."

Isaac shot Zachary a cool, warning glare right then. "Does it kill you to stay quiet?"

"How boring would it be for everyone if I did?" Zachary retorted calmly and feebly. "It's a nice day out with nice weather but we have nothing to do. Staying quiet would be a waste, so I'm just making the best out of a difficult situation, you know."

"What's difficult about your situation? Don't you have a daughter? What more do you want?" Isaac asked, still upset about how Zachary bragged about having a daughter before.

“But she doesn't have a mother." Zachary sighed.

It was certainly the greatest regret he had—something felt missing since her daughter did not have a complete family.

Irene finally saw that Zachary was just hiding his mood by being talkative.

daughter, but it hurt

more she looked at Zachary's smile now,

not shown him enough concern right then, both

such, she said, "You wanted a grill, was

said, "And cold

at him—give him an inch,

she told him. "Self-indulgence sets a

Zachary smiled.

do it,

indulged her for once and whipped out

they worked quickly to send tools and ingredients, along with a cook and

became a grill party, though having people work meant no problems, nor did it take time

kept an eye on him or he might burn himself. Irene was in turn leaning against Isaac's shoulder as they both lay on the grass, watching

pink and he was holding a chunk of cake, with crumbs all

growing slower though he could walk already, and he only had four—two

ourselves in such peace and

her hand. "I'll spend more time with