Chapter 82: Deliberate Intimacy

I kept coughing, and the air between us grew awkward. Zachary moved closer, his hand gently patting my back. To anyone watching, we must have looked like a couple. That small gesture warmed me. If I could spend my life with someone this thoughtful and gentle, even without love, maybe that would be enough. I looked up and gave him a faint smile. My feelings toward him had softened, but it was only fondness, not the kind of heartbeat-skipping love that makes you lose control. "You can’t drink? Why didn’t you tell me sooner? If I’d known, I wouldn’t have let you order wine." Zachary’s voice held guilt, his brows drawn together. "I’m fine. Just choked a little, that’s all." Before I could say more, a familiar figure appeared in the doorway. My breath caught in my throat, and my eyes widened in shock. Arthur. The moment I saw him, panic shot through me. My mind went blank as his dark, unreadable eyes locked on mine, burning with fury. "Serena, what’s wrong?" Zachary’s puzzled voice snapped