Chapter 244: Upset

"Because I want to spend more time with our son."

Sienna’s answer came so calm and sounded so natural that someone else might have believed it, but Zachary didn’t.

He knew every smile she wore, including the ones she used to hide her true feelings. The smile on her face never reached her eyes, and the slight hesitation in her voice was enough to tell him she wasn’t being honest.

He gently rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand.

"Tell me the truth."

His voice remained quiet, but there was a firmness in it that couldn’t be ignored. It wasn’t a command born out of authority. It was the request of a husband who wanted his wife to trust him.

Sienna lowered her gaze. Then, tightened her fingers around his hand, drawing comfort from his warmth as she searched for the courage to tell him.

After a few silent moments, she finally spoke.

"Because..." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "...Your sister asked me to resign."

The words hung quietly between them.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke again.

However, Zachary’s expression immediately darkened. The warmth that had filled his eyes only moments ago disappeared, replaced by restrained anger. His jaw tightened, and he slowly looked away toward the passing city lights outside the window as he tried to control his emotions.

He had suspected that Zoey might push her into considering resigning, not because she had the idea and was willing.

Now Sienna had confirmed it herself, saying that his twin sister had interfered in Sienna’s job and possibly career without discussing it with him first. That was enough to make him furious.

Zachary took a slow breath, forcing himself to remain calm. The last thing he wanted was for Sienna to think she had done something wrong by telling him the truth.

Without letting go of her hand, he turned back to her, his expression softening the moment their eyes met again.

"What exactly did she say?" he asked quietly.

His voice carried no frustration toward Sienna, only concern for the woman sitting beside him. Whatever Zoey had said during that meeting, he intended to hear every word before deciding what to do next.

Sienna smiled warmly at Zachary, hoping to ease his worries before telling him about her meeting with Zoey.

She held nothing back, explaining everything honestly, including how Zoey had tried to use her position as CEO to pressure her. Even so, she made it clear that she had refused to give in and had stood by her decision without hesitation.

As she spoke, she noticed the change in Zachary’s expression. His features gradually hardened, and the warmth in his eyes was replaced by a cold, sharp look. He remained silent, trying to keep his emotions under control. Still, she knew him well enough to recognize the anger simmering beneath the surface. He was furious, even if he refused to let it show completely.

Reaching out, Sienna wrapped both of her hands around his and squeezed them gently. Leaning closer, she whispered softly, just loud enough for him to hear, "Zach, please don’t be mad at Zoey. I don’t want my relationship with her to get worse."

Zachary didn’t answer right away. His silence lingered between them, and although his face remained calm, the restrained anger in his eyes was impossible to miss.

"I’ve already given her the impression that I’m a rude and heartless sister-in-law," Sienna continued with a small, helpless smile. "Just this once, don’t make things worse for me by showing her how angry you are... okay? Please."

He stared at her quietly for a long moment before the tension in his face slowly eased. A faint smile finally appeared on his lips as he lowered his gaze to their intertwined hands.

"I’m upset because she did that when I wasn’t there to protect you," he admitted quietly, his eyes never leaving their hands.

Sienna drew in a slow breath. She wanted to comfort him, but no words seemed right. Instead, she simply tightened her hold on his hands, hoping her silent reassurance would be enough.

After a few moments, Zachary slowly lifted his head until his eyes met hers again.

"I don’t want you to ever feel afraid or uncomfortable around my family," he said gently. "That’s why I hate that she treated you that way."

His words settled deep in Sienna’s heart. She offered him a small, fragile smile because he had unknowingly spoken about the fear she had carried ever since becoming part of his life. More than anything, she wanted to be accepted by his family. She never wanted to become someone who made family gatherings tense or uncomfortable.

"Zach, I’m fine. Despite what Zoey did, she really failed to upset me or bring down my mood at all," she said, patting the back of his hand in an attempt to reassure him. "You don’t have to worry about me. I can protect myself from her. Besides..." She let out a quiet laugh. "I think I was the one who ended up making her upset. I bet I live free in her head, right now."

A proud smile appeared on Zachary’s face as he looked at her.

"...And I can understand why Zoey acted that way," Sienna continued before he had a chance to respond.

She noticed his brows begin to draw together again, so she quickly explained herself. "She cares about you and only wanted to protect you. She didn’t want your enemies to find me, and I appreciate that. Honestly, I’m grateful she didn’t throw a stack of money at me and tell me to leave you."

That finally earned a genuine smile from him.

Sienna smiled back, encouraged by his softer expression. "If she had done that, maybe I really would have been hurt and upset." She laughed quietly before adding, "Then I’d happily let you scold her."

A soft chuckle escaped Zachary, and he gave a small nod as though he completely agreed with her.

Seeing his anger gradually disappear filled Sienna with relief. She had been worried he would immediately confront Zoey, and that was the last thing she wanted. No matter what had happened between them, Zoey was still his flesh and blood, his twin sister.

Sienna couldn’t bear the thought of Zachary and Zoey’s relationship becoming strained because of her.