Chapter 264: I’m Sorry

Zachary looked at his son for several seconds before asking calmly, "And what did you say to Granny?"

Skylar immediately straightened his little back. "I told Granny I only have one mommy."

He pointed proudly at Sienna. "My Mommy Sienna."

Then he added with complete confidence, "I also told that aunty not to be mean to Mommy."

A smile tugged at the corner of Zachary’s mouth. "So my buddy protected Mommy?"

Skylar nodded proudly. "Of course."

"And did Mommy protect you too?"

Skylar’s eyes widened. "Yes. Monny is very brave!"

He lifted his wrist toward Zachary. "That aunty grabbed me here."

Zachary’s smile disappeared. His gaze immediately dropped to Skylar’s wrist, where the faint redness had not completely faded.

His expression remained composed, but his eyes grew noticeably colder.

He gently examined Skylar’s wrist before asking in an even voice, "Does it still hurt?"

Skylar thought about it for a moment before shaking his head. "Not anymore."

"Good." Zachary lowered his son’s hand and kissed the top of his head. "I’m glad you’re alright."

Then he turned his attention to Sienna. Their eyes met.

He didn’t ask what had happened because he already understood enough from Skylar’s explanation and the emotions he could still see lingering in Sienna’s eyes.

Instead, he gently squeezed her hand again. "I’m sorry," he said quietly.

Sienna looked at him for a moment before giving a small shake of her head.

"We’ll talk about it later."

He nodded in understanding. "Alright."

Skylar looked from his father to his mother, then blinked curiously. "So..." he asked, "are we still buying my basketball shoes?"

The serious atmosphere instantly eased.

Sienna laughed softly. "Yes, sweetheart. That was the plan."

Skylar let out a relieved sigh.

Zachary smiled. "Were you worried we’d forget?"

Skylar nodded honestly. "A bit. There was a lot of grown-up talking."

Zachary chuckled. "You’re right. We shouldn’t let grown-up problems delay an important mission."

Skylar’s eyes sparkled.

The three of them left the VIP room together, their hands never letting go of one another as they headed toward the sports store, leaving the difficult conversation for another time.

...

That night, after dinner, Sienna and Zachary finally returned to their bedroom.

The moment the door closed behind them, Zachary stepped forward without saying a word and pulled her into a tight embrace.

Caught by surprise, Sienna blinked for a moment, but she didn’t resist. Instead, she slowly wrapped her arms around his waist and returned the hug just as tightly.

Resting her cheek against his chest, she listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. At the same time, his arms held her as though he wanted to make up for everything that had happened that afternoon.

"I’m sorry."

His voice was quiet, almost a whisper, but the sincerity in it was unmistakable.

Sienna already knew what he was apologizing for, yet she still looked up at him with a small smile.

"Sorry?" she asked gently. "For what?"

Zachary didn’t answer immediately.

He simply continued holding her for another moment before slowly loosening his embrace. His hands rested lightly on her shoulders as their eyes met.

"For what my mother did to you."

His voice remained calm, but there was no hiding the sadness and regret in his eyes.

Seeing that expression, Sienna’s heart softened. She reached up and gently held one of his hands.

"You don’t have to apologize, Zach."

"I do."

She slowly shook her head.

"No, you don’t. It wasn’t your fault." She smiled reassuringly. "I’m really alright; I’ve faced worse situations. Also, I understand why your mother reacted the way she did. She was only trying to protect Sky. From her point of view, she thought I was a stranger taking her grandson around without anyone from the family."

She paused before adding with a gentle laugh, "I can’t exactly blame a grandmother for being protective."

Zachary let out a long breath.

He lowered his hands and intertwined his fingers with hers. For a few moments, he simply looked at their joined hands before lifting his gaze to meet hers again.

The worry that had filled his eyes earlier had eased considerably.

"Thank you," he said quietly.

Sienna smiled.

"You’re welcome."

For a comfortable moment, neither of them spoke. The silence between them wasn’t awkward. Instead, it was calm, allowing both of them to let go of the tension they had carried throughout the day.

Then Sienna’s expression became more thoughtful.

"There is something I need you to explain to me."

Zachary’s eyebrows lifted slightly.

"What is it?"

She hesitated for a second before asking the question that had been bothering her ever since the incident at the mall.

"Did Jessica ever meet Skylar before?"

Without hesitation, Zachary answered.

"Never."

His reply was immediate and firm.

"I haven’t met Jessica since I decided I wanted to have a son of my own flesh and blood," he continued honestly. "So there was never an opportunity for her to meet Sky. I never made one, and I never let one happen."

He frowned slightly as another possibility crossed his mind.

"But..." He paused, thinking carefully. "I don’t know whether my mother ever brought Sky to meet her."

The room fell quiet again as he considered it.

A moment later, he slowly shook his head.

"No."

His expression became more serious.

"That doesn’t make sense. My mother wouldn’t take Sky to meet Jessica without telling me first."

Sienna nodded thoughtfully.

"Maybe she didn’t introduce them directly," she suggested. "Maybe your mother simply talked about Sky with her. That would explain why Jessica knew his name."

Zachary considered her words before giving a slow nod.

"That’s possible."

Sienna looked down at their joined hands before letting out a small sigh.

"Zach..."

"Hm?"

"I know Jessica is beautiful," she admitted honestly. "But I can see she’s also incredibly dramatic and creates unnecessary problems."

She paused briefly, remembering the confrontation.

"I don’t know whether Logan already told you, but..."

She looked back at him.

"I slapped her. Hard!"

For a split second, Zachary simply stared at her.

Then the corners of his lips slowly lifted into an amused smile.

"You did the right thing, my wife."

Sienna blinked.

"You really think so?"

"Without a doubt."

His answer came without hesitation.