The second choice who became his first

Cheese mousse.

Chapter 5.

Zachary’s POV

I didn’t understand what was happening to me.

The moment I saw Nathalie sitting with William, something inside me tightened.

Jealousy.

That was the only word I could use to describe it.

But why was I jealous?

I had made it perfectly clear that I didn’t love Nathalie. My heart belonged to Ivanka.

So why did the thought of Nathalie becoming close to another man bother me so much?

Was it because she was my wife?

Or was there something else I wasn’t ready to admit?

I looked across the table at Nathalie.

She seemed completely unaware of the battle happening inside my head.

Then she spoke.

“Um… I’ve decided to go to E-City to pursue my modeling career. It should take about a year.”

My head snapped toward her.

A year?

We were married, yet she was making plans to leave the country without even discussing them with me.

I was about to question her when the waitress arrived with our desserts.

“Mr. Vaughn, your order.”

Then she placed a plate in front of Nathalie.

“Nathalie, I remember how much you love cheese mousse.”

She smiled politely.

“Thank you.”

I clenched my jaw.

I hated how comfortable William seemed around her.

Before I could think, I stood up and walked over to Nathalie.

“Come with me.”

She looked surprised.

“What?”

I didn’t explain.

I simply took her hand and led her outside.

The moment we reached the parking lot, she pulled her hand away.

“Mr. Vaughn, please don’t touch me like that.”

Her voice was cold.

I stared at her.

“Nathalie, don’t forget that we’re married. Stay away from him.”

For a moment, she simply stared at me.

Then, surprisingly, she laughed.

“You always amuse me, Zachary.”

I frowned.

“Mind your business.”

She shook her head.

“And besides, your Ivanka is back.”

Then she turned and walked away, leaving me standing there like a fool.

Her words shouldn’t have affected me.

But they did.

⸻

“Zach?”

I turned around.

Ivanka was standing behind me.

“Is everything alright?” she asked in a concerned voice.

“Yeah.”

I forced myself to relax.

“Something came up at the office.”

I glanced toward my car.

“I’ll have Alex come and pick you up.”

She nodded.

“Okay.”

I hurried away.

I told myself I was going back because I needed to handle something at the office.

But deep down, I knew the real reason.

I wanted to find Nathalie.

I drove home as quickly as I could.

When I entered the house, I expected to see her.

But she wasn’t there.

I checked the living room.

Nothing.

Her bedroom.

Empty.

I pulled out my phone and called her.

No answer.

For the first time, a strange feeling of worry settled over me.

Where had my wife gone?

And why did her absence suddenly bother me so much?