Chapter 877

“Why are you here, Zachary?” Elisa asked, bewildered.

There was no reason for someone of Zachary’s stature to be present. Yet, there he was, undeniably Zachary.

Elisa blinked several times, trying to convince herself of what she was seeing, and then she focused on him. It was indeed the Zachary she recognized.

Her eyes widened in shock as she noticed the bouquet held between Zachary and Serenity. To her astonishment, Zachary was even holding Serenity’s hand.

The only plausible explanation that crossed her mind was that this man bore a striking resemblance to Zachary but was not actually him.

How could Zachary, a reserved man who never ventured anywhere without his security detail to keep young women at bay, possibly be holding another woman’s…

Ah, she remembered—Zachary had a wife now, and he was devoted to her. Rumors suggested he spoiled her immensely. Although Elisa had never met his wife, she believed that Zachary was the type to shower her with love.

Once Zachary fell in love, it was for life. That was why Elisa didn’t find it surprising that he had become a devoted husband.

It was unfortunate that she wasn’t the woman for Zachary.

Then it hit Elisa that Serenity’s husband shared the last name York. Could Serenity’s husband really be Zachary?

As this thought registered, the shopping bags slipped from Elisa’s hands without her noticing.

A whirlwind of emotions played across her face as she fixed her gaze on the couple.

Serenity withdrew her hand from Zachary’s grasp and stood up to leave the cash register. However, before she could take another step, Elisa moved forward and positioned herself beside Zachary. She grasped his arm and pulled him to face her.

Zachary shook her hand off and brushed away any imaginary contact from his clothes. He curtly said, “What do you—”

“What do you want, Elisa? Stay away from me!”

Elisa scoffed, her face dark with anger. “You’re the one asking, Zachary? I should be the one asking you—what are you doing here?”

She was angrier than Zachary.

Serenity intervened, saying, “We didn’t mean to hide the truth from you, Elisa. I just found out who he really is.”

If Serenity had known that Zachary was the heir Elisa had loved for years and had openly courted, she would never have married him.

“I know,” Elisa replied.

Turning her gaze to Serenity, she continued, “You wouldn’t have suggested I pursue him if you knew your husband was Mr. York. No wife would assist her romantic rival in chasing her husband.”

Serenity was not the type to compete with another woman for a man.

Elisa understood Serenity well. Serenity had adopted a practical view of love, likely because she was too mature to believe in fairytales.

After their marriage, Serenity began to develop feelings for her husband. Their relationship grew steadily as they spent time together; it took time to truly know one another and adjust to each other’s presence.

Elisa criticized Zachary, “I can’t believe you deceived Serenity for so long, Zachary. No wonder I never saw you when I visited. It explains why you couldn’t come to my family’s house with Serenity. You have never been honest with her! I was left wondering how you always seemed one step ahead when I followed Serenity’s advice to pursue you. You already knew about the plan.

“You knew that Serenity and I are best friends. I bet you enjoyed making fools of both of us when she encouraged me to chase after you. You could have said something. Even if I was desperate for your love, I would have stopped bothering you.

“You kept your marriage to Serenity a secret while pretending everything was fine.”

I enjoyed the courtship, even though you never acknowledged my feelings. You didn’t even allow me into your office building; it was entirely one-sided. You were unmarried, and I was single. Despite my love being unreciprocated, I felt no shame.

“Everyone is entitled to pursue their happiness, but you made me the other woman in my cousin’s marriage. It’s not as if you are the only one for me.”