I Refuse to Divorce!
Chapter 61

It was already morning by the time Mason had handled the companymatters.

He quickly freshened up and prepared to leave. Ava gazed at herboss's handsome face, feeling a bit disoriented. Despite both of themworking through the night, she had reapplied her makeup severaltimes, but Mason still looked sharp and vibrant.

Coincidentally, there were a few executives in the conference room. Inan attempt to appear close to Mason, Ava positioned herself nearbyand cheerfully asked, "Mr. Mason, would you like to have breakfastfirst, or shall we head home? I've ordered your favorite cream puffs.”Mason wasn't fond of sweets. The only time he praised cream puffswas when Zoe made them.

Ava, unaware of this fact, assumed it was the master chef at Daffordwho made them, so she ordered them several times.

Every time, Mason left it for the driver.

Now, as Ava brought it up again, Mason remembered that Zoe hadn'tmade any pastries for him in a long time. In the past, Zoe would alwaysbring him freshly made treats to taste when he worked in the study. Herface would be filled with anticipation.

She probably wanted him to compliment her.

However, he was always indifferent, taking a bite and then ignoring therest. Zoe would then look disappointed.

Mason drifted off, and Ava couldn't help urging, "Mr. Mason?"

Mason snapped out of his thoughts, looking at Ava's expectant face. Heresponded in a detached tone, "It's time to go home."

This kind of rejection left Ava feeling awkward.

Mason didn't care about her emotions. He took the exclusive elevatordown to the parking garage and got into his car. Despite feeling tiredand needing rest, he couldn't shake the urge to visit the hospital andcheck on his wife.

In less than half an hour, Mason appeared in the VIP ward of LockwoodHospital.

The corridor was quiet.

Zoe's room door was slightly ajar. Through the gap, Mason saw her onthe phone, her voice softly audible through the crack.

"Mia, I'm doing fine... Yes, I'm performing outstation. The pay is quitegood. Don't worry, Mason hasn't given me a hard time."

After a few more words with Mia, Zoe hung up.

Mason was about to push the door open when he froze. Zoe wascrying, lying on the pillow.

He silently stood at the doorway, observing Zoe's tearful state. Itreminded him of the past when she used to cry in hiding, like a child.He didn't know when she grew up.

She rarely cried nowadays.

It seemed like it was from the time the Sanders family fell into troubleand Noah was taken into custody.

Mason never paid attention.

He also remembered the night at the hotel when he forcefully took heron the couch, and she resisted so vehemently.

'Is she crying because of that? Did engaging in that act with mebecome so unbearable for Zoe now?’

Mason wasn't a saint. His view on marriage was straightforward. Therecould be no love, but there must be physical intimacy. Without the basicphysical connection between husband and wife, a marriage couldn't besustained.

He gently closed the door, not wanting to disturb Zoe.

Mason walked to the end of the hallway, took out a cigarette from hispocket, and lit it. Holding the cigarette between his fingers, he slowlyinhaled.

He looked out the window.

The autumn chill was in the air, and the red maple leaves resembledflames.

After about half an hour, a nurse approached him cautiously and said,"Mr. Mason, Mrs. Zoedoesn't seem to have much appetite today. Shedidn't touch the breakfast we sent over. Would you like me to persuadeher?"