When fate plays its hand
Posted on July 27, 2025 ยท 0 mins read
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To be precise, Phoebe and Maggie were watching Winter and Zach from upstairs.

Phoebe said, โ€œLook at them. Theyโ€™re so sweet.โ€

Maggie remarked, โ€œIโ€™ve never seen Mr. Zach this proactive with any girl before.โ€

Phoebe replied, โ€œWinter isnโ€™t just any woman. Regardless of her background or upbringing, she stands out. That rascal finally did something right. If he ends up with her, Iโ€™d be happy even in my dreams.โ€

โ€œWait, why does Mr. Zach look unhappy?โ€

โ€œReally?โ€ Phoebe narrowed her eyes to look closely. โ€œHe does look a little. Donโ€™t you think Winter seems a bit tense?โ€

The couple was close, so that shouldnโ€™t be the case.

On the contrary, Zach said, โ€œDonโ€™t move. My mom is starting to suspect something.โ€

Winter asked, โ€œHow long has she been standing there?โ€

โ€œShe was there before you answered the phone.โ€

Her heart raced, and she felt even more guilty now.

Phoebe said, โ€œWhy are you just holding her without doing anything?โ€

Winter heard that loud and clear. She was responsible, so the situation she found herself in was hers to resolve. She looked intently at Zach and said, โ€œKiss me.โ€

He was flabbergasted.

โ€œWhat are you waiting for? Hurry up!โ€ she urged.

Zachโ€™s Adamโ€™s apple bobbed as his gaze grew more intense, like a bottomless abyss swirling with a mysterious whirlpool. In the next moment, he wrapped his arms around Winterโ€™s slim waist and kissed her with a dominating intensity that left no room for refusal.

Winter gasped and was overwhelmed. The kiss was warm and fervent, with lips and tongues entwining.

Phoebe said, โ€œOh dear! Theyโ€™re kissing. Maggie, we should get out of here before we make things awkward for them.โ€

โ€œYouโ€™re right.โ€

Phoebe walked away.

Suddenly, there was a sharp sound.

Zach was bewildered. โ€œWaitโ€ฆ Why did you slap me?โ€

Winterโ€™s legs felt weak. โ€œWhy the hell did you kiss me?โ€

She didnโ€™t slap him but gave him a light smack to push him away. It was different from a proper slap.

โ€œDidnโ€™t you tell me to go for it?โ€

Winter gritted her teeth. โ€œI meant pretend.โ€

โ€œMy mom has a keen eye. If I donโ€™t make it look real, do you think sheโ€™ll believe me?โ€

She thought, โ€œWhat the hell does he mean by โ€˜realโ€™? Seriously?โ€

Zach continued, โ€œBesides, if Iโ€™m kissing you, Iโ€™m the one losing out. Do you know how many women would line up to kiss me?โ€

Winter shot back with a sarcastic smile. โ€œWhat a coincidence! Plenty of men out there want to kiss me, too.โ€

โ€œYouโ€ฆโ€ He was momentarily at a loss for words. After a pause, he muttered, โ€œAre their kissing skills better than mine?โ€

Winter smirked. โ€œYouโ€™re pretty average. Iโ€™ve been with better.โ€

Zach was taken aback.

Phoebe echoed from upstairs. โ€œWinter, are you ready? Itโ€™s time for the anti-aging session.โ€

โ€œComing!โ€ Just as she turned to head upstairs, she realized her phone was on the couch and returned to grab it.

Liam sounded pitiful while waiting for affection earlier, and she had hung up on him unexpectedly. He was probably anxious now, so she thought she needed to message him.

However, Zach was quicker. He snatched up her phone and held it firmly in his hand.

โ€œHey, what are you doing? Give it back!โ€

He replied, โ€œWhat do you need your phone for? Canโ€™t you focus on spending time with my mom? Who knows what you might let slip if you get too distracted?โ€

Winter felt that he had a point, so she headed upstairs.

Zach glanced at the phone in his hand, and his jaw clenched tightly.

That morning, Miranda left for school. She couldnโ€™t help but glance next door.


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