My Child and I Married a Billionaire

Chapter 118: Chapter 118: Don’t Tell Me There’s Someone on the Outside

Simone Vaughn was miserable at home. In fact, she’d been wanting to marry Zeke Walton for some time.

But despite dropping hints, both subtle and obvious, time and time again, Zeke Walton never took the bait. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Just as she was stewing in frustration, her mother decided to get personally involved and push for the wedding.

She quickly grabbed her phone and called Zeke Walton.

At the hospital, Zeke Walton had stayed by Shane Grant’s side all through the previous night.

Shane Grant felt bad and told him to go home, saying the doctors and nurses could take care of him, but Zeke Walton simply refused to leave.

Not only did he refuse to leave, but he also drove out first thing in the morning to buy him a special breakfast.

Years ago, Shane Grant had suffered a terrible blow. His wife had passed away after a car accident, giving birth to their son via C-section.

To keep from drowning in grief, he poured all his energy into work. Due to overexertion, his leg injury from the accident never properly healed, even after all these years.

Yesterday, he’d twisted it badly again, resulting in a fractured tibia. The doctor said it would be at least three months before he could walk on it.

His leg was in a cast and elevated in a sling. Forget washing his face or brushing his teeth—even using the toilet had become a major challenge.

This turn of events made Zeke Walton ecstatic. He’d been worrying about how to get closer to him, and now, heaven had delivered the perfect opportunity.

Returning with breakfast, he helped Shane Grant wash his face and brush his teeth in bed, then thoughtfully brought a spoonful of congee to his lips.

"It’s shredded chicken congee from Walden’s Curios. Have it while it’s hot."

’He helped me with the bedpan yesterday, and he just washed my face and brushed my teeth. How can I possibly let him feed me, too?’

Shane Grant held out his hands. "I can get it myself."

"It’s awkward for you while you’re lying down. Let me."

"It’s fine. I’m not used to being taken care of like this. Besides, you’ve done too much already. I’ll do it myself."

As they went back and forth, Shane Grant’s hand brushed against his fingers.

It wasn’t their first time making physical contact—there had been plenty of that yesterday when Zeke was helping him—but it was the first time for a touch so fleeting and gentle. Zeke Walton’s heart began to pound.

’It was nothing, really, but a sweetness like honey flooded his heart.’

"It’s no big deal. Feeding you isn’t going to tire me out, so stop refusing."

Seeing how insistent he was, Shane Grant stopped protesting and simply smiled.

"For someone your age and of your standing to be so gentle and considerate is truly rare. Zeke, the woman who marries you will be very fortunate." freēwēbηovel.c૦m

His praise made Zeke even happier.

"Really? So you think living with me would be a blessing?"

"Of course. Even a grown man like me finds it pleasant, so a girl would be completely swept off her feet. You must have a girlfriend, right? Have you told her you’re here with me? Don’t neglect her on my account."

’He said he finds it pleasant? He said he likes being taken care of by me?’ Zeke was so ecstatic he felt like he could jump for joy.

"I’m still young, no rush to find a girlfriend. Besides, I don’t like women. They’re petty and high-maintenance. I’m much more comfortable spending time with you. Let’s not talk about them."

Shane Grant just chalked it up to him being young and impulsive, speaking with a childish air. He simply smiled and didn’t pursue the topic.

Just as Zeke finished feeding him the last of the congee, his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen. Simone Vaughn.

’Why is she calling me this early? I’m not picking up.’

When her call to Zeke didn’t go through, Simone Vaughn pouted at her mother.

"He’s not picking up. Mom, do you think Zeke has someone else? Another woman on the side? Why else would he treat me this way?"

Her mother considered this. It made sense.

’Men are all the same, always wanting what they don’t have! Zeke is so handsome and young, he must be cheating!’

"Oh, you! What am I going to do with you? You can’t even keep a man wrapped around your finger!"

Simone Vaughn was speechless.

’I probably get it from you. It’s not like you could keep Dad wrapped around *your* finger, either.’

Simone’s mother took the phone and called Mrs. Walton.

’In critical moments, you have to pull the parent card.’

After the call connected and they exchanged some pleasantries, she said,

"Someone sent us some local delicacies from Liaocheng yesterday, along with a lot of seafood. Simone was thinking of Zeke and wanted him to come over and eat with us, but she’s called him several times and can’t get ahold of him. I was worried something might have happened, so I thought I’d call you. Is Zeke okay?"

It was only then that Mrs. Walton remembered Zeke hadn’t come home the previous night.

Since he was a boy and she was used to him running wild, she never thought much of it when he didn’t come home for a day or two. But hearing what Simone’s mother said, a flicker of panic ignited.

"I’m sure he’s fine. I’ll give him a call and find out. Poor Simone, always thinking of Zeke. That ungrateful little brat... I’ll definitely give him a piece of my mind later. I’ll make him call Simone back and go see you. Oh, and Walton just received two high-quality ginseng roots a couple of days ago. I’ll have him bring them over for your health."

After they finished eating, Shane Grant couldn’t sit still and wanted his laptop to do some work. Zeke immediately offered to drive over and get it for him.

Just as he was about to leave the hospital room, he got a call from his mother.

"Mom."

Mrs. Walton sighed in relief. "Simone said she invited you to the Vaughn family’s home for dinner, but you didn’t answer any of her calls. We thought something had happened to you! Where have you been? Why didn’t you come home last night?"

Zeke was speechless.

’She tattles to my mom after one missed call? How can she be so annoying?’

"I couldn’t be bothered to answer her. I don’t want to talk to her; I have an allergy to idiots. Mom, I’ve told you before, I don’t like Simone Vaughn. Don’t expect me to honor some childhood engagement that Grandpa arranged in a muddle-headed moment. You need to tell her, and soon. Tell her to find someone else."

His words left Mrs. Walton sputtering.

"You brat, why are you saying things like that all of a sudden? What’s not suitable about her? I think Simone is smart and beautiful—she’s a perfect match for you! Don’t you ever say that again. What if someone from outside the family overheard? It would damage the relationship between our families!"

’Unsuitable is unsuitable. How does that damage the relationship?’

Zeke was speechless once again.

"Anyway, I’ve made myself clear. It’s up to you what you do about it. I am not going to marry Simone Vaughn. Don’t bring this up with me again."

"You—!" His words successfully infuriated Mrs. Walton.

"You rotten kid, you keep insisting you don’t like Simone... Don’t tell me you’re already seeing someone else? Who is it?"

"I don’t care who it is. Let me tell you right now, it’s impossible! In all of Veridia, no girl is worthy of you except the young lady of the Vaughn family! So you can just forget about it!"

Zeke retorted, "How old do you think I am? Besides, our family isn’t that desperate for money, are we? We still need to rely on a marriage alliance to help the business? How can you be so crass?"

"Of course we do! Who in this world ever thinks they have too much money? Your father and I worked our fingers to the bone to get where we are. If you don’t marry into a family of equal standing, it’s like handing over the fruits of our labor to just anyone! Everything we do is for you! In conclusion, no one else is good enough for you. Break it off with whoever it is, now!"

Zeke hung up, his patience gone.

When he turned around, he saw Shane Grant watching him with an amused, knowing smile.

Zeke grumbled, "Something funny, Shane?"

Shane suppressed his smile. "So, your mom was right? You’re rejecting your family’s arranged marriage because there’s someone you like?"

Zeke hadn’t wanted to discuss this with him, but since Shane had brought it up...

Zeke sat down beside him. "Yes. Shane, can I ask you a few questions?"