She Got A Better Man

Chapter

10

It seems Tracy's grand plan had indeed put them in quite the bind, considering she had never owned anything less than a sprawling residence for her little schernes.

Zach watched Tracy's plot unfold before him. Despite his initial resistance, he found himself unable to say no to her, ultimately agreeing to stay.

Elvira suggested she should share a room with Tracy for the night, to be on hand if needed.

However, Tracy insisted she sleep alone, claiming she was a light sleeper and wouldn't rest well with someone else nearby.

Seeing Tracy's point, Elvira didn't push further. It was only after stepping out that she realized they had a serious logistics issue - there were only two bedrooms in the place.

This meant if Tracy took one room, Elvira and Zach would inevitably end up sharing the other.

Zach, noticing Elvira frozen in place, figured she had just pieced together the awkward situation ahead.

"I can crash on the couch," Elvira suggested, masking her discomfort with a strained smile.

Zach shot her a skeptical look. The couch is a tight fit for a kid, let alone us. How's that gonna work?" His tone mixed annoyance with a hint of humor. It was clear neither of them would fit. "So, what's the plan?" Elvira's voice was laced with concern, seeking a solution.

"Guess I'll hit the floor. You get ready for bed, Zach said, fetching his pajamas.

Returning to their makeshift bedroom, the cramped space and the barely sufficient bedding made Elvira feel a pang of guilt for the luxuries Tracy had lavished on her.

"She lives in this shoebox, yet she spoils me rotten with clothes, Elvira thought remorsefully.

floor. Dressed only in

aren't you changing into pajamas?" Zach asked,

replied, not wanting to wear her day clothes

was hesitant to change into pajamas, Zach was momentarily taken aback by the revealing styles in the

He then quickly offered her one of his shirts as a makeshift nightgown, saying, "Here, make do with this for the

Zach's

changed into the shirt and returned,

call it a night, Elvira in his shirt stopped him dead

wore his white shirt, which barely reached her knees, revealing her fair legs. The unbuttoned top revealed her graceful collarbones and her innocent yet seductive face made Zach

the light and getting into bed, Elvira didn't notice Zach's agitation, Lying down, she suggested, "Mr. Gilbert, how about we hire a full-time nurse for Tracy? Living alone at her age, especially with her health, isn't safe." Zach, who knew the house was already staffed to the brim, couldn't help but marvel at Tracy's elaborate setup to

closer.

about the costs.

her offer to share the financial burden. "You really mean that? Joining forces to care

1/2 Chapter 10

some. You're okay with this burden?" Before, his mention of financial strain would've sent anyone running. Yet, Elvira's response was heartwarmingly different. "Of course," Elvira said earnestly. "Even though our marriage started unconventional, we're legally married. I've got some money saved up, and we can always figure something out. Isn't sticking together through tough times what families do?" In the darkness, Zach could barely make out Elvira's silhouette but her

can try borrowing from a friend, too, Elvira added, wanting to ease any

for a loan, prioritizing the urgent need over all else. As Elvira drifted to sleep, Zach lay awake, her proximity and the

leading to an unintended, intimate collision. With Elvira falling onto Zach, their lips met in the

fell silent, charged with an unspoken

Elvira, only half-dressed, found the buttons of her shirt undone, bringing them dangerously close, skin to skin. The impracticality of Tracy's lingerie

parted, Elvira's instinct was to scream. But Zach quickly covered her mouth

am I not supposed to?'

to distance herself, her fingers fumbling with the buttons in a frantic attempt to reclaim some dignity. But Zach's burning