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.

made the bed on the floor. Dressed only in

into pajamas?" Zach asked, eyeing her

good with the robe," she replied, not wanting to wear her day clothes again due to the lingering

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

sleepwear. He then quickly offered her one

turned Zach's shirt into a perfect

the shirt

as 2 Zach was about to call it a night, Elvira in his shirt stopped him dead

barely reached her knees, revealing her fair legs. The unbuttoned top revealed her graceful collarbones and her

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

closer.

silence for concern over expenses, Elvira quickly added, "Look, don't worry about the costs. I've got savings, and we can handle

burden. "You really mean

1/2 Chapter 10

cover it all. I have to borrow 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 words struck deep,

a friend, too, Elvira added, wanting to ease any pressure on

Thinking he was overwhelmed, Elvira lay there planning to ask Olivia for a

woke them both, leading to an unintended, intimate collision. With Elvira falling onto Zach, their

fell silent, charged with

buttons of her shirt undone, bringing them dangerously close, skin to skin. The impracticality of

their lips parted, Elvira's instinct was to scream. But Zach quickly covered her mouth with his hand and

How the hell am I not supposed to?' Elvira

a frantic attempt