Zen's Pov
"Yes, I'm back, and I can see you're busy…" I say, moving closer to the bed.
"Hmmmm," she hums, still focused, not acknowledging me.
"Zara, can we talk for a minute?" I ask, leaning in next to her.
She pauses, looks down at me, and considers my presence silently, weighing whether the conversation is worth her time.
"You have five minutes. After that, I'm done listening," she says, her tone final, yet her hands continue their work.
I nod, take a breath, and gather my thoughts. "Regarding this morning, I realize my words were out of line. Grandma and Grandpa were right; I was inconsiderate to prioritize my work over you. I shouldn't have—"
"It's fine, Zen. This isn't a real marriage, and we aren't in a relationship. You're free to do what you want, and I'll keep focusing on my work," she replies with a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes.
