New World with Four Husbands

Chapter 702: A dam broken

The night passed, and morning crept over the horizon.

Coco had stayed at the castle since she rushed there at the late hours of night. Then, she dined with Cleora for breakfast.

Now, as she made her way down the road leading to her house, she paused, her gaze slowly traveling up the modern structure— the sunlight dancing against the windows, morning light spilling over the house, it’s clean lines and glass glinting under the sun, but even in the warm, bright morning, her brow remained furrowed.

Still wrestling with Cleora’s words, still uncertain of how to break the news to her spouses.

Coco resumed her walk, her feet carrying her down the road until she stepped through the gate, her gaze lingering on her home.

She chewed absently at her lower lip as she walked toward the front door.

The news burned in her chest.

How would she tell them that the wedding will be officiated by the kingdom’s crown princess just so she, and her mother, can find out whether the princess is actually Carina?

Would they be furious? Confused? Worse.. Disappointed that Cleora managed to convince her to do so?

Her hand hovered over the doorknob, teeth chewing on the dead skin on her bottom lip, still thinking hard about what to say, then after another minute.. She finally twisted it open.

Rukiyo entered the house, quietly closing the door behind her.

"I’m home." She announced her arrival, her voice weaker than usual, still feeling afraid of what her husbands might think about what she, and her mother, is planning.

The words hung in the air, the silence stretching.. And then, from the right side inside the house, came the sounds of quiet movement.

The familiar sound of the front door opening had caught all four of her husbands’ attention.

They each looked up at each other when they heard her enter, but the usual warmth and affection in their eyes shifted with concern at the uncharacteristic quiet in her words.

"Coco?"

The sound of Zaque’s voice had an instant effect on Coco, her shoulders tensing further, jaw clenching involuntarily, and she swallowed hard, trying to calm the anxiety swirling in her chest.

It would be fine. She thought, inhaling sharply and exhaling shakily.

She could do this, right? She had faced the hardest trials life could throw at her, so this should be easy! But even though she thinks that, she still couldn’t help feeling nervous.

This is her planning her wedding to Kairo as an excuse to have the princess come over— to check if she is Carina.

She was thrilled at the thought of finally meeting Carina after months of grieving last night, and she was all smiles about it, but after sleeping in the confines of her mother’s castle and getting her well-deserved rest..

She realized just how fucked up it sounded.

Shaking off her nerves, she tried to summon her best casual tone, even clearing her throat.

She called back, voice slightly too high. "Yeah?"

A frown tugged at Zaque’s handsome features, concern clear in the furrowing of his brow.

He shared a confused glance with the other men sitting around the table— Alhai, Heiren, Quizen, and Kairo.

The sudden tension in the air was thick, the mood shifting abruptly.

Alhai raised a brow and tore his gaze away from the book he was reading, Heiren paused in the middle of preparing Coco’s favorite chocolate sandwich, Quizen stopped scribbling words onto his composition book beside Alhai, and Kairo’s hand halt mid-air while he was about to drink from his tea, his gaze was sharp.

All of them showed concern in their own way, and all of them shifted their gaze to Zaque.

Check on her, their gazes told him.

So, Zaque pushed back from the table and stood up, his hand drifting to his stomach unconsciously, still getting used to the weight there, before he took a few steps toward the doorway, pausing to glance back at the others.

Alhai gave him a single nod while Heiren raised an eyebrow— and that’s all he needed as a last push before he focused on Coco.

He moved out the dining room doorway, his gaze searching for his beloved wife and found her standing awkwardly by the front door, an obvious look of worry in her eyes.

"There you are." The mediator called, voice soft. "We were wondering where you were, but we knew that your mother had you stay the night."

Coco pursed her lips and her gaze fell to the mediator’s stomach, her face softening from tension at the sight of the small, noticeable bump. "Mmn, yeah, she did.. Forgive me for not coming back home last night."

"It’s fine." Zaque chuckled and approached her, his steps careful. "Anyway, is everything alright..? You sound off."

Coco’s gaze dropped to his stomach, lingering there for a heartbeat too long— then snapped back up to meet his eyes, and there was a reason why she looked at his stomach first.

The moment their gazes locked, something in her heart cracked open.

Before she knew it, tears spilled over her face like a dam had broken— her breath hitching as she fought the sudden rush of emotion.

She didn’t even try to speak; just let out a shaky gasp before turning her head away sharply.

Kairo was the first to react to the sound of sobbing, darting up from his chair and dropping his cup, making his cup splash tea across the table as he pushed himself to his feet and rush towards the doorway of the dining room— just in time to see Zaque pull Coco into a comforting embrace.

The pair stood a few feet away from him, Zaque’s arms wrapped protectively around her form with his hand smoothing over her hair as she wept silently into his chest.

Zaque and Kairo shared a glance, before Zaque’s eyes flickered behind Kairo.

The other mediators scrambled behind the hybrid, their faces housing different kinds of expressions as their eyes landed on their crying wife.