The Billionaire's Heir I Never Knew Was Mine

Zachary raised an eyebrow.

”Why would they hate me?”

”Because you stole their favorite restaurant just so you could take me on a date.”

He chuckled. ”I’ll apologize to them tomorrow.”

”With a discount voucher?”

”I was thinking of paying for everyone’s dessert.”

Sienna laughed harder. ”See? You’re already trying to buy their forgiveness.”

”If it keeps my wife smiling like this, I don’t mind.”

As they continued talking, Zachary gave a slight wave to a staff member.

A familiar waiter soon approached their table carrying a bottle of wine.

After pouring a glass for each of them, the waiter politely excused himself, leaving them alone once again.

Zachary picked up his wine glass but didn’t drink immediately. Instead, he looked at Sienna with a gentle smile.

”Wife,” he said, ”you’re only allowed one glass tonight.”

Sienna smiled knowingly. ”Mr. Sterling, you are so strict.”

”You’ve had enough adventures with alcohol,” Zachary said, amused, knowing they drank non-alcoholic wine.

She laughed, remembering how wine had played a role in more than one unforgettable moment between them.

”Thank you for the reminder.” She lifted her glass and took a small sip before setting it back down. ”I never knew you had such a romantic side, Zach.”

He slowly swirled the wine in his glass before meeting her eyes again.

”I can be anything,” he said with an easy smile, ”if it makes my wife happy.”

His answer made her smile soften.

There was no hesitation in his voice, only quiet sincerity that she could feel in the way he looked at her.

She placed her wine glass on the table and smiled at him with genuine affection.

”Then you’ve already succeeded,” she said softly. ”You make me happier. Much happier than you can imagine.”

A satisfied smile tugged at Zachary’s lips. He lifted his wine glass, took a slow sip, and kept his eyes on Sienna.

”So,” he asked casually, ”tell me... have you ever dated anyone before?”

The sudden question caught Sienna off guard.

She lowered her gaze to the wine in her glass instead of answering right away, gently swirling it as she searched for the right words.

Watching her hesitation, Zachary chuckled.

”My wife,” he teased, ”you look like you’re trying to count.”

Sienna looked back at him and couldn’t help laughing at the jealous curiosity on his face.

”There was only one,” she admitted. ”It happened during my third year of high school. We dated for a while, but after graduation he moved to another city. Then my life became... too complicated for any romance, so we slowly lost touch.”

She shrugged lightly. ”That was the beginning and the end of my dating history.”

Zachary looked genuinely surprised.

”After that?” he asked. ”You seriously never dated anyone again?”

His expression clearly said he found that difficult to believe.

Sienna smiled faintly before shaking her head.

”Never—!” She paused for a moment, then continued in a quieter voice. ”You already know what happened after I entered college. All my life, I felt like I was living in hell because of my father. It got worse after I entered adult life. It was hard, and it was hurtful, but I refuse to let it shape me into a bitter, cynical woman.”

The smile on Zachary’s face disappeared.

The moment he saw the sadness pass through her eyes, he regretted asking the question.

He knew better than anyone what she had endured.

She had spent years caring for her sick father, carrying responsibilities that should never have fallen on someone so young. She had sacrificed her youth, her freedom, and even her future. In the end, she had accepted becoming a surrogate because she desperately needed money for his surgery.

Thinking about everything she had gone through made his chest ache.

Without saying anything, Zachary reached across the table and gently took her hand.

His thumb slowly stroked the back of her hand, silently telling her she no longer had to carry those painful memories alone.

Sienna understood exactly what he was thinking. She smiled reassuringly and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

”I’m okay now,” she said softly. ”I have you... and Sky.”

Her simple words were enough to make him look into her eyes.

”Sienna,” he said sincerely, ”I promise I’ll never let your life become that difficult again. From now on, I’ll do everything I can to make sure you only walk toward happiness.”

His voice wasn’t loud, nor was it dramatic. It was calm, steady, and filled with quiet determination.

Sienna didn’t know how to respond to such a heartfelt promise. She simply smiled.

Sometimes, she realized, a smile carried more gratitude than words ever could.

At that moment, several servers arrived with their meals.

The delicious aroma of freshly cooked steaks quickly filled the air as the dishes were placed neatly on the table.

Once the staff politely excused themselves, the couple began enjoying their dinner together.

For a few minutes, they talked about lighter things while eating.

However, as Sienna cut another piece of steak, the gossip she had read a few days ago suddenly came back to her.

She hesitated. Part of her didn’t want to ruin the pleasant atmosphere, but another part wanted to hear the truth directly from Zachary.

After another minute of debating with herself, she finally gathered the courage to ask.

”Zach...”

He looked up from his plate.

”Hmm?”

”How about you?” she asked carefully. ”How many exes do you have?”

Zachary froze for a second, clearly surprised by the unexpected question.

Seeing his reaction, Sienna smiled mischievously. ”Oh?” she teased. ”Now you’re the one counting?”

He laughed.

Setting down his knife and fork, he picked up his napkin and calmly wiped the corner of his mouth before looking at her again.

”Just like you,” he answered confidently. ”Only one.”

Sienna blinked. She wanted to believe him. But this was Zachary Sterling. He was handsome, successful, wealthy, and admired by countless women.

It was difficult to imagine that only one woman had ever managed to become his girlfriend.

Her doubtful expression must have been obvious because Zachary smiled knowingly.

”I don’t think my wife believes me.”

Sienna didn’t answer. Instead, Jessica Simmons’ name quietly surfaced in her thoughts.

She lowered her fork.

So...” Sienna said carefully, ”...was Jessica Simmons... your ex?”