Their Mistake, Her Rise - Chapter 263: Chapter 263

Shawn's sun-kissed skin contrasted with unfairly perfect lashes—handsome enough to stop hearts. Zoe, rarely swayed by looks, itched to brush his eyelashes first. The panic over sharing a bed took a backseat to those tempting lashes she didn't notice before.
Her fingers hovered close, but Shawn's eyes suddenly fluttered open. Zoe jerked her hand back and shot upright. "You moved me to the bed?" she accused.
"Yeah," Shawn said, crisp as a military report.
Zoe's hand clamped around his throat, voice icy. "Know what happened to the last man who tried to take advantage of me?"
Shawn held her gaze, unflinching. "What about someone you try to do that? How'll you settle that ?"
Zoe froze. He'd seen her reaching for him. Her ears burned crimson as she released him and scrambled back.
"Hey! Did I scare you?" Nolan suddenly burst through the door, barging in just as she was about to reach the door.
Nolan's sudden entrance startled Zoe. Since the bed was only a couple of steps away, she was caught completely off guard and tumbled right onto Shawn.
Shawn let out a muffled groan. The gashes that had finally clotted overnight split open again, blood seeping through his shirt. Zoe, who'd been trying to keep her distance, lunged forward, yanking his shirt up.
His wounds had split open again. Zoe frowned deeply, not even noticing the panic sharpening her gaze.
Nolan skidded to a stop beside them, paling at the crimson soaking through Shawn's shirt. "What happened to him, Zoe?"
Shawn forced a grin. "Just a pilot's badge."
Nolan paled. "If bleeding's part of it, I quit. That's scary. No way I'm being a pilot."
Nolan's words made Shawn chuckle, but it tugged at his wound again. Seeing this, Zoe felt frustration rising in her chest.
Zoe smacked Shawn's head. "Stop moving. Be careful of your wounds."
Shawn obeyed, grinning like a man thoroughly owned by his wife.
Zoe redid his bandages with medecine, meticulous.
Nolan sprawled on his stomach, chin propped in his hands, eyes wide. "Zoe, you're amazing ."
Shawn smirked, mischief glinting. "Zoe can do lots of cool stuff. Want a demo?"
"Yeah, of course." Nolan clapped his hands in excitement.
Zoe glared at Shawn—injured but incorrigible. The "ruthless warrior" from rumors was just a troublemaker now.
But Nolan's eager gaze melted her resolve. She stood up and flowed through a martial arts sequence, polished from years of orphanage performances for entertaining kids. Nolan watched, awestruck.
When Zoe finished, Nolan grabbed her hand and shook it eagerly. "Wow, Zoe, you're awesome. I want to learn that too. Will you teach me, please?"
Zoe smiled, "Sure, but I have to take care of Shawn first, okay?"
Just then, Lara came in carrying breakfast, sighing, "Nolan's a menace. Sorry for causing you two trouble again."
Zoe replied calmly, "We're the ones intruding." She took the breakfast from Lara and got ready to feed Shawn.
Lara tried to pull her son away, but Nolan dug in his heels. "I'm staying. Zoe said she'd teach me martial arts. I want to stay and learn."
"Let him stay," Zoe quickly said, stopping Lara when she looked ready to scold him.
Lara sighed in resignation, "Fine, but if he acts up again, smack him."
"I'll be good, Mom," Nolan pouted, still looking a little defiant.
Lara let out another sigh and left the room.
True to his word, he helped tend Shawn, desperate to learn martial arts sooner.
Once Zoe finished, she drilled him on basics. Nolan mirrored every move with laser focus, dusting himself off after each fall. Zoe was strict during teaching—a crooked stance earned instant correction.
Nolan fell again, and this time he scraped his palm so badly it started to bleed. He was just a kid, so tears immediately welled up in his eyes.
"Don't cry," Zoe snapped coldly.
Hearing her scolding, Nolan couldn't hold it in anymore and burst into loud sobs.
"Nolan, come over here," Shawn called.
Still crying, Nolan shuffled over to Shawn's side.
"Shawn, you can't coddle him." Zoe stopped Shawn. Then she said to Nolan, "You want to learn martial arts? Pain's part of it." Zoe's tone was firm, almost harsh. Mercy was never her style.
Nolan, intimidated by Zoe's sternness, hiccupped through his tears. "You're mean. I quit."
"He's just a kid. Ease up," Shawn said gently from the side.
But Zoe still wouldn't back down. "Come here," she insisted.
"No!" Nolan protested.
Zoe and Shawn were clearly at odds about how to handle Nolan.
Just then, Lara, hearing Nolan's cries, came in and couldn't help but laugh. "You two bicker like an old married couple for over a decade. Imagine when you have your own kids."
Her words painted such a vivid picture that Zoe was left speechless.
Shawn, on the other hand, just smiled, "Lara, thank you for everything."
"Oh, Our pleasure. We're just happy we could help you two," Lara replied warmly.
"Honey! Lend a hand—today's haul's huge." Gavin's voice suddenly called from outside.
Lara sprinted out; Zoe trailed behind. As guests, she felt obliged to help. As Zoe left the room, Shawn got up from the bed as well.
Shawn, still shaky, leaned against the doorframe and watched them unload the boat.
The haul was indeed massive today—two overflowing barrels. Lara and Gavin beamed as this catch meant extra income. For fishermen, happiness was simple: a safe voyage and a full net.
For Zoe and Shawn, this quiet rhythm—the cozy air, the family, the uncomplicated joy—was the life they craved once the wars ended.