Tegan couldn’t respond, and Lorian didn’t press her. Instead, he quietly stayed with her and Lola. After Tegan finished feeding the baby, he thoughtfully helped her button her clothes.Lorian changed Lola’s diaper once more, and gently settled her into her crib. He looked at her face while soothing the baby, but he spoke to Tegan, “I don’t trust anyone else to take care of you.” I don’t trust anyone else, he said. It was a simple statement, but it carried deep meaning and an undeniable intimacy.Tegan couldn’t send him away. She hoped that once they were discharged, he wouldn’t stay at her place indefinitely. She just needed to get through this period.The night grew increasingly quiet. The lights gradually went out. Only a warm, yellow night light was left. In the stillness of the night, their breathing was distinctly audible. Just as Tegan was about to fall asleep, she heard Lorian’s sigh. “I’m so happy to be back here with you.”…Tegan didn’t respond. She pretended to be
Tegan’s body tensed. After a while, she managed to recover and gently struggled: “Lorian?”Compared to her agitation, Lorian seemed nonchalant. His handsome face rested on her thin shoulder, and the high-quality wool shawl felt comfortable against him. Lorian tightened his embrace and drew her closer. His voice was husky and charming. “Come back to Brookesville with me. It has the best medical care and education. It’s most beneficial for Lola to grow up there. Hmm?”Lorian finished speaking, and his dark eyes fixed on Tegan unblinkingly. She lowered her eyelashes and murmured, “Let me go first.”However, Lorian had finally embraced her. So, he was reluctant to let go. Instead, he pulled her even closer. Their bodies pressed together in an intimacy, which was reminiscent of their past as a couple.Tegan couldn't resist Lorian. So, she chose to ignore his impact on her. She looked out at the green leaves and spoke honestly, “I will live here with Lola for the next few years.”Lori
Tegan had just become a mother, and could hardly bear to sleep. She wanted to check on Lola every moment.As the bedroom lights dimmed, Lorian returned to the sofa and lay down. He gently closed his eyes and murmured, “Go to sleep early. I’ll bring Lola over to you at night.”Tegan wanted to refuse but hadn’t spoken yet when Lorian seemed to fall asleep. In the dim light, he lay quietly on the sofa. He stretched one arm out over the baby crib and rocked it gently. The mild rhythmic motion made Tegan’s heart ache.Tegan wasn't made of stone. She could not feel completely indifferent while Lorian showed such tenderness to the baby as well as the way he cared for her. However, it was all too late for them. If Lorian and Tegan's relationship were to be maintained by a child, then it would seem too fragile. She didn’t want to compromise her future. She needed to find a way to talk things through with him, to set boundaries. For example, if Lorian wanted to see Lola, he could wait unt
Tegan admitted that she was indeed moved. After all, a man like Lorian was willing to set aside his status and all his official duties to accompany her through childbirth and postpartum recovery.Lorian was even taking care of Lola day and night, which had made her life quite comfortable over the past half month. She had also become much healthier and fuller.Lorian was so gentle and attentive that it was hard for Tegan to resist. She pressed her face against his as he embraced her. She felt his warmth as she listened to his affectionate words. How could she not be affected? With that said, Tegan still maintained a degree of rationality. She gently pushed him away and said, “I don’t have feelings for you right now.”Tegan tried to get up, but Lorian wouldn’t let go. He wanted to kiss her again. This time, she didn’t let him succeed. She placed her delicate and fair hand over his handsome lips. Tegan murmured softly, “If you keep this up, I’ll have to move away somewhere you can’
Lorian stepped out of the car. He was dressed impeccably and appeared particularly distinguished under the colorful neon lights. At that moment, Kris also exited from the front seat of the car and approached Lorian. She said softly, “Please go inside, Mr. Lorian. Mr. Noah and the Hensley family are already here.”Lorian gave a reserved nod and ascended the steps. The corridor of the business club was long and luxurious, with the crystal chandeliers casting their light on the shadows of the group while they swayed gently. The manager opened the door to a private room for them and said, “This is the room, Mr. Lorian.”Lorian looked inside and saw his parents and the Hensley family seated across from each other, clearly divided. The round table was set with some dishes, but no one seemed interested in eating.Noah and Gwynn let out a sigh of relief when Lorian arrived. Leanna's slender body was tense. She watched the man who almost became her husband walk in. Lorian didn’t look a
Leanna had had a drink. She stood in front of the Rolls-Royce Phantom in a form-fitting and seductive dress. Her arms were opened in a final attempt to win Lorian back, who was sitting inside the car.Lorian quietly observed Leanna from the black Rolls-Royce Phantom. It was true that he had never loved her. On top of that, their engagement had been called off. However, he still felt compelled to get out of the car and speak with her.Leanna's face lit up with surprise. She called out his name and reached out to touch him. However, the indifference in his eyes made her hesitate. Overwhelmed, she shook her head gently and took a step back.Leanna glanced at the villa in the darkness. Then, she looked back at Lorian. Her voice was soft and filled with pain. “You’ve moved back here? From the very beginning, you didn’t want to part ways with Tegan, did you? You were just too proud, too afraid of disappointing her. "Now that she’s given birth to your child, you finally have a legitimate
Lorian said, “Tegan doesn’t want to come back. She wants to stay in Crocksten a bit longer. I’m running back and forth. Sometimes, dealing with women is just impossible.”The servant smiled in agreement. Lorian sat briefly before heading to the study on the second floor. He aimed to finish his work early so he could fly to Crocksten on Friday to see Lola and Tegan, even if it was just for a couple of nights.In the blink of an eye, it was 2:00 am. When the night was quiet, Lorian exited the study and walked into the villa’s corridor. He opened the door to the master bedroom, which he had shared with Tegan. He stood in the center of the room and removed his tie gently.At that moment, he was overwhelmed by longing. Lorian hadn’t expected that Leanna would already travel to Crocksten before he himself had a chance to go there.Back in Crocksten, Tegan sat in a café. She was dressed in a white shirt and a light gray woolen shawl over her. She might've looked delicate and slightly weak
Lorian’s voice was calm and unyielding. “Yes, I’m heartbroken.”Leanna could hardly believe it. She hadn't even done anything to Tegan, and yet he was this protective of the latter. It showed how much he cared. Leanna’s heart ached, but Lorian turned to Tegan and said, “You should go back first. I’ll talk to her for a bit before coming home.”Home? Leanna was stunned. Lorian referred to Tegan’s place as his home, which left her feeling even more bewildered. What did that make her? Was she the former fiancée? Leanna watched as Tegan left. Lorian even helped the latter up thoughtfully, indicating how much he longed to be with Tegan. What did that make Leanna, then?After Tegan left, Lorian’s gaze returned to Leanna. He couldn't smoke inside the café, so he placed his cigarette case on the table as he sat down. His eyes were fixed on Leanna, and his voice was unusually cold. It was a stark contrast to the warmth he had shown in Brookesville. Leanna’s presence in Crocksten had cle