Grayson crossed his legs as he lazily scrolled on his phone. Robert was making a call in the yard while Scott was sitting on the sofa and watching some television. There were snacks and fruits on the coffee table that he was helping himself to. He acted as if it was his own house.After a second, Belle said, "Don't just sit there. Come help make the ravioli."Grayson glanced at Belle. Before he could get up, Scott ran over enthusiastically. "I don't know how to make them."Belle was full of disdain. "If you don't know how to make ravioli, why'd you run over so quickly?"After that, she asked Grayson, "Do you know how to make them?"Only then did he walk over. "Yeah.""Really?"Grayson rolled up his sleeves as he said, "It's easy. Only idiots wouldn't know how to make ravioli."Scott knew Grayson was talking about him. "Quit bragging. Are you saying you know how to do this? Looks like pigs are about to fly."Ignoring him, Grayson washed his hands before saying to Yolanda, "Mo
Belle was speechless. "It's not like we're really alone. There's Patrick, Scott, Yolanda, and Claire. Besides, even if we were to spend some time together, what's wrong with that?"Grayson didn't reply. Instead, he asked, "When is Patrick going to get better?"Belle replied, "I don't know, but he seems to be doing much better recently.""Can he go back home to rest now?""I can't tell yet.""Why don't we just give it a try?"Belle pouted. "It's not like you have to watch him."When she noticed how Grayson was looking at Patrick with disdain, Belle asked, "Do you hate kids or something?""Depends on whose family they belong to," he replied. "Do you like kids?""Yes! They're so cute and chubby. They're adorable."Without thinking, Grayson said, "If you like them so much, I'll make one."Belle glared at him. "Are you crazy? You're a guy. How can you make kids?""Well, you'll have the kid.""Then why did you say you'd make it?""We'll make it together."Belle had to think ab
Belle wanted to protest, but she couldn't make a noise. She couldn't push him away either.It wasn't their first time kissing, but she still felt lightheaded.It was made worse when she realized that she could feel a certain hardness against her thigh that was growing hotter the more they kissed. She felt her ears burning from embarrassment. She wanted to kick him away, but she was powerless after less than a minute.She felt like he was sucking her soul out through her mouth. Her bones seemed to turn to jelly, and she didn't have any energy to fight back.However, not only was she not fighting back, but she was even thinking about …"Belle?" A timid, young voice suddenly called out.Belle jolted and immediately found the energy to shove him off her.She was more panicked than ever when she met Patrick's clear, innocent gaze. "I … He …"She wanted to scream. Instead, she scratched her head and fibbed, "I'm going to the bathroom, okay?" She spoke as gently as she could to Patr
Grayson didn't return until the sun came up. He had clearly taken a shower and changed out of his old pajamas. Belle could smell the scent of body wash.Belle looked at him with gritted teeth. "You pervert."Grayson narrowed his eyes and said coolly, "You deserved it."Belle glared at him. "Why did I deserve it? What did I do?""You talked too much."Belle looked confused. "How did I talk too much?"Grayson didn't explain any further. He just said, "Next time you do something out of line, I'll kiss you."Belle's face was bright red. "Just try and kiss me again, I swear—"Grayson leaned in and kissed her.Belle was pissed. "You! I'm going to kill you!"As she spoke, she raised a hand as if to slap him. Grayson quickly tilted his chin in the direction of Patrick. "Do you want to wake him up?"Belle's face was still red from anger. "You're such a pervert!""You told me to kiss you.""You—"She couldn't beat him up since Patrick was still there. She knew she wouldn't win an a
Belle glared at him. When she noticed it was Grayson in the room, she was even angrier and threw another pillow at him. Grayson ducked easily and bent down to get the pillow. After dusting it off, he walked to Belle.Belle picked up another pillow and threw it at him. When she ran out of pillows, she threw the blanket at him. Then, she threw her phone and a bunch of decorations from the headboard at him.Grayson pressed her wrists against the bed, stopping her from throwing things at him.He pinned her down and narrowed his eyes. "What are you so angry about?"Belle gritted her teeth. "Asshole! Let me go!""Are you getting shy?" Grayson asked."No!" Belle argued despite having a bright red face.Grayson thought she looked extra cute like that. He couldn't help but chuckle. "Why are you so mad?""How could you even ask me that? Don't even try to act like you don't know!""I really don't. Are you embarrassed or something?"Angrily, Belle said, "Why did you kiss me? If you had
Belle looked doubtful.Grayson said, "They know about us."Belle finally believed him. She let out a long sigh of relief and managed to relax. After a brief pause, she complained, "Why didn't you say that earlier? I was so stressed out!"Grayson replied, "You started throwing things at me the moment I walked in. When was I supposed to say anything?""How could you blame me for that? It was all your fault!"Grayson chuckled. "If you had talked to me nicely, I wouldn't have kissed you. If you're mean to me again, I'll just kiss you again."Belle's eyes widened. "Grayson! You—"Grayson found her adorable. He couldn't help but reach out and pinch her cheek. "I'm just kidding. Let's go have breakfast."Belle didn't reply.When they went downstairs, none of the others brought up what had happened just now, nor did they tease her.Belle thought they really believed what Grayson had told them. In actuality, they could tell that Belle was embarrassed and didn't want to push her.Afte
Grayson stood there and shook his head slightly. After spending a few days with Patrick, he had begun to form opinions about children. Children often preferred to be with their biological mothers. He wondered if having a child with Belle would create a potential rival for her affections.Belle was puzzled and asked, " If you don't want children, why do you keep talking about them?"Grayson countered, "Do you like children?"Belle neither nodded nor shook her head. She just said, "I'm fine with anything."After she finished speaking, she thought of something and asked Grayson, "Are you going to the office today?""What about you?" he responded."I want to go. If I don't, I don't even know when I'll be able to quit the job," she replied. Grayson initially wanted Belle to take a break at home because she had been looking after Patrick like a full-time mom. He could tell she was tired.But since she wanted to go to the office, he didn't want to stop her. Her happiness was what
Belle changed the topic and asked, "What about your brother?""He's resting at home," Ginger replied."Didn't you both go out and have fun?"Ginger explained, "We went out for a day, but most of the time, I'm at work. And sometimes he's busy too."Belle inquired, "What's he busy with?""He works in seafood sales, so occasionally, he has to go pick up shipments."Belle narrowed her eyes for a moment and then asked, "Is he planning to stay in Maltford for good?""Most likely. We've bought a house here. He probably wouldn't want to leave. I'm thinking of helping him find a stable job in Maltford so that he can quit his job over there," Ginger responded.Belle made a quiet acknowledgement, but the thought of Gabriel made her feel uneasy.Belle couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about that young man, especially after Henrietta's death. Even though they had found the culprit, she couldn't help but feel uneasy.But seeing Ginger's cheerful demeanor in recent days, she