He mainly feared that in a moment of excitement, she would take the initiative to find Lydia, which would be awkward.Meanwhile, as Andrew was asking his mother for tips on how to pursue Lydia, Lydia had already started packing."Mom, are we really going out with Uncle Fraine?" Wythe asked, folding his clothes and placing them in his small suitcase.He looked up at Lydia. He knew his parents had divorced, and now his mom was traveling with Uncle Fraine.This clearly meant Uncle Fraine was pursuing her, and from the looks of it, his mom was somewhat accepting his advances.Wythe felt a bit down.He understood what divorce meant. Some kids at his kindergarten had divorced parents, and the looks others gave those kids made him uncomfortable. Plus, he was sad about it himself.Seeing the forlorn look on her son's face, Lydia felt a pang of guilt.Adults' actions often had consequences for their children.She knew the divorce from Lambert had upset Wythe, but he had never complained.If sh
Elegant and refined, Andrew stood beside Lydia. They really did look quite suited to each other.Even though Lambert understood that he had no right to reproach her—after all, he had been the one to initiate the divorce—seeing the woman he loved traveling to France with another man so soon after their separation filled him with a jealousy he couldn't suppress.Yes, jealousy.As much as he hated to admit it, that was the undeniable truth.He was jealous of Andrew, jealous that he could openly stand by Lydia's side, hold her hand without hesitation, and even make her smile.Lambert's long fingers swiped across the screen, hesitating to delete the photos because Lydia was in them.He never realized he could be so indecisive. His lips curled into a self-mocking smile. Since he had chosen to divorce, why was he still so reluctant now?He had been so heartless facing Lydia before; she must hate him by now. Thinking of this, his heart sank.After a moment's thought, Lambert transferred the p
The sudden appearance of someone trying to replace his father should have been unacceptable.So when Wythe said such words to Andrew, he was overjoyed, feeling that this child might accept him."Wythe, I solemnly promise that I will take good care of and cherish Lydia. I will never let her shed a single tear or suffer any harm. I only wish for her to be safe and happy for the rest of her life."Wythe nodded, his big eyes showing a hint of reluctance before turning to relief. "Although it doesn't sound nice, I still have to say it: you must keep your promise. Otherwise, no matter what, I will take Mom away."Andrew breathed a sigh of relief and gently tapped Wythe's nose. "Wythe, you're still a kid. You don't need to worry about so many things. At your age, having fun is the most important thing. If you keep thinking so much, you'll turn into a little old man.""Hmph! If I'm a little old man, then Uncle Fraine, you're a big old man, an ancient old man. Let's see how you chase Mom then!
Wythe's eyes turned red, and he threw himself into Lydia's arms. "Mom, don't worry, I'll grow up quickly so I can protect you!"Lydia was moved, gently stroking Wythe's hair. "Good boy! Mom will protect you too. I won't let anything hurt you."At that moment, there was a sudden knock on the door, followed by Andrew's gentle voice. "I'm sorry to interrupt you two, but dinner is ready. Would you like to eat?"Mother and son exchanged smiles and walked out together. Andrew was already waiting outside. Seeing them, he gave a warm smile. "Finally, you decided to come out. I thought you might forget dinner while talking."Wythe stuck out his tongue. "We weren't just talking. I was helping Uncle Fraine by saying good things about him. Otherwise, who knows when Uncle Fraine will finally win over Mom!"Lydia blushed slightly and gently coughed to remind Wythe to watch his words. Wythe, however, pouted and muttered softly, "But it's true. Uncle Fraine seems a bit slow.""Wythe! Don't be rude!"
Lydia sighed. "Thera, as soon as you beckon, a crowd of men will be at your feet. How could you ever be alone?""I don't care. Wythe is mine! Either find another date or come with Andrew. I've already informed him. As for the rest, you handle it. That's that!"With these words, Thera quickly left Wythe's office, leaving him speechless.After getting into her car, Thera dialed a number. Soon, a soft voice came from the other end, "Godmother?""Wythe, I've taken care of it. Just wait and see. Your mother will definitely attend with someone.""That's wonderful. Thank you!" Wythe's voice was filled with joy.Thera, however, felt a bit worried. "Wythe, is this really okay? Helping to matchmake your mother and Andrew?""Of course, it is. Don't worry, Godmother. Everything will be fine. Mom is divorced now and fears being alone. Uncle Fraine will treat her well. Don't you think my plan is good?"Thera laughed. "It's quite good. Once Andrew wins your mother over, we must treat him to a grand
The children were playing happily, so much so that Wythe didn’t even notice Lydia’s arrival.Lydia had indeed come with Andrew today.Andrew was dressed in a white suit, looking as refined and elegant as a prince, while Lydia wore a mauve long dress, exuding intellectual elegance.Their entrance garnered considerable attention, given that it was, after all, an Arliss family gathering.The appearance of two unfamiliar faces naturally sparked curiosity.The Arliss family’s extended relatives whispered among themselves, speculating about Lydia’s identity.“Who are those two? I don’t think I’ve seen them before! But she seems quite familiar with the family—didn’t you see Andrew personally greet her?”“That child playing so well with the eldest’s kids called that woman ‘Mom’. Could she be an illegitimate daughter from somewhere?”“That doesn’t seem likely. I saw Grandpa call them over earlier, and he seemed quite amiable. Given Grandpa’s temper, he detests illegitimate children the most!”
Thera’s confident and natural demeanor left Thera at a loss for words.Ronald, on the other hand, glanced at the three of them with a half-smile and raised his glass. "It's an honor to have Lydia here, and who's this handsome fellow by her side? Lydia, aren't you going to introduce him? Or are you planning to surprise us?"Lydia felt a bit awkward, but Andrew smiled and said, "I've long heard of Ronald's charm and sophistication, and now I see it's true! I'm currently pursuing Lydia."Andrew's straightforwardness made Lydia's face flush, not from shyness but from embarrassment.She instinctively looked at Lambert, who remained expressionless as if he was oblivious to everything, which made her feel a deep sense of loss.Ronald continued, "Brother Chen has a keen eye, unlike some people who miss out on gems. I wonder if they ever regret it!"The previous remarks were subtle, but this one was an obvious jab. Lambert's handsome face showed no signs of being affected, which only added to
Seeing that Lydia seemed somewhat sober and not as drunk as he had imagined, Lambert was about to turn and leave when Lydia suddenly grabbed his collar.Lambert was taken aback, and then he saw the woman in front of him shedding large, heavy tears.“Lambert! Why? Why are you doing this to me?”Seeing her tears, Lambert felt a pang in his heart. He instinctively reached out to caress her face but quickly withdrew his hand, realizing it was inappropriate. “You’re drunk. I’ll have Thera take you home.”By this time, Lydia was thoroughly drunk. Her eyes were red, and she clung tightly to Lambert’s clothes, refusing to let him leave.Lambert felt a bit at a loss. He wanted to push her hands away but couldn't bring himself to do it.“Lambert... Lambert...”Lydia called out his name repeatedly, her tears falling like pearls, soaking Lambert’s shirt and piercing his heart.Lambert couldn’t care about anything else anymore. He scooped her up and strode toward his car.Lydia’s face was pale, he
Lydia looked at the foot basin, her cheeks reddening slightly. This had become a routine for Lambert, who had read somewhere that foot soaks and massages could ease swelling for pregnant women. So, he made it his mission to prepare a foot bath for her every day at the same time.At first, Lydia was quite resistant, but with Lambert's persistence and Wythe's innocent pleas, she eventually gave in.Now, Lambert was crouched down, without concern for his appearance, gently removing her shoes. Seeing Lydia's noticeably swollen feet filled him with worry. Was this foot bath helping at all? Why was her swelling still so bad?It was Lambert's first time caring for a pregnant woman. He had heard of all the challenges women face during pregnancy, but witnessing it firsthand, especially with someone he loved deeply, stirred a strong, indescribable tenderness within him. He felt an overwhelming desire to protect Lydia from any pain, to the point of wishing he could bear it all himself.Lambert c
The next morning, when Wythe woke up, he found his mother looking at him with gentle eyes. Unable to resist, he leaned in and kissed Lydia, then nuzzled against her shoulder, seeking comfort.Lydia felt a warm flutter in her heart; her child had missed her. A wave of guilt washed over her as she stroked Wythe's little head. "Wythe, I'm sorry for not saying anything before and leaving you behind."Wythe, despite his previous frustration, had come to understand that his mother had no choice. "It's okay, Mom. I've grown up and can understand your decisions. Just promise that wherever you go, you'll take me with you.""Of course!"As they chatted warmly in the living room, Lambert stood in the kitchen, facing a daunting array of ingredients. He had done some research beforehand and learned that pregnant women needed balanced nutrition, preferably from home-cooked meals, since who knew about the hygiene of outside food?Determined to prepare a meal for Lydia, Lambert decided to cook. After
Once Lydia calmed down, she realized Lambert had already come in. Given Wythe's presence, it was obviously unrealistic to ask him to leave.Seizing the moment, Wythe turned to Lydia and said, "Mom, can I stay with you tonight?"Lydia nodded without hesitation. "Of course you can! Where else would you stay?"As she spoke, she shot a glance at Lambert, her eyes clearly indicating that she wanted him to leave as soon as possible. He was just too much to deal with.Unfortunately, Lambert didn't take the hint and instead asked, "Lydia, you only have a small bed here. Wythe won't fit; I think he should stay at my place."Although it was just next door, Lambert's place was vastly different—a spacious two-hundred-square-meter apartment with three bedrooms and two living areas, while Lydia's was only about ninety. As soon as he moved in, Lambert had redecorated one of the rooms specifically for Lydia.Before Lydia could respond, Wythe looked at
No matter how upset Lydia felt, Lambert followed her like a shadow. However, he managed to avoid any more foolish actions after their earlier confrontation, even going so far as to apologize.He was humble, hoping to cheer her up, but she remained as cold as ice, leaving him in despair."Dad, I've arrived at Y City Airport! Come pick me up!"When Lambert received Wythe's call, he felt like a savior had arrived. Ever since their argument over Lydia's job, she hadn't spoken to him at all. Initially, she wouldn't let him in, and now she didn't even open the door. If she saw it was him through the peephole, she would resolutely stay inside!With that attitude, even Lambert's best efforts were useless.Wythe's arrival was the perfect catalyst to break the deadlock. Delighted, Lambert headed straight to the airport after dropping off Lydia's meal, as usual.Meanwhile, Lydia was fuming at the sight of meals consistently hanging on her door. She cou
Lambert presented himself as refined, but his underlying dominance was unmistakable. "That's not the case, Principal. I'm just worried about Lydia's health. She's pregnant, and she's caring for a class full of four- and five-year-olds. If something were to happen, it could be very dangerous for her."The principal furrowed her brow, eyeing him curiously. His concern seemed more like that of a family member than a parent. "While your point is valid, we've already considered this. Surely, you wouldn't expect her to be dismissed? After all, maternity leave is an option now...""Maternity leave is limited," Lambert replied firmly. "Besides, you must know that Lydia can't stay here forever."The principal felt uneasy. Lambert's demeanor and attire suggested he was no ordinary individual; why would he want his family working in such a small place? Something felt off."On what grounds are you so sure?" she asked.Lambert responded with unwavering confiden
Meanwhile, Lydia was feeling quite emotional in her room. The impact of seeing Lambert, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, was overwhelming. He had lost quite a bit of weight, and from his words, it seemed he had been eager to find her ever since he left.It would be a lie to say she wasn't touched; he truly cared about her. She had always held onto him in her heart and never let go. However, the idea of going back because of this was unlikely; after all, she was a stubborn person, and once she made a decision, it wasn't easy to change her mind.Lydia hoped that Lambert would take the hint and leave soon so her life could return to normal. Otherwise, her heart would be in turmoil!As Lambert, whom Lydia hoped would leave, was knocking on the door next door, an elderly man in his sixties opened it, eyeing Lambert suspiciously.Lambert straightened his clothes and spoke with a gentle tone, "Hello, I'm Lambert. The thing is..."Lydia, completely obl
Using their son as a shield might seem a bit embarrassing, but it was undeniably effective. Sure enough, upon hearing Wythe's name, Lydia paused her resistance to Lambert. She struggled to move her legs and began to make her way toward her home.What should have been a short ten-minute walk turned into a half-hour ordeal due to Lydia's difficulty in moving. During this time, she even awkwardly made a trip to the restroom. As she entered the later stages of her pregnancy, not only had her legs swollen, but her trips to the bathroom had also increased significantly. Just moments ago, she had finished a latte, which made the situation even more awkward—suddenly needing to find a restroom while walking.Lambert, while unaware of the many inconveniences pregnancy could bring, couldn't help but feel like a negligent husband and father as he watched Lydia struggle. He realized he knew nothing about what she was going through. Seeing her in such discomfort made his heart
Lambert closed his eyes, trying to calm the turmoil in his heart. He had truly found Lydia!"Sorry, Lydia, I think I got a bit carried away!"Could this be a dream? If it is, he hoped he'd never wake up.Lydia was at a loss for words. This wasn't just being a bit excited; he was clearly overwhelmed!She decided to change the subject. "Lambert, how's Wythe doing?" Her son was the person she cared about most, and the one she felt she owed the most to."He's fine, but he really misses you. I didn't expect that after all this time, you wouldn't even call once."Hearing this, Lydia lowered her head, guilt washing over her. In some ways, she knew she hadn't been a very good mother. She had neglected her son for her own feelings."I'm sorry..."Lambert sighed softly, a mix of emotions swirling within him. "You don't need to apologize, Lydia. It's all my fault. If I hadn't misunderstood you, you wouldn't have felt the need to leave Nov
Debby felt a sudden jolt, her ears turning bright red. Being caught doing something wrong and exposed in public was a uniquely uncomfortable experience."Uh, I..."Lambert's heart raced. Could it be that he finally found the right place? Was Lydia really at this kindergarten?Fearing he might startle her, he spoke gently, his tone patient. "Debby, there's been a misunderstanding between Lydia and me. I care about her deeply, and I can't lose her. I don't know how you've interpreted our situation, but as her friend, I assume you want her to be happy too?"Debby hesitated at his words. Was this man truly a scoundrel? Upon reflection, Lydia had only mentioned that she had divorced her partner and left Nova City due to some circumstances. She had never spoken ill of her ex-husband, so perhaps she had misjudged him?Debby's expression shifted, yet she still seemed unsure. Lambert seized the moment to ask, "Debby, Lydia hasn't left, has she?""How