Chapter 229
Chapter 229
Theodore had never thought that he would use the phrase "she's married" as an excuse to get rid of Everleigh's persistent suitor.
However, that day, when he saw Everleigh and Stainley talking and laughing together, his jealousy went through the roof and he didn't care about what excuse he used at all.
Didn't she say that they were just friends? Well, friends also had the obligation to persuade them to mind their own ethics.
Theodore's words caused Stainley to be slightly taken aback, and he looked at Theodore with surprise.
After a long while, Stainley replied, "I know."
It was only two simple words. His tone was very casual and even somewhat helpless. His calm reaction was far beyond Theodore's expectations.
His eyes darkened. "You know?"
Stainley repeated, "I always knew, and on the day when Everleigh and Christopher were at the City Hall in Maniville, I was there."
"Is this what you want to say? Is this what you want to remind others of?" As if listening to a joke, Everleigh's face quickly soured, and she went straight upstairs to pick up Adrienne. Without saying a word, she walked past Theodore without looking back.
On the way out of the Godfrey Mansion, Everleigh kept a straight face.
Theodore actually thought that she would pretend to be single just to interact with other men? What kind of person did he think she was?
In the back seat, the two children had fallen asleep.
Stainley was holding the steering wheel and driving the car slowly. "Don't be angry. He is not such an impulsive person usually. Maybe he is really anxious?"
"Even if he's anxious, does that mean that he can think of me that way? Also, what's there to be anxious about?"
"In fact, if it was me, I might act like that as well."
"Hm?" Everleigh raised her head, and she looked at him with puzzlement.
"When we were eating, I told you that I regretted the fact that I went back two months earlier during the Africa mission. Do you remember?"
She remained silent.
"Sometimes I wonder if we would be married if I did not go back early."
Hearing this, Everleigh was dumbstruck.
She married Christopher after she came back from the medical branch in Africa. They had spent the better half of the year together, and their close friendship became intimate. If not, there wouldn't be a marriage at all.
"It wasn't anything good anyway." Everleigh said slowly, "You know that Christopher and I only got married because of the kids. He never wanted to get married, and he only did it because he wanted to get out of an arranged marriage. We both had selfish intentions for it, so how could I implicate you?"
"What if I said that I was willing to do it?"
Stainley's voice echoed in the car. His tone was as gentle and calm as ever, as if he was talking about the weather.
Everleigh's eyebrows twitched violently.
Why were all of these things happening all at once? She hadn't settled Theodore's matter yet, but what was Stainley doing? It was impossible for her to say that she didn't understand what he was thinking, but she had already kept a distance from him over the past few years.
"When we were in college, I knew that you were in love with Theodore and I didn't have a chance. Later, after you two broke up, you were busy taking care of the children and didn't have time to be distracted. I thought about many reasons, but I still thought that I was too cautious and never showed my attitude to you seriously."
The more Everleigh listened, the more her scalp tingled.
"I know it won't be easy for you to accept it. I'm not as interesting as Christopher, but I really want to take care of you and the kids."
She didn't know how to respond.
"I'm not in a hurry. Everleigh, you can take your time to think about it."
"Huh?" Hearing this, she only felt a headache coming. What was there to think about? She couldn't wait to get out of the car immediately and hide from him as soon as possible.
However, Stainley's words were very sincere. If Everleigh refused him right away, it would be too hurtful for him.
It was a lie to say that she was not moved. Who on Earth would complain about having too many people love them? Everyone naturally hoped that they would receive lots of love, but not every kind
of love could be accepted.
Thus, Stainley's love was too burdensome for her. She couldn't bear it, because she didn't feel the same way. Even if they were together, it would be a chore for her and it would be unfair for Stain ley.
"We're here."
The car stopped at the gate of Everleigh's home.
"Thank you." She forced a smile and turned to wake up the two children. "Alastair, take Adrienne inside. We're home."
"Everleigh, take your time to think about what I've said. There's no hurry."
Stainley reminded before he left, as if he was afraid that Everleigh would forget.
"I will think about it. Too many things happened today, and I need some time to think about it slowly." Everleigh braced herself and waved to him. "You drive slowly and send me a text when you get home."
"Okay, go to bed early."
As the white car drove away from the gate of the villa, Everleigh felt uncomfortable as if there was a stone pressing against her chest.
It was very late when they arrived home. Hence, Adrienne was so sleepy that she couldn't even open her eyes; Everleigh even had to carry her to take a bath. Before going to bed, Adrienne took her hand and apologized. She said in a daze, "Mommy, I'm sorry. I didn't know you would be angry."
Everleigh swept Adrienne's bangs away from her eyes and said earnestly, "I'm not angry, but it's wrong to lie. You can't do this again in the future."
"Okay, I know what I did was wrong."
"It's good that you know how to admit your mistakes. Go to sleep, my beautiful girl. I love you." This is from NôvelDrama.Org.
She kissed Adrienne on the forehead and tucked her in. Before she left, she also kissed Alastair's forehead and bade him goodnight. Then, she closed the door and went out.
Theodore was right. As a mother, she shouldn't blow up at her children as it was her fault as a parent for not teaching them properly. What happened that day was her fault.
Recently, she'd left her children in the care of others far too often as she hardly had time to spend with them.
After returning to the bedroom, Everleigh video called Cecil.
The call was connected quickly and an alabaster white face appeared on the other end of the call. Everleigh was shocked for a moment, but when she took a closer look, she realized that Cecil was putting on a mask.
"Did hell freeze over? You actually took the initiative to call me today despite being MIA for God knows how long." On the other end of the video, Cecil's ghostly white face seemed even scarier as she spoke in a deadpan tone.
Then, Everleigh confessed, "Theodore has been discharged from the hospital."
"I knew it."
"Also, Stainley was transferred to our hospital."
"Oh, nice one, Dr. Smith. I've often said that it's useless to be a nice guy all the time. If you want to pursue a woman, you have to take the initiative."
"Why aren't you surprised at all?" Everleigh frowned.
"Whafs there to be surprised about? Back in Maniville, everyone could see that he liked you. He stayed by your side silently for seven years. If it was me, I'd already marry him. It's only you. You have a heart of steel."
"Are you trying to be sarcastic right now?"
"Of course not," Cecil said as she leaned closer to the camera with the mask on. "Do you want to hear the truth?"
"Go ahead." "Even if he waits for another ten years, you won't even call him," Cecil said directly. "Let's put it this way and find a comparison. How did you feel during this period of time when you took care of Theodore?"
When Everleigh heard "Theodore" from the other end of the video, her eyes narrowed a little.