Chapter 118: Wanting a Child
Luna’s plea wavered between retreat and need.
Theodore’s steadiness coaxed her past the edge of fear; she met him, breath for breath.
They crossed the last distance together, the world tilting as if the room itself exhaled.
She collapsed onto the bed, her cheeks flushed crimson as she gasped for breath.
He gazed at her, then bent down to kiss her lips. “Honey, I love you.”
“Honey, do you love me?” he asked, smiling.
“No,” she pouted, rolling her eyes.
“Why?”
“You’re so annoying.”
“Honey, do you not love me anymore?” he pressed.
“Yeah.” She nodded.
“Then I’ll keep asking until you love me.” He grinned.
Luna was momentarily at a loss for words.
“Fine!”
She finally gave in.
“I love you,” she said softly.
“How much?” he pressed.
“Then how much do you love me?” she asked.
“If a hundred points is the maximum, then my love for you is one hundred and one points.” Theodore smiled, gazing at her.
Luna froze, then asked, “Why one hundred and one? Isn’t a hundred the maximum?”
“Because,” he chuckled, “my love for you goes beyond perfect.”
“So, how much do you love me?” he asked.
She thought for a moment, refusing to back down.
“…I love you one hundred and one as well.”
Theodore paused, then laughed.
“Little liar,” he chuckled, looking at her.
He leaned in and pressed a light kiss to her lips.
She nestled obediently against his chest as he held her.
The two slowly drifted off to sleep.
——
Early in the morning—
“Hurry up and marry Isabella,” James urged.
Noah nodded.
“Noah, we still have a chance,” James said firmly, looking at him.
Noah was momentarily stunned.
Why is Dad so confident?
Even if I married Isabella, it’s still hard to bring Theodore down, isn’t it?
James saw his son’s confusion and smiled. “Trust me. Dad won’t let you down.”
Noah looked at him and nodded. “Yeah, I believe you.”
He then headed to the Garcia residence.
——
At the Garcia residence—
Isabella’s eyes flashed with hatred when she saw Noah.
Any lingering hope she had for Theodore shattered instantly.
Noah recounted last night’s events at the Davis residence regarding the division of the estate.
The Garcias were stunned.
Is the Davis family really dividing their estate?
They realized that the child in Isabella’s womb seemed to be of exceptional importance.
“When can you and Emma get divorced?” Silas asked.
“At the earliest, it’ll take two weeks.” Noah frowned.
Silas frowned.
Two weeks is too slow.
“Hurry it up,” he said.
Noah nodded.
“About you and Isabella,” Silas said calmly, looking at him, “we discussed a plan last night. We’ll say you were set up and that a series of unfortunate events led to your relationship with her.”
“Regarding Emma, we’ll say that after learning about this, she chose to step back,” he added.
“Jasper, send him the PR statement.”
The statement was well-crafted.
After reading it, Noah felt significantly more at ease.
He nodded after reviewing it.
Clearly, he was satisfied.
He posted it online.
The moment the copy went live, it sparked a huge online reaction.
Public opinion began to shift.
Unknown: [So they’d accidentally consumed drugged wine.]
Unknown: [Right! Children are innocent.]
Noah and Isabella’s reputations slowly recovered.
Luna watched it all unfold, pondering.
Isabella’s child…
If there were a little baby toddling after me…
…that wouldn’t be so bad.
She suddenly wanted a child.
——
After work that afternoon, Theodore came to pick her up.
Luna glanced at him, hesitating before speaking.
“Will Isabella and Noah’s child call us great-uncle and great-aunt someday?” she asked.
Theodore froze.
Luna glanced at him, the corners of her mouth curling.
——
After dinner—
“When are you two planning to have children?” Mary asked bluntly.
Luna glanced at her.
Is she getting impatient?
Theodore looked at Mary and said calmly, “Mom, we’re not in a rush.”
“Do you think Isabella and the child in her womb are their only assets?” Mary frowned.
He raised an eyebrow.
Luna was puzzled.
Beyond Isabella and the baby, what else could they have?
“You’ve always been independent-minded. Think it through yourself,” Mary said softly, looking at Theodore. “Your relationship is stable now. Having a child would be great.”
“A child isn’t a tool for fighting over inheritance,” he said.
Mary pressed her lips together and left with a slightly displeased expression.
——
The two entered the bedroom.
“What do you think about what Mom said earlier?” Luna asked, looking at Theodore.
Theodore loosened his tie, his tone detached. “Whatever you want.”
Luna froze.
Why did his attitude change so suddenly?
Does he not want a child anymore?
“Don’t take my mom’s words to heart,” he said earnestly, looking at her. “Take it easy.”
“I’m not feeling pressured. You’re the one feeling the pressure, right?” Luna’s lips curved slightly.
Theodore froze for a moment.
“Shouldn’t we both feel the pressure?” he asked.
“You probably don’t know this yet.” Luna chuckled.
“Know what?” he asked, puzzled.
“Before we got married, there were quite a few rumors about you,” she said with a smile.
“What rumors?” Theodore raised an eyebrow. “That I’m decisive? Low-key? Steady and reserved? Or what?”
“None of those.” Luna shook her head, her smile turning mysterious. “They were all wondering if you liked men or if there was something wrong with you.”
“Couldn’t it just be that I’m chaste?” His expression darkened.
“Who started these rumors?” he asked, gritting his teeth.
“How should I know?” she said, crossing her arms.
“Honey, you didn’t start this rumor, did you?” he asked, staring at her.
“Impossible!” Luna straightened her back. “It wasn’t me.”
“Really not you?” he pressed.