Chapter 252
Lily couldn't stand seeing Ryan like this.
She bit her lower lip, feeling torn. After struggling with it for a while, she finally nodded, "Okay, but I'm still really nervous. What if your family doesn't like me and objects to us being together? Your family is so rich, and mine is just an ordinary family. What if they think I'm only after your money and oppose us being together?"
Ryan smiled good-naturedly. He held Lily tightly, "Don't worry, my parents are easy to talk to. And even if they don't agree, I'll still be with you. You're the woman I've chosen for life. I only want you. I don't want anyone else, no matter who they are."
Lily blinked, "Really?"
"Of course. I made up my mind a long time ago—you're the only woman for me in this lifetime." Ryan tightened his arms around Lily, "So don't be scared. Come home with me to meet my parents, okay?"
Lily nodded silently.
Seeing that she was still unhappy, Ryan continued coaxing her, "Besides, I'd actually love it if you were after my money, because I have so much money that you couldn't spend it all in your lifetime. That way I wouldn't have to worry about you leaving me."
Lily said quietly, "I'm not after your money."
"I know, so the money is just a bonus."
Jason and I bought groceries and went home.
He helped me prep ingredients in the kitchen. Lila had wanted to help, but when she saw Jason was there, she just smiled and left without hesitation.
I gave Jason a warning look, "Honey, don't mess around. Lily and the others are coming over for dinner soon. We need to hurry and prep the ingredients, or we won't have enough time."
Jason snorted, "Do you really think I can't tell what's important?"
As he spoke, he wiped his hands clean and walked right up behind me to hug me.
I paused, "Don't you?"
Jason lowered his head and planted a warm, moist kiss on my neck, "In my heart, my wife is the most important thing. What's wrong with that?"
I can't reason with him!
I tried to struggle free, "Okay, okay, let me go."
"No."
"But Lily and the others..."
"Don't worry, they won't be here that fast."
"But..."
Jason kissed me without giving me a chance to argue.
After a long, lingering kiss, my face was burning hot. I glared at Jason playfully.
Jason's eyes darkened, "Honey, don't look at me like that. You know I can't control myself."
Like I'd been shocked, I quickly looked away.
Pervert! How does he manage to connect everything to sex!
I hurried to finish prepping the ingredients.
But I have to say, Jason really knows his best friend well. Almost an hour after the agreed time, Lily and Ryan finally showed up.
Seeing the suggestive red marks on Lily's neck, I instantly understood what happened.
These two...
Meeting my gaze, Lily's smile looked a bit guilty. She scratched her head and laughed awkwardly, "We got held up before coming over. Have you been waiting long?"
"Not long, not long enough for you two to make a baby yet." I said dryly.
Lily's face turned red instantly.
Ryan stood beside her with his hands in his pockets, smiling, "Don't blame her, it's all my fault. I was the one who kept clinging to her."
I turned my gaze to Ryan, "You sound pretty proud of yourself."
After dinner, Lily pulled me to sit on the couch and chat, "Sue, Ryan brought up meeting his parents today."
Lily's tone carried a hint of helplessness. "Before, he always respected my thoughts and pace. But today when he saw Chris come talk to me, he got upset right away and started talking about meeting parents and getting married soon."
I smiled, "Isn't that good?"
"But I'm still worried! I don't want this to turn into some kind of rich family drama. You know me—I don't like suffering." Lily held my hand, her eyes full of worry she couldn't hide.
I looked up toward the second floor. After dinner, Ryan and Jason had gone to the study.
I said, "Meeting his parents was going to happen sooner or later. Since you're already together, why not just choose to trust him?"
Lily was silent for a moment, then finally nodded, "You're right, I should trust him." She rubbed her face, "Because of my hesitation, our relationship has been dragging on too long. Now I should be braver and more determined."
I squeezed her hand and smiled, "Now that's the you I remember! Look at it this way—if things don't work out between you two, it just means Ryan isn't worth your commitment, and it's good to find out early. But I think Ryan is pretty reliable. You don't need to worry so much."
Lily and Ryan left.
Lila and Imogen had already cleaned up after dinner. I lay on the bed looking at my phone.
For the first time, I thought—having housekeepers is really nice. Right now, full and satisfied, was exactly when I didn't want to move. Not having to clean up myself felt too comfortable.
So this is what it's like to be rich.
I rolled over on the bed.
Just then Jason came in after his shower. His hair was still damp, and his pajama shirt hung open at the chest.
My eyes lit up, and I immediately patted the bed beside me, "Honey, come here, time for bed."
The next few days were peaceful.
On Saturday I was watching TV at home, thinking about where to take Jessica after her class ended.
Just then, my phone buzzed twice.
The moment I saw who the message was from, my good mood instantly soured.
Luke: [Mom's seriously ill in the hospital. I'm sending you the address. Come see her.]
Followed by a hospital address.
I frowned. This purely commanding tone, completely non-negotiable—that was definitely Luke's style.
Me: [Not going. I'm busy today.]
Luke replied instantly: [It's the weekend, what could you possibly be busy with? Sue, no matter what, she's your mother. You can't be this ungrateful. I know you don't want to acknowledge us, but blood ties exist no matter what. If you don't come see her, aren't you afraid of what people will say about you? You can't be like this. You can't just ignore your family now that you're living the good life. When you come to the hospital, bring some supplements for Mom. Get the best ones, suitable for elderly people.]
I stared quietly at Luke's messages for a while before closing my phone.
After thinking it over, I decided to go see her. We haven't officially cut ties yet. If I don't go, what if Luke uses this to harass me? I don't want to give him any chance to act shamelessly. This guy is shameless enough already.
"Lila, when Jessica gets out of class, please take her out for a bit. Let her move around outside. Kids shouldn't always stay at home—it's not good for their health." After changing clothes and coming downstairs, I instructed Lila.
Lila nodded, then looked at me with concern, "Mrs. Cooper, where are you going?"