Chapter 138
Seeing me cry, Leopold reached out somewhat frantically to wipe my tears.
"Why are you crying?"
I shook my head gently, then grabbed his hand. "Leopold, tell me—is Sophia's baby really yours or not?"
Leopold looked at our joined hands, a glimmer of light appearing in his deep eyes.
"It's not."
"Then whose is it?" I pressed.
Leopold hesitated slightly. "I can't tell you that right now."
My heart sank a little.
Was it that he couldn't say, or that he didn't dare?
"Cindy." Leopold turned the tables, pinning my hand against the car door as he leaned over me. "I'm not lying to you. The child Sophia's carrying now isn't mine."
I seized on the keyword. "' Now'? Does that mean she's carried your child before?"
Leopold's pupils contracted. Using his other hand, he gently lifted my chin. "Cindy, don't parse my words. The only person in my heart, from beginning to end, has been you."
His breath washed over my face. An electric sensation shot from the soles of my feet to the crown of my head.
Before I could speak again, his kiss descended.
While kissing me, he released my pinned hand, trailing down until he reached my waist, then gripped it firmly.
The kiss deepened.
He kissed me until I could barely breathe.
"Leopold..."
Leopold's body temperature spiked, his breathing turning rough.
Hearing my low murmur, he forced himself to stop, looking at me with eyes heavy with desire.
"What is it?"
"Should we really be doing this..."
Leopold didn't answer. The desire in his eyes ignited like dry kindling meeting flame.
"Don't talk. Just hold me."
My hands hesitated before settling on his back.
But that simple touch seemed to unlock something in Leopold.
His kisses suddenly turned fierce, as if trying to steal my very breath.
The privacy screen in the back seat rose at some point.
In the quiet space, hormones ran rampant.
The darkness outside acted as protective cover, blocking out all sound.
When it was over, I felt completely dazed.
"What are you spacing out about?" Seeing me silent, Leopold flicked my forehead, then draped his shirt over me.
"Nothing. Turn around first." Though this wasn't our first time together, it was definitely our first time in a car.
The feeling was strange.
"Still shy?" Leopold raised an eyebrow.
My face heated slightly. "Mind your own business."
Leopold's gaze swept over my shoulder, his lips curving upward slightly before he turned away.
After getting dressed, I noticed red marks on my arm and felt annoyed. "Are you a dog? Why are you biting everywhere!"
Leopold turned back around. Noticing the marks on my arm, he chuckled softly. "I couldn't help myself."
My face burned hotter. "You're just good with words."
Leopold deliberately leaned close, his voice suggestive. "Who says it's just words? Didn't I also take action just now?"
I had no response to that.
When it came to shamelessness, I was no match for him.
"I'm getting out."
Just as my hand touched the door handle, seeing the villa entrance so close, I suddenly remembered Leo might be waiting for me.
Thinking of Leo, I suddenly felt afraid.
Though Leo and I only had an agreement, ever since he'd risked his life to save me, our relationship had evolved beyond a simple arrangement.
Moreover, just a couple of days ago, I'd tacitly agreed to be with Leo.
And now I'd turned around and done this with Leopold.
I'd become exactly what I hated most!
"Weren't you going to get out? Why aren't you moving?" Seeing me frozen, Leopold couldn't help but ask.
Suddenly unsure how to face Leo, I quickly pulled the door shut.
"I don't want to go home tonight. Can you take me to the nearest hotel?"
Leopold looked surprised. "It's not safe for you to stay at a hotel alone. Come to my place."
I shook my head in refusal. "Sophia's still at your place. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to go."
Leopold chuckled again. "Who says I only have one residence?"
He instructed the driver, "Take us to Pansea Heights."
Pansea Heights was Silverlight City's most exclusive villa community, with amenities and resources rivaling the Percy Manor.
Even having money didn't guarantee you could buy in.
My dad had once tried to purchase a villa there, saying you could watch the sunrise, but he was turned away because he lacked a referral.
I hadn't known Leopold had managed to buy one.
The decor at Pansea Heights was different from his main residence—the entire color scheme leaned warm.
Even the sofas were the handmade custom kind I loved.
I touched the sofa, then walked to the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing at the glittering night view outside, lost in thought.
"Actually, I originally planned to make this our wedding home. But you said you wanted to be closer to your parents, so I bought that other place instead."
Leopold came up behind me, wrapping his arms around me from behind.
I saw myself reflected in his eyes through the glass, but Leo's face flashed through my mind.
"Leopold, I'm tired."
Leopold placed a gentle kiss on my neck. "Okay. Get some good rest tonight. We have all the time in the world."
His words had a double meaning. I managed a strained smile.
That night, I slept relatively peacefully.
The next day, Leopold took me to visit Donovan again.
When we reached the hospital lobby, he specifically told me, "I've already had someone send Grandma back to her estate. She'll be staying there for a while."
I was surprised. "What if your grandmother gets upset..."
"It's fine. I'll handle it." Leopold naturally took my hand and led me to Donovan's room.
I'd assumed Donovan was still unconscious, but we got lucky—we arrived right when he woke up.
So Leopold pulled me inside to see him.
When Donovan saw our joined hands, his previously dim eyes suddenly brightened.
"Cindy, you two..."
I smiled without speaking.
Leopold raised our hands like showing off a prize. "Grandpa, Cindy, and I made up."
"Really?" Donovan's gaze burned into me.
I'd originally wanted to say we hadn't quite gotten to that point yet, but meeting Donovan's hopeful eyes, I couldn't help changing my answer.
"Yes."
"Wonderful, wonderful!" Donovan nodded repeatedly. "You two reconciling—this is the best news. Now I have no regrets."
"Grandpa, don't talk like that. You're going to live to be a hundred." I quickly corrected him.
Donovan cooperatively nodded. "You're right. I misspoke."
"Now that you've reconciled, I'll definitely recover so I can see you get married and meet my great-grandchildren."
Leopold squeezed my hand. "Hear that? Grandpa just gave us our marching orders."
I looked at him, my lips curving slightly. "We'll... do our best."
Donovan was overjoyed.
When Brady came to check on him, he couldn't help but express surprise. "Mr. Donovan Percy's numbers are back to normal. If he maintains this through tonight, we can move him to a regular room tomorrow morning."
"Leopold, what miracle drug did you give your grandfather? His recovery is remarkably fast."
Leopold glanced at me and smiled. "That's a secret."
My feelings were complicated—I didn't know if what I was doing was right.
"Leo, your grandmother specifically said not to let Cindy come upset your grandfather. Why did you bring her here again?"
Sophia's voice suddenly came from the other end of the hall.