Chapter 93 Anthony, Do You Regret It?
Arabella never would have imagined that one day, she'd see Anthony showing up at her company building looking for her.
She stood at the company entrance, watching the man thirty feet away.
He looked somewhat haggard, thinner than before. She wasn't sure if it was company troubles wearing him down, but there was definitely a defeated air about him. His clothes were neat enough, but they couldn't hide the exhaustion radiating from every inch of him.
Arabella noticed his shirt collar was dirty, though she only glanced once before looking away. It struck her as odd—during their two years of marriage, Anthony had always been confident and impeccably groomed. She'd never seen him like this.
'What could have happened to him?'
But these thoughts barely flickered through her mind before disappearing. She'd long since moved on from the past and felt not an ounce of curiosity about the man standing before her.
She remained perfectly calm, speaking in an even tone. "Mr. Watson, did you need something?"
Anthony looked at her. Today she wore a cream-colored business dress that showed off her delicate legs, paired with matching low heels. Unlike the two years when she'd been with him—always disheveled and careless about her appearance—she was glowing now. Her hair was swept up in an elegant style, and her whole being seemed to radiate light.
He honestly didn't know why he'd come here.
Last night when he got home, he'd taken off the clothes he'd worn all day and told Cassidy he needed that particular shirt for the next day, asking her to hand-wash and dry it. But Cassidy had acted like he'd insulted her, saying he was treating her like a servant and making her do housework while she was pregnant.
Since being with Cassidy, he'd never asked her to do anything around the house. This was just once—asking her to wash one shirt. He was so tired lately. The company kept having mysterious problems, and messy situations from the past that should have been resolved kept surfacing to bother him. Everything required his attention, but he had no one to share the burden with.
And he was about to marry Cassidy.
The more time he spent with Cassidy, the more he realized how deep his youthful rose-colored glasses had been. The Cassidy he'd loved was pure, delicate, fairy-like—not the woman sleeping beside him who wouldn't even wash one shirt for him and took care of nothing around the house.
The more he compared, the more he appreciated Arabella's virtues.
Arabella used to manage their home perfectly. She handled everything involving his mother and sister, leaving him to focus solely on work while she held down the fort at home. Every morning, she'd fold his clean clothes and place them by his bedside. Every evening, she'd ask when he'd be home from work and have a hot plate of pasta ready for him.
She always worried about him drinking too much at business dinners, reminding him to take care of his stomach. She'd gently massage his temples when he was stressed, never saying a word, just quietly keeping him company.
How had he ever found that kind of Arabella nagging and troublesome?
Some things you only realize have become habits after you lose them.
Anthony looked at Arabella, his lips moving as he said hoarsely, "The day after tomorrow, I'm getting married."
Arabella blinked. "Did you come here specifically to tell me this? Are you inviting me to your wedding? Mr. Watson, I'm sorry, but I don't want to go."
Anthony's heart felt stuffed with cotton, completely blocked up. He pressed his lips together, wanting to say that if she was willing, she could come back to him.
He wouldn't mind that she'd been with another man in between. As for what happened three years ago, he could pretend it never happened and never bring it up again for the rest of their lives.
They could be like any normal married couple—he'd handle work, she'd handle home, and they'd live ordinary, stable lives.
But thinking of Cassidy, she had been the light of his youth. She was already pregnant—if he abandoned her now, what would become of her future?
His heart wavered again.
Arabella had no idea what Anthony was thinking. If she did, she definitely would have laughed out loud.
She'd finally escaped that shackle-like marriage, finally built her own career and life. The things he missed were exactly what she regretted doing most.
Where did he get the confidence to think that just because he was willing to accept her back, she'd definitely return?
She had no patience left for Anthony. Looking at him, she said, "If you came here specifically to tell me this, then now I know. Mr. Watson, I'm very busy. Goodbye."
With that, she turned to head back into the company, her retreating figure showing not a trace of hesitation. Anthony quickly called out to stop her. "Wait! Arabella, I wanted to ask you—after the divorce... do you regret it?"
Arabella's steps stopped. She turned back with an amused expression. "Anthony Watson, don't tell me you regret it."
She was truly angry now, dropping even fake politeness and calling him by his full name. When they divorced, he'd acted like he'd sacrifice everything for true love. And now, after just a few months?
If he'd stuck to his guns, she would have respected him as a real man, admired his courage, and believed he and Cassidy were truly in love.
But this? Really?
Anthony saw the mockery in her eyes and his expression darkened. "How could I regret it? Arabella, I just came to tell you—thank you for letting us go. Because of you, Cassie and I can finally be together."
Arabella's lips curved in a cold smile. "Oh, I see. You're welcome. I'm quite grateful to you too—thank you for helping me see reality clearly. But now, it's all in the past. No need to bring it up again."
With that, she didn't spare Anthony another glance and walked straight into the company.
Anthony watched her retreating figure, his expression unreadable. Grateful to him? Thanking him for divorcing her?
Was it really all in the past for her?
He hung his head and returned to his car looking lost, sitting there for a long time before finally driving away.
Shortly after he left, Cassidy slowly emerged from a nearby corner. Her face was full of anger as she gripped her clothes tightly. She hadn't expected Anthony to actually come looking for Arabella!
She'd only noticed something was off when he left that morning and had followed him in a taxi out of concern.
She never imagined he'd come to see Arabella!
What did those words he said mean?
Did he regret divorcing Arabella? After four months of living with her, had he discovered the vast difference between her and Arabella and started missing Arabella's virtues?
Cassidy bit her lip hard, tears rolling down her cheeks. 'Anthony, how could you do this to me!'
As for Arabella, whether Anthony was getting married tomorrow or the day after made no difference to her whatsoever. What she cared about was that Ella had finally sent word—the adoption paperwork was complete. All she had to do was go sign a few documents tomorrow, and she could bring Molly home.
Arabella was overjoyed. After work, she headed straight to the mall, buying lots of things for girls and carefully redecorating her room when she got home.
She set up a retractable small bed next to her original large bed so two people could sleep comfortably without feeling cramped. She replaced all the bedding and curtains with pink colors that little girls would love, arranged carefully selected stuffed animals by the headboard, and set up a desk, computer, lamp, and various books.
She wanted Molly to feel at home the moment she walked in.
Alexander watched her bustling around from the doorway and asked, "Do you want me to come with you tomorrow?"
Arabella smiled and declined. "No need. It's a weekday—don't let it interfere with your work. I'll have Philip go with me. He's going to be the godfather!"
Hearing the word "godfather," Alexander's expression immediately became serious as he tried to argue his case. "Technically speaking, wouldn't I be the father?"
Arabella was startled, not expecting him to be concerned about this. After thinking it over, she said, "If you don't mind, of course you can be the father. Philip can be the godfather, and you can be the real father. Perfect."
Alexander's expression softened, and he looked like he was seriously weighing the matter. "Anyway, someone like me will probably never have children. Raising your adopted child as my own would be extra security for my old age."
Arabella hadn't expected him to think so deeply about it. She found it amusing—was he really eager to become a father?
But Alexander was serious. Looking at her, he said, "So when Molly comes home, I want to split all expenses with you fifty-fifty, and you have to let her call me Dad. Deal?"
Arabella thought about it and felt it was reasonable, so she nodded. "I'll ask Molly what she thinks. If she's willing, I'll agree."
Alexander was finally satisfied.
The next day, Arabella took the day off and drove to the orphanage with Philip.
As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw a flustered Ella. Arabella quickly got out of the car and grabbed Ella's hand. "What's wrong? What happened?"
Ella was at her wit's end. Seeing Arabella, her eyes immediately reddened as she gripped her hand. "Arabella, perfect timing! I was just looking for Molly. I don't know what got into that child—she suddenly ran off without a word, and we can't find her anywhere!"
Arabella's heart immediately jumped to her throat. "Why did she run away? Was someone bullying her?"
Ella was equally puzzled. "Molly's always been good at the orphanage, gets along well with everyone. Nobody was picking on her. Oh, but she wrote 'refuse adoption' on her adoption consent form."
Ella pulled out a paper—the adoption notification form for Molly. In the adoption opinion section, Molly had neatly written "refuse adoption."
Arabella's heart sank. Before applying for adoption, she'd asked Molly's opinion. Molly had wanted to be adopted, which was why she'd gone through the complex process. Over the past year and more, no matter what difficulties she encountered, she'd persisted in wanting to adopt Molly. Besides wanting a child, there was another crucial reason—the look of hope in Molly's eyes when she looked at her, as if she held her fate in her hands.
But now, at the final moment, Molly wanted to refuse adoption?
Then all her previous efforts had been for nothing!
Arabella quickly asked Ella, "Did she ever mention wanting to go somewhere specific? And who was the last person at the orphanage to see her?"
The most important thing now was finding Molly and figuring out what had really happened. She wouldn't let Molly suffer for no reason.
Ella thought for a moment, then suddenly slapped her forehead. "I remember now! Molly mentioned wanting to see the shopping malls in the big city, but she's just one child with no money—how could she get to the big city?"
After a pause, she seemed to remember something else. "She seemed to talk to Becky before she left. Let me get Becky!"
Ella quickly brought Becky over.
Arabella remembered this little girl. Last time she'd visited, Becky had hopefully asked if she could adopt her too.
Arabella didn't want to think ill of a child, but this was all too coincidental—Becky wanting to be adopted, Molly suddenly refusing adoption and disappearing, and she'd been with Becky before leaving.
When Becky saw Arabella, she seemed startled and looked like she wanted to say something, but ultimately swallowed her words and lowered her head.
Ella asked anxiously, "Becky, tell me—was Molly with you before she left? What did she say to you? Did she mention where she was going?"
Becky kept her head down, staring at her feet. "She said she was about to go live in the big city and told me to stay away from her. She doesn't want to be friends with poor people."
Everyone—Ella, Arabella, and Philip—was stunned by these words.
Molly was a very likable child. Not only did Arabella like her, but Ella was fond of her too. Molly was sweet-talking and hardworking. At the orphanage, many children loved gathering around her.
How could Molly possibly say something like that?
Ella looked at Becky with a frown, her tone becoming much more stern. "Becky, tell the truth. Where did Molly go? Does Molly's sudden departure and refusal of adoption have something to do with you?"
Replacing one little girl's adoption paperwork wouldn't be too difficult for the orphanage. All the children were envious that Molly could be adopted by someone from the big city, so Ella's first suspicion was that Becky wanted to steal Molly's adoptive family.
Arabella had initially thought the same thing, but when she saw the hurt flash in Becky's eyes the moment Ella spoke, she knew it wasn't true.
She said to Ella, "Let me talk to her."
Ella gave Becky a disappointed look and stepped back.
Seeing Ella's expression, Becky bit her lip and lowered her head with obvious hurt.
Arabella saw this and sighed softly. She crouched in front of Becky and asked gently, "Were you really with Molly before she left?"
Becky nodded while keeping her eyes down.
Arabella asked again, "I believe you didn't do anything to Molly. Can you tell me what you two talked about?"
Becky bit her lip, tears suddenly streaming down without warning as she choked out, "I didn't want to talk to her. I was just sitting alone playing, but she kept coming over to me and said I was overreaching myself. She said... she said now that she had a wealthy family adopting her, she'd be a rich young lady from the city... and she said... she said someone as poor as you could only afford to adopt poor kids like me, that you weren't good enough to adopt her..."
Arabella stared in disbelief, her eyes widening. "This is... this is what Molly said?"