Chapter 181 Do Not Be Trapped in Your Own Obsession
Thomas had been observing the interaction between Amber and Alaric all evening.
Although Alaric had a cold expression and seemed unapproachable, he stayed by Amber's side the entire night, letting her lead him around everywhere, acting like a doting father who would grant her every wish.
No wonder Amber liked him so much.
After all, neither he nor Dominic had ever spent this much attention on Amber.
"Alaric, it seems Amber really likes you."
Thomas forced a smile and looked at Alaric, trying to make conversation.
Alaric's eyes were cold. Seeing the smile on Thomas's face, he just found it annoying.
He responded coldly and said nothing more.
Thomas laughed awkwardly. He had been somewhat afraid of the quiet Alaric since childhood.
Now, with the added identity of being Amber's father, he couldn't help feeling nervous and guilty in front of Alaric.
Since Amber was born, this was the first time the Stone family had hosted guests like this, so she had been excited all day and hadn't even taken her afternoon nap.
By now, most of the guests had left, and The Stone Manor had returned to its usual quiet.
Amber rubbed her eyes, feeling sleepy, her little head nodding as drowsiness took over.
A hint of a smile appeared in Alaric's cold eyes as he reached out and took Amber into his arms.
Amber leaned against Alaric's chest and fell into a deep sleep in less than a minute.
Hannah was chatting with Cordelia when she saw Alaric holding the sleeping Amber, his eyes full of affection mixed with uncertainty. She said softly to Cordelia.
"He really looks like a good father."
Cordelia nodded in agreement. From his behavior toward Amber during this time, he was indeed a good father.
Amber relied on him and liked him very much.
He was also very special to Amber.
"That's exactly why we can't let him take away Amber's custody."
If he found out Amber was his daughter, he would definitely do whatever it took to take custody of Amber from her.
There were too many possibilities between Alaric and Janet.
She couldn't gamble on it, and she wasn't good at gambling either.
Six years ago, when she married Alaric, it was her first big gamble, and she lost miserably.
"Amber's asleep."
While Cordelia was lost in thought, Alaric brought Amber over to her.
Cordelia heard his voice and came back to her senses, reaching out to take Amber from Alaric's arms.
When Alaric handed Amber to Cordelia, his movements were very gentle and careful, as if Amber were his treasure.
A subtle emotion flashed in Cordelia's eyes, but she quickly calmed down.
She was polite, her tone warm.
"Thank you for tonight."
Alaric looked at her with deep eyes, and after a few seconds, replied just as politely.
"It's my honor to have Amber like me."
Cordelia fell silent.
Alaric's expression was calm as he said to Cordelia, "Happy birthday."
Cordelia forced a smile, "Thank you."
Alaric gave her a deep look, then turned to say goodbye to Donald, "Mr. Stone, I'll be leaving now."
Donald nodded and walked Alaric out of The Stone Manor.
Cordelia glanced at his retreating figure, then carried Amber upstairs.
She placed Amber on the bed and stared at the bracelet on Amber's hand for a long time.
Allegra brought warm water to wash Amber's body. Seeing Cordelia staring blankly at the bracelet on Amber's hand, she said softly.
"Mr. Hughes put this on Amber. He stayed by Amber's side all evening, never leaving her."
"He doesn't even know Amber is his daughter. His treatment of Amber is probably all because of you."
"Cordelia."
Cordelia took the towel from Allegra's hand and carefully wiped Amber's fingers.
Seeing her silence, Allegra didn't continue. She just sighed softly and left the bedroom.
The bedroom became quiet again.
After washing Amber, Cordelia changed her into pajamas.
She was really tired from playing, so she didn't wake up despite Cordelia's movements.
Cordelia looked at her sleeping face, feeling unusually heavy-hearted. Unable to sleep, she got up and walked to the balcony.
Outside The Stone Manor, Alaric's car was still parked in the same spot.
From Cordelia's angle, she could just see the red glow flickering on and off through the windshield.
He was smoking.
Cordelia frowned. People with serious stomach problems shouldn't smoke. She had reminded him many times.
She didn't expect him not to take it to heart at all.
Cordelia called Alaric with a cold face.
The phone was answered quickly.
Alaric also noticed Cordelia standing on the balcony.
After answering the call, he looked up at Cordelia standing on the balcony with her phone, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly.
"What's wrong?"
"Are you smoking?" Cordelia asked, her tone cold.
Alaric paused, glanced at the cigarette between his fingers, smiled silently, and then threw it into the ashtray.
"Just one puff."
Cordelia's voice was heavy, almost commanding, "You can't even have one puff."
Smoking irritates the stomach lining, causing blood vessels in the stomach lining to contract and become congested. Not only would it not help Alaric's stomach condition recover, it would also increase the risk of stomach cancer.
Alaric was silent for a few seconds, then said softly.
"Cordelia, you care so much about my condition. Do you still have some feelings for me?"
Cordelia's hand holding the phone tightened slightly, then quickly relaxed.
"You're my patient."
"I care about every one of my patients' conditions."
Alaric fell silent.
Cordelia continued, "I don't want any of my patients to get worse under my care."
Alaric could sense Cordelia's seriousness at this moment. His eyes reddened slightly, feeling terrible inside.
"I just felt a bit uncomfortable, so I wanted to smoke to ease it."
All his life, he had never experienced having a gift rejected.
Just as Bruce had said, he really did feel terrible.
This terrible feeling was bearable, but it was also wearing down his rationality.
He felt like he was going crazy.
Cordelia frowned and said seriously, "Alaric Hughes, you need to cooperate with my treatment."
She rarely called him by his full name. Alaric could sense Cordelia's seriousness now.
He took a breath and answered in a somewhat hoarse voice.
"Okay."
Cordelia listened to the voice coming from the phone, her expression slightly moved.
"I—"
She was about to mention the bracelet, but just as she started speaking, a busy tone came from the phone, then silence.
Alaric had hung up.
She lowered her eyes slightly, a complex emotion flashing in them, then put away her phone.
Downstairs, Alaric had already started his car and was leaving.
Soon his car disappeared into the night.
Cordelia looked at the end of the road shrouded in darkness and smiled bitterly, feeling somewhat relieved.
Good thing she didn't mention the bracelet. Otherwise, what she said in the backyard about not trapping herself in obsession would seem even more like a joke.