Chapter 58: "The Big Secret"

The restaurant fell silent, with only the faint clinking of utensils and Jack's occasional suppressed coughing.

I kept my head down, slowly spooning the oatmeal from my bowl, but inside I was really nervous.

After the meal, Jack tiredly waved his hand and was helped back to his room by the servants to rest.

Just moments ago it was sunny outside, but now the sky had somehow turned gloomy. Dark clouds rapidly spread across the horizon, gradually swallowing up the bright light.

I was carrying my empty cup toward the kitchen when I saw two figures on the living room balcony and stopped in my tracks.

I lost interest in getting water, turned around, went upstairs to the second-floor terrace, and turned on the recording.

It was about to rain outside, so the servants wouldn't need to go out and work.

That's exactly why Layla dared to boldly hug Julian from behind.

"Julian, Anastasia is already dead. No matter how sad you are, she's not coming back."

Julian's body stiffened, then he quickly pulled her hands away. "Layla, are you crazy! This is The Westbrook Manor!"

He looked around nervously, afraid someone might see them.

"Julian, don't worry, no one will see us. You've been very distant with me lately, and it really hurts. I miss you so much, every day I think about the warmth you left on my body, the way you whispered my name."

"We were so happy together before, Julian. Can you just hold me?"

Layla's voice carried deliberate grievance and seduction as she tentatively stepped forward.

They were indeed quite happy.

I remember it clearly. During the days when Julian had amnesia, he took leave from the hospital, and Lloyd had him help out at the company.

Once, I went to the company to bring Julian his favorite desserts, but I saw a scene I'll never forget.

The office door was slightly ajar, and I could hear Layla's flirtatious laughter inside, along with Julian's suppressed breathing.

I felt like I was nailed to the spot, the blood in my body running cold. The dessert box in my hands fell to the floor, the delicate pastries scattering everywhere.

That day, they did it about four or five times—on the office desk, the sofa, by the floor-to-ceiling windows, on the carpet. They left traces of their lovemaking everywhere.

So I believe what Layla said—she was indeed very "happy."

Back then I comforted myself, thinking he had just lost his memory, that he was giving Layla the love that should have been mine, and everything would be fine once he remembered.

But looking back now, I was so stupid then!

I lowered my eyes and continued watching Julian and Layla on the balcony.

Before, Julian would probably have immediately held her and comforted her gently.

But now, there was annoyance in Julian's eyes as he looked at her. "I've already made myself very clear. I had amnesia then and forgot who I truly loved. I'm sorry about that."

"But I've remembered some things about Anastasia and me. Even though I haven't remembered everything, I know clearly that what happened between you and me was an accident, a mistake! You should get rid of that 'accident' in your belly as soon as possible!"

"A mistake? An accident?"

Layla shook her head. "No, no, we didn't do anything wrong!"

Layla looked at him pitifully. "Julian, Anastasia is already dead. No one can stand in our way anymore. I understand that your feelings for Anastasia over those years are hard to let go of. I'm willing to wait for you, no matter how long it takes."

"But, but the baby in my belly can't wait. It's the only child we'll ever have together."

"What do you mean?" Julian's voice grew colder, looking at Layla as if he'd never known her before.

"Julian, this child can't be without a father."

Layla's voice was tearful. I saw her grip Julian's arm tightly. "Julian, let's get married and give this child a home, okay?"

Look at that—the goal she'd hidden for years was finally exposed.

She used to say she wouldn't cause Julian trouble or make things difficult for him, but now she was using the baby in her belly to pressure Julian into marrying her.

Layla was so fake it made me sick!

Julian violently shook off her hand, the force making her stumble back several steps.

"Layla, are you insane! We used to be siblings, and you want me to marry you? Do you want the whole world to say we're committing incest?"

"Julian, everyone knows we're not blood-related, not real siblings. If I marry you and completely bind the Westbrook family and the Torres family together, wouldn't that be good?"

Julian stared at her in shock. "How can you say something like that?"

He stepped back twice, disgust plain on his face, a trace of panic in his eyes. "Layla, you're terrifying!"

With that, he pushed Layla aside and fled.

I pressed the stop button on the recording.

One day, I would personally tear off the fake masks of these two!

I put away my phone, and suddenly a chill ran up the back of my neck.

"What are you doing here?"

The man's voice echoed in the empty hallway.

I spun around and met a pair of unfathomably deep eyes.

Gabriel had appeared at the terrace entrance at some point, his wheelchair stopped in the shadows, his sharp gaze piercing straight through me.

I don't know if I was overthinking it, but I always felt like Gabriel was watching my every move.

Like right now—his eyes clearly held scrutiny and assessment, as if something about me wasn't right.

I gripped my phone tighter, pushing down the panic in my heart, and quickly walked over to him with my cup, making a shushing gesture.

"Gabriel, I just heard a huge secret! Let's go back to the room and I'll tell you all about it!"

With that, I shoved the empty cup directly into his hands and, channeling my nervousness into energy, pushed Gabriel's wheelchair back to the room at lightning speed.

I had to admire myself—I was a genius!

By running like that, I caught Gabriel off guard and naturally interrupted whatever he'd been thinking about.

By the time I pushed him into the room and closed the door, I was out of breath, leaning against the armrest of Gabriel's wheelchair and panting heavily.

Gabriel slowly came back to his senses and placed the cup that had been inexplicably thrust into his hands on a nearby cabinet.

He looked at me calmly, the sharpness in his eyes considerably softened. "Well? What's the secret?"

I took a few breaths and swallowed, my brain racing.

To make my act more convincing, I leaned mysteriously close to his ear and whispered, "I just saw Layla hug Julian from behind on the terrace! And she said something about how now that Anastasia is dead he can marry her. Are they in love or something?"