Chapter 177

Chapter 177

I pretended not to hear that comment, and with a casual gesture, the two of them didn't press further.

A few months went by, and the baby's features started to become more defined.

Avery naturally didn't say much, but Natalia, who was always carefree and often close to the baby, would occasionally talk about the baby's appearance.

This moment was no different.

"They say daughters look more like their fathers. Seems true. Liliana and Caroline don't look much alike, so she must take after her dad."

A simple, offhand remark made my heart race.

Even though he wasn't here, I still worried about Liliana's identity being discovered by others.

Natalia was just a friend I made in Vesperia. It wouldn't be good for either of us if she knew too much.

"Isn't that obvious? If she doesn't look like her father, who else would she look like?"

Natalia's mom shook her head with a smile, then looked at Liliana, murmuring absentmindedly, "We've been living with Natalia for a month now, and I've never heard you mention the child's father. He and you..."

Why do they keep asking about Liliana's father?

But her tone... it seemed like just casual conversation.

Maybe I was being too cautious.

I didn't dwell on the question and replied offhandedly, "He's dead."

Natalia's mom fell silent.

To be honest, the Raymond I loved never really existed. The person I thought he was turned out not to be him at all.

Thinking this way, I found that it did not seem so hard to let go.

"It's okay. It's all in the past. I can take care of the child on my own."

I touched Liliana's lips, and she smiled.

How wonderful.

"That's good. We're neighbors, so we can help out too."

Natalia's mom nodded lightly, but her gaze remained on Liliana, as if scrutinizing her.

Before I could speak, Natalia's mom said, "If you look closely, Liliana's features do resemble Natalia's a bit."

That comment made me uncomfortable.

Natalia had been with us for so long, and Avery had never mentioned that Liliana looked like her.

Yet, it was pointed out by a neighbor's elder.

"There are many people in the world who look alike. I just found it surprising and mentioned it. Don't take it to heart."

I couldn't help but frown.

Sometimes, anger was impossible to suppress.

It was just a comment about resemblance, but it felt like she was probing.

"It's nothing. If Liliana and Natalia look alike, it means they were destined to meet."

I looked down at Liliana in my arms.

She looked so much like Raymond. When she grew up, it was certain to be noticed.

"It's quite amazing. She really does look like me. Why didn't I notice it before?"

Natalia's attention was completely drawn to Liliana.

She came over to play with Liliana alongside me.

I didn't notice Avery's probing gaze.

After dinner, we returned to our own homes. After saying goodbye to Natalia and Liliana, we closed our respective doors.

Avery hadn't said much during the entire meal.

So I asked, "Avery, do you think they look alike too?"

What if they do? I didn't understand why I was so fixated on this.

It was something I shouldn't have cared about.

Avery's expression grew more serious. "Caroline, I think we've been overlooking something, but it could also be a coincidence."

I listened, waiting for her to continue.

"Raymond's mother is Orla, and Natalia's last name is Jenkins. And coincidentally, Liliana looks like her. Could it really be just a coincidence?"

I had considered what Avery mentioned, but not every coincidence in the world could fall on me, right?

There were tons of people with the last name Jenkins. How could it be related to Orla?

What if... it was just a coincidence?

I smiled faintly, feeling surprisingly calm inside. "So what? Liliana is mine. They can't take her away."

It was that simple.

I hadn't heard of Raymond having other relatives, or maybe... it was just something I didn't know about Natalia's side.

Avery seemed to relax a bit too.

"But we should still be careful. If she really is related to Raymond, we shouldn't get too close to her."

I looked down at Liliana.

She was still smiling, her eyes like little crescent moons—utterly beautiful.

I didn't want her to get caught up in any messy disputes.

Maybe... giving her a new identity could ensure her safety and peace?

On the day we wrapped up filming, Edward brought up the idea of hosting an engagement party.

He seemed certain I would agree.

"I'll give you a grand engagement party, inviting everyone who has connections with the Lopez family. Of course, I can also invite people from the Brown family, if you want."

He mentioned this on the drive home after the wrap party.

"I thought there wouldn't be an engagement party."

It was just a ceremony. Not having one wouldn't affect our relationship.

But having one might be nice.

It would have been like telling the whole world that I was still here, just living under a different name.

I wanted Raymond to see me getting engaged to someone else, yet be powerless to do anything about it.

After all, Caroline was dead. Her identity had been erased. The Lucy who was alive now had no legal ties to him.

Edward smiled gently. "You're my fiancée. You should have everything you deserve. I want you to stand by my side openly. I want everyone to know about our relationship."

"Relationship?" I scoffed lightly. "What relationship? Don't you know?"

I didn't spell it out, and Edward didn't either. His bright eyes were filled with affection.

"I love you. Will you marry me?"

Even though I was mentally prepared, I didn't expect Edward to be so straightforward.

There was no need to act to this extent.

"I won't get a marriage certificate. Marriage is a constraint for me, but... I don't mind having a wedding."

After all, there wouldn't be any real relationship between us.

Edward had clearly planned everything.

"The wedding will be in two weeks. I've already prepared the dress and the guest list. All that's left is to send out the invitations. Do you want to see the list?"

He was overly prepared.

"Send me a copy."

When we reached the entrance of the neighborhood, I didn't look at him. I just opened the door and got out of the car, but as I turned, he grabbed my wrist.

Then... I saw his face moving closer to mine.

"Leaving just like that? Aren't you going to give me something?"

His tone was casual and teasing, but there was no hint of a smile in his eyes.

"It's just the two of us here."

Edward whispered, and I frowned slightly before quickly relaxing.

There weren't many people around at night, but the entrance of the neighborhood was hardly a place where we were alone.

At least the security guard was there.

Which meant someone was watching us from the shadows.

I leaned in towards his cheek.

It looked like a kiss.