Chapter 9
Layla was holding a glowing fairy wand while Logan was clutching a Hulk plush toy nearly half his height. Their faces glowed with excitement, their cheeks flushed pink.
These brand-new toys were clearly expensive—undoubtedly gifts from Heidi.
Hearing the car door, both children turned their heads simultaneously.
Upon seeing Caroline, their smiles dimmed slightly as they politely said, "Mommy."
That "Mommy" sounded formal, as if addressing a distant relative—lacking their usual affection and with no complaints about having waited.
Caroline tried to smile at her children, but her lips felt glued in place, refusing to curve upward.
Her gaze moved past the children to Arthur.
His face remained expressionless, as if he hadn't been arguing with her on the phone minutes earlier, as if he couldn't see her current bedraggled state.
Caroline's fingertips curled inward, her nails digging deep into her palm.
Arthur merely glanced at her, saying flatly, "Let's go inside."
No greeting, no concern, not even an explanation.
Caroline followed them into the impressive villa. The entrance was covered with thick carpet that felt soft underfoot but did nothing to warm her cold feet.
The living room was spacious, luxuriously yet warmly decorated. Crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow, illuminating every corner where Windsor family members had gathered in small groups.
Isaac sat in his wheelchair. Seeing Caroline enter, a flash of light crossed his cloudy eyes as he beckoned her over. "Caroline, come here."
Caroline approached and knelt beside Isaac, greeting softly, "Grandpa."
"Good." Isaac nodded with a smile, his gaze moving between her and the two children who had just run over. "Look at this scene—the whole family together. My illness is already half cured."
Caroline felt something clogging her heart, making it heavy.
She looked up at Isaac with a faint smile but said nothing.
Family togetherness? If Isaac knew her marriage to Arthur had reached its end, that they were already considering divorce, would he still feel this way?
Looking at Isaac's aged face, guilt washed over her.
While Caroline was lost in thought, dinner was announced.
A servant invited everyone to the dining room, where a long table was laden with sumptuous dishes, their aromas enticing.
Isaac insisted that Caroline and Arthur sit beside him. His cloudy eyes held a shrewd glint—he had clearly noticed the tension between them and hoped to ease it.
"Come, Arthur, sit closer to Caroline," Isaac patted the empty space beside him, smiling. "You two make such a fine pair."
Arthur said nothing, simply sitting down silently next to Caroline.
During the meal, the atmosphere felt strained. Everyone spoke carefully, avoiding potentially sensitive topics. Isaac made several attempts to lighten the mood, all unsuccessful.
His eyes brightened when he spotted the steamed crabs on the table. "Arthur," he said, "these crabs are excellent. Crack one for Caroline—wasn't this her favorite?"
Caroline's heart jumped, and she instinctively looked at Arthur.
He was cutting his steak with a silver fork. Hearing Isaac's words, his movements paused, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.
Caroline clearly saw the flash of impatience in his eyes and her heart sank, already anticipating his response.
Sure enough, Arthur looked up, giving Caroline a cool glance. "If she wants it, she can crack it herself," he said flatly.
Then he returned to his meal as if the comment had been merely casual.
Caroline's face burned as though she'd been slapped.
In seven years of marriage, Arthur had never cracked a crab for her. Whenever they had crab, she would carefully prepare it for him, placing the tender meat on his plate—something he always took for granted.
Isaac's expression darkened, clearly displeased with Arthur's attitude.
As he was about to speak, Caroline quickly intervened. "Grandfather, don't be upset. I don't want any crab anyway."
She looked up with a gentle smile, explaining naturally, "I haven't been feeling well lately. I saw a doctor who said crabs and similar foods are too high in cholesterol for me."
This explanation was reasonable, and Isaac didn't press further, merely sighing, "Then you must take good care of your health."
"Thank you for your concern, Grandpa," Caroline replied with a smile, though her thoughts remained complicated.
Just then, Layla, sitting nearby, suddenly spoke up. "Mommy, I want crab. Will you crack one for me?"
Caroline hesitated. Layla was looking at her with eyes remarkably similar to Arthur's, seemingly taking it for granted that her request would be fulfilled. Caroline's heart softened.
No matter what, Layla was still her child. She nodded, took a crab, and began carefully cracking it. Her movements were practiced, and she quickly prepared it, placing the tender meat on Layla's plate.
Layla smiled happily, picking up her spoon and eating with enthusiasm.
Caroline was about to smile at her when Tiffany's cold voice cut in. "Caroline, if you know crabs are high in cholesterol and avoid them for your health, why let Layla eat them?"
Caroline looked up, meeting Tiffany's scrutinizing gaze.
"Children can have a little occasionally. It's fine," Caroline explained softly.
"How is it fine?" Tiffany set down her chopsticks and placed an egg custard in front of Layla. "Children have more delicate digestive systems. How can they eat such food? As a mother, are you truly thinking about your children?"
Her voice wasn't loud but carried clearly throughout the dining room.
All eyes turned to Caroline, filled with various emotions.
Caroline opened her mouth to object but found herself speechless.
Instinctively, she looked toward Arthur, hoping he would say something in her defense.
But he kept his head down, focused entirely on his meal, as if he had neither heard nor seen anything.
Across the table, Irene gave a contemptuous smile but said nothing, simply continuing with her meal.
Caroline's heart turned completely cold. She quietly lowered her head, picked up her cutlery, and put a piece of broccoli in her mouth, though it tasted like sawdust.
The atmosphere at the table grew even more oppressive. No one spoke, leaving only the sound of utensils clinking against dishes, jarringly loud in the silent dining room.
Caroline's heart filled with hurt and disappointment.
Perhaps divorce truly was the best option, she thought, this idea clearer in her mind than ever before.