Chapter 98
Layla couldn't understand. She truly couldn't understand.
Before, they had been the most precious treasures in their mother's eyes. But ever since this Rena appeared, Mom didn't love them anymore.
Caroline was silent for a moment before speaking firmly. "Layla, I will always be your mother. We're connected by blood, and I won't abandon you."
"This camping trip has nothing to do with anyone else—it was my choice. You both would rather have your father and Ms. White accompany you, so shouldn't I give you that time and space?"
At this, Layla's voice choked up. "But Dad and Ms. White disappeared somewhere."
"Ms. White promised to take us camping today, but she didn't pick us up after our classes. No one answered our calls, not even Daddy. Mommy, Logan and I miss you. Can't you come home? We're so bored, and we want to go camping too."
Caroline lowered her eyes, a faint smile touching her lips—whether from bitter irony or resigned expectation, it was hard to tell.
She had stopped caring, yet hearing Layla's words still caused an ache in her chest.
"I can't come back today, but if you really want to go camping, I'll take you next weekend."
With that, she ended the call.
Caroline knew Layla would be upset, but the children's pattern of only remembering her when Arthur and Heidi were unavailable disappointed her deeply.
As she scrolled through her phone, her expression suddenly froze. Two highly trending photos on WhatsApp Status caught her attention.
One showed Arthur and Heidi embracing passionately beneath the fireworks. The other captured Arthur placing a ring on Heidi's finger.
These two images clearly demonstrated Arthur's feelings and the adoration he had for Heidi.
He was announcing to the world: he loved her and wanted to give her everything.
[He said the fireworks were beautiful, but I was even more beautiful beside him.]
Only now did Caroline fully understand. Arthur had left the children at home, and Heidi had broken her promise to them, because of this.
Their seven years of secret marriage could never compare. In just months, he was eager to declare his love for her to the entire world.
Becky had also seen the post. She was about to cursen, but stopped when she noticed the sadness in Caroline's eyes.
She looked at her with concern. "Caroline, are you okay?"
She thought she'd heard Layla and Logan's voices—those ungrateful little brats.
Though she disliked how they forgot their mother's love to please Heidi, as Caroline's friend, she understood what the children meant to her. They were more important to Caroline than her own life.
Caroline shook her head. "I'm fine. Just a little tired. I think I'll rest for a bit."
Becky didn't try to stop her, instead making herself at home with Gavin and Rena. But both were concerned about Caroline and went to check on her after letting Becky be.
Meanwhile, Stanley had finally located Becky through her WhatsApp Status. His stern face showed a touch of resignation.
"Why didn't you answer your phone?"
Becky refused to acknowledge him. "Isn't your brain only wired for work? I told you I didn't want to that damn Arthur, but you went over anyway. So why are you looking for me now?"
Stanley sat down beside her with practiced ease, expressionlessly accepting a plate of charred Wagyu beef. He was unusually silent for a moment.
"If cows knew you'd turned their meat into this, they'd probably feel they died in vain."
Becky carelessly dumped all the burnt meat onto his plate. "Next time you ghost-stalk me like this, I'll disappear somewhere you'll never find me. You'll never see me again."
As she spoke, she suddenly felt something cold around her wrist. Looking down, she found a pair of pink handcuffs restraining both her hands.
Her pupils dilated in shock as she began cursing Stanley.
These were the same handcuffs Becky had bought from an adult store, intending to use on Stanley. She never expected they'd be used on her first.
The next moment, Stanley leaned forward, tilting her delicate chin up. His eyes blazed with possessive obsession.
"So you still have energy to run away? It seems I should work harder."
Becky's face turned completely red. "Let go of me, you jerk!"
Stanley gave her backside a firm slap. "Save that energy for when we get back."
Their commotion was loud enough that Caroline emerged from her tent to check.
Seeing Becky wave at her from afar, signaling not to worry, Caroline pressed her lips together and said nothing more.
From Becky's reaction, it seemed she was experiencing a mix of pain and pleasure.
When Caroline returned to her tent, she found two more people waiting.
Gavin wore an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry, but Rena got her clothes dirty. Could you help her change?"
"No need to be so polite. I adore Rena—I'm happy to take care of her."
After helping Rena change, Caroline was about to leave the tent when she accidentally bumped into Gavin, who was waiting outside. Her long hair got caught in the zipper.
Caroline had to step back inside to free her hair, with Gavin following to help.
In the shadowy light, their silhouettes overlapped in what appeared to be an embrace—a scene easily misinterpreted.
This moment was witnessed by Heidi. "Arthur, isn't that Caroline over there?"
As Arthur looked over, he caught sight of Caroline and Gavin entering the tent together.
Heidi curved her lips slightly, casually remarking, "This late at night, going into the same tent with another man—isn't that inappropriate?"
Before she could continue, Arthur was already striding toward the tent, his face cold.
The next second, the tent flap was yanked open forcefully.
Seeing that besides Caroline and Gavin, there was also a child inside, and that the two adults were sitting far apart, his expression faltered momentarily.
This didn't stop Heidi from playing her part.
"Caroline, Mr. Bennett? You two..." Heidi covered her mouth as if witnessing something shocking, calculation swirling in her eyes.
"I never expect you two are this... close. No wonder you became the neuroscience lab's chief consultant, Caroline. You must seize your luck and don't disappoint Mr. Bennett."
Caroline's expression was cold. "If you can't speak properly, then be quiet. Don't rush to sling mud. What happened was purely accidental."
Heidi nodded earnestly. "I totally understand. Arthur and I won't say anything about it. Right, Arthur?"
She looked up at Arthur, who stood motionless beside her, only to catch the possessive look in his eyes.