Chapter 196 Miss Blake is Pregnant
This meant Grace truly cared about him, truly loved him.
Liam didn't believe Samantha's words, but he also wanted Grace to love him more, to care about him more.
Just a little bit more would be enough.
Liam suddenly reached out toward Grace, "Grace, hug me."
Grace's heart stirred, and she pulled Liam into her arms.
Liam nestled into her warm embrace, murmuring softly, "I wish... Grace could be my mommy."
Grace's brow furrowed slightly. From Liam's words, she heard too much longing and hope.
How could she not wish for the same thing?
Grace said gently, "Liam, there are two kinds of family relationships in this world."
Liam lifted his head, looking at her with innocent confusion, "What two kinds?"
Grace explained, "One kind is natural—you're born with a daddy and a mommy. You have no choice in the matter. From the moment you come into this world, it's already decided who your parents are and whose child you are. It's destiny."
Liam listened, his eyes flickering thoughtfully, "And the other kind?"
Grace continued, "The other kind is chosen. Like you, like me. Liam, would you like me to be your mommy from now on? You could call me Mommy just like Max does, and I'll treat you exactly the same as Max. That's what choice means."
Liam's eyes lit up like little stars.
He seemed to understand, nodding seriously, "Grace is the mommy Liam chose. From now on, Liam will have Grace as his mommy!"
"Yes, absolutely."
Alexander had entered the back garden and heard Grace and Liam's conversation through the trees.
Grace asked gently, "Liam, why were you hiding here all by yourself?"
Liam said sadly, "Because Liam is not happy."
Grace asked, "Why are not you happy, sweetheart?"
Liam replied, "Someone said terrible things about Grace. She said when Grace marries Daddy, she'll be Liam's stepmother. She also said stepmothers don't treat their stepchildren well, that they ignore them, and if Liam isn't good, she'll make him leave."
Grace couldn't help but smile ruefully.
With her intuitive nature, she immediately guessed who had said such things to Liam.
It had to be Samantha.
As Alexander's stepmother herself, she naturally assumed all stepmothers were cut from the same cloth.
Grace asked, "Does Liam believe what that person said?"
Liam shook his head vigorously, "Liam doesn't believe it! Grace is very good to Liam."
Grace promised, "In the future, I'll be very, very good to Liam too."
Liam asked innocently, "Is Grace really going to marry Daddy?"
Grace replied, "I'll think about it carefully."
"Get married! Get married!"
Liam suddenly became excited, "Grace, you have to marry my daddy! My daddy is wonderful—he'll give you lots and lots of love, and he'll definitely cherish you!"
Liam began enthusiastically promoting his father.
Grace was both amused and touched by his earnestness.
Alexander was about to approach when his phone suddenly vibrated.
He pulled out his phone and saw Jeremy calling.
He stepped aside and answered, "Hello?"
"Mr. Hayes, I received some news that I'm not entirely sure about, so I wanted to check with you first."
Alexander hummed in acknowledgment, "What is it?"
Jeremy hesitated, "Miss Blake... has returned to the country."
Emily was back?
Alexander frowned slightly, "When did this happen?"
Jeremy replied, "I'm not sure exactly, but I just got word that it was recent. And... there's something else."
Alexander raised an eyebrow, "And?"
Jeremy said, "She appears to be pregnant. Someone told me they spotted Emily at an OB-GYN clinic for a prenatal checkup. From what they could see, she looks to be several months along."
Emily was pregnant...
This news completely blindsided him.
Emily didn't have a steady boyfriend—how had she suddenly become pregnant?
Alexander asked, "Who's the father?"
Jeremy replied, "Only she knows that. But as far as I'm aware, she doesn't have a boyfriend or fiancé. The sudden pregnancy seems suspicious, which is why I'm reporting it to you."
Alexander said, "I understand."
Jeremy asked, "Mr. Hayes, should I investigate the situation further?"
Footsteps approached from behind.
Alexander turned to see Grace walking over with Liam in her arms. When she noticed he was also in the back garden, surprise crossed her face, "Alexander, what are you doing here?"
Alexander spoke into the phone, "I have to go. We'll talk later."
"Understood." Jeremy heard Grace's voice and immediately hung up.
Alexander pocketed his phone and walked over, telling Grace, "Jeremy was calling about work."
Grace asked, "Is there some urgent business matter you need to handle this late?"
Alexander shook his head, "Nothing important."
He approached and reached out to pinch Liam's cheek.
The moment Liam saw his serious expression, he immediately shrank further into Grace's embrace.
Grace swatted his hand away, "Don't hurt Liam."
Alexander said, "He wandered off by himself and worried everyone. If I don't teach him a lesson, he'll do it again."
Liam pitifully wrapped his arms around Grace's neck, defiantly turning his bottom toward Alexander with a small huff, resting his little head on Grace's shoulder and staying perfectly still.
Grace said diplomatically, "Liam was just playing hide-and-seek with us, weren't you?"
Alexander said nothing more.
The three of them returned to the dining room, where the staff had also called Max down.
Samantha did not come downstairs, so six people shared dinner.
It was getting late.
Mary earnestly urged Alexander to stay at Hayes Manor for the night.
Alexander remained noncommittal, but seeing that Grace had no clear objections, he agreed.
After all, Hayes Manor was where Liam had grown up, and it would be Max's home in the future too. It wasn't exactly a den of lions—staying one night wouldn't hurt.
After dinner, Alexander and William retired to the study.
The father and son did not engage in much small talk. Alexander cut straight to the chase, "Dad, I'm planning to get engaged to Grace."
William was somewhat surprised but didn't show it, asking only, "I'm not against you remarrying her—I don't oppose it—but isn't an engagement rushing things a bit?"
Alexander remained unmoved, "I consider this my personal business, and I'll decide for myself. I'm simply informing you, not seeking your opinion."
William's expression darkened as he said, "Marriage is not just about you alone."
Alexander nodded without arguing, "You're right, marriage isn't just about me. It's between Grace and me. Are you saying I don't have the right to make my own decisions about my marriage?"
William quickly clarified, "That's not what I meant."