Chapter 266 Bitterness
Andrew looked down at the hand she was holding.
He hadn't expected her to do that.
He raised his eyebrows slightly, looking at Olivia.
Bianca had been sitting beside him just now, and at this moment, Olivia was half-kneeling in front of Bianca, holding his hand.
The slightly reddened corners of her eyes made his hand itch a little.
Andrew couldn't hold back for a moment, and didn't want to.
He raised his hand and gently touched the corner of her eye, wiping away that crystal tear. With a smile and a gentle tone, he said, "You're welcome. During the process of treating Bianca, I also experienced a lot of happiness.
Bianca's case has also given me quite a bit of inspiration.
Besides, I really like Bianca.
Since I'm her doctor and responsible for her, I'll make sure she returns to normal, until she's completely recovered in the future."
"Yes!" Olivia nodded, very much agreeing with his words.
It was only then that she realized she was actually holding Andrew's hand.
Would he think she grabbed his hand on purpose just now?
Olivia felt a bit embarrassed and quickly let go, pulling her hand back. Her tone was quite uncomfortable as she said, "Sorry... I was just too excited."
Her ears, without her knowing it, turned red again.
Noticing this once more, Andrew couldn't help but chuckle softly, "Well, I can understand how you feel. It's okay."
The afternoon passed quickly.
They spent some time at the coffee shop, and before they knew it, evening had arrived.
Andrew had reserved a restaurant in advance and took the mother and daughter to dinner.
Olivia didn't refuse his kindness.
The restaurant he chose was naturally based on Olivia and Bianca's tastes, ordering dishes they liked to eat.
Because Bianca liked eating shrimp, Andrew kept peeling them for her. When she had eaten enough, he peeled some for Olivia too.
When helping Bianca pick out fish bones, he also prepared a portion for Olivia and urged her, "Eat up, don't just sit there. It won't taste good when it gets cold."
Olivia watched his feeding gestures, her mind a bit slow to catch up.
She quickly pushed the fish in front of her back to Andrew, "I... I can do it myself..."
But Andrew put the fish back in front of her and said meaningfully, "You're too thin. Eat more to nourish your body. Didn't you say you'd eat properly?"
Hearing this, Olivia couldn't help but doubt herself.
Had she really lost that much weight?
Probably not that much.
However, since it was his kind gesture, being overly polite wouldn't look good.
"Then I won't be shy about it!"
Besides, it was rare for her to have an appetite, so Olivia accepted his feeding.
Later, when they had eaten enough, Olivia took the opportunity to touch up her makeup while washing her hands.
Just as she was about to leave, she unexpectedly saw two girls.
The restaurant Andrew chose was high-end.
Even though Olivia wasn't familiar with Harmony City, she knew this was a place that required advance reservations.
People who could dine here naturally had special status.
And these two girls in front of her, judging from their dress and demeanor, were clearly well-bred young ladies.
At that moment, one of them spoke up, asking the other, "I heard Mr. Hamilton is back. Why aren't you having dinner with him?
Your two families' marriage is almost settled. You're basically engaged now. People outside don't know how much they envy you. Shouldn't you be showing off your relationship more?"
The other girl, hearing this, smiled gently and said, "Andrew is busy, you know that. I don't really want to disturb him.
Besides, there's no rush with relationship matters. He's back this time and won't be leaving, so we'll have plenty of time together in the future."
As she said this, she smiled with happiness all over her face.
The girl beside her also laughed and teased, "Then I'm done for. Won't I have to watch you two being all lovey-dovey all the time?"
Hearing her friend's words, Aurelia's expression became somewhat shy. "Well... you know Andrew's personality. He's always been low-key, so he definitely won't show affection in public. Our affairs probably won't be too public either."
Hearing this, Clio Webb nodded and said, "That's true. Mr. Hamilton has always been low-key and mysterious. Before, everyone was guessing that your marriage might fall through.
But now that the wedding is already being planned, looks like I need to hurry up and prepare a wedding gift for you!"
Aurelia smiled sweetly.
Facing her friend, she said a bit more, "Andrew isn't mysterious; he was just busy elsewhere before.
This time, his grandfather got injured, and his health isn't what it used to be, so Andrew's worried and wants to settle down.
After all, that's one of his closest relatives.
Our families agreed before that once he came back, we'd settle the marriage, so it's not too rushed."
Clio nodded, saying enviously, "That's wonderful. You've waited for him for so many years, and you two can finally have your happy ending.
By the way, how are you planning to arrange the wedding? I'm your best friend, so you have to let me be your bridesmaid."
"The wedding will be decided by the elders, or we'll listen to Andrew. I'm fine with either."
The two chatted and laughed, and at that moment, they noticed someone nearby.
Aurelia looked over at Olivia.
She didn't recognize Olivia, so she didn't think much of it and soon left arm in arm with her friend.
But Olivia, when she heard the footsteps leaving, stood frozen in place.
She hadn't expected that just coming to touch up her makeup, she'd overhear such a conversation.
Andrew was the "Mr. Hamilton" they were talking about. He had a fiancée?
And was about to get engaged soon?
Olivia had never heard about this.
Andrew had never mentioned it either.
She suddenly understood.
Why he wasn't returning to Emerald City.
Besides his grandfather being injured and the Robinson family causing him some trouble, the engagement probably accounted for part of the reason too.
He was getting engaged?
To that girl just now?
She had taken a closer look at that girl—she was very pretty, clearly an heiress from a good family.
Graceful, elegant, and gentle.
Someone Andrew's family approved of must be a good match.
That was nice.
That was what Olivia thought.
After all, Andrew was too outstanding.
How could someone like him be matched with just anyone?
This was good news. As a friend, she should congratulate him.
Rationally, that's what she told herself to do, but her emotions were somewhat uncontrollable.
The walk back to the private room seemed to stretch endlessly.
Complex emotions gradually emerged from deep within her heart.
That feeling was like spring water seeping through rock crevices, drop by drop, slowly gathering.
At first, she didn't feel much.
But the moment she pushed open the door and saw the man, she didn't taste sweetness—instead, her mouth was full of bitterness.
These emotions appeared so inexplicably.
Olivia couldn't make sense of it, couldn't identify what it was.
She just looked at Andrew, unable to say a word.
Andrew noticed her return and was about to greet her, but before the words left his mouth, his brows furrowed.
"Why do you look so pale? Are you feeling unwell?" His gentle voice was full of concern.
Olivia forced a smile and said, "Do... do I?"
Andrew's brows knitted together as he got up and came to her.
Olivia's complexion was indeed a shade paler than when she'd left.
"What's wrong?" He raised his hand to touch her forehead. Her temperature was normal—she wasn't sick, nothing seemed wrong.
Olivia opened her mouth, wanting to mention what she'd just heard and congratulate him.
But when she thought of the words of congratulation, her throat seemed blocked by something, and she couldn't get a single word out.
Even Bianca noticed something was wrong. She ran over and hugged Olivia's leg, looking up at her with concern. "Mommy, what's wrong?"
Olivia soothingly patted her head and said, "Nothing, I'm just a little dizzy, but it's nothing serious."
She knew lying to her child wasn't good, but at this moment, besides saying this, she didn't know how to answer her child's question.
She couldn't even figure out herself why she was like this.
Andrew could tell she didn't want to talk about it and didn't push her. He just said, "Then let me take you two home to rest?"
"It's okay..." Olivia felt that she should probably keep some distance from him now.
She said, "I can just have Simon come pick us up. You probably still have things to do, right?"
Andrew frowned slightly and said, "Do you think I'd feel comfortable letting you go back like this? I'll take you!"
He said this firmly, then had David come in to help with their things.
Then he picked up Bianca and led Olivia out of the restaurant.
Olivia knew that at moments like this, she could never win against him.
So she got in his car.
During the ride back, neither of them said much.
Andrew vaguely felt something was off. Several times he glanced down at Olivia's condition, seeing her looking a bit listless.
Thinking she was really unwell, he asked, "Do you need to go to the hospital?"
Olivia just shook her head and said, "No need. I'm just a bit tired. I'll be fine after resting early."
Bianca seemed to sense they were about to part again and quickly grabbed Andrew's hand, not wanting to let him go. "Daddy, can you stay with us tonight?"
Andrew's expression hesitated.
Olivia saw it all.
Back in Emerald City, Bianca had clung to him like this too.
Because she was worried about her condition getting worse, she hadn't dared to stop her.
Andrew had been very indulgent with her then too.
But things were different now.
He had a fiancée and would soon have his own family.
She could no longer accept the warmth he brought with such peace of mind, and couldn't let Bianca keep clinging to him.
Bianca would have to get used to life without a father sooner or later.
And now, Andrew's expression seemed to show he was starting to feel troubled.
She wondered if she'd caused him any trouble back in Emerald City.
When Olivia's mind got confused, she tended to overthink.
She pulled her daughter into her arms and patiently coaxed, "Bianca, be good. Daddy is very busy. He's already spent so much time with us for dinner today, and that's really nice.
He has to go back to work later. It's very tiring for him. You can't make a fuss, okay."