Chapter 10
Lila watched the two of them leave, suddenly feeling a bit scared.
Although she wasn't close to Alexander, she was even less familiar with everyone else here. And since Alexander had brought her here, when Gaia took him away, she suddenly felt a bit panicked.
Fortunately, Vivienne included her in the conversation. "Lila, how did you meet my mom?"
"That day I was jogging in the park and saw a thief steal Grandma's wallet. I got the park gardeners to help me catch the thief and got Grandma's wallet back. That's how we met."
"You really helped Grandma out. She had a photo in that wallet - one of her and Grandpa taken when he was still alive. It's very precious to her."
Lila smiled. "Good thing nothing was lost."
In the garden.
Gaia sat down in a chair and looked at Alexander. "Have you thought about what I mentioned?"
Alexander asked back. "What thing?"
Gaia snorted coldly. "Alexander, are you playing dumb with me?"
Hearing Gaia's tone, Alexander seemed to realize something and frowned. "The thing about having a child?"
"Yes."
"If Lila gets pregnant, will Celeste really come back?"
Gaia didn't answer directly, instead asking him. "How many times do you need me to confirm this?"
Alexander glanced at the ginkgo tree in the distance, its leaves already turning yellow, remembering that summer when Celeste smiled at him under the ginkgo tree. "Alex, will you marry me?"
Back then it was summer, and the leaves were still the green color of hope.
But now, the yellowing leaves marked autumn's arrival.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Alexander said coldly. "Even if Lila does get pregnant, I'll never love her."
With that, Alexander walked away from the garden.
Gaia watched Alexander's retreating figure, a smile playing at her lips. "Alexander, you're still too green. I don't believe I've misjudged you. I'm waiting for you to regret this later."
Just as she finished speaking, she heard a noise behind her. Looking back, she saw a potted orchid had been knocked off its stand.
Gaia immediately asked. "Who's there?"
A figure reluctantly emerged.
Gaia's expression changed slightly. "Why is it you? How much did you hear of my conversation with Alexander?"
"Not much, just heard Alexander say he wouldn't love someone."
"You better forget everything you heard. Don't tell anyone about this!"
Arabella walked over and knelt by Gaia's knees, massaging her legs. "I know, Grandma. I'm your granddaughter, not an outsider. You're not worried I'd mess up Alexander and Lila's relationship, are you?"
---
Gaia kept Lila and Alexander for dinner at the Sinclair Manor before letting them go.
Lila was pulled along by Alexander's hand as they left the Sinclair Manor.
It was already late, and the Sinclair Manor was very quiet.
Lila accidentally glanced at their shadows on the ground - her and Alexander holding hands - and thought they actually looked pretty good together.
The moment they stepped outside the Sinclair Manor gates, Lila's hand was immediately dropped.
The action was merciless and filled with hidden anger, instantly putting her on high alert, ready for battle.
Sure enough, before they even got in the car, Alexander started settling scores with Lila, coldly demanding. "At lunch, who told you to call me honey?"
"Didn't you tell me to play along? Did I not do well?"
"Very well. From now on, call me that at home too, so we don't slip up when we come to the Sinclair Manor and bring bad luck on ourselves."
With that, Alexander strode off.
Lila was silent.
Was he serious?
Lila suspected Alexander was deliberately trying to annoy her.
Who would want to call someone "honey" every day while looking at a face full of disgust?