Chapter 32 Estrangement After Tenderness
The next morning.
Morning light slipped through the gaps in the curtains, a bit glaring.
When Emily regained consciousness, she first frowned.
Didn't she close the curtains last night?
But the next second, her body suddenly stiffened.
The first thing she felt was warmth and firmness in front of her.
She snapped her eyes open to find her nose pressed against Alex's chest, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist.
Emily's pupils shrank, her face full of shock. "Alex? Who said you could hold me while sleeping!"
Alex woke up. "You're awake?"
What do you mean awake?
Emily struggled to get out of his arms. "Let go of me right now, don't touch me!"
But Alex, feeling the movement in his arms, chuckled softly, "What's this? Last night when you were holding me, you didn't react like this. Someone was holding on tight and wouldn't let go."
Hearing this, Emily felt embarrassed.
She could almost smell the earthy scent after rain seeping in from outside the window.
Looking at the windowsill, there were quite a few fallen leaves and dry branches.
It must have been bad weather last night, and she already slept restlessly in early pregnancy.
She pushed Alex's arm irritably. "That's still no reason for you to hold me. Move away."
But not only did Alex not loosen his grip, he held her even tighter. "Why such a big reaction? It's not like I haven't held you before. Don't know who acted like a little quail in my arms all night, then woke up and didn't recognize me."
His voice carried the huskiness of just waking up, his eyes clearly showing amusement.
Emily froze for a moment—this was a relaxed and cheerful side of him she'd never seen before.
Did he take the wrong medicine or something?
"Never realized you were this shameless. I already said it was unconscious."
"Oh? Unconscious but could hold this tight? Even saying don't leave me—just admit you can't live without me."
"You're making that up!" Emily got anxious and kicked his shin, "Alex, go sleep in the guest room!"
Alex watched her bristle, his mood getting even better as he leaned closer. "Not going. Besides, someone says one thing but means another."
He spoke word by word, really annoying.
His warm breath sprayed on her earlobe. Emily turned her head away, gritting her teeth. "Let go!"
In the struggle, her pajamas slipped off her shoulder, revealing delicate skin.
Alex's eyes darkened even more. His long arm swept around and pulled her over. "It's still early, sleep a bit more."
"Be good, stop fussing."
The sudden tenderness somehow made Emily give in.
She moved uncomfortably, and for some reason, she really did feel sleepy.
The drowsiness of early pregnancy came like a tide, her eyelids so heavy she could barely keep them open.
After being tormented by nightmares half the night, physically and mentally exhausted, she really did want to sleep more.
Emily looked up at him, warning. "Fine, we can sleep a bit more, but don't you dare try anything. If you get any funny ideas, you're sleeping in the guest room tonight!"
"Don't worry." Alex half-closed his eyes, amused, "I'm not that desperate yet."
Emily's face turned red again. She simply didn't bother talking, turned her back to him, and quickly fell into deep sleep again.
When they woke up again, it was already noon.
Emily stretched lazily. The space beside her was already empty, only residual warmth remaining.
She had just sat up when she saw Alex coming out of the bathroom.
"Alex..."
"Go ahead."
Emily was about to call him when she realized he was on the phone.
On the other end, Grace's sweet voice came through the receiver, "Alex, why aren't you here yet? We agreed to celebrate my birthday together today, and it's already noon!"
Emily's movement of getting clothes paused, her fingertips tightening slightly.
How annoying—she always had to hear them on the phone.
Alex glanced at his watch, raising an eyebrow. "Sorry, I overslept."
"Overslept?" Grace's voice instantly took on a crying tone, "Alex, do you not want to celebrate my birthday with me?"
"No." Alex's tone softened a bit, "The birthday gift should have arrived, right?"
Grace's voice finally took on some happiness. "Yes! It's beautiful, I love it, thank you Alex."
Alex hummed. "Good that you like it."
Suddenly, his gaze on Emily showed slight hesitation.
How could Emily not see it?
She directly poured herself a glass of warm water, crisp and efficient. "You should hurry and go, don't keep Grace waiting."
Alex hung up the phone, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Use and discard—you're that eager for me to leave?"
"What else?" Emily asked back, "Or did you want to stay here and keep playing loving couple? We don't need to waste time."
The room suddenly fell silent.
Alex looked at her indifferent profile, the pleasure that had just risen in his heart dissipating, replaced by irritation. "Heh."
He gave a cold laugh, grabbed his suit jacket and left, as if last night's tenderness was just a dream.
Emily took a deep breath, changed clothes and went downstairs, but just as she stepped into the dining room, she ran into the old lady looking unhappy.
Susan stood nearby, her face full of anxiety. "Madam, you have to eat something. Otherwise you can't take your medicine, and if you starve yourself, what will we do?"
Margaret stuck her neck out stubbornly, not even looking. "Not eating. I'm already full of anger! I think that brat Alex is deliberately trying to upset me."
The knife and fork were heavily placed on the porcelain plate, making a crisp sound.
Margaret turned and sat to the side, refusing to eat no matter what.
Susan anxiously wrung her hands. "You're making this difficult for me. At least try a bite..."
"Take it away, take it away!" When the old lady's temper flared up, she wouldn't listen to anyone.
Emily didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She walked over and said gently. "Grandma, who are you upset with? Susan's cooking is so good, it would be a shame not to eat it."
After speaking, she placed the portioned plate in front of the old lady.
When Margaret saw her, her expression softened a bit. "That brat Alex—I'm this old, and he goes and secretly enrolls me in some senior interest class. Says it's to help me make friends, but really he just finds this old woman an eyesore."
"I'm not going. That place is a mess, full of scheming and dirty business!" The old lady was furious.
Emily, afraid she'd upset herself sick, quickly tried to soothe her. "Grandma, don't be angry. If you don't want to go, we won't go."
"Exactly! And that brat is using this as an excuse to get me to agree to let you two move back home! Emmie understands me—we don't need him anyway!"
As she spoke, she scooped up a spoonful of sweet soup.
The old lady specifically picked the sweet things to eat.
But Emily lowered her eyes, her fingertips gripping the knife and fork turning white, feeling inexplicably bitter inside.
So that's why Alex suddenly thought of arranging something for Grandma.
It was to leave the old house, making it convenient to be with Grace.