Chapter 213
Anne wore pink pajamas, her hair still somewhat damp—she'd clearly just finished bathing.
Dennis stood behind her, frowning with a serious expression.
Lisbeth's face grew even redder.
She didn't even dare look at the children outside the window, only lowering her head to pretend to smooth her clothes.
Sebastian coughed and rolled down the window.
"Daddy, Mommy, why have you been in the car so long without coming out?" Anne asked innocently. "I've been waiting forever and ever."
Lisbeth wanted to find a hole to crawl into.
Sebastian quickly regained his composure and replied gently, "Mommy and Daddy were discussing something. Why aren't you two asleep yet?"
"Grandma said you'd be back soon, so I wanted to wait for you." Anne pouted. "And I want Mommy to tell me a story today."
Only then did Lisbeth lift her head, trying to make her expression look normal. "Okay, Mommy will tell you a story. Let's go inside first. It's cold out here."
As she spoke, she opened the car door, her movements somewhat flustered.
Dennis stood to the side, his gaze sweeping back and forth between her and Sebastian. Finally, he sighed like an adult. "Mommy, your lipstick is smudged."
Lisbeth fell silent.
She just wanted to bury her face in the ground right now.
Walking into the house, Lisbeth first accompanied Anne and Dennis to their rooms.
Anne was especially excited today, holding her hand and insisting she tell three stories.
"Three is too many, Anne. You have school tomorrow." Lisbeth coaxed her gently.
"Then... two?" Anne blinked her big eyes, bargaining.
Lisbeth relented. "Alright, just two."
Getting into the soft covers, Anne quietly closed her eyes. Lisbeth told Anne two fairy tales.
Anne began to struggle, growing drowsy.
"Mommy..." Anne asked groggily, "Were you and Daddy... kissing in the car today?"
Lisbeth's face instantly flushed again.
"Go to sleep." She gently patted Anne's back. "Little children shouldn't ask these things."
Anne rolled over, hugging her teddy bear and mumbling, "I think Daddy likes Mommy, and Mommy likes Daddy, too..."
Her voice grew softer and softer until she was completely asleep.
Lisbeth sat by the bed, watching Anne's peaceful sleeping face, a warm current surging in her heart. She gently tucked in Anne's covers, then lowered her head to plant a kiss on her forehead before getting up to leave.
Reaching the door, she saw Dennis's room light was still on.
She pushed the door open. Dennis sat on his bed reading.
"Still not asleep?" Lisbeth walked over.
Dennis closed his book and looked up at her, his expression serious. "Mommy, I have something to tell you."
Lisbeth sat on the edge of the bed. "What is it?"
Dennis hesitated, then chose to speak directly. "I don't like you and Daddy doing that outside... It's not good if other people see."
Lisbeth's face reddened again.
"I understand what you mean." She said softly. "Mommy will be more careful."
"I'm not saying you can't kiss." Dennis thought for a moment, trying to organize his words. "I mean... Daddy hasn't married you yet, so you should maintain proper boundaries. Otherwise... people will gossip."
Lisbeth froze.
She hadn't expected six-year-old Dennis to say something like this.
She suddenly realized Dennis was much more mature and sensitive than children his age. She carefully chose her words. "Dennis, Mommy and Daddy's relationship... it's more complicated than you think."
"I know you're married," Dennis said calmly. "Grandma told me."
Lisbeth was stunned again.
She hadn't expected Anna to tell Dennis about this.
"But other people don't know." Dennis continued. "And Daddy hasn't given you a wedding. Grandma said all girls want the grandest wedding, the kind blessed by everyone."
Looking at Dennis's serious little face, Lisbeth felt a mixture of emotions.
She reached out and gently ruffled Dennis's hair. "Thank you for thinking so much about Mommy. Mommy promises you, I'll be more careful from now on."
Dennis nodded. "Then Mommy should go shower and rest. Good night, Mommy."
"Okay, you sleep early, too."
Lisbeth got up to leave. At the door, she turned back for another look.
Dennis had already lain down and turned off the bedside lamp.
She gently closed the door.
Returning to the master bedroom, Lisbeth saw that Sebastian had already showered and was sitting on the bed in pajamas, looking at his tablet.
Seeing her enter, Sebastian set down the tablet and reached out his hand toward her.
As soon as Lisbeth walked over, she was pulled into his embrace.
"Are the children asleep?" he asked in a low voice.
"Yes." She leaned in his arms, breathing in the fresh shower gel scent on him, the embarrassment in her heart finally receding somewhat.
Sebastian gently stroked her hair. "Earlier in the car..."
"Don't mention it." Lisbeth immediately buried her head in his chest, her voice muffled. "Too embarrassing. It's all your fault."
Sebastian chuckled softly. "I think it was quite cute."
Lisbeth lifted her head to glare at him. "What's cute about it? Being caught by the children..."
"Being caught by children seeing their parents affectionate—isn't that a good thing?" Sebastian cupped her face, his eyes gentle. "It shows our family is very happy."
Looking at his serious expression, the embarrassment in Lisbeth's heart was gradually replaced by another emotion.
She suddenly remembered what Dennis had said. "Sebastian, I have something to tell you."
"What?"
Lisbeth sat up straight and looked seriously into his eyes. "What I said at the police station today was true."
Sebastian said nothing, only gazed at her quietly, listening intently.
"When I said I like you, it was true," Lisbeth said word by word. "It wasn't impulsive, it wasn't being moved—I've truly fallen for you."
Sebastian's breathing obviously quickened. He gripped her hand tightly, still patiently waiting for her to finish what she wanted to say.
"And..." Lisbeth took a deep breath and finally said what she'd decided. "I agree to maintain our marital relationship."
Sebastian froze. Though he'd had a premonition, hearing it in that moment, he still felt tremendous joy. "Really?"
She was so timid, never willing to make promises, which left him feeling very insecure.
"I said, I agree to maintain the marital relationship." Was he really this happy? Lisbeth didn't quite understand but still repeated it, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Our marriage certificate still counts."
Sebastian suddenly hugged her tightly, with so much force that Lisbeth could barely breathe.
"Lisbeth... thank you." His voice was muffled against her shoulder, carrying uncontrollable excitement and trembling.
Lisbeth gently wrapped her arms around his back, feeling his body's slight tremors.
"But..." She paused, still saying what came next. "I hope to keep it secret for now."
Sebastian's body stiffened slightly. He released her, his gaze looking directly at her. "Why?"