Chapter 644
Her voice was soft and gentle, carrying her usual melodic tone, yet every single word seemed to take root deep within Rowan’s soul.
He stared down into her bright, luminous eyes, a searing heat expanding rapidly in his chest.
How could anyone possibly be this lovable?
Elissa was quick on the uptake. The moment she noticed his breathing turn ragged, she quickly sounded the alarm. “Y-you need to control yourself. We can’t right now…”
At this stage in her pregnancy, any strenuous activity could be incredibly dangerous for the baby.
Rowan looked at her panicked expression, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest as he reached out to pinch her cheek. “What exactly goes through that head of yours? Do you really think I’m some kind of animal?”
He knew perfectly well her body couldn’t handle it; there was no way he would risk hurting her.
He was just marveling at his own luck, wondering what he had ever done to deserve a woman as incredible as her.
Elissa rubbed her nose, defending herself fiercely. “I was just giving you a friendly warning.”
“Yes, yes, you’re the absolute sweetest.”
Rowan ruffled her hair before wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her firmly against his side on the mattress. “Alright, go to sleep.”
Elissa snuggled deep into his embrace, obediently fluttering her eyes shut.
She had been exhausted just moments ago, but suddenly, she found herself wide awake.
A thought nagged at her, and she shifted against his chest. “Did you notice Mr. Blaine acting a little strange today? It felt like he was mad at me, but not in his usual way…”
She couldn’t shake the feeling of unease.
But she couldn’t figure out what could have upset the old man. Was she just overthinking things?
The hand gently tracing circles on her back paused for a fraction of a second before Rowan spoke softly. “He wasn’t mad at you. He was heartbroken.”
Elissa’s mind felt sluggish. “Heartbroken?”
“Yeah.”
Rowan rested his chin on the top of her head, his voice low. “When I walked him out, the stubborn old guy was practically in tears.”
There was a hint of teasing in his tone.
But the words left a bitter taste in Elissa’s mouth. After a long silence, she pressed her lips together. “He definitely blames himself. He probably thinks I’m in this condition because of him and his wife.”
It wasn’t just heartbreak; it was crushing guilt.
The reality was, she had been the one to drag Jacqueline into danger. But instead of blaming her, Mr. Blaine had turned all his anger inward.
And because the old man was incredibly proud, he didn’t know how to express those feelings directly.
Now that he was home, he was probably going to sulk in misery for a while.
Rowan knew her far too well. “So like teacher, like student? Now you’re going to start feeling guilty, too?”
If it was someone she despised, she wouldn’t blink an eye if they threw themselves off a bridge.
But when it came to the people who truly loved her, she obsessed over every little detail, desperate to keep them happy.
Elissa glared up at him. “I’m just trying to figure out how to fix this.”
“Have you figured it out yet?”
Rowan played along smoothly.
She nodded decisively. “I’ll call Jacqueline and ask her to talk some sense into him. He listens to her more than anyone.”
Rowan arched an eyebrow, his tone highly approving. “Makes sense. Just like how I listen to you more than anyone.”
Elissa rolled her eyes.
Absolutely shameless.
When the Wilkinsons arrived back at Zephyr Manor, the dark cloud that
had hovered over the house was finally gone, replaced by a race, relaxed atmosphere
As they got out of the car, Suzanne didn’t even push Tristan away when he took
control of her wheelchair from the staff.
Tristan quietly let out a sigh of relief. “Are you finally done being mad at me?” Suzanne ignored him.
She turned her head instead, her gaze fixed on Rex.
She had heard from the staff yesterday that Tristan and Rex had gotten into a physical altercation.
And that was the real reason she had been furious.
As for Tristan fiercely defending Maya, that was entirely within her expectations.
Rex let out a casual laugh,
effortlessly throwing his father
under the bus. “I’m fine. I’ve got thick
skin. The handprint from where he
stapped me pretty much faded away last night.”
He didn’t speak loudly, but his voice was clear enough to catch the attention of Old Mr. Wilkinson and Old Mrs. Wilkinson, who had just been about to step inside. They both whipped around.
Because Vera had gone missing so early on, Rex was essentially the spoiled youngest child of the family, doted on by everyone.
Especially by Old Mrs. Wilkinson.
She marched straight over, scrutinizing her grandson’s handsome face before
leveling a glacial glare at Tristan. “You hit Rex? Let’s hear your excuse.”