Chapter 138
Chapter 138:
The servants carried the two bulging bags into the backyard. At the far edge, a wide stretch of square-brick paving caught the sunlight. After instructing them to return to their duties, Loretta crouched beside the bags and unfastened them.
The tops fell open to reveal a heap of fresh scallions, their green stalks still glistening faintly from the previous day’s rain. When Gabriela stepped closer, Loretta lifted a handful, her hands moving briskly as she said, “These are from our own garden, not dried yet. Yesterday’s rain left them damp, so they’ll need a few more days in the sun p>
She shot Gabriela a brief look as she went on, “While there’s still light, come help me p>
Gabriela agreed and mirrored her movements, laying the scallions out in an even layer. The ache in her injured foot made each bend forward a slow, careful effort. Noticing her sluggish pace, Loretta’s brow furrowed. “In my day, we had to work hard just to keep food on the table p>
Gabriela’s cheeks warmed with shame. She hadn’t always been so delicate. Memories surfaced of the night before the college entrance exams, when Phyllis had deliberately poured scalding water on her arm in the dead of night. Even with a fever the next morning, Gabriela had sat through every test, gritting her teeth against the throbbing pain until the final paper was done. She’d earned her place at the university she’d dreamed of, slowly clawing her way out from under Phyllis’s shadow.
So how had she grown fragile over something as minor as a sprained ankle? Maybe it was because Wesley himself had applied the ointment, or because Miriam kept fussing over her, letting her slip into the unfamiliar luxury of being cared for.
Determined to shake it off, she picked up her pace, a thin sheen of sweat glistening at the tip of her nose.
“What are you two doing out here?” Wesley’s voice came from nearby, deep and steady.
He crossed the short distance in a few long strides, his expression calm yet edged with a concern so faint it was almost hidden.
Loretta cast him a brief look before answering in an unhurried tone, “Can’t you tell we’re laying scallions out to dry p>
“Why didn’t you give me a heads-up before coming?” Wesley, ever patient with her, pressed. “I could’ve at least sent someone to pick you up p>
𝗔d𝗱𝘪c𝘵𝗶𝗏𝗲 𝗇𝘰𝘃e𝗹𝘀 o𝗇 gа𝗹𝘯o𝗏еlѕ.𝘤𝗈𝗆
She dismissed the offer without hesitation. “I can make my own way here. No point wasting time and gas driving back and forth p>
While she went on grumbling, Wesley’s gaze drifted to Gabriela, noting the fine sheen of sweat clinging to her nose. “Gabriela, go take a seat over there,” he urged.
At his cue, Miriam promptly guided Gabriela to perch on the low flower bed nearby.
Loretta’s expression tightened with irritation. She jabbed a finger toward Wesley and snapped, “I only asked your secretary to help with a few scallions, and now you’re upset about it p>
Fiona had even helped her earlier, pulling out a bunch together.
Wesley let out a weary sigh as he clarified, “Her foot’s injured—getting around isn’t easy for her right now. Whatever needs to be done, someone else can handle it just as well p>
Loretta shot back, planting her hands on her hips, “Do you keep useless people here for decoration? Everyone in this estate has their duties. She’s sitting there knitting something as if she’s on vacation p>
A hot flush of embarrassment crept over Gabriela’s cheeks. Miriam’s kindness had lulled her into forgetting her place. A secretary spending her day knitting in her boss’s home—it did look improper.