Chapter 232
Kingsley looked up, his sharp gaze searching her face for any sign of a lie.
“Are you really over Thurston, or is this just an act p>
Evie couldn’t help but laugh, her tone completely genuine.
“When I was younger and foolish, Kingsley, I thought loving someone meant they were my whole world. I slowly realized that romance is just a small part of life. I’ve truly let it go now. I don’t obsess over having him anymore. Sometimes, love is just wishing them well p>
Hearing this, Kingsley replied flatly, “Looks like the money Winston spent wasn’t wasted p>
“It has nothing to do with his money,” Evie quickly corrected him. “I figured it out on my own. I grew up p>
Kingsley didn’t argue. He just pulled out his phone and texted Thurston: *I’m picking them up at the airport tomorrow night. Don’t send anyone p>
Thurston’s reply came through almost instantly: *Got it p>
At the airport arrivals terminal the next night, shortly after ten o’clock, Lucy held a drowsy Seven in her arms.
Seven had been too excited to sleep during the flight, but he was finally losing steam, his head resting heavily against her shoulder.
The nanny followed closely behind, pushing a luggage cart stacked high with bags as the three of them slowly made their way out.
Jules Holt was supposed to return with them, but after hearing his mother had arranged yet another blind date for him, he had canceled his ticket and stayed behind.
Kingsley, meanwhile, had been waiting at the exit for a long time.
When Lucy looked up and saw him, she instinctively frowned, though she didn’t break her stride.
Seven’s eyes were barely open, his little head drooping lazily. He didn’t even notice the man standing nearby.
The moment they stepped out of the corridor, Kingsley moved forward, his voice deep. “Welcome back p>
Lucy ignored him, walking straight past with Seven in her arms.
Kingsley fell into step beside her naturally. “I’m here to take you to the hotel. I told Jane not to come. It’s impossible to catch a cab at this hour p>
A rejection was already on the tip of Lucy’s tongue, but glancing down at Seven’s deepening breaths, she swallowed her words.
Seven forced his eyelids open and glanced at Kingsley. He thought the man looked somewhat familiar, but he couldn’t place him.
Just as they reached the airport entrance, Lucy’s phone buzzed. It was a text from Jane: *Lucy, I really couldn’t pick you up tonight. I explain tomorrow! Right now, need to deal with Thurston p>
Lucy typed a quick reply: *It’s fine, don’t let this ruin your night. It’s not Thurston’s fault. Kingsley is just playing games p>
She opened a ride-hailing app, only to fall silent when the screen displayed a wait time of over fifty minutes.
Beside her, Kingsley instructed his driver, “Load the luggage p>
Lucy didn’t stop him. Seven wasn’t the only one exhausted; she had been looking after him the entire trip and was dead on her feet. She just wanted to get to the hotel and crash
They got into the car, with Lucy keeping a protective hold on Seven.
The ride was spent in near absolute silence.
Fighting his heavy eyelids, Seven looked out at the city lights before peering at Kingsley. He finally couldn’t help but whisper, “Mommy, who is he p>
“A stranger. Just ignore him and go to sleep.” Lucy’s voice wasn’t loud, but in the quiet car, everyone heard her clearly.
Kingsley’s hands tightened into fists at his sides.
His own flesh and blood was right in front of him, yet he didn’t even dare to introduce himself as his father. sharp pang of regret hit him, leaving his chest feeling tight and hollow.