Since I was pregnant and couldn’t consume alcohol, I raised my teacup and toasted Benjamin. “Benjamin, I wish you a happy birthday. May God bless you always!”
My words brought a smile to his face. “Thank you for your blessing. May God bless everyone! Cheers!”
Throughout the meal, except Marcus, who was apathetic as before, everyone greatly enjoyed themselves.
In the end, Benjamin was drunk, so Sally took him upstairs to rest in the bedroom. In the meantime, Anthony played chess with Marcus while waiting for the cake cutting session.
I had eaten a little too much just now, so I decided to take a walk in the yard. Anthony was attentive enough in asking a housemaid to accompany me.
The Whites’ villa had a huge yard, which was home to a diverse range of flora. I got tired after a while and decided to take a seat on a nearby granite bench.
Just then, the housemaid advised, “Mrs. Featherstone, it’s rather cold outside in the evening. Why don’t we head to the pavilion? It’s more comfortable to rest there as it is equipped with a cushioned hammock.”
I nodded my agreement. Reclining in the hammock, as the housemaid suggested, it was indeed more comfortable. The oscillation of the hammock made me drowsy, but I was trying to take the edge off sleepiness.
Right then, I heard the housemaid’s voice. “Mrs. Featherstone, feel free to take a nap. Mr. Featherstone asked me to look after you while you’re asleep. Don’t worry. We regularly put snake repellent in the yard.”
I nodded blankly. “Thanks.”
Ever since I got frightened by the snake last time, I didn’t dare to stay long in the yard. Yet, I never expected Anthony would take notice of my fear.
As I cast my worries away, the soothing evening breeze slowly lulled me into a deep slumber.
When I woke up, I realized it was nighttime, and the pavilion was dimly lit. In my half-awake state, I saw a tall figure standing before me.
Thinking it was Anthony, I buried my head in the pillow, grumbling in a muffled voice, “Anthony, my back aches a lot. I think it must be a boy because he’s so uncaring, like you.” Experiencing mild stomach pain and cramps, I closed my eyes to rest.
Receiving no response from him, I requested, “Help me massage my leg. It hurts.”
“Alright.” He agreed and then laid his fingers on my leg.
It suddenly dawned on me that that voice was not of Anthony’s.
The next moment, when I opened my eyes to see Marcus’s face, I quickly retracted my legs to back away from his touch.
In a panic, I blurted out, “Mr. White, how… Why are you here?” I regretted my words the moment they emerged. What a stupid question I’ve asked. This is the White family’s villa, of course, he could go wherever he wants!
Seeing my reaction, he retrieved his gaze from my leg while replying softly, “I’m out here taking a walk.”
I gave a perfunctory nod. Having nothing to say to him, I rose to my feet and decided to leave.
Just then, he took a seat on the hammock. “Are you avoiding me? Am I that scary to you?” he asked casually.
I shook my head. “No.”
He nodded and then uttered, “They have sent Snowball away. I apologize for Snowball’s behavior, but it didn’t mean to scare you.”
It took me a second to understand that “Snowball” was referring to the mastiff. My lips twitched upon realizing that his black mastiff was named “Snowball”. His brain sure works differently from normal people.
“I’m fine. I didn’t blame it.” Noticing he had gotten the blues, I paused for a while before I added, “You don’t need to send Snowball away.”
As long as he leashed the dog properly and made sure it wouldn’t cause harm to others, he need not send it away.
Raising his brow, he sneered, “I have no say in this matter.”
Sensing the resentment and a hint of sorrow in his voice, I felt sorry for him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t…”
“Why are you apologizing?” He furrowed his brows. “I find you are in some way similar to Sally. Both of you know how to act pitiful and what to say to tug on a man’s heartstrings.” His words were rather rude and humiliating.
I got tired of standing, so I leaned against a nearby pillar. With my brows knotted, I fixed my gaze on him. “You need not direct your anger at me because I have no idea things would turn out this way. Even though your dog didn’t mean it, it has indeed frightened me. After all, I’ve accepted your apology. It has nothing to do with me that Snowball was sent away. As you’ve said earlier, you have no say in this matter, neither do I.”
I was not mad at him, but I felt displeased that he cast blame on me. Letting out a sigh, I continued, “It’s not my place to meddle with your family affairs, but I must tell you that Aunt Sally didn’t ruin your parent’s marriage. You know better than anyone else that your parents’ marriage was broken not because of Aunt Sally.”
In fact, Benjamin had divorced Sharon way before he married Sally. It was Sharon who later regretted it, putting Sally into an awkward position. That woman wanted to ruin Benjamin’s life when she saw the latter had already moved on, living a happier life than her.
“Huh,” Marcus snorted. Narrowing his eyes, he shifted in the hammock, staring at me with a scornful smile. “It sounds to me that you know a lot about the Whites’ family affairs.”
“I know nothing, and I don’t care about your family affairs,” I replied curtly.
However, before I could leave, the man had grabbed hold of my arm. “In your eyes, having a second marriage is no big deal at all, huh? Are you prepared to remarry as well? What do you think about me? You can divorce your husband and marry me. I don’t mind if you have a baby!”
Hearing his flighty remarks, my face darkened in an instant. “I’m thankful that you don’t mind being my baby’s stepfather, but you’re too good for a woman like me, as you’ve said, who doesn’t treat their marriage seriously,” I riposted, glaring at him.
I shouldn’t waste my time on him. This man is way too unpredictable.
With that, I walked past him out of the pavilion and then briskly walked along the pond, heading toward the house.
I was annoyed when I heard his footsteps getting closer.
My anger was aroused the moment he laid his hand on my shoulder. Without a second thought, I turned around and shoved him away.
As a result of being caught off guard by the sudden force, he fell into the pond with a thud.
The yard light was the only illumination in the pitch-dark night. I tried to take a closer look, but I saw nothing but water ripples in the lake. I hit the panic button when it hit me that he was drowning. “Help! Someone is drowning!”
Then, I leaned on the edge of the pond, calling out his name. However, I received no response. Since I had no idea of the depth of the lake, thinking that he was drowned, I got too frightened that I broke into tears. “Somebody, help! Help!”
“Pfft!” All of a sudden, Marcus emerged from the water, wiping the water off his face. “Stop crying! I’m not dead yet!”
I was in a daze the whole while when he climbed out of the lake with his clothes soaking wet.
Looking at his composed manner, I realized he had frightened me on purpose. My chest heaved heavily while I was quivering in anger.
“Marcus White! You think this is funny?”
How could he scare a pregnant woman like that? My heart nearly leaped out of my chest!
Despite my anger, he was acting calm and relaxed. “It’s cooler in the lake, so I decided to stay there a little longer.”
His lame excuse further aroused my anger. Being overcome by fury, I once again pushed him into the lake. “Then you should stay in there forever!”
Thump!
“Sienna Stanhope! You…” He was flailing about in the water, but I decided to turn and leave.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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