That was when I saw Anthony’s tall figure standing in the shadows. His expression was perfectly hidden in the darkness, but I sensed his aloofness.
I paused for a while before making my way toward him. “Has Sally sobered Benjamin up?”
He retrieved his icy gaze from Marcus as he answered, “Yes. He’s feeling better now.”
A moment later, Benjamin and Sally were seen coming out of the house. The former was displeased upon seeing Marcus climbing out of the pond. “How did you get in there? Couldn’t you be more careful?” The reproach was clear in his voice.
Inexplicably, I felt pity for Marcus because of his father’s attitude toward him. That poor guy never got any concern from his father.
I raised my head to face Benjamin. “Benjamin, I…”
“I accidentally fell into the lake.” Before I could finish my words, Marcus interrupted me. With a defiant smile, he provoked his father, “Sorry to disappoint you, but I didn’t drown.”
As expected, Benjamin hit the roof. “You… You…” He stuttered while pointing at Marcus.
Sally quickly patted his back, trying to ease his breathing. Then, she turned to face Marcus. “Marc, you shouldn’t make your father angry. It’s cold outside. You better go get changed, or else you might catch a cold.” With that, she helped her husband into the house.
Marcus sneered while looking at his father and stepmother’s back figures. Then, giving Anthony a taunting sidelong glance as he walked past him, he stopped in front of me. “Stop crying. You’re the one who pushed me into the lake, but now you’re crying for me. Aren’t you contradicting yourself?”
I couldn’t help frowning as I found his words puzzling.
As Marcus’s figure vanished from sight, I instinctively looked at Anthony to explain to him in case he misunderstood me. “I’m not crying for him! I’m crying because I was frightened.”
Smiling gently, he tucked my hair behind my ears. “I know.”
Luckily, the following hours passed uneventfully. It was already late at night, and I became sleepy by the time the cake-cutting session ended.
On the way of walking us to our car, Sally reminded us, “Stay at home for the next few days as your due date is near. It’s your first time having a baby, so you guys should be more careful.”
I nodded, taking her advice to heart. With that, we departed from the villa.
When the car came to a stop at a traffic light, he gave my pregnant belly a sidelong glance. “The baby is due within half a month. I’ve made all the necessary arrangements with the hospital.”
Feeling sleepy, I nodded quietly, leaning against my seat to get some rest.
The car in front started moving when the light turned green. In my half-asleep state, I heard his deep voice that was tinged with discontentment. “Stay away from Marcus!”
“Huh?” My sleepiness was driven away by his words. “But why?” I asked.
He looked at me out of the corner of his eyes while slowly accelerated the car. “You’re not willing to?”
I shook my head in denial. “No. I’m just curious, why are you asking me to stay away from him?”
Seeing him remaining silent, I gave a chortle. “Don’t tell me you think Marcus would take a fancy to a pregnant woman.”
“From where did you get that confidence?” he asked, furrowing his brows.
Raising my brow, I held my head high and flashed him a cheeky grin. “You gave me the confidence!” I couldn’t help teasing him, thinking he was making a big deal of it. Ever since I got pregnant, I didn’t even dare to look at my swollen limbs in the mirror. Anthony was definitely thinking too much because Marcus would never be attracted to me, a woman inflated like a balloon unless he had unusual tastes.
Thus, Anthony was simply overthinking it.
When we finally arrived home, I was too tired to even get out of the car, so he carried me bridal style all the way into the bedroom.
In no time, I was soundly asleep.
…
The next day, I woke up to find the other side of the bed empty. When I tried to find my handphone, only did I realize that I’ve accidentally left it in the pavilion.
After washing up, I headed downstairs and was instantly greeted by Mrs. Eriksen, who was brought back to the house by Anthony. “Good morning! Your baby bump looks bigger! Well, I bet it’s a baby boy.”
I was amused. “We didn’t check the baby’s gender to keep it a surprise, so I can’t tell right now.”
Mrs. Eriksen pursed her lips upon hearing my words. Fixing her eyes on my belly, she insisted on her opinion, “Believe me, the baby must be a boy! Oh, I almost forgot! We’ve prepared some fish stew for you. The broth is rich and well-seasoned. Come, have a taste!” Both Mrs. Eriksen and Molly had prepared a tableful of dishes.
Having not seen Anthony anywhere, I asked, “Where is Anthony?” Has he gone to the office again?
“Mr. Anthony left the house early in the morning, but he said he would have lunch with you. I think he’ll be back at any minute.” Mrs. Eriksen replied while serving the fish stew and other dishes.
I knew Anthony was very busy lately, and I agreed with Cameron in saying he was an ambitious man. After all, his goal was never K City, but the global market. K City was only his stepping stone to take his company global by entering the Western European market.
The thought of this left me feeling deflated. Cameron was right. If Anthony chooses to be with Rylee, he could’ve gotten more support and help in building his business empire.
Unlike me, who could be of little help to him. Even after I gave birth to the baby, I could no longer work in Featherstone Corporation after that accident at HiTech and the problem with AC Credit. Thus, I could only work in another company.
“Cough…” As my mind wandered off, I swallowed a large piece of fish and had gotten the fishbone stuck in my throat. In an instinct, I made a few forceful coughs hoping to dislodge it but to no avail.
Mrs. Eriksen immediately fetched me a glass of water and then patted me on my back. “Oh no! You got a fishbone stuck in your throat! Are you alright?”
I tried to swallow hard, but the sharp pain in my throat instantly brought tears to my eyes.
Seeing this, Molly picked up the phone to call for help.
Right then, Anthony was back in time to see them in a panic state. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
Holding my arms, Mrs. Eriksen answered, “Letty got a fishbone stuck in her throat!”
Anthony rushed to my aid. “Open your mouth!” he instructed.
I was grasping at straws, doing as he said. He lifted my chin with his hand, propping my mouth open with his fingers to examine my condition. Soon after that, he loosened his grip and then gave Molly an order. “Call Dr. Linnard over!”
Molly nodded as she trotted to the living room to grab the phone.
“Hmph!” Looking at me, Anthony snorted. “Why are you eating in a hurry? The food is all yours. I won’t steal food from a pregnant woman.”
I pouted at his words. Looking at him with a pitiful face, I said in a hoarse voice, “My throat hurts.”
He stroked the bridge of his nose helplessly. “That will teach you a lesson. It will serve as a reminder to you to eat slowly next time.”
My eyes reddened upon receiving a reprimand from him. I couldn’t believe not only that he didn’t try to console me, but he reprimanded me instead. “It was an accident!”
Letting out a sigh, Mrs. Eriksen tried to take the heat off me. “Mr. Anthony, I believe she has learned her mistake.”
Anthony raised his eyebrow. Eventually, he decided to go easy on me.
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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