Chapter 270 Eased Relationship
Stephanie couldn’t believe what she was hearing for a moment. They were just chatting, so why did the topic of marriage come up all of a sudden?
She did want to get married to Crispin in the past, but now… She wasn’t quite willing to go through with it.
“I said, let’s get married. Now, Elias has fulfilled his promise, the engagement banquet was canceled, and your sister is back. Everyone’s attention is elsewhere right now, so it’s the perfect chance to get a marriage
certificate in secret.”
Crispin couldn’t wait any longer. If this went on, everything he was working for would be gone.
“But… That’s not appropriate, is it? My dad would be mad if he knew, and…” At the moment, she wasn’t raring to get married anymore. More specifically, she was no longer so enthusiastic about marrying Crispin.
“And what? Steph, do you not want to be with me anymore?”
That… That’s not true! I just-Things are a mess at home, so I truly have no time to think about such personal matters at the moment.” She was reluctant to admit that she had a change of heart, but that seemed to be the case..
Just then, footsteps sounded nearby. Someone seemed to have come to the garden for a walk.
Stephanie panicked. “You have to leave, Crispin. My dad and the others are here. Go, go! My dad will get mad if he sees you again.”
“Steph, I-”
“We’ll talk over the phone. Just go now, please, Crispin!” Stephanie pleaded as she instinctively turned back to look. They truly were walking toward her.
In the past, she would pit absolutely everything against her father and be with Crispin. Yet, she was scared now. She feared that her father would be furious and truly ignore her forever.
Crispin also wanted to leave a good impression on Jack, since he would be the latter’s son-in-law in the future. So, he could only retreat for now as he quietly turned around and left..
“This is our garden. You especially loved the camellia when you were young, so your mother refused to move the tree. She kept it intact for the day of your return,” Jack said.
Amanda looked at the beautiful scenery before her, unable to remember anything. She couldn’t quite remember the memories she had before she was five.
Just then, Edith spotted Stephanie, who was standing there. Then, she spoke up of her own accord, “Steph, why are you here alone? Are you still mad? Your sister has just returned, and I was just too happy about it. I didn’t mean to ignore you.”
She had given birth to both of them, so how could she love one more than the other? Edith walked up to Stephanie and patted the latter on the shoulder.
Stephanie’s eyes were red as she said stubbornly, “I know.”
“Mommy, why did she cry? Even her eyes are red.” Aiden stared at Stephanie for a while, then looked up and asked Amanda.
Amanda was slightly stunned as she said. “I wonder why.”
Stephanie snorted in her heart. At least this little kid had some conscience and recognized that she had been crying.
While everyone was amazed at the child’s compassion, Aiden suddenly said, “She’s probably crying because of her ugliness.”
As soon as he said that, everyone froze on the spot.
Meanwhile, a smile crept onto Elias’ lips. Just why did the kid harbor such strong enmity toward Stephanie?
“Watch your mouth, kid! Whom did you say was crying at their ugliness? You! That’s who!” Stephanie felt like she was about to explode from anger. Did Heaven send this little kid here just to make her miserable? “Why are you so childish? We shouldn’t have spoiled you,” Jack reprimanded his daughter.
Stephanie felt even more aggrieved. Her tone was laced with injustice as she said, “What do you mean, ‘childish? Are children allowed to say that other people are ugly? Why don’t you lecture your grandson for being rude instead?”
Amanda coughed lightly as she stepped in. “Aiden is at fault here. He shouldn’t say such things about _people.”
She lowered her head and glared at Aiden, but the latter only stuck out his tongue mischievously. There wasn’t even an ounce of fear in his
eyes.
Elias caressed his son’s head as he said patiently, “Aiden, you can’t say things like that. You might hurt them, understand?”
“Hmph, that’s her fault for tying to take my daddy away. Nasty woman! Everyone who tries to snatch Daddy from Mommy is nasty!” Aiden put on a spoiled expression, refusing to admit that he was wrong.
Nonetheless, everyone fell silent when they heard that. They finally understood why Aiden hated Stephanie so terribly now.
Stephanie had no words to say, either. She probably left a bad impression on the child when she caused a huge ruckus in kindergarten.
Amanda lifted her wrist and checked the time on her watch, then swiftly changed the topic, saying, “It’s getting late, so we should go home now. Aiden has to go to kindergarten tomorrow.”
Jack wished that he could convince her to stay the night when he saw that Amanda was about to leave with Aiden. Unfortunately, he didn’t dare to push his luck in case it ruined the beautiful moment.
Edith was equally reluctant to part with her long-lost daughter. “It’s already so late, so why don’t you stay for the night? We have a lot of empty rooms here, anyway.”
This was the first time after a long time she had gotten so close to Amanda. So, she sincerely didn’t want Amanda to leave so soon.
Alas, Amanda smiled and declined. “I’m sorry, but I’ll be busy tomorrow as well. Maybe next time. Aiden is a little fussy when it comes to his bedtime.”
With that, she glanced at Elias, deciding to toss the problem to him..
Elias quickly understood as he explained, “We’ll have all the time in the world. I’ll take Aiden to the amusement park tomorrow, so, Mr. and Mrs. Allegra, let’s accompany Aiden tomorrow.”
He was creating a chance for Jack and Edith, and the two were more than willing to do it. Regardless, they didn’t dare to pounce right at the chance as they looked at Amanda beseechingly, fearing that the latter would decline.
Nonetheless, Amanda didn’t say anything. It seemed that she had given her silent approval.
Edith looked at Amanda carefully. “Amanda, may we? May we spend some time with the child tomorrow?”
“If you have time, I don’t see why not.”
When Jack and Edith heard that, they exchanged glances and smiled. They could finally have some intimate interactions with the grandson they longed for.
Hence, Elias and Amanda left with Aiden.
The Allegras stood at the entrance, watching the car drive off into the distance before turning back to their home.
Edith was excited. I’ll ask the kitchen to make preparations. We’ll make some snacks and food for the child for tomorrow. It’s going to be tiring for him if he spends the entire day playing in the amusement park, after all. We have to bring some juice too.”
“You weren’t this enthusiastic when you were raising your children.” Jack was in a great mood, but he didn’t expect his comment to accidentally hurt his wife.
Edith fell silent for a moment before saying, “That’s precisely how Amelia went missing. We’ll keep our eyes on the child tomorrow at all times. We won’t make the same mistake twice.”
“What are you saying? We’ll take bodyguards with us tomorrow, okay? We can’t possibly lose Aiden like
this.”
Stephanie walked behind them, watching her parents bicker, leaving her all alone. Her heart was filled with resentment and jealousy. Had she been replaced so easily?
She sprinted down the stairs but suddenly remembered her pregnancy and slowed down. Clutching the test strip in her hand, she wondered what Elias Winters' reaction would be once he heard the news.
Yet, when Amanda was halfway down the stairs, she saw two figures in the living room—Elias and a sexy woman. Slowing down her steps, she held the handrail tightly and felt her heart sink. That was because she saw her husband and the woman behaving affectionately as though they were a smitten couple.