With Master Lockwood gone, the room fell silent. The man’s sharp gaze was like a dagger, nearly piercing Eliza Sutton.
Eliza Sutton felt a little uneasy. Suddenly, her hand was grasped by a small, soft one.
The little one was tugging at her with all his might.
Eliza Sutton subconsciously crouched down. The next second, the little one’s warm body snuggled in, his slender arms wrapping around her neck. "Don’t be afraid, Mom. I’ll protect you."
Eliza Sutton froze. It was the first ti in so many years that a child had been this close to her. Her first instinct was to push Emtt Lockwood away, but seeing the look of complete attachnt on his face, she ultimately let him stay close.
"Tha... Thank you."
Eliza Sutton took a deep breath and picked Emtt Lockwood up. "I’ll take him for his bath."
Shane Lockwood leaned against the large bed, listening to the sound of running water from the bathroom. He felt an inexplicable restlessness, an indescribable sense of irritation.
He took out a cigarette, but the thought of Emtt Lockwood made him put it back down. Instead, he reached for his phone and dialed a number.
"Walter Ellington, it’s ."
The man on the other end of the line was clearly surprised. "Lockwood, you’re really awake! I just heard the news but thought they were spouting nonsense!"
"Notify The Shadow Division. The suspended project is to be reactivated imdiately."
"That’s the word we’ve been waiting for." Walter Ellington was thrilled. Then, his tone shifted. "I looked into it. Before you fell gravely ill, your second uncle visited The Healer’s Vale, but I couldn’t find any specific details or any trace of what happened."
A cold glint flashed in Shane Lockwood’s deep eyes. "It doesn’t matter. Now that I’m awake, those lurking demons will soon show their true colors."
"As long as you have a plan. Oh, right, let remind you again—that new wife of yours is not a simple woman. She’s the mastermind behind the sensational Seabourne financing case from five years ago. I originally thought she was going to rot in prison, but then in the blink of an eye, she marries you and becos Madam Lockwood. She’s really sothing else."
"She’s not my wife. I’m going to divorce her."
Walter Ellington let out a long sigh of relief. "I’m relieved to hear you say that. Vivian has been waiting for you all these years."
Shane Lockwood froze for a mont, then hung up the phone without hesitation.
He stared at the darkening phone screen, his mind replaying Walter Ellington’s words. ’The mastermind behind the financing case from five years ago. A criminal, yet she has the audacity to appear by my side. How interesting.’
「...」
In the bathroom.
Emtt Lockwood spoke to Eliza Sutton like a little adult. "Mom, you have to turn around. You can’t watch a boy take a bath."
"Okay."
Eliza Sutton nodded, turned around to face away from Emtt Lockwood, and reminded him, "Be careful getting into the tub."
Emtt Lockwood was a very independent little boy. After his bath, he put on his little yellow duck underwear and one of his dad’s T-shirts by himself.
There were no pajamas for Emtt Lockwood in the master bedroom. Rembering that the bedroom door was locked, Eliza Sutton had found one of Shane Lockwood’s T-shirts for him.
This was the first ti Emtt Lockwood had ever worn his dad’s clothes. The long hem hung down to his ankles, and he was delighted, playing with the sleeves.
Watching the little one jump around, Eliza Sutton worried he might fall. ’Crying children are a hassle, especially since he’s the Lockwood family heir.’
"Let carry you out."
Emtt Lockwood looked up with his adorable little face and said seriously, "I can walk by myself. I’m heavy. It’ll tire Mom out."
’This child is so sweet.’
Eliza Sutton’s expression softened, and she subconsciously ruffled the little one’s hair. "Such a good boy."
Emtt Lockwood clutched the spot where Eliza Sutton had ruffled his hair, so happy he nearly jumped for joy.
’Mom touched .’
’I knew it, Mom loves .’
’I’m not a little boy whose mommy doesn’t love him.’
When they ca out of the bathroom, Shane Lockwood rely glanced at what his son was wearing but said nothing. Eliza Sutton let out a long sigh of relief. She suddenly missed when she had first married into the family. Back then, Shane Lockwood had been in a vegetative state, perfectly quiet, unlike now, when his every glance carried an imnse, oppressive weight.
After her own shower, Eliza Sutton changed into a long-sleeved pajama set, making sure she was completely and properly covered before stepping out.
She took a pillow and placed it on the sofa. "I’ll sleep here. If you feel unwell during the night, just call ."
Before Shane Lockwood could even nod, Emtt Lockwood rushed over, snatched Eliza Sutton’s pillow, and started pulling at her insistently.
"Dad, Mom, sleep together."
"No!" Shane Lockwood refused without hesitation.
’When he was in a vegetative state, he had no choice. But now that he was awake, he would never allow a woman with a questionable background to share his bed.’
"Yes, you can! Dads and moms are supposed to sleep together!" Emtt Lockwood’s eyes reddened. "I knew it, Dad doesn’t love anymore! You must think I’m a failed project and want to start over with a new baby!"
"I don’t have a ho anymore! I knew I was a child my daddy doesn’t love!"
Shane Lockwood looked at his wailing son, a headache coming on. His voice grew stern. "No crying!"
At that, the little one cried even harder, nearly loud enough to bring the roof down.
Shane Lockwood had no choice but to give in. He shot a glance at Eliza Sutton and warned, "You are not to sleep in the middle. Stay far away from !"
"..."
’Is he the emperor or sothing? As if I’m so desperate to be next to him!’
Eliza Sutton couldn’t be bothered to retort. She simply followed Emtt Lockwood and got under the covers.
Watching the little one snuggle into her arms of his own accord, Eliza Sutton was filled with an indescribably complex mix of emotions.
"Go to sleep," Eliza Sutton said, ruffling the little one’s hair.
Emtt Lockwood’s large, clear eyes were wide open, showing no signs of sleepiness.
After a mont, Eliza Sutton said hesitantly, "Should I tell you a story? How about Snow White?"
Shane Lockwood scoffed. Emtt Lockwood was a child prodigy; he’d found fairy tales childish since he was one year old.
Then, he heard Emtt Lockwood say in his sweet, childish voice, "Okay, Mom. I want to hear The Frog Prince, too."
Eliza Sutton agreed and began to tell the story in a soft voice. "Once upon a ti, there was a king..."
Eliza Sutton had to tell the stories of The Frog Prince and Snow White three tis over before the little one finally couldn’t stay awake any longer.
She gently patted the little one’s back, her voice as soft as a cloud. "Sleep now."
"Mommy..."
Emtt Lockwood murmured "Mommy" in his sleep and drifted off.
Looking at the little one’s adorable face, Eliza Sutton couldn’t help but think of the two sons she hadn’t seen in five years. ’If they were with , they’d be this big by now, and just as cute as Emtt Lockwood.’
In that mont, Eliza Sutton could barely control her longing. She couldn’t stop herself from leaning over to kiss the little one’s forehead.
Suddenly, a cold voice cut through the silence.
"Out with it. What’s your objective?"
Eliza Sutton subconsciously lifted her gaze, and her eyes t the chilling depths of his. Any trace of sleepiness in her mind vanished instantly.
"What objective?"
"Becoming my wife while I was unconscious, currying favor with Master Lockwood, coaxing Emtt... Miss Sutton, you’re quite the scher. But let give you a piece of advice: anyone who dares to play gas with , man or woman, has ended up eting the King of Hell."
Though his words were spoken as softly as a lover’s whisper, they sent a chill through her very core. Fear coursed through her veins, making her tremble.
Eliza Sutton took a deep breath and said, "Believe it or not, I was just as unwilling to be chosen for this marriage to bring you good luck. If I’d had a choice, I never would have set foot in the Lockwood family’s ho to beco your wife."
"Co with tomorrow and we’ll get a divorce."
"I will not get a divorce!" Eliza Sutton refused flatly.
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