Hearing this, Sebastian Forrest’s casual air faded a little. He frowned and asked, "How is your mother doing? Is she alright now?"
"She recovered a few days ago, but she keeps insisting that she’s seen my little sister. I’m out of options, so I have to trouble Miss Joyce to make a trip over..."
Since Sebastian Forrest had his phone on speaker, I naturally heard what Jude Miller said.
However, the call was for Sebastian Forrest, after all, so it wouldn’t be right for to jump in. I just nodded at him to show I was willing.
Although I’d only t Mrs. Miller once before, I found her to be a kind-looking person.
Besides, when my mother was sick, Jude Miller did everything he could to treat her. I should go, if only to repay his kindness.
What’s more, it was just a eting. It was a small favor and no trouble at all.
"You picked a hell of a ti to call. Can’t this wait for another day? Don’t you damn well know what today is?" Sebastian Forrest raised an eyebrow, his tone deliberately casual.
"That’s exactly why I’m calling you. Joyce is so kind and reasonable, I was just worried you wouldn’t let her go." Jude Miller’s voice deepened. "How about this? Consider it a personal favor I owe Miss Joyce. If she ever needs anything in the future, I, Jude Miller, will go through hell and high water for her, no questions asked..."
Sebastian Forrest imdiately grinned at , flashing two rows of perfect white teeth, then replied into the phone, "Hah. Request granted."
Jude Miller was stunned for a mont before it dawned on him. "Shit, you son of a bitch, don’t tell you were just waiting for to say that?"
"A favor from you, the great Saint Miller, is a rare thing. Of course I had to snag one for my wife."
"Hmph!" Jude Miller snorted. "You might as well just have Joyce accept as a sworn brother. That would be more effective than you playing these little mind gas!"
But Sebastian Forrest was having none of it. "You want to be my brother-in-law? In your next life!"
"You bastard!"
...
After he hung up, Sebastian Forrest took my hand. "Looks like we have no choice. We have to go to the Miller family’s house. Mrs. Miller’s ntal state has been fragile ever since she lost her youngest daughter. Since she seems to have an affinity for you, just think of it as doing a good deed."
I shot him an exasperated look. "Didn’t I already nod yes to you? You were the one who insisted on playing hard to get with Dr. Miller..."
’Now I look petty and calculating.’
"That’s different." Sebastian Forrest laughed, wrapping an arm around my waist. His eyes were full of brazen satisfaction and delight, as if crushed diamonds swirled within them. "You’re my wife. I had to win a prize for you..."
I didn’t understand his logic at all, so I couldn’t be bothered to argue about it anymore. "Alright, let’s just get going."
Sebastian Forrest smiled and took my hand, interlocking our fingers.
Once we were in the car, I turned to look out the window. Maybe it was because I was over three months pregnant, but I’d been especially drowsy lately. A wave of sleepiness washed over , and I drifted off before I even knew it.
When I woke up again, the car had already stopped.
I groggily opened my eyes, feeling disoriented, when a low voice beside asked, "You’re awake?"
When I turned and saw Sebastian Forrest, I finally rembered where I was.
I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt and shot Sebastian Forrest an irritated glare. "What’s wrong with you? Why didn’t you wake up?"
’This is so rude!’
’Sleeping for so long right at their doorstep.’
’Anyone who didn’t know better would think I was acting like so big shot!’
Sebastian Forrest looked innocent. "I just saw you were sleeping so soundly. I couldn’t bear to wake you..."
"How long have we been here?"
"Relax, we just got here," Sebastian Forrest said lazily.
I was skeptical, but when I saw Jude Miller erge with a brilliant smile to greet us, I finally relaxed a bit. ’Looks like we really did just arrive.’
"You’re finally here..." Jude Miller said, walking straight toward . "Joyce, thank you so much for today. I’m sorry to have troubled you, but I was completely out of options..."
"You’re being too kind, Dr. Miller." I smiled at him. "Where is your mother?"
"Right this way, I’ll take you to her." Jude Miller gestured for to follow. "Joyce, you should co over and hang out whenever you’re free..."
But before I could speak, Sebastian Forrest had already wrapped his arm around my waist. "Sorry, my wife is very busy. I doubt she’ll have ti to visit often."
Jude Miller shot a glance at Sebastian Forrest, then leaned in closer to . "Did you know what a coward this guy was when he had a crush on you? He didn’t even have the guts to confess. Serves him right for being single all those years, I say!"
"Hiss... Jude Miller, do you have a death wish?"
I covered my mouth, trying to hide my giggles as they bickered and aired each other’s dirty laundry.
"Sebastian!"
Just then, a young woman ran over from out of nowhere, moving to link her arm with Sebastian Forrest’s. "What are you doing here?"
But before she could grab his arm, Sebastian Forrest sidestepped her.
"Claire, you’re a grown woman now. Why are you still so reckless?" Jude Miller chided, his face stern.
Claire Miller pouted. And while she looked displeased, her expression instantly reverted to its usual poised and elegant composure.
But when her gaze landed on , her brows knitted together. "What are you doing at my house?"
"What did you just say?" Jude Miller frowned. "Miss Joyce is my guest. Where are your manners? How can you be so rude to a guest?"
Claire Miller stomped her foot, let out a cold huff, and stord off.
"That girl..." Jude Miller pressed his lips together, then turned to with an apologetic look. "Miss Joyce, I’m so sorry. She’s been spoiled rotten."
I just smiled at him, not saying much.
"She’s more than spoiled," Sebastian Forrest comnted from the side. "I’d say she doesn’t even know her own na anymore."
’Doesn’t know her own na?’
I turned to look at Sebastian Forrest, confused, not understanding what he ant.
"Please, Mr. Forrest, could you just keep quiet for a mont?" Jude Miller begged, pressing his palms together.
But Sebastian Forrest paid him no mind. He simply lowered his gaze to and explained in a low voice, "That girl isn’t actually part of the Miller family. She’s the child of one of Mrs. Miller’s sisters, left here in their care. It was supposedly to help ease Mrs. Miller’s grief over losing her daughter..."
My eyes widened slightly in surprise. ’So that’s how it is?’
’No wonder!’
’I had been wondering how, after the original Miss Miller went missing, another sister of a similar age suddenly appeared...’
’I’d thought they might be twins, or at least sisters who were close in age...’
’I never imagined this Miss Miller was actually taken in from another family.’
"Nia... My Nia has co back..."
And just as my mind was racing, a fond cry suddenly echoed from the top of the stairs. Imdiately after, Mrs. Miller appeared, her face alight with joy as she ran down.
"Mom, slow down..." Jude Miller rushed forward to et her.
But Mrs. Miller went straight past Jude, walked right up to , and gripped my hand. "Nia, Mom has finally found you!"
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