It was a pretense of reconciliation but, in reality, a display of triumph.
Wasn’t the frosty distance between Damon and the perfect tonic to her insecurities?
"Whatever kind of friendship it is, I’m not interested. I haven’t had breakfast yet. I’m heading ho." I didn’t play along with Catherine’s performance.
Once I found my car, I loaded up the groceries I’d bought and drove ho.
If there was any chance of Damon and being ’regular friends; why would I have moved to abroad?
When I got ho, Serena and Brandon were already awake.
Norah was making them exercise. Seeing , she took the groceries from , "Ms. Brooks, I’ll start breakfast."
Norah went to the kitchen, and I stayed with the kids.
During that ti, my mom sent a video call. Other than checking in on the kids, she wanted to talk about Lucas’ affairs. To my surprise, Lucas had drawn up a will. After the imdiate family, my mom was next in line.
That ant that if sothing happened to Lucas’ imdiate family, all his wealth would have gone to my mom.
That was a surprise to all of us.
My uncle, Lucas, had harbored a profound resentnt towards my parents. My dad had decided to handle a business matter reasonably, which Lucas took as a betrayal. Ever since that ti, our families had been at odds.
As for my uncle, he had always kept his distance.
"I...I don’t know what to say," I confessed.
"Your aunt is still in the ICU, so it probably won’t go to . We don’t want his money! We just want her to get better. But even if she does, how is she going to face everything? If I were her, I don’t know if I could bear it..." My mom choked up towards the end.
Lucas was her brother, after all. Even if they had their differences, she had let bygones be bygones. Besides, Lucas’ will must have hit her hard.
It was clear that Lucas still held his sister in high regard.
"Mom, are you and Dad going to stay there for a while?" I asked, "Considering my aunt’s condition, you’ll probably need to be there for so ti, right?"
My mom confird, "Yes, can you and Norah manage with Serena and Brandon?"
"No problem, they’re both very well-behaved," I assured her, "You guys take care of everything there and co back when you’re ready. If anything happens, I’ll let you know."
"All right, and be careful of Damon and that Catherine, okay?" Even in those circumstances, my mom was worried about that.
I didn’t tell her about Silas and Lisa coming to my house, wanting to take Serena and Brandon for a paternity test. That would have just added to their worries.
After ending the call, Norah had breakfast ready and called over to eat.
Just then, the gate opened, and Jones ca in looking rather worn out, with faint dark circles under his eyes.
Norah quickly set another place at the table, "Dr. Jones, have you eaten? I just finished preparing breakfast. Join us."
Jones nodded, "Sure."
Norah, being very observant, quickly ate a bit and then went to play with the kids, leaving Jones and alone.
But there really wasn’t much to discuss between us.
Other than the thing with Catherine, I generally trusted him.
What I wasn’t expecting was for him to propose today.
In the middle of our silent al, he took out a diamond ring from his pocket. It was the sa one he had given once before, which I had returned.
But then, that ring was before once again. His eyes were tired but sparkling. His voice was soft and sincere as he asked, "Eliana, would you consider marrying ?"
"You... "I stared at the ring, stunned, "Why bring this up all of a sudden?"
"I’ve wanted to ask you for a while now. I just didn’t know when would be the right ti," Jones confessed with a smile, "I know there’s a high chance you’ll say no, but sothing happened last night that made realize when you want to do sothing, you shouldn’t hesitate. Even if you get rejected, don’t be afraid."
I didn’t know what to say. I hadn’t planned on marrying Jones. That would have ant we would be a legal couple. I couldn’t develop romantic feelings for him, and it wouldn’t have been fair to him.
So, I tried to change the subject, "What happened last night?"
Jones knew I was trying to deflect, but he still explained gently, "We had a patient. It was a young girl. Her boyfriend had just proposed to her not long ago when they t with an accident. She didn’t make it."
So, witnessing the loss of a loved one had stirred those feelings in him?
I never knew Jones had such a sensitive side.
"Yes, that’s really unfortunate. Her boyfriend must be devastated," I said, my mind a whirl of thoughts.
"That’s why I don’t want to wait anymore. I’ve already discussed this with your parents and they didn’t object. They just told to think it through, to make sure I wouldn’t regret it later. And then, to ask you," Jones put the ring down on the table, "Could you please consider it? I want to be Serena and Brandon’s legal father. I’ll treat them as my own. As for us...whether we have kids or not, it doesn’t matter to ."
It was not every day that a man taid it all on the line like that, even his dignity.
I would have been lying if I said I wasn’t touched. However, my rationality kept from accepting it just because I was moved.
After a spell of silence, I could tell that Jones had already figured out my answer. He didn’t seem upset or disappointed, but instead, he rely chuckled, "I knew it wouldn’t be that easy. Even before Serena and Brandon ca into the picture, it was tough. Now with them involved, it’s even harder for you to accept . I can understand that."
"Jones, I’m sorry," I managed to murmur after a mont of hesitation.
"No need to apologize. I’m doing this willingly." Jones pocketed the ring, "I’ll try again soday. Maybe one day, you will truly accept ."
I really wanted to tell him to stop wasting his ti, but then I rembered how many tis I had said those words before, to no avail.
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