Elias Hawthorne squinted his eyes slightly and suddenly chuckled, "If I cry, will you stay?"
"Maybe." Raina’s eyes sparkled with anticipation for the show.
She absolutely didn’t believe that a man like Elias Hawthorne could break down crying in such a manner.
Who would have thought, no sooner had she spoken that Old Mrs. Hawthorne jumped up before Elias could even respond: "What are you waiting for, hurry up and cry!"
Baby Hawthorne chimed in enthusiastically: "Daddy, if you don’t cry, I’ll sever our father-son relationship!"
"This disappointing child." Old Mrs. Hawthorne glared fiercely at Elias, then turned to Raina with a grin: "Raina, should I just make Elias cry instead?"
Baby Hawthorne clung to Raina’s leg: "Mommy, if Daddy won’t cry, I’ll cry. You shouldn’t leave, but if you do, take me with you."
"And me too, this old lady. Aunt Rivers, what are you waiting for? Go pack your things, we’ll leave with Raina. Let this unworthy descendant guard The Hawthorne Family alone!"
Elias: "..." What on earth did he do so terribly wrong?
With this uproar, Raina’s plan to leave The Hawthorne Family with her child fell through.
Raina let out a long sigh, knowing she had to come up with another plan.
Nighttime was the most troublesome.
Perhaps because she mentioned leaving with the child, Old Mrs. Hawthorne had secretly instructed Aunt Rivers during dinner to tidy up their room.
By the time Raina returned to the room, everything apart from a bed, two pillows, and a quilt had been removed—even the carpet. It was spotlessly clean.
Raina sighed and said, "I guess I’ll just settle on the lounge chair in the balcony tonight."
"Give up on that. There’ll be no escape. Grandma’s still hoping for a few more great-grandsons, great-granddaughters to play with her."
Raina furrowed her brows: "Elias, that’s not even funny."
Elias slightly raised his eyebrows: "Where’d you get the impression I was joking?"
Raina avoided Elias’s gaze, her expression cold: "There’s absolutely no possibility between us."
"Suitability isn’t spoken, it’s acted upon." Elias stared at her intently: "Raina, I need to let you know, I have intentions towards you."
The vivid memories of their previous encounters filled Elias’s mind.
Elias’s gaze immediately darkened, a fleeting flame in his eyes, his throat moved with difficulty.
Raina instantly became cautious, her body tense.
Elias smiled slightly at her reaction: "Don’t worry, I won’t do anything until I have your permission. Because..." he leaned closer, his voice with a husky tone: "Aside from wanting your body, I want your heart too."
Raina was about to scold him but saw the sincerity in Elias’s eyes. She moved her gaze away, her cold demeanor tinged with detachment.
Elias did not insist, he lowered his head to give a gentle kiss on Raina’s forehead: "Get some rest early, I’ll be in the study working tonight."
After speaking, he turned and left the room.
Raina stood there, watching Elias’s departing figure with a mind in chaos.
At first, Raina thought she’d be sleepless all night, but not long after lying in bed, she fell asleep.
She had a good night’s sleep and woke up to bright daylight.
After freshening up, Raina went downstairs, and upon entering the living room, she saw the person sitting on the sofa. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ novel-fire.ɴet