In the hospital.
The examination room was very quiet. Sam had instructed people to leave the room because Anne
was coming. Aside from the silence, the room smelled like disinfectant, so he opened the window. He
didn't want Anne to be uncomfortable.
Anne held her baby, Eddy, in her arms. He looked cozy there. His mouth was slightly covered in
bubbles because he was playing with his saliva.
"Hey Eddy, good boy. I'm going to examine you. It'll be a little cold but don't cry, okay?" Sam looked
very gentle while he spoke.
"He's recovering well. That's probably because his parents are often with him these days." Sam smiled
and tapped Eddy's forehead.
Anne was slightly surprised, so she asked, "Really? He's so young. He isn't even one year old yet.
Does he really have feelings already?"
Besides, did the parents' company really have soothing effects to the baby?
"Of course! Even babies have feelings. When Eddy was still in your belly, there were times that you felt
something move inside. That can count as him greeting you. The younger a child is, the more sensitive
they are, and they grow up to be much healthier when they have parents close by."
"Oh, I see." Anne smiled and agreed with Sam's explanation.
"Let me drive you home. It must be hard for you to travel since Eddy is with you," Sam said
thoughtfully.
"No, thanks. You must have something else to do here. I can go home by myself just fine," Anne
refused.
"Hey, don't turn me down. I just want my nephew to go home early," he said jokingly.
Sam was being very kind, so Anne had no choice but to accept his offer.
While in the car, Anne was thinking about making an appointment with Kevin. She was in a daze as the
car drove her home.
"What are you thinking about?" Sam suddenly asked.
A blush of embarrassment colored Anne's cheeks at the unexpected question. She didn't want him to
know that she was thinking about Kevin, so she said, "Nothing."
But judging from her expression, it was easy to see that she was thinking about Kevin. Sam knew.
"Ask Kevin out and tell him to take the baby to the hospital when he's free. He's the father of the child.
He should know something," he said.
Anne became nervous when she heard Sam's words. "Why? Is there anything wrong with Eddy?"
"What are you saying? I'm just thinking about finding a bone marrow that matches Eddy. It would be
easier if Kevin handles all these. Eddy's health is good right now. You don't have to worry. I just wanted
to be more prepared. It's for the best." Anne breathed a sigh of relief when she heard that.
She gently stroked Eddy's chest. She had a valid reason now to meet Kevin. She wouldn't have to be
embarrassed when they met.
Noticing Anne's demeanor, Sam just smiled and kept silent.
In the East Mountain Villa.
Every single room was sprayed with an air fresher, so the surroundings were filled with faint ocean
smell.
Standing in front of the lemon tree, Anne cut off its dead leaves with scissors.
She smiled lightly as she finished cleaning up the lemon tree. She then put down the scissors and
called Kevin.
The call was answered quickly. Kevin's doting voice immediately came from the other end of the phone.
"Anne, hello? What can I do for you?"
She could tell that there was a hint of expectation in his voice.
"Well, I took Eddy to the hospital to have a check-up today. Sam said he is recovering well but he has
something to discuss with you. Let's meet him together when you're free," said Anne.
"Is this an invitation?" Anne could tell that he was gently smiling judging from the tone of his voice. It
made her a little uneasy.
"If you don't have time, I can go by myself and just update you about what he said." Anne was about to
hang up, but she heard a loud plead.
"Anne, don't hang up. I want to hear your voice," Kevin said seriously.
Anne chuckled at the request. "Kevin, it's not like you haven't heard my voice before, and if you really
want to see me, then come back here."
A soft sigh was heard before he explained, "Anne, I have some business recently. I can't go back just
yet, but I'll be there in a few days to see you."
Anne felt a little disappointed, but she tried not to show it. "Well, take your time. Eddy's health is good
for now."
"Okay." When Kevin said that, Anne hung up the phone.
Although she wasn't talking to Kevin anymore, Anne still can't wipe the smile off of her face. She was
aware of Kevin's intentions, and she also knew that his relationship with Rose was only for show. Anne
was very happy with this information. She felt at ease. It was as if she had suddenly found her home.
In the Fu Family's house.
On top of the table laid a great variety of wedding jewels, clothes, and cosmetics. They were all shining
and shimmering in the light.
Selma was sorting through the things to pick out what suited Rose.
"Rose, what do you think of this one?" Selma picked up a ring with a huge diamond and observed it
carefully against Rose.
"They're all good, Mom. I want to go out," she answered.
"You're going to get married. What are you going out for? It would be best for you to stay at home.
Anyway, Kevin will come here soon," said Selma.
But that was the point. She wanted to go out because Kevin is coming back. The thought just made her
unhappier.
"I just feel a little uncomfortable because I've been staying at home for a long time. Mom, maybe this is
about what people say, you know? Some premarital anxiety." Rose had found an excellent excuse.
Selma frowned. "Is that true? Well, okay, you can go out. It's alright. I'll take care of the family affairs."
Selma's approval brightened up Rose's mood considerably. She packed her things up and promptly
went out.
The reason for her hastiness was because she couldn't wait to go and see Mark.
Thinking back of the day when her plan was interrupted, she felt really lost. She was afraid that Mark
would misunderstand, so she thought she had to explain to him.
In the Claire Jewelry City.
The hall of the building was dazzling. Seen from distance, it was as if many stars were shining brightly
on the carpet.
But they looked more pleasing than the real stars at night because they were so close. It was easier for
her to feel like she could have them.
Rose liked the design here very much even though this company wasn't as famous as the AN Group.
However, she wasn't in the mood to fully appreciate it this time. Instead, she came here with the
intention to talk to Mark.
"Hello, is Mark here?" asked Rose.
Most of the people who worked here didn't know who Rose was. They asked, "Do you have an
appointment?"
"No, but he knows me. Just tell him that Rose needs to talk to him and ask him to come down."
"Alright ma'am," the man said after a moment of hesitation.
After waiting for about ten minutes, Mark finally came down. Rose was pleased, so she instantly went
over to him even though she was a little embarrassed.
"Miss Rose, what can I do for you?" Mark asked.
At work, he was more professional compared to how he was whenever they met in private. He was
more serious. Still, Rose felt very flustered by him.
"Can I buy you a cup of coffee?" said Rose.
Mark smiled a bit. "Miss Rose, you didn't ask me out just for coffee, right? What do you want to talk
about?"
"I want to explain something, but I'm not comfortable doing it here. If you're busy right now, I can come
back some other time." Rose's voice carried the sincerity of her intention, so Mark was unable to
refuse.
"Well, let's go out and have a talk."
The cafe wasn't crowded. There weren't many people at this time of the day.
The ambiance was good. Soothing music played, and the aroma of ground coffee wafted through the
air.
"Thank you for coming out with me." Rose smiled sweetly.
"So, tell me, what's up?" Mark asked casually.
"I told you that I would break up with Kevin that day. That was my plan, but something unexpected
happened later," Rose said uneasily.
Contrary to Rose, Mark was indifferent. What she said had nothing to do with him, so he wasn't
bothered.
"You don't have to tell me this. It's your own life, your own business. I don't care at all." After saying
that, Mark looked at her with a questioning gaze.
"I know. I know you don't care, but I wanted to explain clearly. I don't want you to misunderstand me."
Rose looked up at him with pleading eyes.
"Miss Rose, do you always care about what other people think of you?" Mark said as he looked at his
watch.
"No, I only care about your opinion," Rose admitted in a low voice.
Although she tried her best to look innocent, Mark understood exactly what she meant. He stood up
and said, "You're free to do whatever you want. I don't care because we're just friends. Miss Rose,
don't be too hard on yourself."
Mark stood up and turned his back to leave.
It prompted Rose to stand up too. Disappointedly, she said, "Is my relationship with Kevin the reason
why you're so aloof to me?"
Her question made Mark laugh. He turned around to face her again and said seriously, "Miss Rose, you
think too much. I have always treated you as just a friend, and that's why I don't care about what you
said. That has nothing to do with me."
"Really? If I weren't involved with Kevin, will you have interest in me?" Rose asked nervously.
"That question is meaningless. There's no point, so it's better if you don't ask that. The important thing
here is to make a good choice. It's not a requirement to be with the one you like, rather you should
focus on not hurting yourself." Mark then left the cafe. Rose just stared at his back in disappointment.
She knew that Mark didn't like her yet, but she liked him. She liked his personality. He was neither
arrogant nor too enthusiastic, and even though he was somewhat a little distant, he was still tender too.
She wouldn't give up.
In that moment, she regained her confidence, and resolved to keep trying. One day, Mark would
absolutely fall in love with her.
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