Chapter 207

Samuel's response was not direct, but rather a light smile. "I'm prepared," he said.

"Prepared for what?" Layla asked.

"I'm ready to be scolded. You detest my interference in your affairs, don't you?" Samuel responded, his tone laced with a hint of amusement.

Layla couldn't help but laugh at his feigned self-defense. "Am I really that unreasonable?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with mirth.

"Am I truly that unwise?" Samuel retorted, a playful glint in his eyes. "It's not that you lack intelligence, it's just that you're stubborn, wanting to rely solely on yourself."

"People, of course, should rely on themselves. But I've come to realize that having someone to lean on feels rather comforting too," he added, his tone softening.

Layla was not yet at the level of being indifferent to everything, so until then, taking Gioanna down a notch was quite satisfying for her. After all, it spared her a lot of hassle in the future.

"But aren't you afraid of spoiling me too much?" Layla asked, her eyebrows raised in query.

"When I love a woman, I spoil her rotten, so nobody dares to mess with her," Samuel declared, his voice firm and resolute.

"Ha-ha. What if I start bullying you, though?" Layla teased, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"I'd kind of like it if you did," Samuel responded, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Layla recognized Samuel's playful side instantly. With both hands, she playfully slapped his sturdy chest, "You are such a dirty thinker."

"And you're not much better than me now," Samuel retorted, a smirk on his face.

Layla found herself at a loss for words. Just a month ago, she had been innocent, a young girl unaware of such things. It was frightening how much had changed.

"I have my own selfish reasons too. If we don't get these nuisances out of the way soon, you won't have time to deal with wedding arrangements. Even though we hired one of the biggest event planning companies, there are still many decisions that need your touch," Samuel explained, his tone serious.

"Planning a wedding and working at the same time, I'm so busy," Layla sighed, shaking her head.

"Are you ever? Busier than the CEO of the Holland Group," Samuel joked, causing Layla to chuckle.

Meanwhile, Susan had originally just gone out for a dinner meeting, but with the client insisting on drinking, it dragged on until ten o'clock.

Upon returning home, Susan didn't even have the chance to set down her laptop before she gently pushed the bedroom door open.

Victoria turned around and whispered, "Olivia has fallen asleep."

Susan looked at her sleeping son's cherubic face, her heart softening. Very quietly, she placed her laptop on the desk and took off her coat.

"Did you drink again?" Victoria asked, her tone laced with concern.

"Just two glasses of wine, not much," Susan replied softly. "Did Olivia fuss for me?"

"She fussed for a while but then got too tired and fell asleep. I told her you'd be back by eight, and she was waiting," Victoria explained, her voice filled with sympathy.

Susan felt a pang of guilt. She wished she could spend more time with her daughter, but she couldn't finish her work if she did. The savings she had before were used as a down payment for the 750-square-foot apartment, and although her salary was three thousand a month, with the mortgage, raising a child, and paying for a babysitter, money was tight, and life was not easy.

"Thank you for taking care of everything," Susan said, her voice filled with gratitude.

"It's nothing," Victoria replied, her tone dismissive. She found it not too troubling as she had no children of her own; in fact, she felt a bit sorry for Susan, a single mother with her hands full. Moreover, Susan paid her more than other employers did, even giving her bonuses during the holidays, which made the occasional extra work worth it.

"You go get some rest," Susan suggested, her voice filled with concern.

"Alright. Oh, by the way, hasn't Olivia been complaining about her knee and hand joints hurting lately? Should we take her to the hospital for a check-up?" Victoria asked, her tone filled with worry.

"I'll take her in for a checkup early next month. We've got a three-day break, and I promised to take her to the zoo to see the penguins," Susan reassured Victoria.

"Yeah, her gums even bled today," Victoria added, her voice filled with concern.

"Was it a lot? Is it serious?" Susan immediately asked, her tone filled with worry.

"It wasn't much, just a little. She probably bumped it. She didn't want me to tell you because she was afraid you'd worry," Victoria explained, her voice filled with sympathy.

Susan was consumed by a wave of guilt. Her daughter, Olivia, had shown an extraordinary level of understanding and maturity from such a young age that it tugged at her heartstrings. She was perpetually swamped with work, often leaving her in the care of a nanny, yet Olivia never uttered a word of complaint.

A particular memory of Olivia bringing her warm water to soak her feet had reduced Susan to tears. Years of relentless labor and personal grievances seemed worthwhile in that moment, even the deep-seated pain inflicted by a certain man felt insignificant in comparison.

In this lifetime, Susan resolved, she would neither remarry nor bear any more children. Olivia was her world, and that was enough.

"Mom, Mommy..." Olivia's dark eyes fluttered open, clouded with sleep, "Mommy, you're back."

"I'm late again, I'm sorry." Susan clasped her daughter's hand gently.

"Mommy, I love you."

"Baby, Mommy loves you too. Go to sleep. Good night." Susan leaned down to plant a tender kiss on her daughter's forehead.

A blissful smile graced Olivia's face as she slowly closed her eyes.

...

Later that same night, in the upscale Cloud Creek Villa community, a man clad in a black shirt stood on a balcony, puffing on a cigarette. His nearly six-foot-three silhouette was strikingly noticeable.

"Why are you smoking again?" A woman approached, plucked the cigarette from his hand, and extinguished it, "Your daughter is looking for you. If she smells the smoke on you, she'll scold you again."

"Hmm." The man snapped back to reality, his demeanor still somewhat distant, as if lost in thought, and somewhat aloof towards his wife.

It was only when his daughter rushed into his arms that his face lit up with a smile, and he kissed her.

"Daddy, why are you smoking again? My teacher says it's bad for your health."

"Daddy's wrong. I won't smoke anymore. It's bedtime. Should Daddy tell you a story?"

"I want to hear the story of Snow White."

"Alright. Whatever Babe wants to hear, Daddy will tell."

"Daddy's the best, Babe loves Daddy the most."

"Babe loves Mommy too."

...

The following afternoon, Layla visited the café located beneath her office building to purchase some freshly squeezed orange juice.

Just as she turned around, a figure, impeccably dressed in a suit, stood before her.

"Ashton?"

Beside the floor-to-ceiling window, a waitress delivering coffee couldn't help but steal glances at the strikingly handsome man in front of her, her heart fluttering. She'd seen plenty of good-looking guys, but none possessed the allure of Anthony, not by a long shot.

Layla casually fiddled with the disposable cup, occasionally nibbling on the straw. It was evident that she was somewhat uncomfortable.

"Sorry, I was a bit drunk that night and I offended you."

"Not at all," Layla quickly waved her hand dismissively, "It's nothing."

"I wanted to talk to you today because I hope you won't avoid me or feel awkward because of what happened that night. Despite some regrets, I still hope we can continue to be friends," Anthony said, his tone laced with sincere eagerness.

"I feel the same way," Layla nodded. After all, Anthony had always held a special place in her heart.

"I'm not very familiar with your relationship with Samuel, so I can't comment, but I believe that you like him and that he must have qualities that are worth your affection. As long as he makes you happy."

"I am very happy," Layla said sincerely.

Falling asleep in his arms every night and waking up to his arm as her pillow, Layla had never felt so secure and happy. She reveled in their shared sweetness, eagerly anticipating their future and the birth of their children. Never before had her life been so filled with joy; the sadness of the past twenty years had dissipated.

Samuel was her beacon of light.

Anthony felt a twinge of sadness. Even though he tried to adjust his mindset to wish her happiness, she was still the woman he cared for, and he wished her happiness had been because of him. Alas... he was too late.

"While I can't be the first person you think of when something happens, I hope I can be someone you share joy, anger, sorrow, and thoughts with, a most special friend."

"Of course, you always have been."

"Thank you, Layla."

In his heart, Anthony thought, 'I'm sorry, I still can't give up on you completely. But I will control my emotions. You go and protect your love, and I will always be behind you, guarding you, ready to appear when you need me.'