Chapter 10
The housekeeper had us change into the new clothes, and Raymond said he’d take us out shortly.
I asked the housekeeper where we were going, but he said he didn’t know either.
After we were dressed, the four of us got into the SUV and followed Raymond out.
We drove for over half an hour before finally arriving at our destination.
Regina’s villa.
I felt uneasy as my mother and the kids paid our respects to Regina.
Regina greeted us warmly, “We’re family—no need for formalities.”
I was quietly surprised. Family? Why would she say that?
Regina had servants set out tea, fruit, and snacks and welcomed us cheerfully.
During the visit, she held the two children and played with them, even giving them a pair of gold pendants as gifts.
My mother and I sat on pins and needles, answering her questions cautiously.
Raymond suddenly said, “Grandma, since you like Yvonne and Cedric, why not let them stay and keep you company?”
What did he mean by that?
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I looked at him in shock.
Regina beamed, “Of course, that would be lovely–though I wonder if Ms. Sullivan would be willing to part with them.”
“I…”
to the
I was about to politely refuse when Raymond interrupted, “Grandma, you’re still short a personal assistant, right? Ms. Sullivan used to be a nurse; why not let her stay as well? It’ll be convenient for taking care of the kids.”
Regina nodded.
“That sounds good. Ms. Sullivan, are you willing?”
Raymond added, “Three thousand a month, room and board included, plus full insurance. How does that sound?”
I was tempted. I could earn money and still take care of the kids. Not to mention, my mother was happy.
And Regina was approachable. She already had plenty of people to care for her; this personal assistant role was probably just a formality.
My mother and I exchanged glances. I didn’t want to miss this chance, so I signaled to her with my eyes, “It’s okay,” and she agreed immediately.
“Thank you. I’d like to give it a try.”
So, my mother and the kids were settled at Regina’s house.
Only when I returned to Lagoon Pavilion did it feel like waking from a dream.
Raymond had taken us out and solved the problem that had been weighing on my heart.
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But that phrase from Regina, “We’re family,” couldn’t help but make me suspicious.
Could it be that Raymond knew something?
Uneasy, my feelings unsettled, Raymond added fuel to the fire.
He bluntly asked me, “Is there something you want to tell me?”
“Those two kids are your own flesh and blood; do you know that?”
That sentence twisted around my tongue several times, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it.
If I broke through that fragile barrier, how would I face things afterward?
Did I want to ask him for recognition?
The official wife of Raymond was Liora–I didn’t have the standing to compete.
And I could never be Raymond’s mistress. Nor would I let my kids become illegitimate children despised like I was.
If Raymond knew the children were his, he would naturally protect them.
As for me and him, there was no need for further entanglement.
In the end, my thousands of words boiled down to two simple ones.
“Thank you.”
I said it like that.
Raymond frowned slightly, muttering in dissatisfaction, “That’s it?”
I added, “Mr. Merrick, I will never forget the great kindness you’ve shown
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us.”
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Raymond seemed a little disappointed but quickly switched to a carefree
tone.
“If that’s the case, you can stay here without worry, right?”
I sincerely said, “Mr. Merrick, I graduated from culinary school. If you don’t mind, I could be the cook.”
Raymond’s mouth twitched; there was a hint of helplessness mixed with displeasure.
“Keep pretending you don’t get it. You know that’s not what I meant.
Raymond turned and left.
I spent some peaceful days at Lagoon Pavilion.
Every weekend, Raymond would take me to see my mother and the kids or bring them out to play.
My mother’s complexion grew rosy, and her smile came more easily–she looked like she had finally found some sweetness after hardship.
Worried I’d get bored, Raymond had his childhood friend Sophia come keep me company.
Liora had treated Sophia as a rival, but no one knew Sophia already had a longtime foreign boyfriend.
Sophia and I went shopping, did beauty treatments, and visited exhibitions together.
I felt doing nothing all day wasn’t good, so I asked Raymond to enroll me in a pastry training course.
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Back at Haven House, I often took orders online and made pastries myself.
Raymond agreed, and Sophia was interested, so she joined me.
After we got close, Sophia told me, “Don’t feel burdened being with Raymond. He and Liora never officially registered their marriage. Not long ago, Raymond gave her the final ultimatum–he told her to get lost.”
I was puzzled.
“Why? Did she do something wrong?”
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