The next day, I came downstairs for breakfast a bit late, and everyone was already there, even Dad, who rarely ate at home. I poured milk for everyone before finally taking my seat.
Carter met my gaze, offering a slight smile.
I kept my head down while eating, then suddenly heard Carter say, “Cameron, it’s been a long time since we went out together, hasn’t it? The weather is nice today, and the sun is shining. Why don’t you take the day off and invite Queenie? We can go for an outing together. What do you think?”
Cameron, after a moment of surprise, calmly refused, “Not today. I have plans with Patrick. He mentioned progress on Anne’s case, and we need to continue our discussion from last time. There are some more detailed things to go over.”
I was initially puzzled by Carter’s sudden proposal, but now I understood. He wanted to use this as a way to minimize Cameron’s interaction with Patrick. He really kept our agreement from last night.
I lowered my head to drink milk, feeling a bit uneasy, as if a pair of sharp eyes were staring at me. Inadvertently, I raised my head, only to find Cameron glaring at me intensely, sending shivers down my spine.
“You can discuss the case anytime. Let’s go out for a walk today!” Carter continued to persuade him.
Cameron looked at me, then back at Carter, seemingly understanding something. “Whose suggestion is this, you or Laura?”
“Whether it’s me or Laura, what’s the difference?”
“There’s a difference…”
Cameron’s icy gaze locked onto me… Suddenly, I felt a tingling sensation in my legs. His foot traced up my thigh, brushing past my knee, almost reaching between my legs…
Cameron audaciously slipped his foot under my skirt beneath the table!!!
I felt both embarrassed and annoyed but didn’t dare to move recklessly. He became more audacious, his foot directly rubbing against my thigh, and his toes constantly brushing between my legs. I felt my breath quicken, and my body grew slightly warm and wet.
“If it’s Carter’s suggestion, I can reject it directly, but if it’s Laura’s suggestion, I might need to explain… Today, I really can’t. Patrick only has time today to discuss the case, and I’ve put aside everything to accommodate his schedule. Anne’s case has always been a knot in my heart, Laura, can’t you understand my feelings?”
As he spoke, his foot extended further inside. I tightly pursed my lips, my heart hanging in my throat.
Fortunately, the dining table was large, with considerable gaps between each person’s seat. The tablecloth reached the floor, and outwardly, there should be nothing unusual.
“Yes, I understand,” I took a deep breath and uttered a few words with difficulty, “Carter, take a break at home today. When Cameron is free, we can go for an outing together.”
“What are you saying?” Carter frowned, clearly displeased.
I had no extra energy to deal with him. Cameron slowly withdrew his foot, and I finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“Laura, how did we discuss it last night?” Carter sneered. “Now, you’re going back on your word?”
“Cameron is busy with something,” I replied, “It wouldn’t be fun for us to go out on our own.”
“Is it not fun to go out with me?”
I held my breath, glaring straight at him.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Stella suddenly spoke up. “Carter hasn’t gone out for a long time. Cameron, why don’t you set aside your work for a while, invite Queenie, and it’s also a good opportunity for you guys to bond!”
Cameron cast an impatient glance at her, as if he had something to say.
But before he could speak, Stella had already preemptively blocked all his words. “You can schedule another time to meet with Patrick! Besides, I don’t have the courage to face Anne’s matter right now. I…”
Her eyes reddened, sitting there blankly, lips trembling. Every mention of Anne seemed to trigger an emotional breakdown in her. Worried that she might have another episode, I hurriedly went over and hugged her tightly. Her hands were ice-cold, and her whole body felt stiff, as if she had just come out of an ice cellar. I vigorously rubbed her arms and patted her shoulders until she responded.
“Okay, let it be like this,” she stood up slowly, turned away mechanically, and said, “You guys go for an outing… If Anne were still here, she could go together… But since she’s gone… you two, on her behalf, take a good look at this world…”
I watched her walk away, and she seemed to have become thinner. Years of poor diet and lack of sleep, combined with constant malnutrition, had worn down this woman in her forties who should have still had some charm left.
There were always rumors outside that my adoptive father, Ethan, had several mistresses. Now I understand why he cheated, always stuck with such a wife, anyone would find it unbearable…
But the culprit behind all this was my dad…
When the day comes that my identity is revealed, how will I face this family?
After breakfast, we went for the outing as planned, and Cameron indeed brought Queenie along.
She was already an outgoing girl, chatting and laughing along the way, creating a relaxed atmosphere that prevented things from becoming awkward between us. Plus, I thought she was pretty emotionally smart. Upon receiving the call this morning about the outing, she immediately started preparing, bringing a variety of carefully selected food and drinks, along with a barbecue grill.
I finally understood why Cameron chose her as his fiancée.
Once we arrived in the countryside, she proactively set up a table, spread out a tablecloth, arranged all the food neatly, and even brought a barbecue grill.
She knew that Cameron liked outdoor barbecues.
She brought the beer that Cameron liked.
She even prepared two extra T-shirts for Cameron, just in case the barbecue sauce stained his clothes.
She thought of everything for Cameron, but I… I could only stand there in a daze, empty-handed, watching them display affection in front of me. Even if I felt uncomfortable, I couldn’t show even a fraction of it.
“Try this!” Queenie handed me a skewer of grilled chicken wings. “I marinated these in cola. Cola chicken wings! They’re sweet and tender after grilling. Give it a try!”
“Thank you.” I took it, but bitterness welled up in my throat.
I saw Carter nearby and naturally handed it to him, which earned me a sweet laugh from Queenie. “You guys are so in love, you even share a skewer of chicken wings!”
Cameron obviously heard it and looked over in our direction.
“Laura, you guys go ahead and eat. I’ll grill another batch,” Queenie said with a smile. “Laura and Carter are so loving; is there a secret? Teach me! So that when I get married, I won’t accidentally provoke that hot-tempered guy.”
“Yeah, Cameron has always had a temper!” Carter chuckled. “But whenever he’s around our Laura, he becomes as gentle as a lamb.” He glanced at me meaningfully as he spoke.
I was startled by his gaze, wondering if he was just casually joking. Especially doing it in front of Cameron’s fiancée!
Queenie’s smile faded as she looked at me and then at Carter.
Carter placed his hand on my shoulder, slid it down to wrap around my waist. “Just kidding with you. Our Laura is truly outstanding. With her… No other woman can attract me.”
“Carter, I can’t believe you would say such a thing.” Queenie burst into laughter. “But you guys are really enviable. Laura, is this what marrying for love looks like?”
I blushed deeply, wishing I could find a hole to crawl into. I truly didn’t understand how Carter could suddenly change his demeanor and utter such cringe-worthy words!
“I’m not in good health, but I really want a child… A family is complete with a child. I want to have a child with Laura, so it won’t be ruined by others. What do you think?” Carter said, and I couldn’t take it anymore. I gave him a glare. “What nonsense are you spouting again? Who’s going to ruin it? You’re already drunk without even drinking!”
A fleeting malice flickered in Carter’s eyes. He was about to say something when Cameron approached from a distance, calling out, “Queenie, aren’t you going to check your cola chicken wings? They’re about to burn!”
Queenie screamed and ran off. Cameron walked up to me, handed me an empty bottle, and pointed towards the flower bushes. He whispered, “There’s a stream over there. Let’s go get some spring water together.”
“Carter, let Laura run an errand and fetch some water for you. You won’t mind, will you?” Cameron said.
Carter shook his head, and that humble, gentle smile returned to his face. I eagerly wanted to get away from him. I was afraid of him now, very, very afraid. Compared to him, Cameron seemed much gentler, almost like an angel.
Cameron and I walked to the stream, and he crouched down, placing the empty bucket in the water. As he filled it, he turned around, and we found ourselves face to face.