There was something in his tone – low, cautious, almost pleading – like he was afraid of upsetting her.
Everything he did seemed to revolve around her now.
Conrad’s eyes flickered slightly.
Lillian hesitated, then started, “Tomorrow, don’t-”
Before she could even say the words “come over,” Conrad spoke up, “Your grandma’s memorial day is coming up soon. How about the three of us go pay our respects together this year? In the years you were gone, I always took Jasmine with me. Grandma must really miss you. If you bring Jasmine this time… I know she’d be so happy.”
Lillian looked at him, then at Jasmine, who was tilting her head up and blinking those big, hopeful eyes. Her throat tightened, and she gave a slight nod.
Conrad’s smile lit up his face. “Great. I’ll take care of the arrangements.”
Then his expression darkened slightly.
“If you… want to bring Ethan too, that’s fine,” he added.
Lillian didn’t answer.
Truthfully, she was uneasy about going back to City N.
For five years, she had deliberately avoided thinking about it – refused to remember anything about that place.
She’d cut off every bit of news about Conrad, forcing herself to forget him completely – as if pretending he didn’t exist would make it true.
And because of that, she’d missed the truth about her daughter being alive.
“The cemetery where Grandma rests nearly got flooded a couple of years ago during the summer monsoon season.”
“And then what happened?”
“Don’t worry. I went there myself afterward, fixed the road, and arranged for some flood prevention work. Everything’s good now. Oh, and about the incense workshop Grandma left you – I took the liberty of managing it for you. The money’s all saved up for you. It’s not a big business, but it’s listed under the Brown Family Group, and a lot of the locals are working there.”
“Daddy also donated a school!” Jasmine chimed in, waving her little fork.
“A school donation?”
“Yeah! There are so many ‘Lillian Elementary Schools’ now. Daddy said since I’ve been sick, he promised God he’d do lots of good deeds and kind things. Every year, he personally goes to different places and takes me along to deliver gifts to the kids. That way, God will let me stay with Daddy for a long, long time.”
Lillian was surprised – good deeds?
“Mommy, everyone says Daddy has changed a lot.”
“Don’t bother Mommy while she’s eating,” Conrad said, wiping Jasmine’s mouth.
“Don’t listen to her nonsense,” Conrad added. “Ford handled most of it. I just paid for everything.”
Lillian lowered her gaze and kept eating. She wasn’t heartless, but seeing Conrad like this… she didn’t quite know how to respond.
After the meal, Conrad helped her take the kids to wash their hands. The amusement park had even put some thought into that – the soap foamed up in cute cartoon shapes. Jasmine kept running around, chasing the bubbles in the air. Lillian couldn’t keep up and ended up running in circles.
Conrad simply scooped up both kids and carried them straight to the car.
Lillian finally let out a breath of relief.
“Your husband is really sweet,” a nearby mom said with a hint of envy. “My husband barely ever goes out with me and the baby. It’s one phone call after another – or if we’re eating, he’s just staring at his phone. But your husband? I watched him earlier – never once touched his phone. He just kept his eyes on you three the whole time. And he’s handsome too.”
Lillian gave an awkward smile.
“Sorry, I’m talking too much,” the woman added. “I just couldn’t help but feel a little emotional.”
As Lillian walked back toward Conrad, she noticed how closely he watched her every move. The moment she got near, he couldn’t help but ask, “What did that woman say to you just now?”
“She said… you’re a really good dad.”
Honestly, even as a mother, she couldn’t claim to be as attentive as he was.
“Jasmine thinks the world of you, and that’s because you’ve been so good to her.”
Lillian knew her daughter’s feelings well. But Jasmine’s warmth and openness didn’t happen by chance. Conrad had poured time and love into her – never leaving her care to anyone else. That’s why Jasmine was so expressive, fearless, and full of life wherever she went.
People who grow up surrounded by love are so different from those who cautiously search for it, afraid of being a burden.
Lillian felt grateful – her daughter wouldn’t be like that. Jasmine would always shine like a little sun.
And Conrad… he was her mountain.
“I don’t just want to be a good dad to Jasmine,” Conrad said. “I want… something more. All you have to do is say the word.”
Lillian couldn’t help but admire how smoothly he turned the conversation in his favor.
“I was only talking about Jasmine,” she reminded him.
“So was I,” Conrad replied. “I’m not trying to tie you down. But if Ethan’s still so tangled up with his ex-wife, and you’re okay with that… doesn’t that just mean you don’t love him?”
Lillian stopped in her tracks. “His ex-wife… she gets hurt in a car accident,” she said quietly. “Morally speaking, I couldn’t just tell him not to go.”
“Then what if I got in a car accident?” Conrad asked, his eyes locked on hers. “Would you leave Ethan… and come to take care of me?”
His gaze never wavered. “Would you?”
Lillian hesitated for a moment.
Since her response was exactly what he had expected, Conrad only looked slightly disappointed. “See? In your heart, I rank even lower than some random coworker from your film crew. But for me, you… you’re different.”
“Lillian, even if I can’t be your number one, I still hope that the person you choose in the end will put you first. If not, then why put yourself through that? You turned me down back then because you’d had enough of my arrogance, my self-righteousness. But now, you’re choosing someone you don’t even love, someone who’s constantly tangled up with his ex-wife, letting that mess spill into your life. You’ve seen for yourself how exhausting it is to raise two kids alone.”
“But he didn’t hesitate for a second to choose his ex-wife over you, leaving you to take care of Quincy. So, am I wrong to think that deep down, the woman he truly loves is her? If this happened once, it’ll happen again. Even if he’s compatible with you in other ways – respectful, easy to talk to – does he love you? Do you love him? You don’t even have the basic emotional foundation a marriage needs.”
“And you’re still planning to marry him? Isn’t that even more reckless than what I did?”
“If you want to move on from me, at least find someone who loves you more than I do. Then I’d be willing to watch you walk into your own happiness. But Ethan? He’s not that person.”
Hearing all that, Lillian turned her face away.
“Mr. Conrad,” she said quietly, “when people get older, love just doesn’t seem that important anymore. He and I have our own way of getting along. If he were the type of man to completely abandon his ex-wife after a divorce, what kind of man would he be to me? He and I… we’re a good fit. It’s easy – I don’t have to think too much. I can just be happy.”
Even though Conrad had expected her to say something like that, actually hearing it still made his blood rush to his fingertips. His whole body felt numb, and there was a dull ache in his chest.
“Let’s go,” Lillian said. “If we keep talking about this, it’s just going to turn into an argument.”
“Besides,” she added, “you don’t like Ethan, but if someone else shows up, you won’t be satisfied with him either, will you?”
As she walked past him, Conrad lifted his hand slightly – then let it drop. He took a deep breath and followed her.
“That line doesn’t work on me.” Lillian glanced over her shoulder.
“I won’t give up.” He was right beside her, stubborn as ever.
“Suit yourself.”