The evening sunlight cast a warm glow on them, but when Conrad saw the man standing at the gate, his smile faded from his face.
“Dad!” Quincy, who had also picked a grass like Conrad, had been blowing dandelions to play with Jasmine. As soon as he saw Ethan standing there, he immediately let go of Conrad’s hand and ran toward him.
“Dad! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back?!” Quincy hadn’t seen Ethan for the past few days. Although he hadn’t said anything, he really, really missed his dad.
Ethan lifted his eyes and, as he picked Quincy up, casually tested his weight. “You’ve gotten heavier. You’ve been eating well these past few days?”
Quincy wrapped his little arms around him and cooed, “Yeah, Mom Lillian’s cooking is so good. Jasmine’s house is really big, with lots of fun things. Mr. Conrad even said he’d take me to play with guns. Dad, have you ever seen a gun?”
As they spoke, Lillian and Conrad had already walked closer.
“Ethan, why the sudden visit?”
“It’s not sudden. I thought you might have something important to tell me, so I came back early.”
“How’s Phyllis’s surgery?”
“Just a small procedure, nothing serious.”
Conrad walked into the house without a word, too lazy to greet him.
Meanwhile, Jasmine smiled and waved at Ethan. “Hello, Mr. Ethan.”
Ethan smiled back. “Am I disturbing you by coming at this time?”
“Not at all. Come have dinner with us. There’s still food in the kitchen. We’ll be ready to eat soon.”
Conrad put Quincy down and moved a folding table to the center of the yard. He glanced at the goose and silently signaled it to show Ethan that it wasn’t welcome.
However, the goose had just eaten its fill and, realizing its situation, was completely oblivious to Conrad’s hint. Not only did it annoy Mr. Conrad, but Conrad also wanted to pluck its feathers and throw it into the pot right then and there. Useless thing.
Ethan watched Conrad vent his frustration while moving the table and chairs, then silently sat down.
A glass of cold water was slammed onto the table. Conrad stretched his long legs and propped them up on a small stool. “Drink it, Mr. Ethan.”
Lillian poked her head out from the kitchen. “We’re low on ketchup. Could you go buy some?”
“Coming,” Conrad replied, expressionless. He got up and walked into the kitchen. “What brand?”
“This one. Just something from an old factory.”
Conrad nodded and was about to head out.
Lillian suddenly grabbed his arm. “What’s wrong? Why are you upset?”
“Should I be happy?” Conrad retorted.
“I just want to remind you that you’re still on probation. If you throw a tantrum, I’ll deduct points.”
Conrad forced a smile. “Lillian, that’s too much. You can’t deduct points.”
After saying that, Lillian couldn’t help but feel that he was actually pouting.
Conrad glanced at the two kids watching cartoons before walking out the door.
“See that? Only the master would go buy ketchup. Guests just sit around. The way I’m treated is different.” Conrad mentally elevated his own status, not caring what Ethan thought.
Halfway out, he suddenly realized something.
Wait, Lillian wouldn’t have sent him away on purpose, would she?
But even if she had, what could he say? He should respect and understand her, and control his temper.
Conrad took a deep breath, feeling like he was about to go crazy with jealousy.
Lillian turned off the stove in the kitchen, noticing that the water in the pot was almost ready. She made some coffee and brought it to the yard.
“Try this. It should be your kind of taste.”
Ethan took a sip. “Yes, it’s definitely fragrant.”
“Is everything okay with Phyllis? You rushed back-did she know?”
“She knew.” There was a look of unspeakable sadness in Ethan’s eyes.
“You called earlier and said you had something to tell me. Have you decided to go back to Conrad?” he asked bluntly.
Lillian shook her head. “I think, rather than going back to Conrad, we should return to our respective places. Sorry I couldn’t help you.”
Ethan chuckled and said, “I’m the one who should be apologizing… Back then, you said you were going back to City N and worried that being single might attract unnecessary trouble. As for me, I wanted to see if, by being with another woman, she’d get upset, get jealous, or maybe even come back to me. So that’s why we spread the rumor that we were engaged. Honestly, I really envy Mr. Conrad. At least he waited for you.”
As for him, he feared he’d lost that chance forever.
“How could you know unless you try? Ethan, love requires passion. It’s normal that you and I didn’t have chemistry. But you and Phyllis, you once had love and even had Quincy. Why not act on impulse just once, like a child-cry, beg, and make a fuss? Being always composed and clear-headed only leads to hurting others and yourself. Love should be something the other person knows about.”
Ethan raised his eyes. “So, Mr. Conrad made you feel his love, right?”
“I wouldn’t dare say that, but right now, I am truly touched, and I can’t stay indifferent. After all, he’s someone I once loved so deeply. Phyllis is the same. She, who craves freedom so much, is willing to marry you. Don’t you want to try again?”
Ethan lowered his head and smiled. “Thank you, and I wish you find the best version of yourself.”
He was the person who understood her the most in the world.
In just a few words, they had already understood each other completely.
Lillian extended her hand. “You’ll always be my confidant.”
“Same here.”
“When we get back, I’ll find a place to stay. Jasmine’s in City N, and I’m planning to accept a project here, a movie about women’s themes. What about you? Are you taking Quincy to A City?”
“I still have business with Brown Family Group, so I’ll probably finish my case before I leave. But we have been friends for so many years. I have to test Mr. Conrad. As long as I’m around, he probably won’t sleep well.”
“Do you dislike him?”
“No,” Ethan raised his eyes. “I envy him. He dares to love, to do what I wouldn’t dare to do. Maybe I should learn from him.”
Lillian smiled and lowered her head. “I hope next time you come, you’ll bring Phyllis with you.”
“I’ll try.” Ethan clinked glasses with her.
Conrad rushed back and saw them chatting so happily. He became crazy with jealousy. W
hat were they so happy about?
Lillian was such a fool. The man had just come back from his ex-wife’s place, and she was serving him coffee.
Just a bottle of mineral water would have been enough! Not that she had even served him yesterday’s coffee.
He grumbled, closing the yard door.