Ethan, expressionless, was packing Quincy’s things. Hearing this, he said, “Mr. Conrad, you never had the chance to show Lillian that you were still going strong, but could it be that your bedroom skills over the last five years were so underwhelming, which is why she refused to come back to you no matter what?”
The tension between the two men dropped to freezing point.
Conrad thought this old man deserved a good beating.
Ethan felt Conrad should be punched hard.
But in the end, neither of them said anything more.
They were both failures in love, so what was there to compare?
“Repaying kindness with ingratitude.”
“Where’s the kindness?”
“I took care of your kid while you went off to enjoy yourself in bed. And now you still dare to say I didn’t create that opportunity for you? You’re a wolf in sheep’s clothing, aren’t you?”
“Do you really think I needed you to create that opportunity for me?”
Conrad had wanted to yell at him for being so stubborn, but then he realized something. “Wait a second, you’re implying that over these past five years, you’ve had plenty of good fortune, occasionally hopping into your ex-wife’s bed, but never managed to get back to your original position, right?”
“…”
Seeing Ethan’s reaction, Conrad was momentarily stunned.
He then glanced at Phyllis, who was chatting with Lillian in the yard.
“What the hell kind of logic is that? Your ex-wife got some twisted ideas from a scumbag, and now she thinks she can just do whatever she wants?”
He felt a bit anxious. He needed to interrupt their conversation quickly before Lillian got the wrong idea.
If Lillian ended up in his bed, that was fine-he wouldn’t mind one bit. But if she thought she could just use him and walk away without a second thought… how was he supposed to live with that?
“I just don’t get it. Ethan seems like he’d be much more suited for marriage and settling down than Conrad. Why did you leave him?” Phyllis, though calm and gentle, was blunt with her words.
“Lillian, Our daughter’s toy is missing. Can you come help out?” Conrad interrupted.
Standing at the door, his eyes swept over Phyllis with clear annoyance.
Phyllis, holding her fan, saw the unkind look Conrad gave her.
Wow, he was so petty.
“Phyllis, I’m heading out now. As for who’s more suited for marriage, I think you probably had your answer the moment you asked.”
Otherwise, why would she have tangled with Ethan all these years, repeatedly questioning things? What was she really looking for?
She stood up and left, and from a distance, she could still hear Conrad questioning everything like a shadow.
Phyllis paused for a moment, her hand still holding the fan.
She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy. With Ethan, there was never this kind of tension between them.
“What did she say to you? Don’t let her brainwash you.” Conrad’s voice was firm as he stood behind her. “You probably don’t know, but she’s been sleeping with Ethan, and then walking away without any responsibility. And Ethan? While he was with you, he cheated-went right back to his ex-wife’s bed.”
Lillian whipped around, covering his mouth. “Why are you shouting so loudly? Are you trying to make sure everyone hears you?”
“He’s the one doing all that. Why should I be afraid to speak the truth?” If it weren’t for her being there, he would have tied those two lovebirds up and thrown them into the sea. It’d be a public service.
Mr. Conrad would never recognize his own issues.
“Everyone has their own way of dealing with things. What’s it to you?”
“If he’s bothering you, I have every right to step in.”
“Who are you to me that you think you have the right to interfere?” Lillian was folding Jasmine’s dress.
Conrad stood behind her, softly adding, “I’m your daughter ‘s father, your future husband.”
“Conrad!” Lillian turned around, but Conrad had already returned to his position, lounging with an air of nonchalance. “Want to hit me? Go ahead, I’ll do it myself.”
Lillian felt that this man was nothing but trouble.
After packing up his things, Conrad was eager to leave for City N, wanting to leave Ethan and his ex-wife behind.
The two little ones had spent the whole day playing on the mountain and were nearly falling asleep as soon as they got in the car.
Ethan drove, and Phyllis naturally sat with her.
Conrad automatically put Lillian’s luggage in his car. “Do you have a lot of luggage?” he asked, referring to Ethan’s place.
Lillian replied, “Not too much. I just got back to the country, and a lot of stuff hasn’t been shipped back yet.”
She hadn’t planned on taking any work from her home country, but now that things were settled, she needed to organize things from her place abroad.
“Did you live with them while you were abroad?” Conrad asked.
Lillian got in the car and froze for a moment at the question. “What are you thinking? I lived next door.”
Conrad felt relieved. Living next door was fine.
“Then tonight, I’ll help you bring up your luggage,” he said.
Afraid she might refuse, Conrad gave her a subtle look. “His ex-wife is back. It’d be awkward for you to stand there alone, not being family. Jasmine and I are waiting for you at home.”
He touched on Lillian’s concerns as well.
Phyllis’s foot was still hurt, and she had come all the way to Boyd Town by herself. Ethan’s personality wouldn’t let her stay outside.
It would indeed be an awkward situation.
If Lillian took her luggage and stayed at a hotel, Phyllis would definitely leave as well.
Seeing Lillian hesitate, Conrad seized the opportunity. “Let’s go with this plan then. Ford is already looking for a place. You can stay with Jasmine for a few days, and once the house is ready, you can move in.”
“Mr. Conrad, I’m curious about something,” Lillian said, leaning on her chin and giving him a sly look.
Conrad couldn’t stand that look from her. “Yeah?”
“Would the neighbor of the house you find be you?” Lillian asked.
Conrad didn’t miss a beat, “Of course.”
“Really?”
“Would you not stay if it were me?”
“If it were you, I’d have to think about it.”
“Why?”
“It feels too much like cheating. Even though I don’t mind you being close, I feel like I’d lose my personal space. With your domineering style, I’d feel a bit less free.”
Conrad realized he’d been letting his guard down a bit lately.
His fingers tapped on his leg, and then he said, “But what if Jasmine misses me?”
“Oh, so you’re saying you’ve already prepared two places?” Lillian crossed her arms.
Conrad closed his eyes, preparing to act indifferent, but when he did, all the childish, defiant gestures disappeared.
He still had a strong presence, but the childish side was only for her.
Seeing that he wasn’t answering, Lillian closed her eyes to rest as well.
After a while, his hand grabbed hers.
His large, warm hand completely enveloped hers.
Lillian couldn’t pull her hand away, and he smoothly laid his head on her lap.
“So heavy,” she complained.
Conrad didn’t care. He held her hand firmly.
Lillian realized that over the years, he had lost a lot of weight.
His facial features were more defined, and sharper, yet his personality had become much more restrained compared to before.
“You must have had a hard time during those five years abroad, right?” he asked.
The driver was in the front, and Lillian looked out the window at the passing scenery. “It was hard, but not really.”
“Sorry.” Conrad brought her hand to his lips. “Sorry.”
“Conrad, you don’t have to punish yourself anymore. It’s all in the past.”
She tried to let go, and he did as well.