CHAPTER 179: 179: HAVING A CHILD

The living room fell silent.

Florence Fuller’s gaze fell on Ethan Harper, deeply knowing and complex: "Why is everyone suddenly eager about having grandchildren?"

Luke Gardiner shook his head: "I don’t know either."

Florence let out a cold laugh and found a place to return a phone call.

Everyone was staying at the old house with Old Mr. Gardiner, so it wasn’t appropriate for Florence to leave now. She found a quiet place and returned Ethan Harper’s call.

Luke Gardiner came looking for her, overhearing her gentle tone on the phone: "I’m not quite sure, but I’ll return as soon as I can."

Whatever was said on the other end, she smiled: "Alright, I’ll hang up now."

She hung up the phone and looked up to see Luke Gardiner in front of her.

Luke Gardiner looked at her with eyes full of pain: "Do you take me too lightly?"

Florence couldn’t understand why he would look at her like that: "Don’t act so innocent, when you did those things right after we got married, did you even consider me?"

On the wedding day, the groom barely showed up before leaving the ceremony, then was photographed in the afternoon with a beautiful woman abroad. In the following months, his scandalous news never stopped coming.

While he lived freely and indulgently, Florence was criticized by many in their circle.

"If I had known I’d fall for you, I wouldn’t have done those stupid things," Luke Gardiner said with regret and annoyance. "I’m now so full of regret, I’d beat myself up."

When he said "like," it didn’t elicit even a hint of surprise in Florence’s expression. Florence looked at him calmly: "Like? What is there about your ’like’ that is worthy of anything?"

Luke Gardiner felt a dull ache in his heart: "Do you really look down on me that much?"

"Must I accept your ’like’?" Florence retorted sarcastically, "Your base nature is so lousy, don’t pin everything on me. What do you mean by ’if you knew you’d like me, you wouldn’t have done those stupid things’? Does that mean if you stop liking me, you can go back to being your old flamboyant self?"

"That’s not what I meant." Luke Gardiner took a few steps toward her, pained that she would look at him with such eyes: "I truly didn’t know I’d meet you. Florence, I was wrong. I honestly didn’t consider your feelings with what I did before. Give me a chance, a chance to make it up to you, I promise, I definitely can..."

"I don’t need it." Florence interrupted him: "Don’t waste your efforts, just sign the divorce papers, and I’ll still retain some respect for you."

With that, Florence walked around him to leave.

But Luke Gardiner was unwilling to let her go.

He stepped forward and held her tightly in his arms, his voice low and hoarse: "Give me a chance, I’m begging you, give me a chance."

"Let go of me." Florence struggled hard, Luke Gardiner held on tight, squeezing Florence’s waist until it was uncomfortable, she elbowed the man behind her: "Let go!"

"I can give you everything of mine, as long as you agree to stay with me, break it off with Ethan, and we can live a good life together, okay?"

He was immersed in a beautiful future he crafted for himself, he’d turned over a new leaf, Florence accepted him, they had a child, and they lived happily ever after.

"Let go!" Florence’s voice became sharp: "It hurts!"

Luke Gardiner loosened his grip a bit, and in the next second, Florence fiercely pushed him away.

"Get lost!"

Florence gave him a cold look, then strode away.

Luke Gardiner staggered back several steps, watching her leave without any mercy, his heart feeling like a knife had cut through it.

When exactly did he fall for this cold-hearted, ruthless woman?

She didn’t leave him any room for emotion.

Not a drop of tenderness was she willing to spare him.

How could he have liked such a woman?

——

The Gardiner family had been staying at the old house for several days accompanying Old Mr. Gardiner. The old man had recovered some strength but still couldn’t walk, and could only be pushed around in a wheelchair for some fresh air.

"You’ve all stayed at the Gardiner place for a few days, this old bag of bones is what it is, tomorrow you should all go back, no need to stay at the old house anymore."

Father Gardiner nodded.

"Dad, you’re in a period of recovery, how about I stay to take care of you for a couple more days?" Grace Linney suggested.

The old man didn’t respond, just glanced at her, then at his silent son.

"Florence, you should also stay a couple more days. The old man has always loved you, you should fulfill your filial duties," Grace Linney suggested, looking at Florence.

Florence met her gaze, but said nothing.

"No need, Florence is busy with company matters, plus she has other things to attend to. You all should head back, the old house has the housekeeper and others to manage things." the old man said.

Grace Linney opened her mouth to say something but clamped it shut after meeting her husband’s gaze.

Florence explained to Old Mr. Gardiner: "Grandpa, I have to return to Cloudsea City for a wedding at the end of the month. After the wedding, I’ll come back to see you."

"Then I’ll go with you," Luke Gardiner said.

"No need," Florence flatly refused: "You just focus on your work."

"The company isn’t particularly busy lately," Luke Gardiner explained: "We’re husband and wife, it’s only right for me to join you wherever you go."

Luke Gardiner’s unusual behavior was noticeable to those at the dining table.

Not only was he acting unusually now, even in the old Gardiner house these past few days, he was completely different from usual.

He was very clingy to Florence, constantly being attentive to her, whether she was in the tea room or feeding the fish, he was always right there, ensuring she was never alone.

It was completely unlike his usual self.

Florence was still thinking about how to refuse him, but the next moment the old man spoke: "Then Florence, you should take Luke with you."

Florence paused, and after a moment, forced out an agreement.

The old man obviously knew she wanted a divorce, even accepting her signed divorce papers as an indication he’d hand them to Luke Gardiner.

But now, what’s he playing at with this behavior?

Father Gardiner’s mother glanced between Florence and Luke: "A few days ago, I also mentioned to Luke about the two of you having a child. You’ve been married this long, and with Luke staying home with you, he’s not young anymore, it’s time to have a child."

Hearing this, to Florence’s ears it sounded like a message that Luke Gardiner had not been indulging outside lately, so it was advisable to have a child while he’s home.

Not only did it dampen the mood, it also killed any appetite she had.

She put down her chopsticks: "I’m feeling a bit unwell, going back to my room first."

Luke Gardiner was concerned: "Florence."

Father Gardiner’s face darkened, staring at Florence: "What, are you unwilling to have a Gardiner family child?"