CHAPTER 147: CHAPTER 147: ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT ME?

Tiana Linden remembers when she had just returned to Veridia, and asked Christopher to take her to meet Aiden.

Facing Aiden, she pleaded bitterly, asking him and Daisy to take a paternity test—she was just as humble then.

Those things from a few months ago feel like they happened yesterday, yet also as if they were ages ago.

They have left indelible scars in her heart.

No matter how hard she tells herself it’s all in the past, her chest still aches every time she remembers.

Enduring the pain, she decisively shook off Aiden’s hand. "Whoever I marry is my own choice, it’s none of your business."

"Tiana..." Aiden grabbed her arm again.

Little Daisy rushed over and bit him hard. "Let go of my mom!"

Small and with a face carved from the same mold as Tiana’s, fierce, glaring at him.

Her little nose wrinkled with anger. "My mom is going to marry Mr. Chaucer, it’s not your concern."

Saying that, Daisy looked at Tiana. "Mom, let’s go."

Behind them, Aiden, James Linden, and Daniel Linden could only watch as Tiana led the two kids away without a backward glance.

At the doorway, Uncle Cameron tried to persuade them. "Tiana, stay for dinner before you go."

In the Linden Family, Tiana was only ever polite to Uncle Cameron. "No, thank you, Uncle Cameron. Take care of yourself, we’ll be leaving now."

Walking out of The Linden Villa, a gentle rain began to fall.

In the night, Hector Chaucer stood by the car door, holding a large black umbrella.

Seeing the three of them come out, he quickly held the umbrella and strode over.

Under the umbrella, striding forward with his long legs.

In just a few steps, he reached them.

He brought the big umbrella over.

Under the shadow of the umbrella, the depth of his eyes and his straight nose outlined a rugged handsomeness.

Seeing the two children, he naturally broke into a smile.

A smile that was both tough and tender.

"Here, take the umbrella."

When Tiana took the umbrella, Hector had already picked up both children, one on each side.

The four of them crowded under the umbrella in the rain, soon arriving at that wine-red Gregory Flagship car.

In the distance, Aiden watched Hector Chaucer send the two kids and Tiana into the car one by one.

In the past, the only person to hold an umbrella for Tiana was always himself.

Now, seeing the person beside Tiana become Hector Chaucer, he was maddened with jealousy.

The car drove away into the fine rain.

Leaving only Aiden standing in the rain, gazing for a long time.

He didn’t even notice when the rain got heavier and heavier.

Until Daniel Linden showed up holding an umbrella, raising it over his head, and only then did Aiden realize he was already soaked.

Daniel said, "Aiden, you’ve got to find a way to win Tiana back. I can help you."

Aiden watched the car disappear into the night, still clenching his fists. "You’ll only make it worse—I’ll handle it myself."

Daniel was indignant. "How can I make it worse? She’s my dearest little sister. You think I’d hurt her?"

Aiden snapped out of it, looking coldly at Daniel. "That’s not what you used to say."

He even blamed Daniel and James Linden for always wanting Tiana to marry that fat Harvey Patton for Vivian’s sake.

But then he remembered that he had deeply hurt Tiana as well, so he didn’t deserve to blame anyone else.

Aiden knew that if only he had always trusted her and protected her, no one would’ve been able to hurt Tiana in the slightest.

In the end, it was all his fault.

Rainy night.

Hector Chaucer personally drove Tiana, Daisy, and Laura home to The Sovereign.

Seeing the kids again, Catherine Armstrong burst into tears holding them tight.

"I’m sorry, Daisy, Laura, it’s Grandma’s fault—I didn’t keep an eye on you."

Luckily it wasn’t a kidnapper.

Otherwise, the consequences would’ve been unimaginable.

Leo Sutton was shaken too, patiently and gently teaching the two children.

"Laura, Daisy, no matter how cute the puppies or kittens are, you mustn’t chase after them."

"And you can’t go off with other kids—you must stay within the adults’ sight."

This time really scared everyone to death.

Especially Leo Sutton. When Kiera Chaucer died in childbirth, he promised her he’d take good care of Laura, Penelope, and Daisy.

If anything happened to the kids, he couldn’t forgive himself.

The two children were remorseful, too.

"Daddy Leo, Daisy knows she was wrong."

"Daddy, Laura knows she was wrong too."

Leo Sutton patted their little heads gently. "I’m not blaming you, just make sure you’re always careful from now on."

There are so many new tricks for child abduction these days.

Sometimes right under adults’ noses—in a dozen seconds, the child vanishes.

Now, as parents, Leo Sutton and Tiana Linden dare not let their guard down at all.

...

The next night.

Hector Chaucer finished his work with the company; it was already eight o’clock.

Sitting in that wine-red Gregory Flagship, he called Tiana.

"I’ll be home late today—you and Daisy go ahead and sleep."

"Tell Daisy I’m really sorry I can’t read her a bedtime story tonight."

Gordon Lowell, who was driving, couldn’t help but snicker.

Everyone knows Family Head and Miss Linden are a fake couple.

But Family Head treats Miss Linden like his wife, fulfilling a husband’s duties.

No matter where he goes, no matter how late he returns to The Sovereign, he always tells Miss Linden in advance.

Not only Gordon thought so, even on the phone Tiana felt this call meant something more.

She kept feeling that Hector Chaucer was always reporting to her, as if she really were his wife.

This feeling made Tiana’s heart a little less calm as she held the phone.

Especially hearing Hector’s deep, pleasant voice on the other end.

"Tiana, are you listening?"

His low, rich voice trembled in her ear.

Clearly he was on the other side of the call, and she on this side, but his voice seemed to carry his warm breath, curling around her ear.

Tiana’s breathing was unsteady. "...I’m listening, don’t worry, I’ll read Daisy her bedtime story. Who’s driving, Gordon or you? If you’re driving, stop talking and focus on the road!"

"Are you worried about me?"

His voice on the other end had a hint of happiness.

Trying to hide her own chaotic feelings, Tiana joked, "Obviously! You’re like my own big brother, closer than Daniel—if I don’t worry about you, who will?"

On this end, Hector’s lips pressed, his smile faded away.

This woman—does she really not see what he feels for her?

He knew, too—once bitten, twice shy—so he has all the patience in the world.

He went along with her. "Then I’m really pitiful!"

Tiana muttered, "Someone cares about you—how are you pitiful?"

Even with only half an hour left before home, Hector cherished every second on the phone with her. "Maybe you’re the only person in the world who cares about me."

Tiana objected, "Who says so? There’s Daisy! And my dad, my mom, and Leo—they all care about you, don’t they? Hector, if the Chaucer Family can’t give you affection and warmth, the rest of us can."

Just then—bang!

Tiana wanted to say more, but all she heard was the crash of the car on the other side.

Accompanied by Gordon Lowell’s shout, "Family Head, look out—"

Then, the call cut off by itself.

Tiana’s heart leapt into her throat, her nerves stretched to breaking. "Hector, Hector..."

But there was no response—just the beeping of the disconnected line.

Beep, beep—each sound stirred her heart into turmoil.