CHAPTER 199: CHAPTER 199: WHAT IF YOU’RE GIFTED

The tone was flippant, with a touch of flirtation.

The muscles on the man’s back were evidently tense.

Turning his head, he saw Poppy Hale leaning against the door, holding a lunchbox.

Today, she wore a beige cape coat paired with a white short skirt and short heeled boots.

It overlapped with the girl who used to love wearing hoodies, pleated skirts, and Martin boots, yet she seemed entirely different.

What was different were the clothes.

The same was the face that always wore a cheerful smile when looking at him.

Declan Hawthorne wiped the water droplets off his face with a towel and turned towards Poppy Hale.

"Why did you come?"

"Someone didn’t come home last night, so of course, I’m here to check whether you’ve been sneaking off behind my back."

Declan lowered his eyes, gazing at her.

He had just washed his face, and his eyelashes were wet, now looking at her with a captivating, moist gaze.

Irresistibly alluring.

Before Poppy Hale could react, a pair of hands snaked around her waist.

He lifted her up, with a strength coming from who knows where, and placed her on the office desk, his big hands pinning her waist, making it impossible for her to move.

He held her hand, placing it on his chest.

The beating of his pectoral muscles under Poppy Hale’s palm grew even more fervent.

Declan Hawthorne spoke in a suggestive, muffled voice.

"Then why don’t you check if I have any stock left?"

Poppy Hale raised her brow.

"What if you are exceptionally gifted?"

Declan Hawthorne was so exasperated by her that he ground his teeth.

First thing in the morning, she came to provoke him.

Yet again, he showed a helpless expression as if he couldn’t do anything about her.

Simply, he reached out to remove her coat.

"It’s just right since I haven’t put on any clothes yet, I’ll dress later."

Seeing he couldn’t take a joke, Poppy Hale quickly pushed him away.

"It’s not convenient."

Declan Hawthorne’s hands stopped, sullenly staring at Poppy Hale.

For the past few days, if calculated, it’s really about time for her period, he remembered.

But he was too busy and had forgotten about it for a moment.

Now reminded by her, Declan Hawthorne almost ground his molars to pieces.

He carried her into the bathroom, taking Poppy Hale’s blood-red earlobe into his mouth, guiding her hand downward.

"You lit the fire, you must put out the fire."

Poppy Hale indeed intended to tease him.

But it stemmed purely from seeing a handsome man coming out of the bath, for a moment, she couldn’t resist, and her mouth worked faster than her brain.

A moment later, Declan Hawthorne was neatly dressed, sitting at the desk, opening the lunchbox.

Thinking that Poppy Hale’s period had recently become much more punctual.

When she was in school, her period was irregular, sometimes lasting half a month or ending in just three days.

In recent months, it seemed to have stabilized.

Apparently, those medicinal recipes were effective.

Poppy Hale massaged her sore wrist while watching Declan Hawthorne eat.

"Does your stomach hurt?"

"No, it doesn’t."

Poppy Hale rested her chin on her hand, remembering the past; if it hadn’t been for her irregular periods, she wouldn’t have gotten pregnant before breaking up with Declan Hawthorne.

That day, an accident happened; Poppy Hale deliberately seduced him, Declan Hawthorne couldn’t resist.

Afterward, they were too tired to check and drink water.

She didn’t know how many precautionary measures were overlooked.

When her period didn’t come, Poppy Hale didn’t think much of it, just chalking it up to her usual irregular timing.

She spoke to Declan Hawthorne about the time she was pregnant.

"Vesperia’s winters are too cold, I used a hot water bag, but my mom saw it and hurriedly made me take it away, saying I was planning to cook the baby."

Pregnant women can’t use hot water bags on their bellies; no one had taught her that before.

Afterward, Truth Hale, trembling in fear, made her watch numerous pregnancy guides.

Declan Hawthorne’s heart was instantly pricked with pain.

"Back then, I wasn’t by your side, leaving you to face everything alone."

Poppy Hale shook her head.

"Honestly, at that time, I didn’t feel it was hard, didn’t have the time to think about it, or maybe it’s your self-protection mechanism kicking in when you’re in pain; I worried about my dad’s illness every day and neglected Florence."

Florence had congenital minor issues from insufficient nutrients in the womb.

She would definitely get sick with every change of season.

If she cried severely, even a small wound could bring on a high fever.

There was a long list of foods she couldn’t eat; the list of allergens could be dragged from her hands to the ground.

For Poppy Hale, it was her first time raising a child.

When Florence had her first fever, the doctor advised against medication, suggesting physical cooling.

She didn’t sleep the entire night.

Waking every two or three minutes.

Guilt, anxiety, and worry engulfed Poppy Hale.

"To be honest, I’m very grateful for Florence’s existence. After she was born, I didn’t have the time to be sad, I started taking care of her with my mom again."

"I’ve told you before, my parents were very close, and when my dad was gravely ill, he told me to keep an eye on my mom, not to let her give up once he was gone."

"But after Florence was born, my mom didn’t even have the time to give up."

Truth Hale herself, for the first time, was fully committed to taking care of a fragile and sensitive newborn!

When Poppy Hale was born, it was Connor Lynch who personally took care of feeding and changing diapers.

The mother and daughter were extremely busy.

Looking back, when they saw Florence lying in the cradle giggling at them,

it all seemed worth it.

Poppy Hale didn’t find it tough.

But these matters, Declan Hawthorne had never been involved in, and at that time, he was still holding grudges.

Resentful of her heartlessness.

How could she break up so abruptly, without saying a word, preferring to contact Mason Rivers than find him?

Did she not feel his affection for her at all?

The resentment and regret were equally intense and heart-wrenching.

Declan Hawthorne only felt that the shrimp dumpling in his mouth, though fresh and juicy, tasted like wax.

Poppy Hale noticed his low mood.

"I’m telling you this not to upset you, but purely to show off!"

"When Florence was just born, you didn’t know how adorable she was, and I had it all to myself."

Poppy Hale lifted her chin, smiling brightly.

Declan Hawthorne lowered his head, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, then looked up while blinking to disguise it, smiling, "Hmm. She was all yours, and I’m also all yours."

Poppy Hale leaned over.

"Really, Declan Hawthorne, I didn’t know you were so sentimental?"

Declan Hawthorne pressed her face, gritting his teeth.

"Poppy Hale, do you not plan on sleeping next week?"

Poppy Hale quickly sat back.

She didn’t dare provoke him.

She needed her sleep.

Once Declan Hawthorne finished his breakfast, Poppy Hale helped him tidy up the lunchbox as a knock sounded on the office door.

Poppy Hale was about to step aside, but Declan Hawthorne shook his head, indicating she didn’t need to.

She thought it over and decided to stay.

Though they hadn’t publicly announced it, since last time when Declan Hawthorne showcased his wedding ring in front of the media, everyone knew he was married; they just didn’t know who his wife was.

Ronan Hawthorne knocked and entered.

Seeing Poppy Hale tidying up, he was momentarily taken aback and greeted, "Sister-in-law."

Then he turned to report a project to Declan Hawthorne.

Declan’s brow furrowed, the warmth from interacting with Poppy dissipated and was replaced by a stern expression.

"Wasn’t that project already called off? What, are you interested?"

Faced with the pressure, Ronan Hawthorne nodded.

Declan sat on the sofa, his long legs crossed, and locked eyes with Ronan Hawthorne.

"Convince me, or forget about it."