Chapter 431 She Ran Into Him by Chance
Time was a blur; Sienna was already four months old.
Evening rolled around, and Frederick scooped up the kids, bringing them back home.
Lola bolted out of the car, making a beeline for the house.
She was dying to see Sienna.
Johnny, on the other hand, was all chill, just trailing behind her.
Frederick shut the car door.
He hadn't kicked the smoking habit yet, but he kept it outside. So, he leaned against the car, taking his sweet time with a cigarette.
Once he headed inside, he shrugged off his coat and asked the maid, "Charlotte upstairs?"
The maid grinned, "Yep! Lola, Johnny, and Kingsley were all up there, having a blast."
Frederick headed up the stairs.
At the nursery door, Johnny and Kingsley were standing guard, their little faces all flushed.
Frederick laughed, "What was the deal? You two looked like mini soldiers."
Kingsley piped up in her cute voice, "Sienna was eating! Lola wouldn't let anyone in!"
Frederick found it hilarious. He ruffled Johnny's hair and said softly, "Take him downstairs for a snack. You don't have to do everything Lola says."
Johnny's face got even redder as he led Kingsley away.
Frederick turned and knocked on the door with a flourish, "Charlotte, can I come in?"
After a beat, Lola opened the door. She was standing there, face up, her golden curls bouncing.
"On behalf of Charlotte, you may enter."
Frederick chuckled, "My pleasure, Miss Hawkins." He scooped up Lola and shut the door behind him.
Charlotte had finished feeding Sienna. Hearing them, she was both amused and a bit exasperated. Frederick sat next to her with Lola in his arms, resting his face on her shoulder, and asked softly, "Did you tell Lola to have those two stand guard?"
"No!" Charlotte's voice wavered a bit. She couldn't help but turn to look at him.
Frederick had ditched his coat, rocking a white shirt and black trousers, looking all dapper. But he was shamelessly close, his face just inches from hers.
Charlotte blushed, and Frederick teased, "What was on your mind?"
Charlotte shot him a look.
Lola was still there, and he was flirting right in front of her. Kids these days picked up on everything.
In this cozy vibe, he seemed totally clueless.
He gently touched the baby's head and asked softly, "Did it hurt?"
"It didn't! You should go."
Charlotte tried to push him away, but Frederick didn't budge, just smiling with those charming lips.
Lola yawned in Frederick's arms, thinking, 'Daddy really loves Mommy!'
She insisted on going downstairs, and Frederick patted her lightly, "Johnny and the others are having a snack; you should grab something too."
Lola dashed off.
Once everyone had gone, Frederick walked to the door and locked it.
Charlotte had finished feeding Sienna. The baby, full and happy, slept peacefully with a rosy face.
Charlotte gently placed her in the crib and bent down to watch her tenderly.
Frederick turned around and saw this.
He quietly walked back and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, his hand caressing her as he chuckled, "Still as slim as ever."
He wasn't exactly playing fair, his hands wandering.
Charlotte gasped softly, grabbing his hand and whispering, "What are you up to?"
"I wanna kiss you!"
"Will Mrs. Hawkins allow it?"
His words were all polite, but his actions were quick. She had just finished feeding the baby and looked a bit of a mess, making it easy for him. Before long, Charlotte found herself back on the couch, sitting in his lap.
Frederick was in his prime—mature, handsome, and all dressed up.
Compared to him, Charlotte was a hot mess. She tried to pull her clothes together, but he gently pulled them apart.
Frederick's fingers lightly brushed her skin. She bit her lip, and he chuckled softly.
Things started to heat up. Charlotte hated it when he got all frisky with the kids around. Couldn't he wait till night?
Frederick kissed her deeply.
His voice was rough, "I can't wait! Charlotte, I've been thinking about you all day! Since Sienna was born, how many times have we been intimate? Every time we get halfway, she starts crying!"
Frederick got more intense.
Charlotte had no choice but to cling to his shoulder, gently biting him. She soothed him, "No matter how many kids we have, I love you the most."
Frederick felt a warm rush in his mind. He lightly bit her nose, "You always know how to sweet-talk me!"
But who doesn't love sweet talk?
He was all fired up and urged her, "Call me Frederick!"
"Frederick!"
Things finally calmed down, and he lay against her sweaty neck, whispering hoarsely, "I love it when you call me Frederick. Every time you do, I can't help myself."
Charlotte's face was flushed.
Frederick, seeing this, was moved and couldn't help but kiss her again.
The baby started crying. Frederick wanted to ignore it, but Charlotte gently pushed him, her voice tearful, "She probably needs a diaper change! Go check!"
Frederick was in the heat of the moment. He sighed, "Why do we have so many kids?"
Ultimately, not wanting to see Charlotte anxious, he washed his hands and resignedly changed Sienna's diaper. Though he complained, his eyes were full of tenderness. His actions were meticulous as his large hand supported the baby's little bottom, gently placing her on a clean surface.
The little pants with pink flowers were bought by Frederick when he drove Lola to the supermarket.
Charlotte gently adjusted her clothes and quietly gazed at him.
Nowadays, Frederick was truly a good husband.
Perhaps her gaze was too focused, and Frederick looked up. Their eyes met, and Charlotte shyly turned away.
He chuckled softly. "You can be shy too?"
Charlotte had just been loving him, but now she found him annoying.
Frederick put the diaper on Sienna but didn't continue to pester Charlotte. Instead, he cradled Sienna, soothing and entertaining her.
Sienna was delighted, grinning and kicking her little legs happily. Frederick kissed her.
Charlotte couldn't help but go over and tease Sienna too.
At that moment, Frederick said, "I saw Andrew's attending physician this morning. The situation was a bit complicated."
Charlotte's heart tightened, and she quickly asked, "Was there a chance for a cure?"
"Hard to say!" Frederick finished talking and noticed his wife's eyes getting all teary. He couldn't help but free a hand to gently pat her, "Hey, don't cry! I'll figure something out."
Charlotte softly murmured in agreement, leaning on his shoulder without saying a word.
After a bit, Frederick suddenly said, "If it really came to that, I'd tell Chloe."
Frederick knew Chloe well. She might have planned to break up with Andrew, but if Andrew had no chance, Chloe would want to see him one last time or be with him in his final moments. Frederick didn't want her to have any regrets. But for now, it was too early.
Feeling heavy-hearted, Charlotte visited Andrew the next day. Unfortunately, Andrew was out for a check-up, and she had other stuff to handle, so she left.
Nathan escorted her out and then hurried to the check-up center to pick up Andrew.
At the entrance of the examination room, he saw Andrew, but there was someone else too—Chloe.
Chloe was pregnant, her belly showing, looking about five or six months along.
She was there for a prenatal check-up and ran into Andrew by chance.
Former lovers locked eyes, and Andrew looked at her belly, his voice hoarse, "About five months, right?"
Chloe's eyes reddened.
She looked at Andrew in his hospital gown.
Still very thin, his face pale. Was his illness not cured yet?
Andrew followed her gaze, looking at his clothes, and self-deprecatingly said, "Had too much to drink at a social event recently; been here for a week."
Nathan stepped forward, smiling, "It's crowded here. How about we find a quieter place to talk?"
Andrew looked at Chloe.
Chloe wasn't dumb; his reaction showed he had known about her pregnancy for a while. But four months had passed, and he hadn't said a word.
He hadn't tried to save their marriage; he had signed the papers readily. Maybe he also thought they weren't right for each other.
Since he had come to terms with it, she had nothing left to hold on to.
Chloe smiled slightly, "Alright!"
This hospital was pretty fancy, with a café downstairs.
They sat down for coffee, though they were actually drinking plain water. Nathan tactfully sat at another table.
Chloe held her cup.
She softly asked, "You knew all along, didn't you?"
Andrew nodded, "I knew last time at the hospital."
"So you came to the apartment to see me because of this child?"
Andrew quietly looked at her.
She was five months pregnant, her belly much larger, but she hadn't gained weight.
It was clear she wasn't doing well.
He felt a pang of heartache, but now he couldn't show too much concern. His condition was very complicated, and it was uncertain if he could get through it. If he couldn't, he hoped Chloe could let go of their relationship and start anew.
He had even thought, if she had decided to terminate the pregnancy, she might have an easier life, but in the end, he selfishly chose to remain silent because this was their child. In the future, Gavin would have a blood relative.
Andrew's decisiveness left Chloe deeply heartbroken. She said softly, "Don't worry. I won't ask you to take responsibility. I'll raise this child myself."
After saying that, she felt it was pointless.
He hadn't intended to take responsibility anyway.
She gracefully added, "Drink less booze and cut down on the smokes. At your age, you gotta take care of yourself."
In the past, he would've been defiant. But now, Andrew nodded, "Yeah, I need to take care of my health."
His gaze was deep.
Chloe couldn't stay any longer. She grabbed her bag from the table, ready to leave. Noticing their tense conversation, Nathan wanted to stop her.
Andrew softly said, "Let her go."
He thought, 'Chloe probably doesn't want anyone to see her in distress right now. She probably just wants to find somewhere to hide and cry her heart out.'
After all these years, she was still a fragile girl. But he was no longer the Andrew she used to know.
Chloe left the hospital.
She didn't even finish her check-up and was all spaced out in the car.
The driver tried to chat with her, but she answered with random remarks.
Finally, she said, "Take me to Broadway."
The driver knew the area well; lots of rich folks kept mistresses there. The small mansions were fancy and full of charm.
On the way, he tried to please Chloe by sharing some high-society gossip.
Chloe turned her face slightly. "Do you believe it? I was once kept there for half a year."
The driver laughed awkwardly, "No way! In Syeattel, who would dare?"
At this point, he stopped talking. He thought of someone.
Andrew had that capability back then.
The driver was indignant.
Chloe was somewhat dazed, "I want to see it again."
The car drove for half an hour and slowly stopped. Chloe asked the driver to pick her up in the afternoon.
She rummaged through her bag for a long time and found the key. She had kept that key all along. It turned out she had never let go of Andrew.
Chloe opened the door and instantly smelled the scent of bluebells, her favorite fragrance, still lingering there.
Did Andrew still come here?
The place was neat and tidy, with a plate of dewy fruit on the table.
Someone was living here.
Chloe walked to the kitchen and opened the fridge. The milk and snacks were all her favorites.
She wasn't there, but Andrew always kept it stocked.
Her eyes couldn't help but well up.
Why! Why did Andrew still do this! They had parted, and he had clearly wronged her. So, why did he still act so deeply in love!
Why did he move back here?
She suddenly felt suffocated and couldn't stay a second longer.
Chloe hurriedly opened the door, only to find Andrew standing there.
He had changed into dark-colored casual clothes. He still looked handsome, but much thinner.
He quietly looked at her, also noticing the tears at the corners of her eyes.
"Chloe, you still love me, don't you?"
Chloe trembled as she looked at him. She didn't dare let herself get too emotional. She held her belly and slowly leaned against the wall. After a long time, she softly said, "What's the point of saying this now!"
She loved him, but she hated him more!
Andrew closed the door. He bent down to change into slippers and took out a pair for her. At that moment, he was squatting. His posture was indescribably humble.
Chloe didn't move.
He softly said, "Stay for a meal! I'll cook!"
Chloe refused, saying, "I want to go home!"
Andrew gently lifted her foot, his voice tender and hoarse, "The driver has left. It's hard to get a cab here. Besides, I wouldn't be at ease! Have a meal, and I'll take you home."
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