Chapter 864 Andrew: Inspection Report? What Inspection Report!
Clayton stared at the report for a few seconds, completely stunned.
The report was filled with upward arrows, and at the end, there was a conclusion suggesting further liver examinations. The patient was suspected to have...
Just as he was lost in thought, the sound of a car came from the yard, and Haven jumped out of the car.
She was playing with a toy in her hand.
She ran straight into Clayton's arms, being very affectionate and wanting to be held.
Clayton held her with one arm, watching Chloe and Natalie get out of the car, feeling very conflicted.
During the holiday, he didn't want to ruin the mood for Chloe, so he quietly put the report away.
Then he picked up Haven and kissed her, "What did Mommy buy for you?"
Haven blew a big bubble, "Bubble gum."
Clayton laughed and pulled out a large gift box for Haven, "This is a present for you! Come give me another kiss."
Haven generously kissed him again.
At this moment, Chloe, Natalie, and Molly came over, with the driver carrying their things behind them.
The whole family looked cheerful, even Andrew and Gavin, who came over after hearing the commotion, seemed in high spirits.
Only Clayton couldn't be happy.
He had hidden the report, but before dinner, he couldn't help but walk into Natalie's bedroom.
She was organizing the things they bought in the afternoon.
It had been a few months since she gave birth to Chance, and she had almost regained her figure, adding several winter dresses to her wardrobe.
Natalie always loved these things, and she couldn't help but touch them a few more times while hanging them up.
Clayton hugged her slender waist from behind, and Natalie struggled a bit, speaking softly, "We aren't close enough for you to harass me whenever you want!"
Clayton held her tighter, not speaking for a long time.
Natalie knew him well enough.
She paused and asked, "What's wrong?"
Clayton pulled the report from his pocket and handed it to Natalie, his voice heavy with sorrow, "Dad's getting old, not as strong as he used to be. After the Fireworks Festival, we'll stay with him for treatment."
Under the dim light, Natalie read the report over and over again.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
After a long time, she placed the report on the vanity and slowly sat down.
Clayton gently hugged her shoulders, letting her lean against his stomach, continuously comforting her.
Natalie cried quietly, deeply suppressed.
She had always feared this day, but it had finally come.
At Andrew's age, having such an illness meant that treatment would be more of a torment.
She cried silently, not daring to let anyone hear.
She was even more afraid of Chloe finding out, imagining how heartbroken Chloe would be!
Dusk was settling in.
The lights in the bedroom gradually brightened, revealing Natalie's slightly swollen eyes.
Just then, Chance woke up, his loud cries alerting the adults.
Clayton gently patted Natalie's shoulder, "I'll go get him! Wash your face so Mom doesn't notice."
Natalie nodded.
She had a deep bond with Andrew, and it was impossible to hide her feelings.
During the family dinner, she forced a smile, her eyes moist whenever she looked at Andrew.
Andrew chuckled, "Still thinking about getting gifts at your age?"
Despite his words, he still gave her a gift!
Natalie couldn't hold back her tears.
Afraid of losing control, she left the table and went to the bathroom.
Gavin looked at Clayton, "You two fighting again?"
Clayton admitted with a bitter smile, "Yeah, we had a little argument before dinner."
Andrew waved his hand dismissively, "Go make up with her! Get her back to finish the meal, then you can continue your fight."
Clayton smiled and left the table.
He found Natalie in the bathroom, where she had washed her face again.
His expression was serious, but he still tried to cheer her up, gently tapping her nose, "You've cried yourself into a little kitten! Still up for dinner?"
Natalie shook her head, unable to bear it, afraid of revealing her emotions in front of Chloe.
Clayton took her hand and led her away.
They ended up in Andrew's study, where a small tent still stood, but Natalie had grown up and could no longer fit inside.
Clayton turned on the heater and sat on the floor with her.
"Tell me about your childhood," he suggested.
Natalie shook her head, "I don't want to."
Clayton looked at her gently, "Then how about I tell you my stories? I'll tell you about my past."
Natalie sniffled, "About your ex-girlfriends?"
Clayton hugged her shoulders, "That was ages ago! I've long forgotten."
He started talking about when they first met, sharing their memories, how she was just a little girl back then, and how brave she was, even daring to touch him while he swam.
Clayton held her hand, wrapping it around his waist.
His voice was low, "Natalie, whether you forgive me or not, I'll always be by your side."
She didn't respond, just leaned against his shoulder.
She wasn't in the mood to think about anything else.
Clayton turned his head and kissed her for a while.
When he let go, she quietly looked at him. When he kissed her again, she didn't avoid it...
Just then, a voice came from the door, "You two are still here being lovey-dovey! Chance is awake and hungry, and no one is taking care of him. If you can't be parents, leave the kid to me and your mom. I think I can live another ten years."
His words made Natalie's nose tingle, "Dad!"
Andrew looked at her, "What's wrong?"
He turned to Clayton, "Did you bully her?"
With no one else around, Clayton decided to be straightforward, "Dad, I saw the report."
Andrew asked, "What report?"
Clayton handed it to him, looking deeply into his eyes, "Aren't you going to tell Mom?"
Andrew took it, looked carefully, and said, "This isn't mine! It says Andrew, 37 years old. I'm over 73, how could this be mine?"
Clayton was silent.
Natalie also fell silent.
Natalie, being his daughter, quickly realized and looked at Clayton with disdain, "So dumb!" She then got up and ran off!
Clayton looked at the report again and smiled bitterly, "Dad, you're really something!"
Andrew waved his hand, "I don't understand!"
Clayton watched his back, feeling relieved.
He walked to the window, looking at the shimmering backyard, perfect for a winter swim...
So he went to the backyard, stripped down to his black underwear, and swam several laps before coming ashore.
Partly because he loved swimming, and partly because he was still young and full of energy, needing an outlet.
After swimming until midnight, he returned to his room, first picking up Chance. Usually, Natalie took care of Haven, and he took care of Chance.
As soon as he moved, Natalie woke up.
Seeing him in just his underwear, she couldn't help but say, "If the maids see you like this in the middle of the night, they'll think you have an exhibitionist problem. It's so cold!"
Clayton sat on the bed.
He took her hand and placed it on his thigh, "Feel if it's warm?"
Natalie refused to touch him and told him to go back to his own room.
Clayton bent down, gently picked up Chance, and as he stood up, he kissed Natalie's face, teasing, "The taste in the study was nice, wasn't it?"
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