Chapter 37

CYNTHIA asked Prudence and Julian to do some charity work at one of his mother’s sponsored orphanages. Despite her busy schedule, she managed to make some time for it. But if truth be told, she didn’t really like going to such a place because it often brought back those memories she wanted to bury forever. If not for Julian, she wouldn’t join that charity work.
The children cheered when they arrived at the orphanage. They were happy with the food, clothing, toys, and educational materials that they had brought for them.
“Is there a problem?” Julian asked when she didn’t move an inch. “Don’t get me wrong, but it seems that you are not in the mood since we left the estate. If you are not feeling well or something, then you should’ve told me. No one is forcing you to come with me. And besides, my are here to assist me.”
“I’m sorry.” She held his hand. “It’s just that I didn’t get a decent sleep last night.”
Julian heaved a sigh and gave her a light kiss on the side of her neck.
“Don’t worry. I will make sure to make this quick, so we can go home early, hmm?” Julian ushered her inside the orphanage.
“Mother Elizabeth,” Julian greeted when he saw the mother superior coming on their way.
They both nodded politely and kissed the nun’s hand.
“May the Lord bless you both,” said Mother Elizabeth.
“My apologies that my mother couldn’t make it. She really wanted to come here for the children, but she suddenly caught the flu,” Julian explained afterward.
“Oh, good Lord, may the madam recover fast. Don’t worry, son. The children and I will pray for a speedy recovery.”
“Thank you so much, Mother Elizabeth.”
The nun then turned in her direction.
“And who is this beautiful lady with you?”
“Oh.” He wrapped an arm around her waist. “This is my fiancée, Prudence. Prudence, this is Mother Elizabeth.”
“My pleasure to meet you, Mother Elizabeth,” she said politely.
“You have a very pretty face and a beautiful name.” The nun gestured in the direction of the mess hall. “Shall we? The children are waiting.”
“Ah, yes, of course. We shouldn’t keep them waiting for their meal,” said Julian.
She could hear the children's voices from the spot where they stood at that moment.
They walked beside Mother Elizabeth.
“Anyway, I was hoping to see Ruth with you today. But I haven’t seen her.”
“I’m sorry about it, too, Mother Elizabeth. Ruth couldn’t come because she is the one who is taking care of Mama.”
“I see.”
Prudence leaned closer to him and whispered, “Are they close?”
“Ruth came from this orphanage,” he told her.
Her mouth formed an O. All those times, Prudence thought they were biological siblings. Perhaps that explained the woman’s rotten personality. The classy Whitewoods didn’t raise Ruth since the beginning. She would take note of that.

AT THE mess hall, Prudence and Ace helped the nuns serve food to the children. It was a little messy and required manual labor, but then she did it anyway, and it surprisingly brought her a feeling she hadn’t felt before—self-worth. Does it mean that charity work suits her now? Perhaps she should ask her future mother-in-law to let her do more of that in the future.
Prudence was busy preparing the desserts when a kid around four years of age approached her.
“Excuse me,” the kid said. He was holding a canned juice. “Can you please open this for me?”
“Oh, sure—” But even before her hand could reach the can, a hand grabbed it. “Julian…”
He crouched in front of the kid and opened the canned juice for him. Julian got another brownie point for that.
“Here you go,” said Julian as he handed it to the kid.
“Thank you,” the kid giggled.
Julian smiled and patted the kid’s head before it ran away.
“It seems that you are fond of kids too.” Prudence nudged him to the side.
He turned his gaze on her. “Does it matter to you?”
“Eh?”
“That I like children.” Julian crossed their distance and leaned closer to her. “If you say yes, then I might give you lots of them.”
Her mouth dropped open, and her cheeks instantly felt a burning sensation. Prudence laughed nervously.
“T-that’s quite a hassle.”
“Hassle?” His brows furrowed. “Why would it be a hassle?”
“Well, in my opinion, one should have children if you are emotionally and financially ready. Raising a child is a commitment.” Prudence shook her head. “And I don’t think I’m ready for that now.”
She wouldn’t get pregnant when she was in the midst of a spying mission. Her child would most likely become a liability. And she didn’t have the heart to abandon a child as her father did to her. It would be better not to bear a child in that case.
Julian stared at her for a few moments and sighed.
“Well, you do have a point.” She was about to turn around when he suddenly grabbed her arm. “But why did you let me—”
“I was safe when we did that,” she told him.
His expression changed. Suddenly, he looked cold. Does it mean that he wanted to get her pregnant?
“I will tell Mother Elizabeth that we are leaving. You should get ready.”
Julian turned around and walked towards the mother superior. For some reason, she couldn’t move an inch and remained standing there, watching him. The only thing that pulled her to her senses was the phone inside her pocket that suddenly vibrated.
She immediately left the mess hall to answer the call upon seeing that the boss was calling her.
“Prudence.”
“Y-yes, boss?”
If he asked for an update, there was nothing she could report. She couldn’t tell him she fucked Julian anyway.
“Your apprentice is out of reach,” the boss said firmly. “What the hell is she doing, and where is she?”
“I-I received a message from her. It seems she is out somewhere. Vacation, perhaps.”
“How dare she enjoy a vacation! If you contact her, tell that bitch that I’m waiting for her call!”
“Y-yes—” The call ended. “Damn it.” Prudence gnashed her teeth and breathed exasperatedly.
“Is there a problem?”
She flinched upon hearing Julian’s voice behind her.
“J-Julian…” She turned to him with wide eyes.
“Yes?”
“How long have you been here?” Her heart started racing. What if he heard the conversation? “D-did you hear it?”
“I didn’t get to hear the whole thing. I just heard you were cursing.”
She let out a sigh of relief. It meant her secret was still safe.
“Are we… leaving now?”
“Yeah.” He sauntered toward the car.
She followed him as if nothing had happened. Yeah, she had mastered acting nonchalant.