Chapter 272 Did the Baby Move?
The Lawrence family's ancestral home stood proudly amidst a picturesque landscape, its grandeur enhanced by the lush greenery that surrounded it. The symphony of chirping birds added a delightful touch to the serene beauty that was the Lawrence estate. Isabella, the lady of the house, stood amidst this beauty, her hand gently resting on her stomach. She was lost in thoughts about Sebastian, her husband, and his recent unusual behavior. She was torn between trusting him and doubting his intentions. If everything was as it seemed, then what did Lynda's cryptic text message mean? And if it was all a facade, how could she explain the genuine affection and tenderness she saw in Sebastian's eyes? Isabella was usually a decisive woman, but fear had made her indecisive, a trait she was not familiar with. Love, she mused, was indeed a complex emotion. Sebastian, meanwhile, had instructed the kitchen staff to prepare a simple breakfast. He then retreated upstairs to fetch some documents. When he returned, a servant approached him discreetly, handing him the breakfast tray and quietly informing him that the items Sebastian had asked for could not be found. Sebastian's brow furrowed at the news. He knew that Jarod and Peter were not subtle men. If they had found evidence of his secret dealings with the Cooper family, they would have made it known. The fact that the items were missing meant they had probably been destroyed. With a sneer, Sebastian dismissed the servant, warning him that his services would no longer be required if he failed to find the items. Leaving the servant to his task, Sebastian strode away, his imposing aura leaving the servant breathless. Sebastian opened the car door, seeing Isabella touching her belly absentmindedly. He furrowed his brows, "What's wrong with your stomach?"
"Huh?" Isabella glanced at Sebastian and saw his serious expression. She shook her head, "Nothing."
Sebastian signalled to the driver, and the car drove away.
His gaze fell once again on Isabella's fair cheeks, his Adam's apple slightly bobbing as he gripped Isabella's arm, "Is it...the baby moving?"
Isabella saw the mix of nervousness and joy. She immediately smiled, "During the prenatal class last time, you definitely didn't pay attention. You're the one who's not good at studying. It takes some time for the baby to start moving."
It was unsure if it was Sebastian's sincere gaze that startled her, but this was the first genuine smile Isabella had shown in a while.
When she smiled, her eyebrows and eyes curved, the corners of her mouth lifted, and in her watery eyes radiated a bright light.
Sebastian was captivated by her radiant beauty, but he was not one to let a jibe go unanswered. He handed her the breakfast he had brought, his expression stern. It was only then that Isabella realized Sebastian had gone back just now to get breakfast for her.
Her heart felt warm.
But, how did Sebastian know she was hungry? Before, when she skipped breakfast, Sebastian wouldn't have noticed.
"Did my stomach growl?" Isabella muttered softly, feeling embarrassed. Why did she always feel so embarrassed and exposed in front of Sebastian?
"It's simple, you’re like were a house-raised pet, and it's best to guess the thoughts of animals," Sebastian replied calmly.
Isabella glared at him fiercelya comment that earned him a glare from Isabella. She took a bite of her bread, imagining it was Sebastian she was biting into. The steam from the freshly baked bread made her eyelashes glisten with tiny droplets of water, adding to her allure.
Sebastian was engrossed in his notebook, yet his gaze would intermittently drift towards Isabella. She was undeniably an heiress of considerable wealth, but her table manners left much to be desired. Under normal circumstances, Sebastian would have been quick to chastise her, but this time, he found himself surprisingly unperturbed. With her at his side, she was free to behave as she pleased, unencumbered by societal expectations. The atmosphere within the carriage was unexpectedly congenial. Once Isabella had finished her bread, Sebastian extended a cup of warm milk towards her. Without hesitation, Isabella accepted the offering and sipped delicately from the straw. Satiated, Isabella reclined in her seat, patting her petite stomach and contentedly closing her eyes. Suddenly, the roughened fingertip of Sebastian, calloused from Lawrence's labor, gently grazed the corner of her mouth. Isabella's body tensed instantly, her fingers clutching her clothes, her knuckles slightly protruding. In that moment, she had completely forgotten the pain Sebastian had inflicted upon her. In that moment, as she consumed her meal, she bore a striking resemblance to a contented house pet. In that moment, her relaxed demeanor and the way she glared at Sebastian was nothing short of a petulant display. Could she truly believe Sebastian's words? After enduring such heartbreak, could she have fallen for him once again? Isabella's eyes fluttered open, a tumultuous mix of confusion, disbelief, and fear swirling within them. She turned her face to the side, summoning the courage to meet Sebastian's gaze, and found him already looking at her. Isabella sought answers within the depths of Sebastian's eyes. But his eyes were as black and unfathomable as the night sky, impossible to decipher. With each blink, his eyelashes fluttered like an intricate web, ensnaring Isabella with no means of escape. Unable to find the answers she sought, Isabella stiffly asked, "Is there something on my face?" Sebastian squinted his eyes. As astute as he was, he couldn't help but sense something amiss about Isabella, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was. Regardless, it was disconcerting. Sebastian felt an inexplicable sense of unease, as though he couldn't quite grasp the essence of Isabella, as though everything about her was an illusion. Isabella felt increasingly uncomfortable under his scrutiny, and just as she was about to turn away, Sebastian gently held her face and kissed her. After the kiss, Sebastian murmured, "There's nothing." Isabella held her breath, her heart in turmoil. Sebastian smiled, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. "Go rest, lunch is prepared in the kitchen. Eat whenever you're hungry," Sebastian instructed. "I have other matters to attend to." Isabella nodded hastily. "Alright, I'll go back first." She pushed open the door and exited the stifling compartment. With her head bowed, she quickly retreated. Sebastian watched as Isabella's figure receded into the distance, his hands clasped together, his left hand atop his right, his left index finger rhythmically tapping the back of his right hand. He exuded an air of nobility and elegance, yet his eyes were tumultuous. No one could conceal their true feelings after being emotionally stirred as he had been. Sebastian squinted his eyes, hoping it was merely his imagination. Otherwise..."Go to the Garden House," he commanded calmly, before closing his eyes. Within the quaint two-story Garden House, Lynda anxiously bit her lip as she stood by the window. Ever since Sebastian had sent that message in the morning, her heart had been in a state of unrest. Lynda knew that what was inevitable would eventually come to pass. But why? Lynda was more sensible, considerate, gentle, and submissive than Isabella. Why should everything she had painstakingly built be usurped by Isabella? The familiar car slowly pulled into the neighborhood and came into Lynda's view. Lynda felt as though her heart was being squeezed by an invisible hand. She despised it. She was on the brink of becoming a part of the Lawrence family, but then Isabella had suddenly appeared. She couldn't allow this to happen! As the car came to a halt, Sebastian emerged and pushed open the door. Dressed in a finely tailored suit, his commanding presence drew people towards him like moths to a flame.
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