Chapter 272 The Environment Stays, People Shift
Things were getting messier by the minute. Lauren knew she couldn't just bail; she had to sort this out if she ever wanted some peace.
The next day, Lauren tracked down Kimberly and dropped the bomb that she was planning to send Matthew back to the Robinson Villa.
Kimberly lost it right then and there.
"Lauren, what the heck are you thinking?" Kimberly snapped. "I understood why you sent Matthew to the Robinson Villa last time—to fulfill Mrs. Jessica Robinson's final wish. But this time? What's your deal? Look at Matthew; he broke out in a rash after just a few days there. If you don't care, I do! No way am I letting you send him back there!"
Kimberly clung to Matthew like he was her lifeline. The poor kid looked sickly, and it was all Quentin's fault.
Lauren felt a throbbing headache coming on. She tried to keep her cool and explained, "Mom, Matthew got hives. It's a common thing with kids. You can't pin everything on Quentin!"
"Yeah, right. Funny how he didn't get sick before or after, just when he was there. Even if it's not Quentin's fault, it shows Matthew wasn't happy there. So, no way he's going back!" Kimberly shot back, stubborn as ever.
Kimberly was holding Matthew so tight he could barely breathe. He squirmed a bit and said, "Grandma, I can't breathe."
Kimberly quickly loosened her grip, looking at Matthew like he were fragile china.
"Matthew, are you okay? I'm sorry," Kimberly said, all worried.
Matthew took the chance to slip out of her arms and went over to Lauren, giving Kimberly a cheeky wink.
"Grandma, I actually want to go to Daddy's place. I'm happier because I have your love, but Daddy's all alone. I want to keep him company and make him as happy as I am. Then I'll be at ease, and if I'm at ease, you two will be too," Matthew said.
Kimberly frowned. "You're too young to get it. Quentin's not a good guy; he might be faking it!"
"Grandma, don't say that about Daddy. He really loves me. You're wrong about him!" Matthew shouted.
Kimberly wasn't having it. "See, a few days there, and he's already brainwashed you!"
Matthew was usually a good, sensible kid. He'd never talked back to Kimberly like this before. Today, he was standing up for Quentin, showing he got his stubborn streak from Lauren. Once Matthew made up his mind, he was all in.
Lauren squatted down, holding Matthew's hand. She looked into his deep eyes and said, "Matthew, Grandma loves you the most. You can't talk to her like that. And your Grandma is the most reasonable person. Treat her right, and she'll soften up, I promise."
Matthew took Lauren's advice, and his frown started to fade. He shuffled over to Kimberly and said sincerely, "Grandma, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have talked back to you."
Kimberly pulled Matthew onto her lap, then looked up at Lauren. "Don't think that just because you say nice things, I'll agree. Consider me unreasonable this time," Kimberly said.
Lauren grinned and plopped down next to Kimberly. "Mom, I know you're stubborn but got a soft spot. Think about it. Matthew's Quentin's kid. He's already given me custody. What else are you worried about? We gotta be forgiving, and that's how I'm raising Matthew. They say kids mirror their parents. Now's the best time for Matthew to shape his character. If I keep him from seeing Quentin, what kind of person will he become? What will he think of me?"
Kimberly knew these arguments all too well. She also knew that keeping Matthew from Quentin would mess with his feelings.
"Fine, you win! Go ahead!" Kimberly said, sulking.
Matthew didn't care if Kimberly agreed out of spite. He happily planted a kiss on her cheek.
Kimberly looked at Matthew helplessly, her eyes full of affection. She couldn't help but dote on him!
Lauren took Matthew to Quentin's villa. Just as she was about to ring the doorbell, she hesitated.
The thought of seeing Quentin again made her heart race. This anxiety threw all her prep out the window.
"Mommy, let's go in," Matthew urged.
Lauren nodded and firmly pressed the doorbell.
Soon, someone came to open the door. Lauren's eyes widened, fearing it was Quentin.
The moment the door opened, Lauren felt her heart skip a beat.
"Welcome, you two!" Paxton Coleman, the butler said excitedly.
Lauren's expression was initially stiff, but seeing Paxton, she felt both relieved and disappointed.
"Hey, Mr. Coleman," Lauren greeted.
In just three years, Paxton, who was once robust, had aged a lot. He used to be tall and thin, but now he was hunched over.
Lauren felt a wave of emotions. Time was flying by, and the people who loved and cared for her were getting older and moving away.
Paxton looked at Lauren with tears in his eyes. Although he had many things he wanted to ask her, he couldn't bring himself to speak.
Dwelling on the past was pointless; they should live in the present. More importantly, Lauren was no longer the Mrs. Robinson he had carefully cared for.
Paxton quickly stepped aside and said, "Please come in!"
Lauren shook her head with a smile. "Robinson, I won't go in. Please take Matthew inside. I'll be counting on you to take care of him for the next few days. Thanks."
Paxton looked at Matthew. "Don't worry. I'll take good care of him."
Lauren kept a gentle smile. "Then I'll be going. Robinson, take care of yourself."
These words, though sounding like a farewell, were fitting for the moment. This might be the last time they saw each other, even though they were both in City A. If they didn't want to see each other, they could avoid it for a lifetime.
Paxton felt a pang of sadness. "Lauren, take care of yourself, too."
Hearing the familiar voice and the concern from Paxton, Lauren's tears welled up. She quickly turned away, not letting Paxton and Matthew see.
She tried to calm herself and said in the gentlest tone, "Okay."
After speaking, Lauren walked away briskly. Paxton held Matthew's hand and watched Lauren until she disappeared in the distance. Only then did they go inside the villa.
