Chapter 135
Chapter 135
After speaking, Lewis took another bite of his chicken wing
He meant to show that if he could make exceptions, Arianna shouldn’t be held to such strict rules ther
“Don’t worry so much. It’s just food, there’s no need to be overly strict about it
Doris couldn’t argue against Lewis. “Mr. Hartman, you spoil her too much. She’s going to be completely pampered
“And what’s wrong with that? Ari should be treated like a little princess, Lewis said with a smile, looking at Arianna. “If she’s spoiled, I can handle it.”
Doris looked at Lewis‘ doting smile toward Arianna and thought, “This man, who always seems so distant, must truly like Arianna from the bottom of his heart.
If he ever has a daughter of his own, he’s definitely going to dote on her endlessly. A man like him will be an amazing father someday
“We can’t just let a kid watch us eat. Are you really going to be that cruel to Ari? Lewis said while eating another French fry.
He was doing it on purpose, and Doris knew she had no way out.
“Fine, just this once.” Doris finally relented.
“Ari, hurry up and thank Doris,” Lewis reminded her.
Arianna, being the little smart cookie she was, immediately said sweetly, “Thank you, Doris, and Lewis.”
Taking the burger, Arianna ate with satisfaction, as if it were the most delicious food in the world.
Lewis nudged Doris lightly with his elbow. “Don’t you think Ari’s smile is beautiful? The more she smiles, the less shadow there is in her heart.”
“I know,” Doris said, understanding his meaning.
After the amusement park, they headed to the aquarium, where they watched clumsy penguins, silly polar bears… and a breathtaking beluga whale show.
They spent the entire afternoon there and ran out of time to visit the zoo.
Lewis promised Arianna they would take her there next time.
At 5:30 PM, they arrived at Greenlake Hill.
Arianna was so exhausted from playing all day that she fell asleep as soon as she got in the car.
Lewis carried her upstairs.
Doris told him, “Just put her on the couch.”
“You’ve been tired all day too, so go rest. I’ll make dinner,” Doris said. Lewis had done all the heavy lifting, carrying Arianna for most of the day.
That made Doris‘ day much easier.
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Chapter 135
“You’ve had a long day too, so don’t worry about cooking” Lewis said, pulling a thin blanket over Arianna’s chest. I ordered food from Riverside Canteen. It’ll be delivered soon?
Lewis thoughtfulness always warmed Doris‘ heart.
After dinner, at 730 PM, Laura arrived at their place.
Since she didn’t have a shift today, she was able to get off work early.
Arianna had already woken up and finished her kids‘ meal.
She was now full of energy, playing games with Doris and Lewis,
“Lewis, Doris, you two have worked hard these past two days. I don’t have much to offer as thanks, so I bought some fruit for you,” Laura said, placing a bag on the coffee table. Inside were mangoes, dragon fruit, apples, and several other kinds of fruit.
Laura had always been frugal. Now that she was raising a child alone while working, she was even more careful with every penny she spent.
She rarely bought such good fruit for herself.
Right now, all she cared about was saving money. Having enough money meant having confidence–it meant she could provide a better life for Arianna and create favorable conditions to fight for custody.
“Laura, why did you buy so much fruit? The two of us won’t be able to finish it all,” Doris said, looking at the big bag.
“You’re being too polite. Helping each other out as sisters is natural,” Lewis said, ruffling Arianna’s hair. “Besides, I like Art.”
“No need to be so polite with me. It’s not that much fruit. Just put it in the fridge and eat it whenever,” Laura said. She didn’t stay long to avoid disturbing them. “It’s getting late. I’ll take Ari home to rest. She has school tomorrow.”
Laura waved at Arianna. “Ari, say goodbye to Lewis and Doris. We’re heading home.”
“Lewis, Doris, goodbye!” Arianna slung her backpack over her shoulders and waved at them.
Lewis packed some fruit into a bag and handed it to Doris.
Doris understood immediately. “Laura, take some home with you. Ari loves fruit.”
“No need. I already have some at home.” Laura refused as Doris offered her the bag.
It didn’t make sense to bring something over just to take it back.
“Laura, we set this aside for Ari,” Doris insisted, pulling Laura’s hand over and stuffing the bag into it. “Alright, I won’t keep you any longer. Let me walk you downstairs.”
Doris linked arms with Laura, showing their close sisterly bond.
Just as they took a couple of steps, Laura’s phone rang.
Doris let go of Laura’s arm so she could answer the call.
When Laura saw Matteo’s name on the screen–the man who had completely ignored her and Ari all this time–her heart tightened.
Instinctively, she glanced at Doris.
“Laura, don’t be afraid. Answer it,” Doris said firmly. “He’s ignored you and Ari for so long, and now he suddenly calls? I’d love to see what he has to say.” She had long lost any good feelings toward her Matteo.
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13 Mar
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Chapter 135
Domestic violence, cheating, and being a complete mama’s boy–he checked every box for a terrible husband.
Laura took a deep breath before picking up. “Hello?”
“Laura, where are you?” Matteo’s voice was commanding. “I don’t care where you are, get home now. I’m away on a business trip, and my mom just got discharged from the hospital yesterday–she needs someone to take care of her.
“And my sister, Chloe, you know she’s pregnant. She’s getting further along and can’t be left alone. She also needs someone to take care of her. You’re not doing anything anyway, so as a daughter–in–law and sister–in–law, this is your duty.
“Alright, I don’t have time to argue. Just take a cab and get back quickly.”
Back then, he didn’t give their marriage a second thought. On that stormy night, he had ruthlessly kicked her out of the Webb family. And now that he needed her, he expected her to just come running back.
Laura thought, ‘Does he really think I am a woman he could summon and dismiss as he pleases?‘
Ever since marrying him, she had quit her job to stay home, bear his children, and take care of his entire family. She sacrificed over four years of her youth for him. She had to care for his mother, his sister, and a never–ending list of household chores.
And now, he said she had nothing to do. She hadn’t seen his true colors back then, blindly obeying her father’s wishes to marry Matteo. Now, she had to swallow the bitter consequences of that decision herself.
“Go home? Do I even have a home anymore?” Laura scoffed. “The moment you threw me out of the Webb family, that place was no longer my home.
“Neither your mother nor your sister ever saw me as family. So why should I take care of them?”
Matteo was enraged. “Laura, don’t forget why I married you! Your job is to take care of my parents and fulfill your duties as a daughter–in–law. That’s your responsibility!”
“Matteo, emotionally speaking, your mother never raised me, so I owe her nothing. And legally speaking, show me which law says a daughter–in–law is required to serve her in–laws?
“As for your sister, I have even less of an obligation to her. It’s 2023, and you still have these outdated ideas?” Laura countered calmly and rationally.
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