Chapter 30
Chapter 30
My mom’s been watching Biscuit for me, but yesterday I dropped by her place, and she said she had enough. She told me to take him, or she’d throw him out, Lewis said, sounding resigned.
Biscuit had already chewed through several of his mom’s skirts, earning himself a stern scolding.
“So you’re saying Biscuit’s going to live with us from now on?” Doris asked, already feeling a headache coming on at the thought.
“What else am I supposed to do? Let my mom kick him out? Look how adorable he is. How could you say no?” Lewis raised his eyebrows, his tone light but clearly teasing.
Doris bit her lip, fully prepared to admit she could absolutely say no. But the reality was, this was Lewis’s house. If he wanted to keep a dog here, she didn’t exactly have the right to veto the decision.
“Fine, you can keep him.” She conceded grudgingly but added, “But he’s not allowed in my room. That’s non–negotiable.”
Lewis said with a smirk, “Just make sure to always keep your door locked. You know, for your own good.”
Doris glared at him but didn’t push back. She knew she didn’t have much leverage here. She was under his roof, after all.
“Are you really that scared of dogs?” Lewis asked, amusement flickering in his deep eyes.
“I’m not scared,” Doris shot back, crossing her arms. “It’s just that your dog left a… lasting first impression,” Doris replied. What she really wanted to say was that Biscuit had scarred her for life. Besides, seeing Biscuit here without any mental preparation left her even more terrified.
“Biscuit likes you. That’s why he keeps trying to get close to you,” Lewis said, scratching the dog’s ears. “He doesn’t think of you as an outsider.”
“Ha… lucky me,” Doris muttered under her breath, forcing a dry laugh.
If only he did think of me as an outsider, Doris thought.
“Hey, Lewis said suddenly, holding out Biscuit’s leash. “Why don’t you try petting him?”
Doris wasn’t about to fall for that trap. She changed the subject and asked, “Don’t you have work today?”
“My grandma’s getting discharged from the hospital. I’m supposed to pick her up and take her home,” Lewis explained. “She wants you to come too. Says she has something important to announce. So hurry up and get ready.”
Without waiting for a response, he walked off with Biscuit trotting happily behind him.
Doris took a sigh, closed her door, and rushed to get dressed. She felt relieved that she’d bought herself a new outfit while shopping for Laura yesterday.
She slipped into a soft, blush–pink shirt dress that fell just to her knees. The pearl belt cinched her waist perfectly, and the chiffon fabric added an air of elegance. Grabbing a small white shoulder bag, she stepped out of her room and said to Lewis, “I’m ready.”
Lewis looked up and froze for a moment.
Standing there in the morning sunlight, Doris looked effortlessly graceful, like a butterfly ready to fly. Her long hair fell like silk, with a pearl hairpin adding a delicate touch. She was beautiful in a way that felt pure and sweet.
When Doris noticed him staring at her, she frowned slightly and glanced down at her outfit. “What? Is something wrong?”
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Chapter 30
Lewis coughed into his fist, quickly shook off his momentary daze, and replied, “No, it’s perfect.”
Even Biscuit seemed excited by her appearance and tugged at his leash to get closer. But Lewis tugged back and gave him at warning. “Biscuit! Behave, or you’re staying home.”
At that, Doris’s bright expression dimmed, and she asked, “Wait… Biscuit’s coming too?”
“Can’t leave him alone,” Lewis said simply, holding out the leash to her. “Here, give it a try.”
Doris slipped on her sneakers and immediately stepped outside, pretending not to hear him.
Lewis chuckled, looking down at Biscuit. “Looks like Doris isn’t your biggest fan. You’d better be on your best behavior.”
When they arrived at the hospital, Margaret’s face lit up as soon as she saw the two of them coming together. Her eyes crinkled with warmth, and her smile was as radiant as ever.
While Lewis went to handle the discharge paperwork, Doris stayed with Margaret, helping her pack up her belongings. The two had gotten along well during Doris’s previous visits, and they were sharing casy, pleasant conversations.
By the time Lewis returned, the bags were packed, and Margaret was ready to leave. With Doris on one side and Lewis on the other, they escorted her out of the hospital, their pace slow and steady.
Margaret lived in the suburbs, a good forty–minute drive from the hospital. Doris sat with Margaret in the backseat, chatting along the way.
“Doris, is your husband treating you well?” Margaret asked. It was a question she seemed to ask every single time they talked.
Doris felt a flicker of guilt and glanced at Lewis in the driver’s seat. “Yeah… Pretty well.”
The thing was, Margaret didn’t know that Lewis was Doris’s husband. They had decided to break the news until Margaret was out of the hospital, thinking it would be better to tell her in person. So, for now, Margaret was blissfully unaware of the shocking news.
Margaret narrowed her eyes at Doris, her gaze as sharp as ever. “You look thinner, Doris.”
“It’s just work. Things have been a little hectic lately,” Doris replied, brushing it off. Truthfully, it wasn’t just work–family drama and endless stress were taking their toll too.
Margaret didn’t buy it and insisted, “It’s your husband, isn’t it? I knew it. He’s not treating you right. The last time I saw you, you had dark circles and looked stressed.
“He doesn’t even buy you decent clothes. If he’s like that, don’t put up with it! You’re so gorgeous. You can have anyone you
want.”
Doris opened her mouth to protest, but before she could say anything, her eyes met Lewis’s through the rearview mirror. She couldn’t help but wonder what was going through his mind as Margaret went on about what a terrible husband he must
- be.
“Grandma, you haven’t even met him. Just don’t…” Lewis protested.
“Shut up!” Margaret cut him off. “Guys are all the same. Before marriage, they treat the girls like a queen. After marriage, they take their wives for granted. Lewis, if you ever treat your wife like that, I’ll be the first to smack you.”
Lewis suddenly found himself under fire for no reason. He didn’t say a word, but his lips tightened.
Doris, meanwhile, was trying her hardest not to laugh. It was rare to see Lewis at a loss for words, and she was thoroughly enjoying it.
Lewis caught her smirking and shot her a pointed look, which only made her struggle harder to keep a straight face.
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Before long, they arrived at Margaret’s home. After her previous house had been torn down, she’d moved into a charming, two–story villa in a new neighborhood. The house had a lovely yard, filled with greenery and colorful flowers that bloomed brightly under the spring sun.
Golden flowers swayed gently in the breeze at the corner of the garden wall, looking like a dancer’s flowing sleeves. It felt like a warm welcome.
Neighbors waved and greeted Margaret enthusiastically. When they pushed open the wooden gate, a familiar figure appeared–Nadia, Margaret’s housekeeper, holding a basin of warm water tinged with yellow and black hues.
“Mrs. Hartman, welcome back,” Nadia said with a smile. “Here, wash your hands and face with this. It’ll ward off bad luck.”
Margaret took the towel Nadia had prepared and dutifully washed her face.
Doris, curious as ever, turned to Lewis and asked, “What’s this all about?”
Lewis tilted his head slightly and glanced at the water. “It’s water boiled with pomelo leaves. Older folks believe pomelo leaves can dispel bad luck and keep negative energy away. Washing with it is supposed to bring good fortune.”
Doris nodded in understanding. “That’s actually pretty interesting.”
Lewis was never convinced of such theories. He only believed in himself. Seeing Doris’s reaction, he raised his eyebrows and asked, “Do you believe it?”
Doris thought for a moment and replied, “If it keeps Margaret safe and sound, yeah, I’d love to believe it.”
Lewis’s lips quirked up in a faint smile at her answer.
Nadia had been with the Hartman family for over a decade, and Lewis transferred her to take care of Margaret. Over the past three years, Nadia had taken excellent care of Margaret, and Lewis trusted her completely.
By midday, the house and yard were buzzing with activity. Four tables had been set up, laden with a variety of delicious dishes. Relatives and neighbors arrived one after another, filling the space with laughter and chatter.
As everyone settled in, Margaret stood up with a glass of water and said, “Thank you all for coming today. I’m so grateful to have such wonderful friends and family. Now, I propose a toast.”
After taking a sip, she continued, her tone growing more serious. “Since everyone I care about is here, I have something very important to announce.”
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