Chapter 102: Chapter 102: Proactively Embracing Rhys Hawthorne
The next day, the sky cleared up.
After the heavy weight on her heart disappeared, Victoria Monroe slept well for the first time in ages.
The electric curtains opened halfway, revealing the bright sunlight outside. The snow had stopped, but fluffy white snow still layered the tree branches.
Victoria Monroe washed up and prepared to visit her grandmother.
The door opened in response, and a man walked in against the light.
Rhys Hawthorne had already changed into a dark gray coat, his physique upright and slender, and his voice slow and deep: "Up?"
"Mm, did you sleep well last night?"
He placed down fresh fruit and handed Victoria Monroe a shopping bag, casually answering, "Alright."
Victoria Monroe glanced down to see vitamins, calcium tablets, and folic acid for pregnant women in the bag.
Victoria Monroe froze with the shopping bag in her hand, surprised at his thoughtfulness, "Thank you."
"Since you’ve decided to keep the children, take good care of your health. I just checked on your grandmother, and her condition has stabilized. Though she doesn’t remember things and is carefree like a child, it’s not necessarily a bad thing for her."
"Mm."
Victoria Monroe nodded heavily, watching a few birds searching for food in the snow. She spoke lightly, "We should move on now. I’m just worried something unexpected will happen in these last few days."
Julian Fordham’s demeanor last night made her uneasy, fearing unexpected changes.
Rhys Hawthorne had someone prepare breakfast, speaking each word deliberately, "There won’t be any surprises—he’s flying to Europe today for a business trip."
Victoria Monroe suddenly lifted her head, meeting Rhys Hawthorne’s overly calm eyes.
No sadness or joy, as if he were a god in control of all things.
Victoria Monroe vaguely felt something was amiss, though she couldn’t pinpoint the reason.
He seemed so insistent on her keeping the children, yet appeared wholly disinterested in her.
As Victoria Monroe’s mind wandered, Assistant Woods brought breakfast.
Victoria Monroe’s appetite wasn’t great; the variety of breakfast options aimed to encourage her to eat more.
Her morning sickness had notably improved over the past few days, her appetite better than it had been recently.
For the sake of the children, she ate as much as possible.
After the meal, she stayed in the ward with her grandmother, who was ever smiling, holding her hand and repeatedly asking, "Girl, when are we leaving here?"
Her eyes were full of longing for the future, making Victoria Monroe smile, "Don’t rush, you need to build up your strength for a few days, or the long journey will be very tiring."
"I’ll listen to you then."
Victoria Monroe caressed her cheek, "I have a show to participate in a few days; if you don’t see me, don’t worry, I’ll be back in a day or two."
Originally, she didn’t want to participate, willing to pay a small penalty if necessary.
But Director Lancaster was persistent, and they finally agreed she’d only be in the first episode to attract viewers as the opening guest.
After this show, she could obtain her divorce certificate.
Then, nothing in Kenton would bind her, and she’d take her grandmother to an island for the pregnancy.
Indeed, Rhys Hawthorne was right—Julian Fordham went abroad that day.
The following days were peaceful yet warm for her; under her careful care, her grandmother improved day by day.
Her pale face finally regained color, and she no longer suffered from sleep deprivation.
Julian Fordham messaged her every day, as if they weren’t divorced.
He shared local delicacies and beautiful sights.
No matter how often she ignored him, he kept sending messages unfailingly.
He was still making last attempts to win her back.
But Julian Fordham, it’s already too late.
The day before the shoot, Victoria Monroe needed to go to the hospital for a check-up.
Beside the familiar Maybach stood a tall man in black, head tilting as if looking at something, his handsome face exposed to sunlight, letting it cast a golden glow upon him.
Rhys Hawthorne gentlemanly opened the car door for her, making Victoria Monroe feel a bit embarrassed, "You didn’t need to come pick me up, I..."
"It’s alright, I’m not busy."
Assistant Woods silently cried out to the heavens; in the days he hadn’t come to see Victoria Monroe, he’d been working overtime like a dog alongside Rhys Hawthorne! Kenton and Portoros flights back and forth, just now rushing straight from the airport, even resolving lunch on the plane.
And yet with Victoria Monroe, it turned into a light sentence of "Not busy."
However, pursuing someone and negotiating a deal are the same—both require significant investment for future gains.
The only issue is the Hawthorne Family is still unaware of the normally obedient child liking a twice-married movie star.
Once exposed, the heavens of the Hawthorne Family would come crashing down.
At the hospital.
This time, Rhys Hawthorne waited outside the door, which opened as Victoria Monroe slowly walked out.
Afraid Julian Fordham might find out through the records, she neither registered nor printed anything, with the doctor deleting all data after viewing, leaving no trace.
Rhys Hawthorne stepped forward to ask, "How was it?"
Victoria Monroe’s lips curved up, reminiscent of the day she received chocolate as a child, as joyful as a kid.
"The babies are developing well; both little ones have their heartbeats and fetal buds."
Rhys Hawthorne sighed in relief, "That’s good."
Victoria Monroe took the initiative to jump at him, joyful tears flowing from the corners of her eyes, "Thank you for helping me make the right choice. I’m glad I kept them. If you don’t mind, after the babies are born, would you be their godfather?"
In the instant she hugged him, Rhys Hawthorne was a bit stunned by the sudden happiness, forgetting to react.
Although it was merely a friend’s grateful embrace, Rhys Hawthorne’s heart was like ink spilled onto rice paper, messily painting chaotic patterns.
Lowering his head, he could smell the fragrance among her hair, akin to roses grown by a witch, knowing they would trap him yet diving in without regret.
He’d live for her, die for her, and never regret it.
He slowly extended his hand, gentlemanly wrapping around her shoulder, giving her a gentle pat, his voice hoarse and magnetic as if soothing a child, "Alright..."
In an angle Victoria Monroe couldn’t see, those indifferent eyes bore a strong desire for possession.
What he wanted was not to be a mere godfather.