Chapter 69
Startled, Anathea stepped back, but Gregory pressed against the back of her neck, leaving her no room to retreat.
“Don’t move,” he ordered coldly.
Anathea pressed her lips together.
At such close proximity, the faint scent of cedar mixed with the warmth of his breath brushed against her face.
His gaze was fixed on the back of her head as he carefully untangled her hair from the button. He seemed focused, showing no
other intention.
Only then did Anathea let out a small breath of relief, shifting her eyes away to avoid looking at him.
“Done.”
11
Gregory unfastened the button and brushed her hair aside, revealing the bite mark behind her ear–the one he had left in anger at
the hotel.
At the time, Anathea had made it clear through her every action that she wanted nothing to do with him. Her defiance had
touched a nerve.
Gregory narrowed his eyes slightly.
Just as he was about to make a move, Anathea suddenly crouched down, slipping out of his grasp before quickly heading toward
the bathroom.
She looked as if she was afraid that if she hesitated even a second longer, he would catch her.
“Heh…” Gregory let out a cold chuckle as he watched her slender figure disappear,
Just then, a small head peeked in from the doorway.
“Dad?”
Gregory turned and cast a glance at Xander.
“Where’s Mom?” Xander blinked up at him curiously.
He had been searching for a snack for a long time, but couldn’t find anything good. He had noticed Anathea used to make all
kinds of delicious, fun–looking snacks for him.
But lately, she hadn’t made anything at all. His last stash was already gone.
At first, he thought the spicy street food Natalie brought him to try was amazing. But every time he ate it, he got a stomachache.
That never happened when he ate Anathea’s snacks.
Now, he really wanted her to make them again.
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Chapter 69
“She’s taking a bath,” Gregory replied flatly.
“Then, when Mom comes out, can I ask her to make my favorite snacks?” Xander asked, his eyes bright with hope.
“Her cooking is the best! I want her to make more so I can share with my classmates!”
+15 Bonus
Even though it usually took nearly two hours for her to make them, he could already imagine the envious looks on his classmates‘
faces. He wanted Anathea to make extra.
“No,” Gregory answered without hesitation.
Xander pouted. “Why not? Isn’t she supposed to make yummy food just for me?”
To Xander, that was perfectly normal.
Gregory frowned at that, his tone turning stern. “Xander, there’s no one in this world who’s obligated to do things for you. That
includes your mother. Do you understand?”
Xander froze, startled by Gregory’s serious expression. He didn’t know what he had said to make Gregory upset, but he nodded timidly. “Y–Yes, I understand.”
“Good. Then, go eat your dinner.”
Even if he was reluctant, Xander had never dared to disobey Gregory. With his head lowered, he sulked as he walked out.
By the time Anathea stepped out of the bathroom, Gregory was nowhere in sight. The tension she had been feeling eased a little.
“Mrs. Sinclair? Dinner’s here. Would you like to come down to eat?” Jenny asked from outside.
Anathea hesitated. She didn’t want to face Gregory, but she was hungry.
After weighing her options, she finally decided to go downstairs.
In the dining room, Gregory and Xander were already eating.
Cyrus pulled out a chair for Anathea as she entered.
Not acknowledging Gregory and Xander, she sat down and ate slowly.
Gregory glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.
Even though he had always enforced a rule of silence at the dining table, Anathea still used to take the initiative to serve them food. Not only that, but she would also make sure there were no bones on their plates.
She never said much, but her care for them was constant.
