Wrong Marriage and Sweet Love

Although she was out to relax, she couldn’t shake off her preoccupation while eating. Her mind kept wandering back to the research she had been immersed in these past few days.

Luther noticed Joyce’s distraction but remained silent. He, too, had been tirelessly brainstorming, as Dr. Jacobs had already arrived in Khebury to join the research efforts. How could he give up? Even for their sake, he had to find every possible solution, to push through until the very end. He only wanted to arrange things properly for the future, ensuring they had nothing to worry about.

“Dad, why aren’t you eating?” Alisha asked, looking up.

Alisha, the thoughtful little dove, shared some of her food with Luther, “Dad, you didn’t even eat the mini muffins in the car. Aren’t you hungry?”

Luther’s eyes softened, “Alright, I’ll eat now.”

After a few bites, Luther continued grilling seafood, adding expensive prawns, crab legs, and special spices, maintaining their freshness and original flavor. He then served each person.

The waiter brought freshly squeezed pomegranate juice for each of them, filling the air with a sweet flavor that seemed to seep into their hearts and lungs.

Outside the window, the deep blue sea and endless sky, with rolling waves, were all so beautiful.

After finishing the seafood, the waiter brought a Japanese-style mini grill for them to roast rice cakes, another specialty of the restaurant.

The soft and chewy texture, slightly crispy exterior.

The flickering flame emitted a bluish-green glow.

Alisha leaned on the table, carefully observing the process of roasting rice cakes.

Suddenly she exclaimed, “It’s cracking, it’s cracking, Mom, the rice cake is ready.”

“Okay,” Joyce picked up the rice cake, put it in Alisha’s bowl, and also gave one to Anderson, “Be careful, it’s hot, wait a while before eating.”

“Yay!” Alisha clapped her hands.

After a short wait, Alisha eagerly ate the rice cake, which had a flowing center, a crispy exterior, and even oozed a thick, sweet juice. Soft, chewy, slightly sweet, and extremely delicious.This is from NôvelDrama.Org.

Anderson also enjoyed the delicacy but kept observing the expressions of mom and dad. Despite appearing harmonious and happy, something felt missing to him.

Alisha ate heartily during this meal.

“Alisha, let your brother show you around here. Stay inside the house, don’t go out, and avoid the terrace too,” Joyce gently caressed Anderson, “Look after your sister, it’s by the seaside after all. Although there are railings, safety should still be a priority. Your dad and I will sit on the terrace for a while.”

“Okay,” Anderson nodded.

“Go play,” Luther waved his hand.

“Yay!” Alisha skipped away, with Anderson following her.

“Brother, there are several little birds over there, let’s go see them,” Alisha said excitedly.

Once the children departed, Joyce stood up, pushed open the huge glass door, and walked to the terrace.

Luther instructed the waiter to bring two cups of coffee over.

Joyce sat on the white wicker chair on the terrace, under a large parasol. The sea breeze, accompanied by a salty taste, blew in, giving a coolness to the autumn air that dispelled her melancholy.

Because of her large belly, Joyce had to lean back, lightly placing her hands on her swollen abdomen.

Luther sat on the couch next to Joyce and brought a back cushion for her.

“Lean forward a bit, let me support your waist with this cushion.”

Joyce shifted forward, and Luther placed the cushion behind her, making her more comfortable.

Luther reached out and embraced her shoulders, “Are you feeling okay? Any discomfort? Tired? If you need to rest, there’s a suite upstairs in this restaurant.”

“I’m not tired,” Joyce shook her head.

Since finding out in the morning that he had gone to sign a will with Mr. Baldwin, her mood had been unable to improve. She felt the need to sort out her emotions. The former her, even when facing tremendous difficulties, would never be defeated. So why was she becoming more and more fragile now?

Luther gently caressed her belly, “Thinking about seeing them soon, I’m thrilled. I really want to see what they look like, if they resemble you or me. I hope it’s you.”

Joyce glanced at him, “But I hope it’s you.”

She looked at Luther’s extraordinary handsome face, feeling slightly better, and joked, “Or else it would be a waste of your good looks.”

Luther smiled and couldn’t resist pinching her cheek, “In my eyes, you’re the most beautiful. Besides, boys mostly take after their mothers.”

“Not always, some look more like their fathers,” Joyce placed her hand on top of his, “They’re moving, can you feel them?”

“Indeed, so mischievous, kicking around non-stop. It seems they can’t wait to come out.” Luther’s gaze softened even more as he gently caressed her belly, “Just hold on a bit longer, absorb as many nutrients as you can now, and grow well. Soon, you will all be out. Don’t be naughty, and don’t trouble your mom, understand?”

Suddenly, Joyce grasped Luther’s hand tightly, “On the way back, I need to go home to continue researching.”

Upon hearing this, Luther felt a pang in his heart, “You’re about to give birth, don’t push yourself so hard.”

“I will never give up!” Joyce suddenly became excited, standing up abruptly, “You don’t need to hide anything from me, I see it all. Besides losing your sense of taste, have you been experiencing nosebleeds again, longer sleeping hours, and feeling physically exhausted?”

Luther clenched his fists, realizing that she knew everything.

“What? It’s not as serious as you think.”

“Do you know how guilty I feel? Your poisoning was all because of me. Because of my recklessness, my desire to prove myself to the warlords, my attempt to live up to my inherited title. That’s why Otis took advantage of me. And you, to save me, had to swallow the poison Otis gave you. You took the poison for me, the one who should have died was me! Not you! I’m the one who harmed you! I will never forgive myself, for the mistakes I’ve made!”

Joyce grew more agitated as she spoke, raising her voice and losing control of her emotions.

Luther quickly stood up and covered her mouth, “Don’t say such things, it has nothing to do with you. If anyone, it should be me. I owe you too much from the past. I just want you and the children to be well, and I will be content.”

“No, you don’t owe me. I harmed you… I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

Joyce couldn’t help but sob, tears streaming down her face once again.

Luther hugged her, comforting her, “I should be the one apologizing for upsetting you today. I didn’t consider your feelings. I promise never to make a will again.”