Chapter 248 Family of Three
Before they got married, he was often caught up in social engagements, to the point where even his grandfather advised him not to push himself too hard. However, he was young and felt the weight of numerous people’s dissatisfaction with him within the company. He believed he had to work doubly hard and not let down his grandfather, who had supported his rise to power. After their marriage, his social commitments gradually decreased. He would often come home after work to have dinner with her. If he didn’t like her, she couldn’t have persuaded him to change his bad habits.
Before their marriage, due to the high–pressure environment at the company, he often scolded employees for their mistakes. However, in Imogen’s memory, he was always gentle with his subordinates.
Even he hadn’t realized the subtle influence Imogen had on him.
By the time he did realize, it was already too late.
Hearing his heartfelt confession, Imogen suddenly didn’t know how to respond.
She felt happiness. After nearly a decade of liking him, he had finally echoed her love.
Yet, she also felt sadness. While he might like her now, the fact remained that he had hurt her for Sarah. The scars from that past pain were still vivid, unerasable.
Mostly, she felt a sense of lament, wondering if their ending could have been different if he had discovered her feelings earlier.
But there were no “what ifs” in life.
That marriage had exhausted her both physically and emotionally. She couldn’t return to the Imogen before, who loved him with all her heart.
It was as if she had lost the capacity to love someone.
“Troy, the nurse is here!”
Grace entered in a scurry, breaking the silence in the room.
Imogen patted Grace’s head. “You’re such a good girl, Grace.”
She looked up at Troy. “You should go for your infusion.”
Troy stood there silently.
The nurse entered with a bottle of medication and a sealed syringe. She glanced at Troy and asked, “On the sofa or the bed?”
Troy turned around and sat on the sofa. “Here.”
“All right.”
The nurse hung the bottle on a nearby stand and deftly inserted the needle into Troy’s vein.
Grace watched the whole process, and when the nurse left, she even leaned in to blow a puff of air on his arm. “You’re doing such a good job. It won’t hurt for long.”
Imogen had brought Grace’s little backpack along, filled with her favorite painting supplies such as paints, brushes, and a drawing book.
She took everything out and played with Grace.
“Ding!”
The sound of a Facebook message notification chimed.
Imogen swiftly opened the app on her phone. It’s a message from Erik.
The Hale family had reached a settlement with the supplier.
Erik immediately wrote a lengthy message to express his thanks to Imogen.
Imogen felt unworthy of such praise.
Even if the situation wasn’t related to Troy, Yann’s involvement was for Troy’s sake.
Erik: [Imogen, this has nothing to do with you. You don’t need to blame yourself. Both my parents and I are really thankful to you. They wanted to invite you for dinner, but I made an excuse to decline. Would you happen to have time tomorrow evening? I’d like to treat you to a meal.]
Imogen: [I do. Should I pick you up after work?]
Erik replied: [Don’t trouble yourself. Let’s meet at the restaurant.]
Imogen: [That’s okay.].
Erik: [Oh, by the way, Imogen… Could it be just the two of us?]
Erik was probably afraid that she would bring Grace along.
Imogen glanced at the little girl busy with her drawings and replied: [Sure.]
She put down her phone and looked up, meeting Troy’s gaze.
Troy silently withdrew his gaze, pondering who might have sent the
He wondered if it could be Erik.
message.
Imogen also averted her eyes and approached Grace. “Are you drawing a family of three, Grace?”
Grace didn’t even raise her head. “No, I’m drawing the three of us. This is Troy, this is Imogen, and this is me.”
On the paper, two adults were on each side, holding hands with a child in the middle. At first glance, it looked like a family.
Imogen patted Grace’s head. “You’re really clever, Grace. You drew it so nicely.”
Tinkering with his laptop on the side, Troy heard that and smiled. “Grace, would you be willing to give this drawing to me?”
“Um, I wanted to keep it for myself…” The little girl looked conflicted but eventually agreed, “Fine, I’ll give it to you.”
“You can keep it if you like, Grace.”
“I want to keep it as a memento. When I look at this drawing after I go back, I’ll think of you both.”
It seemed that she didn’t intend to stay for long.
Troy said, “No rush, Grace. There’s still awhile before your vacation ends. Don’t think too much about it for now. Just have fun.”
Imogen checked the time, realized it was already mid–afternoon, and said, “Grace, would you like to stay and play with Troy at the hospital this evening? I will come to pick you up later.”
Grace was surprised. “Are you going out to dinner with Erik tonight?”
Troy looked at Imogen, his gaze intense.
For some reason, Imogen’s heart raced under his gaze, feeling inexplicably guilty. “Um, he reconciled with the supplier, so he wants to treat me to dinner.”
Grace didn’t know anything about the Hale family’s situation. The latter part of her sentence was subconsciously said to Troy.
After saying that, she realized she didn’t need to explain.
“I’d like to go with you.”
“Sorry, Grace, I can’t take you this time. Would you mind keeping Troy company? Look at him. He’s
working so hard even though he’s seriously ill. It’s lonely for him to stay in the hospital all by himself, isn’t it?”
Grace was taken in by Imogen’s words. She turned to look at Troy and agreed that Troy did seem rather pitiable. “All right, I’ll keep him company.”
Troy was rendered speechless.
He looked at Imogen with a knowing gaze.
Imogen pretended not to notice and, seeing that it was almost time, drove to the restaurant they agreed upon.
When she arrived, Erik was already there.
Upon spotting Imogen, his eyes sparkled, and he waved. “Imogen, over here.”
Imogen took a seat opposite Erik and glanced at the abundance of delicacies on the table. She casually asked, “Why did you order so much today?”
“I’m in a good mood today. Imogen, it’s all thanks to you…”
“I’m feeling embarrassed hearing this. Maybe your father wouldn’t have fallen into that trap if it
wasn’t for me.”
“What Troy did wasn’t related to you. I’ve said it from the beginning. Divorcing you was his loss,” Erik said, pouring a drink for Imogen, “Imogen, go ahead and eat.”
“Okay.”
Imogen couldn’t tell if it was her imagination, but she felt that Erik was unusually enthusiastic that night.
They started eating, savoring their meal as they chattered away. It was mainly Erik who spoke, and Imogen responded to him casually.
Erik talked about his general personality and experiences.
Just then, a waiter pushed a small trolley over, delivering an exquisite two–layered cake.
“Why did you order this too?” Imogen asked in surprise.
Erik looked af her with shining eyes before suddenly switching the topic. “When I first met you in Norway, Imogen, I liked you a lot. There was something about you that drew me in. I never expected that you were also from New York City. Fate works in such amazing ways. After getting to know you back here, I found myself even more attracted to you. Imogen, I like you. Would you be my girlfriend?” Erik asked earnestly.
“Say yes! Aecept him!”
A few waiters appeared from somewhere and started cheering.
Other guests around them noticed the commotion and cast curious glances their way. Some even joined in the cheering.
“Accept him!”
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