Chapter 1252
The car pulled up in front of a three-story villa.
Eugene glanced over at Lydia and suggested she come inside to change out of her wet clothes.
Lydia, finally speaking for the first time since getting into his car, shook her head. "I'm not going in. Just drop me off somewhere. I can find my way back."
Eugene raised an eyebrow and pointed outside. "You really want to sit on the side of the road like this?"
Lydia looked down at her soaked clothes, clinging tightly to her body, outlining every curve. Panic crossed her face as she realized how exposed she was but couldn't figure out what to cover first.
Without saying anything more, Eugene turned and unlocked the front door, his demeanor calm and unfazed. After hesitating for a moment, Lydia followed him inside. She wasn't sure about Eugene's intentions, but she knew it was safer to be indoors than stranded in the middle of the night.
The interior of the villa was minimalist, much like Eugene himself-cold, distant, and seemingly unwelcoming at first glance. Yet, Lydia's opinion shifted quickly.
Eugene had already prepared a warm bath for her, complete with towels, bath products, and even clean clothes. The attention to detail surprised her. It was unexpectedly thoughtful.Content is property © NôvelDrama.Org.
When she emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in fresh clothes, he handed her a cup of warm milk. "Drink this. It'll help you relax," he said in a calm voice.
Lydia hesitated briefly before accepting the cup. "Thank you," she murmured.
The warmth of the drink seeped through her hands, and as she sat on the soft couch, the cold she had felt earlier began to fade. Even the emotional chill in her heart started to thaw, little by little.
Eugene sat across from her, casually leaning back, his khaki sweater crumpling slightly as he crossed his legs. His gaze was steady. "Why were you out in the rain alone?"
Lydia paused, looking at him for a moment before asking a completely unrelated question. "Did you have anything to do with the rumors online?"
Eugene's answer was quick and firm. "No. I don't need to resort to such low tactics."
She studied his face, searching for any signs of dishonesty, but his eyes remained clear, unwavering. Satisfied, she relaxed a bit, though she didn't notice the brief flicker of something darker in his expression as she looked away.
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He began tapping his fingers lightly on his knee, unbothered by her silence, as if waiting patiently for her to speak The warm glow of the room's soft lighting and the overall coziness of the house seemed to encourage Lydia to open up
Before she realized it, she was spilling her thoughts. "I never expected his parents to reject me. Quincy always told me they were good people."
"Maybe you've been giving them too much credit," Eugene said, his words sharp.
Lydia frowned, instinctively wanting to defend them, but then the memory of Quincy's mother's cold, judgmental expression flashed in her mind. For a brief moment, she wavered.
Seeing her hesitation, Eugene
pressed on. "Someone who truly cares about you wouldn't doubt you over some baseless rumors. Look at my mother! She's always treated yout like her own daughter
At the mention of Mrs. Ford, guilt gnawed at Lydia, tightening her grip on the cup.
"Of course," Eugene continued, his voice smooth, "you could actually become her daughter-in-law. Our family would welcome you with open arms anytime, Lydia."
His eyes locked on hers, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Even your child would be accepted as my own if you let me."