Cherise was taken aback. âSo... if | wasnât with you tonight, would you have declined?â
The man nodded, an uncertain smile plastered on his face as he said gently, âWhile | am happy to support the orphanage, | am not fond of these events Cherise swallowed a lump in her throat, internally admonishing herself for her impulsive behavior.
Her hands clenched down on the leather seat underneath her. âThen... what should we do...â
âThereâs nothing we can do,â Damien sighed in resignation. âI must accompany Mrs. Lenoir to the event.â
âIf Mrs. Lenoir feels guilty, she can find a way to make it up to me.â
How do | make it up to him?
Cherise chewed on her bottom lip, lost in thoughts of dire consequences to her. Furrowing her brows, she said meekly, âYou wouldn't... expect me to... have more children as compensation, would you?â
That would be too excessive! she thought horrifically to herself. Her eyes widened into big, helpless circles as if pleading for Damien to spare her.
âMrs. Lenoir is truly astute,â the man chuckled as he started the car. âYou always guess what | want right away.â
Cherise gulped nervously, her body flushing pink.
She wished she could take back the words she accidentally spoke out loud.
Furrowing her eyebrows, she recollected that moments ago, in the orphanage, he was insinuating the very same thing.
She couldn't believe that a kiss between them nearly made her forget about his comments earlier.
Taking a deep breath, her lips grew thin and firm as she gazed out of the car window. âDamien,â she said seriously.
Silence lingered in the air for a few minutes before he finally responded, âYes?â
â| donât want to have more children for now.â
âWhy?â he asked, arching an eyebrow.
âBecause | believe two are sufficient.â
She pursed her lips, continuing, âIs Ren not intelligent enough, or is Sera not adorable enough? Why do you always desire a third and fourth child?â
It was not the first time he had brought up the topic in front of her.
Even when they never used protection, he would express his desire for a third and fourth child.
But she truly felt they didnât need so many children...
Asmile lit up on the corner of his lips as he continued to focus on the road. âItâs just a small wish | have.â
Taking a deep breath, his tone turned serious, âWhen my sister faked her death and disappeared before, | felt very lonely.â
â| thought at that time, if | ever have children in the future, there should be more than two.â
âBecause if something unexpected happens... the one left behind will be very lonely.â
âHowever.â
The man took a deep breath, his voice becoming solemn, âThatâs just my opinion.â
âIf you truly donât want to, | wonât pressure you.â
âEvery time | bring up the idea of a third and fourth child, it's simply to tease you.â
The manâs words left Cherise speechless for a moment.
All along, she thought Damien just enjoyed teasing her by seeing her reaction whenever he brought it up, but she hadn't anticipated... that behind his desire for a third and fourth child were the memories and wishes he had as a lonely child.
The atmosphere in the car grew heavy.
There were all sorts of messages, all of them varied in subject and content.
Most of them were messages from Heather and Lucy.
The message was from Sebastian Weiss.
It was brief, only two sentences.
âI did not know that you still enjoy eating drumsticks.
âLet me treat you to some another day as a commemorative token of our childhood.
Cherise held her phone in her hands, unsure how to formulate a response.
Apart of her believed that she should reply, out of courtesy of their former relationship.
The other remembered that she was also Damienâs wife, and she shouldnât get too close to his rivals.
After much deliberation, Cherise finally replied politely, âYes, | still love eating drumsticks, thanks to you.â