Chapter 55

Sensing Emmanuel’s peculiar gaze, Tabitha pursed her lips gently and turned her face away slightly.

Emmanuel realized his action and distanced himself with a smile.

Soon, they returned to the garden, and Emmanuel settled Pipsqueak back into its cage.

Tabitha said from the side, “Let it play on the perch.”

“If I’m not mistaken, this bird was recently bought, right?” Emmanuel explained gently, “It is not fully trained yet. It might not return if it flies away.”

Tabitha said, “But if it is caged…”

“Domestic pets like this don’t forage on their own. If it doesn’t return, it will starve outside.” Despite Emmanuel’s gentle tone, his words held a hint of cruelty. “It’s outcome won’t be better than being caged.”

Tabitha fell silent, accepting the logic presented easily.

Emmanuel, clearly versed in bird training, offered further advice to Tabitha, “Invest more time in playing with it and you’ll notice it’ll quickly grow fond of you. Plus, it might pick up more words along the way.”

Tabitha attentively noted his advice. Out of a sudden, she noticed Emmanuel was wearing a black finger guard on his left pinky.

‘What’s with the weird peculiar style? Or was he hiding an old wound on his pinky from others?‘ she wondered.

Brief confusion passed through her mind, but Tabitha was not one to pry, so she didn’t ask him about it.

After discussing the topic of pet training, Emmanuel looked down and M NN 92% 14:59 noticed the star jasmine beside them. He asked, “This succulent looks. splendid and grows well. Did you grow it yourself?”

Tabitha loved the jasmine given by Chadwick and took good care of it every day. After moving to Alaric’s place, she was worried that the housekeeper couldn’t keep it well, so she brought it along with her.

It was sunny today, so she had taken the jasmine out to bask.

She nodded. “Yes, I grew it.”

“My mother adores plants as well. We have quite a few succulents at home,” Emmanuel said. “Your multi–colored succulent is quite rare. What’s it called? I’d like to get one for my mother later.”

Jasmine was something rare and precious, so it was unfamiliar to many.

Trusting Emmanuel’s filial nature, Tabitha didn’t suspect too much and revealed the succulent name of jasmine to Emmanuel.

While they were talking, George led Malcolm over and said, “Mrs. Sinclair is in the garden.”

Malcolm lowered his eyes to mask his dissatisfaction.

“Tabitha is in poor health. Why expose her to the cold in the garden?‘ he thought to himself.

George continued, “Mrs. Sinclair recently got a talking bird. She chats with it every day and looks very happy… Look, Mr. Sinclair, Mrs. Sinclair is there.”

Malcolm glanced up and saw a young man talking to Tabitha, who was listening attentively, in the distance.

His brows furrowed in immediate displeasure as he strode over.

Once he got closer, Malcolm realized that the man who was talking to 14:59 Tabitha was Emmanuel, who had recently been transferred to the headquarters.

Emmanuel was no simple person. He wondered why Tabitha was chatting so amiably with him.

His brow creased further as he called out, “Tabitha.”

Tabitha turned to Malcolm and greeted him faintly.

In contrast, Emmanuel greeted him politely, “Malcolm, back from your business trip?”

Malcolm nodded expressionlessly before turning to look at Tabitha.

She seemed to have lost weight, and her nearly three–month–old pregnancy barely showing. However, her complexion had improved slightly from before. There was even a fleeting, shallow smile lingering in the depths of her eyes.

Malcolm suddenly recalled the truth he discovered at the hotel. He wondered if Tabitha would ever smile again if she discovered the truth.

“Tabitha…” He carefully constructed his words, underlying a subtle. concern. “How have you been feeling?”

Tabitha’s fingertips paused. Her face was calm, and her voice devoid of emotions. “I was discharged a few days ago. It’s peaceful here. I’ve been recovering well.”

‘Does that mean the Sinclair residence isn’t peaceful?‘ Malcolm pondered.

Malcolm pursed his thin lips into a straight line and was about to say something when he was interrupted by Tabitha, “I’m feeling a little tired. I’ll go rest in my room.”

Malcolm hadn’t spoken yet, but Emmanuel had chimed in, “Given your health, resting is indeed necessary.”

DNNOS 92% 14:59 Tabitha nodded and turned to leave.

Malcolm tightened his thin lips further as he watched her distant and aloof departing figure.

She had been chatting with Emmanuel here for so long, but she didn’t say that she was tired. But she was tired as soon as he came back.

A trace of annoyance brewed within Malcolm, but then he remembered the likely reasons behind Tabitha’s changed demeanor and attitude and fell silent.

“Malcolm, what are you thinking?” Emmanuel’s voice sounded nearby, snapping Malcolm back to reality.

After their marriage, Tabitha had been very kind to him. Now, their relationship has become so tense and rigid because he had misunderstood her.

Malcolm took a deep breath and soon calmed down. “Nothing.”

He didn’t want to talk to Emmanuel, but the latter continued with a smile, “Malcolm, did you gift Tabitha this pot of succulent? It looks good. I plan to buy one for my mother.”

Malcolm looked down and observed the jasmine placed nearby.

Emmanuel’s voice was still ringing in his ear, “I heard Tabitha enjoys tending to flowers, but she has a pollen allergy. A potted succulent can serve as a substitute for real flowers. That trait of hers is quite similar to my mother’s.”

“Malcolm, it’s considerate of you to think of gifting her a succulent. Seems like you care about her,” he continued.

‘Care about Tabitha?‘ Malcolm repeated in his heart.

Malcolm couldn’t help but recall the scene when Chadwick gifted the * Joyce 33 jasmine to Tabitha What had he been doing then?

He was being sarcastic and suspecting the purity of their relationship.

Yet, Chadwick’s intention was simple. He wanted to gift Tabitha a pot of real plants that she was not allergic to.

Despite living with Tabitha for two years, Malcolm hadn’t noticed her allergy. An outsider like Chadwick was even more thoughtful than him.

But Tabitha knew all his preferences. She knew what he liked to eat and his daily habits, and would silently adjust to accommodate his routines…

14:57 M DNNO 92% 14:59 jasmine to Tabitha.

What had he been doing then?

He was being sarcastic and suspecting the purity of their relationship.

Yet, Chadwick’s intention was simple. He wanted to gift Tabitha a pot of real plants that she was not allergic to.

Despite living with Tabitha for two years, Malcolm hadn’t noticed her allergy. An outsider like Chadwick was even more thoughtful than him.

But Tabitha knew all his preferences. She knew what he liked to eat and his daily habits, and would silently adjust to accommodate his routines…