Chapter 57

At that moment, Emmanuel smiled and openly expressed his admiration by saying, “Malcolm, you have such a good relationship with Tabitha.”

Tabitha scoffed in her heart, ‘If our relationship can be considered a great one, then perhaps there are no broken–hearted couples in the world!”

She couldn’t tell if Malcolm was doing unnecessary favors for Alaric or if he was up to something bad.

The smell of meat made Tabitha sick. She was already full after eating almost half a bowl of oatmeal and mushroom soup.

She quickly excused herself from the table, citing fatigue.

Malcolm’s expression darkened slightly. Then, he gave Emmanuel a cold glance.

He was aware that Emmanuel was deliberately trying to sow discord. between them. Emmanuel was an ambitious man. Although he appeared to be amiable, he harbored a concealed hostility toward Malcolm.

Moreover, Emmanuel had an extreme work style. So, he and Malcolm never got along.

Malcolm did not like Tabitha having too much interaction with Emmanuel. He was determined to get Tabitha home.

After dinner, Emmanuel chatted with Alaric for a while before taking his leave.

Malcolm seized the opportunity to speak privately with Tabitha.

He asked, “Tabitha, when do you plan to return to the Sinclair residence?”

Tabitha didn’t believe he genuinely wanted her to go back. She quipped with a frown, “You can’t pretend anymore, can you? It must have been A M DNNOS 925% 15:00 exhausting pretending in front of Grandpa Alaric just now, right?”

Her tone was sharp, leaving an unpleasant impression despite her smiling face.

Malcolm’s gaze darkened slightly as he said, “Stop being irrational.”

Tabitha took a deep breath. She thought her irritation to him was almost comical, so she tried to calm herself down..

“You can go back by yourself. The environment here is better than the Sinclair residence. I want to stay here a bit longer,” she said.

Malcolm’s eyes lingered on her face for a few seconds before quickly shifting away. “As you wish,” he replied.

Tabitha didn’t bother continuing the conversation and turned to leave.

But Malcolm found himself involuntarily looking at her.

Her figure remained frail. She was weak, yet she exuded a persistence akin to bamboo.

Malcolm wondered if it was her resilience that had made her shield him without hesitation at the nightclub back then.

At that time, she should have hated him.

Malcolm clenched his slender fingers and turned to find Alaric.

If Tabitha did not leave, he would stay.

Anyway he was the one who first wronged her and made her sad and disappointed. He was also the person who made her reluctant to return home.

Alaric was about to return to his room when Malcolm approached him and said firmly, “Grandpa, I want to stay here for a few days.”

ADNA NN 19.00 Alaric was surprised by Malcolm’s unusual behavior today. In the past, Malcolm had always seemed eager to distance himself from Tabitha.

But today, not only did he show concern for Tabitha, but he also wanted to stay at the Sinclair manor.

If he hadn’t maintained his cool and seriousness while bringing up the topic, Alaric might have thought he had finally developed a fondness for Tabitha.

“Why?” Alaric asked, scrutinizing every expression on Malcolm’s face.

Malcolm explained frankly, “Tabitha is not in good health, so I thought it would be good to stay here and keep an eye on her. Besides, I can accompany you as well.”

Alaric recalled how Malcolm had willingly served food to Tabitha earlier and thought that maybe Naomi had really brought him to his senses. He replied happily, “Okay, then you may stay. I’ll have someone prepare a guest room for you.”

Tabitha was surprised to learn that Malcolm wanted to stay.

She wondered, ‘What is Malcolm up to? Is he aware of the misunderstandings that can arise when people know he’s staying because I’m not leaving?”

Tabitha clenched her fist tightly until her nails dug into her skin, jolting her back to reality.

She thought to herself, ‘Impossible! His heart belongs only to Naomi, and he acknowledges only her child. There must be some hidden motive behind his sudden desire to stay at the Sinclair manor for no reason.”

Although Tabitha could turn a blind eye to Malcolm’s decision to stay, she faced a dilemma regarding bedtime. They were at the Sinclair manor and couldn’t sleep in separate rooms under Alaric’s watchful eye.

1. c. 15:00 Tabitha paced around the room, feeling nervous and uneasy.

Malcolm was still engrossed in reading his documents. Tabitha was impressed by his calm and composed demeanor.

He had been in the same ward with her not long ago, and he had seemed terribly uncomfortable as if it would cost him his life.

Suddenly, she made up her mind and opened the door to go out.

Malcolm, holding the documents, paused slightly before he said, “Where are you going?”

Tabitha’s hand on the doorknob did not stop. She quickly turned it around.

“I’m pregnant. I can’t be disturbed while sleeping at night. I’ll explain to Grandpa Alaric. He’ll understand, Tabitha explained.

Malcolm didn’t have a strong opinion about sleeping in separate rooms, but he didn’t like her dismissive attitude. He couldn’t help but retort, “We’re a married couple, so it’s best if we can act harmoniously. If Grandpa wishes us well, then let’s put on a show for his sake and make him happy.”

Tabitha looked back at Malcolm in disbelief, and her hand that was turning the doorknob stopped.

She thought to herself, ‘Malcolm’s behavior is unusually attentive, even if it’s for Grandpa Alaric’s sake!

‘But Malcolm doesn’t mind sleeping in the same room. Maybe my constant resistance is too much.

‘After all, Malcolm doesn’t like me, so he’s not going to harm me.

Tabitha confidently put on her pajamas and took a shower after she had come to terms with her situation.

NN 12.00 The bathroom was not soundproof, and the sound of running water could be heard from outside.

The temperature in the room was pleasant and not too warm, even though it was during a cold winter.

The noise disturbed Malcolm’s concentration, making it difficult for him. to focus on the documents. He leaned back on the couch and closed his eyes slightly.

He felt a slight uneasiness spreading from the bottom of his heart to his throat, leaving it a little dry.

3