Chapter 163

Chapter 163

Megan returned to her mnted apartment, feeling the chill seep through the walls as she entered. The half–cooked pasta on the stove was

sobering reminder of her disrupted evening, but the thought of finishing It was for from her mind how

She slumped into a chair, the house dim and unheated, wmpping her arms around her knees, lost in thought. Memories of her younger days floated back to her, when she had dreamed of a future with Sullivan, Imagining a life with two kids and a playful puppy had seemed so perfect. But could she ever fit into the role of a mother, especially with Sullivan’s words cutting deep..

Π

She spent the night in contemplation, feeling a sore throat coming on by moming, likely the beginning of a cold. Her phone rang. pulling her from her thoughts.

It was Cora, reminding her to come home for the New Year’s Day celebration

“New Year’s?” Megan echoed, momentarily confused.

Cora chuckled on the other end, “Forgot, huh? Your dad’s been looking forward to seeing you all morning. He might not say it, but he’s worried about you.”

After a brief silence, Megan sat up, a decision made. Til be there for lunch‘

After freshening up and pushing thoughts of Sullivan aside, Megan arrived at the Quigley residence by noon. Cora had prepared a feast, trying to lighten the mood by offering dishes rich in nutrients, aiming to bring some warmth to the family gathering.

Joseph eventually broached the topic of her moving out. “No matter what you decide, nobody here blames you. Your brother wouldn’t either,” he said softly, his words bringing tears to Megan’s eyes.

Cora swiftly changed the subject, mentioning Megan’s upcoming debut performance with Paxton and the importance of focusing on her music over personal matters.

The afternoon passed without mention of Quinn Haven, a shared sonow that remained unspoken among them.

As evening approached and Com busied herself with dinner preparations, she suddenly called Megan over, pointing out Sullivan’s arrival. His car, a sleek black Bentley, was hard to miss. Stepping out into the cold, Sullivan looked every bit the part of a man from Megan’s dreams, his presence commanding even from a distance.

The outside temperature was a bit chilly. He was wearing a dark gray overcoat that accentuated the crisp, snow white dress shirt, making his facial features stand out even more handsome.

With one hand, he held a puppy and used the other to close the car door.

Then, he casually glanced up and looked at Megan.

Megan put on her coat and said something to Cora before heading downstairs. As soon as she descended, she instinctively buried he small face into the collar of her warm camel–colored coat, which complemented her fair and delicate skin.

“What are you here for?”

She didn’t get too close to him, maintaining a certain level of caution

Sullivan hadn’t spoken yet, he gently comforted Shirley in his arms as he asked, “Miss your mommy, Shirley?”

After saying this, he looked at Megan.

In the twilight, Megan’s face was slightly flushed. “I’m not its mother.”

Sullivan’s gaze deepened. “But I want to be its father!”

Megan lowered her eyes, then looked up at him, saying earnestly, “Sullivan, can we just be normal? If you want to play love games, go use your charm on someone else. I can’t handle it! I’ll go upstairs… you drive away. My dad can’t handle any of your dramal”

“Wait!” Sullivan called out to her. He turned back to the car, took out a document, and handed it to Megan. “Your brother’s trial date has been set. It’s scheduled for early next year”

Megan took it and read it several times. She murmured. “That’s still a long way off.

Sullivan looked into her eyes, his voice soff, “After the trial, are you planning to officially ask for a divorce?”

Megan didn’t answer directly, but her meaning was more or less clear

Sullivan’s gaze darkened slightly.

The evening wind was strong, ruffling his hair.

Combined with the snow–white shirt and dark gray overcoat, it was the look Megan had once loved the most. He looked deeply at her “Didn’t we live well together not long ago? If we have one or two children in a couple of years, Megan, we’ll be better off than most couples in this world!”

Megan tightened her grip on the document. After a while, she tilted her head slightly, her voice choked up. “It does sound good! But Sullivan, if that’s the case, I’ll have to break myself apart and rebuild. I’ll have to hide all the pain I’ve suffered, and hold back tears so no

one notices: 111 have to wear e mask to continue being Mrs. Lowry, your bedside companion. I’ll have to pretend to be deaf and dumb to feel happy. Our children, even if we have them, you won’t let me be involved. You’ll mold them into what you want. Like how you control mal My clothes, makeup, hairstyle… which one of them len’t according to your preference? I don’t want my children to end up like that in the future, living only for you without a sell.”