There was a baby store across the boutique in which Myra and Henry were doing their shopping.
It had taken some effort on Lyla’s part to convince Sean to come shopping with her for baby products. She was wearing a cotton maternity dress and a pair of flats; while her baby bump was only subtle to the untrained eye, the sales assistant could tell that she was definitely pregnant.
“You know, Sean, the doctor told me that the baby is doing well. I think that means the baby will grow up to be a considerate and loving child.” When Lyla noticed that Sean was absent minded, she took his hand and placed it over her baby bump.
Sean’s gaze finally flickered over to her stomach and his face softened at the mention of the child. When he saw that the sales assistant was looking at him, he looked at the crib that was propped up to one side. “We’ll take that one.”
The sales assistant froze and Lyla grew awkward. She tugged on Sean’s arm once more and said softly, “Didn’t we say we wouldn’t be getting that crib, Sean? Besides, Jane said that this one over here is a much better choice.”
With that, Lyla pointed at the crib to which she was referring. The material and the structure for this were far sturdier than the other one.
However, his eyes couldn’t seem to stop flickering to the shop across from theirs.
Upon seeing that, Lyla craned her neck and peered in curiosity at the boutique. There was no one else aside from the couple of sales assistants manning the store. She frowned and wondered whether they were the ones whom Sean recognized.
She had been sensitive ever since Kris told her about his excursion to see Myra. She could tell that he was acting differently these days, but there was nothing she could do about it.
She had done everything she could, but she couldn’t help but feel that Sean was not as crazy about her as he had once been. Her heart clenched with insecurity even after he’d told her he loved her. It felt as if there was an invisible barrier between the both of them and while it wasn’t entirely impenetrable, its existence still burdened her.
Lyla paused in thought, afraid that something truly could be amiss. Her hand fluttered over her stomach, looking strained as she said feebly, “Sean, I’m a bit worn out. Can we go somewhere else so that I can rest for a while?”
As expected, this managed to get Sean’s attention. Alarmed, he quickly held onto her as they made their way out of the baby store. He asked nervously, “Do you feel any discomfort? Should we go to the hospital?”
Lyla was relieved to hear the worried tone of his voice and she was quick to comfort him. “No, I’m okay. I must be worn out from standing all day. I’ll be fine after sitting down for a bit.”
She was grateful that her pregnancy had broken the ice between her and the rest of the Chase Family, although it only reminded her of how distant Eve had been with her recently. She couldn’t help but resent Eve for it.
Eve had been overwhelmed when she first discovered that Lyla was pregnant, but she was also terrified that the latter may run away and leave her without a grandchild. It was clear that she’d been eager for Sean to continue the family line.
Sean then brought her to a cafe on the same floor. Lyla watched as he carefully wedged a cushion behind her and her resentment dissipated. She felt peckish and she gazed up at him as she said coquettishly, “Sean, I’m really craving for fresh corn juice. I saw a shop nearby selling it. Would you mind getting one for me?”
Back in their schooling days, Sean would always wait for her with a cup of a corn juice in hand before they went on their dates.
She was not worried about his present demeanor. It would take time, but she was confident that she could slowly work her way into his heart once more.
Upon hearing Lyla’s request, Sean frowned. However, before he could say anything, she pouted and mumbled softly, “I miss the times when you used to buy it for me and I haven’t had it for a while now. Besides, the baby’s craving for it too.”
As soon as she mentioned the baby, his face lit up and he quickly said, “Wait for me here. I’ll be back in a flash.” With that, he left the cafe.
Lyla huffed. It turned out that the baby was the only way for her to get Sean’s attention.
However, her face grew grim at the thought of Myra.
She could not believe that a man like Tony would fall head over heels for Myra so much so that he was willing to do anything for her. She was only fortunate to have retained evidence of her previous collusion with the man; otherwise, he would never have spared her.
Lyla’s chest tightened with rage and frustration as she thought about Myra’s relationship with Tony. She had been the one to step all over Myra, but it seemed as if she herself was turning into the butt of the joke now. The unpredictable shift in their dynamics was driving her insane.
She had contemplated telling Myra everything, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it in the end. She knew that she would lose everything if she were to tell Myra. She had no doubt that Tony would make sure to destroy everything she had.
But if Myra was in a relationship with Tony, she wouldn’t weasel her way back into Sean’s life anytime soon. For that, Lyla was relieved. It was probably the only good thing that she could get out of that wretched girl’s newfound love.
Lyla clutched her bag close to her as a menacing grimace twisted her features.
The sales assistant had wrapped the two shirts up, but just as Myra and Henry were about to make payment at the cashier, they found themselves in a terribly awkward situation.
They did not have enough cash between them.
Henry had said that since the shirt was his birthday gift to Christian, he insisted on paying for it out of his own pocket and Myra did not stop him either. He’d pulled out a small envelope from his backpack and told her that the money was his allowance from last month given to him by his father. He’d asked his mom to make the withdrawal. Myra watched as he counted out the bills and noted how much he resembled a tycoon.
Alas, after counting out the bills, Henry realized that he was short on his budget. Myra saw the pitiful look on his face as he gazed up at her in despair and she’d almost laughed until she discovered that she’d left her purse in the office.
Meanwhile, the sales assistant gave an awkward smile as she suggested, “Would you like to call somebody?” She did not want to lose those two customers before her. After all, she would have a week’s worth of commission from the sale of these two shirts alone.
Myra was about to call Estelle for help when a gold-colored credit card was handed over the counter. She saw that the fingers holding the card were slender before she heard a deep male voice speaking close to her ear. “Take this card.”
Her skin prickled at the familiarity of that voice. She turned and saw that the man handing the card over to the sales assistant was none other than Sean himself.
His towering figure was clad in a tailored black suit. He was cold and aloof as usual, but he was undeniably handsome. Even the sales assistants by the side couldn’t help but sneak a couple of glances at him.
Myra, on the other hand, frowned.
Henry turned and recognized Sean immediately. How could he not after he had searched and read up on Sean on the internet? His eyes flashed warily at the sight of Sean and he stepped defensively in front of Myra before glaring up at the man. “What are you doing here? We don’t need your card, so take it back!”
Sean pursed his lips. His dark gaze swept over the boy before it flickered to Myra. He narrowed his eyes and pointed out plaintively, “You don’t have enough cash with you.”
“That doesn’t mean we’re desperate enough to use your card,” she retorted icily, then pressed her lips into a thin line. She held onto Henry’s hand and turned to address the sales assistant. “I’m sorry, but could you put those shirts aside for me? I’ll come back for it after I call a friend of mine.”
After having said that, she wanted to leave the store with Henry, but Sean stepped in front of them and blocked their way.
He had seen Myra picking out clothes in this boutique when he was at the baby store earlier. Upon noticing that it was a man’s boutique, he was reminded of the fact that she was no longer pining after him.
He shouldn’t have dwelled more on this, seeing as he had thought of her as despicable, but he couldn’t seem to keep his eyes off the boutique window. He’d even decided to drop by the store since he was on his way to buy corn juice for Lyla.
