Chapter 378 This lifetime

Agnes was at a loss. “No, I just don’t want you to get deeper and deeper into a relationship with a man who doesn’t love you.”

Darla sneered, “Mind your own business...you’re not my real mother! My real mother would never treat me like this. She would support me unconditionally. So, Agnes, you’re destined never to be my mother in this lifetime. Don’t even entertain the delusion that I’ll ever call you ‘Mom.’”

Agnes looked embarrassed. “Darla...”

Darla glared at her, her eyes brimming with unmasked hatred. “Shut up. I hate you. If I ever get the chance, I’ll kick you out of the Gordon family without a second thought. Watch your step... don’t give me any reason to hold over you!”

Agnes was startled by the intense hatred in Darla’s eyes.

She didn’t understand. What had she done wrong? Why did Darla hate her so much?

All these years, she had clearly treated Darla very well, just as if she were her own daughter.

Yet Darla had never treated her as a real mother; she had never been accepted by Darla.

Despite that, she continued to be kind to Darla.

But... Darla hated her so much. She didn’t understand... she really didn’t understand.

**********

Alana and Stephan returned home and cooked dinner together.

Lately, the two of them had been getting along more and more naturally. Whenever they had the chance, they’d cuddle up together, just like an old married couple.

While Stephan was washing the vegetables, something suddenly occurred to him, and he blurted out,

“Didn’t I mention before that we’ve never actually cooked together in the kitchen?”

Alana blinked.

Wait, was this really the time to bring that up?

They were just about to wash the vegetables and start cooking... was it normal to bring this up out of the blue?

“Um, wouldn’t that be a bit awkward to do in the kitchen?”

The man replied with a straight face, “How can we know if it’s easy or not if we’ve never tried?”

She glanced around. “It’s too messy. It’s not really a good place to work, is it?”

Stephan chuckled, “I actually think it’s just right.”

Alana was puzzled. “What’s so good about it?”

Stephan made a startling suggestion, “In a bit, you cook, and I’ll stand right behind you and tease you.”

Enough already!

Where on earth did he come up with such a weird and bizarre position? I can’t understand it, I can’t even imagine it.

She pouted. “Hmph, you cook later!”

Stephan nodded, “Alright, you’re in charge.”

Alana really felt like she was going crazy, actually going along with Stephan. It took a long time to cook this meal.

The aroma was rich and intense.

The aroma wafting from the kitchen lingered in the air.

After preparing three dishes and a soup, Alana was so exhausted her legs felt weak and she could barely walk.

It was Stephan who kindly carried her out.

He leaned down and kissed her flushed cheeks. “Sweetheart, you’re such a great cook.”

Alana’s cheeks flushed bright red, the color spreading all the way to the backs of her ears.

Her mind was filled with the scandalous images of them together in the kitchen just moments ago.

Her lips trembled slightly. “Stephan, this is a one-time thing. You’re not allowed to do that again.”

He’d gone too far just now, nearly burning the food.

Stephan smiled. “The kitchen really isn’t as comfortable as lying in bed.”

In bed, he could try any position he wanted... there were no limits.

Alana bit her lip, too embarrassed to continue the conversation. “I’m hungry. Let’s eat.”

Stephan curved his lips. “Alright, I’ll feed you.”

After they finished eating, Stephan took the initiative to clear the table and load the dishes into the dishwasher.

Afterward, they returned to the bedroom and got cozy all over again.

Alana felt weak and limp, collapsing against the man.

Stephan chuckled, “Out of energy again?”

She lay sprawled across his chest, her voice weak. “I’m all out of energy. Can we stop for tonight?”

She really didn’t have the energy to keep this up.

Stephan curved his lips, rolled over, and said, “I still have energy. Let me take over.”

Alana exhaled.

Their lovemaking continued well into the early hours of the morning.

Alana could finally rest.

Stephan held her close, feeling completely satisfied, yet still had the energy to send a message to his group chat.

[Surprise! I’m getting married to my girlfriend at the end of the year. I hope everyone can come and support us in person. If you can’t make it, send gifts to wish us a happy married life. Though, that’s already guaranteed, my baby and I will be together forever!]

Most of the guys in the group were night owls who often pulled all-nighters without a moment’s rest.

But staying up tonight was their greatest punishment.

Seeing Stephan’s boastful message... sent at any time, in any place, and regardless of the occasion, they were instantly filled with grumbling and resentment.

Just a few days ago, he announced that his girlfriend had agreed to marry him, and today he’s already set the wedding date.

That speed was like riding a rocket.

Well, everyone knew he’s on top of the world right now.

Man #1: [Whoa, congrats! I’m sitting at the high table when the time comes!]

Stephan: [Sure, just bring a big envelope. Anything less than a billion, and I won’t even look at you.]

The man was shocked to read that.

What a sucker... he shouldn’t have said a word.

Another clueless buddy logged in: [Aren’t you supposed to propose first, then get married? You haven’t even proposed yet, and the wedding date is already set? What if she suddenly changes her mind and turns down your proposal?]

Stephan: [We still have three months until the wedding; it doesn’t affect the proposal. Here’s a bet: if she accepts my proposal, you’ll give a red envelope with over 1 billion dollar on our wedding day.]

The second guy felt so unlucky for even sending a text message.

After replying to the message, Stephan finally fell asleep holding Alana in his arms.

Another night of sweet dreams.

***********

Time flies; in the blink of an eye, several more days had passed.

Alana had been running to the hospital almost every day.

Miranda and Darius, the couple, hadn’t come over to bother Grandma anymore.

Grandma was happy to have some peace and quiet, and Alana felt much more at ease.

She took her grandmother’s dirty clothes to the nurses’ station and picked up a few clean hospital gowns on her way back.

There were several nurses at the station, gathered together chatting.

“Have you guys seen Dr. Cynthia’s son? He’s so handsome!”

“Not only is he handsome, but he’s got a great physique too... he’s practically the perfect man!”

“No matter how perfect he is, he’s not yours. Didn’t you hear Dr. Cynthia say her son already has a girlfriend and they’re getting married at the end of the year?”

“Wow, who’s his girlfriend? He’s so handsome... his girlfriend must be really pretty, right?”

“I’d guess she’s pretty. Plus, I heard her family is being treated at this hospital, and she comes by to visit from time to time. We might have even seen her before.”

“No way!”

“Why don’t you go ask Dr. Cynthia and find out for yourself?”

“No way, no way!”

Alana paused for a moment, then walked over to them. “Hello, where do you put the clothes patients take off?”

One of the nurses pointed, “In the bucket on that cart.”

Alana glanced at it and nodded. “Okay, thanks.”

She walked over and saw the bucket on the cart filled with dirty clothes. She tossed the patient’s clothes inside, then took a few fresh sets to keep on hand.

She could still hear the nurses chatting nearby.

They were all curious about who Dr Cynthia’s son’s girlfriend was.

Little did they know that the very person they were discussing was standing right in front of them, having heard nearly every word they said.

Alana, holding the clean hospital gowns, was about to leave.

Suddenly, a figure appeared and snapped.

“You’re not doing your jobs properly... what are you all doing here fooling around?!”