Chapter 1600 - 1587: Wherever the Gaze Settles, There Endures Eternity: An Irresistible Kiss

"Alright." Daxton Lancaster slipped into the bed and, like Violet Zimmerman, leaned against the headboard. When the time was right, he opened his mouth toward her. The man who usually disliked greasy foods surprisingly ate several bites of the chicken leg.

After placing the chicken bones on the greaseproof paper, Violet Zimmerman was about to get out of bed when Daxton Lancaster grabbed her arm.

"Where are you going?"

Violet turned her head in confusion, "To wash my hands, you see, they’re covered in oil."

Violet showed her oil-stained hands to Daxton, whose lips curled into a faint smile as he suppressed a sense of discomfort and said, "You wait in bed, I’ll go get a wet towel."

"No need, I’ll just wash it myself."

"Behave!" Daxton frowned and looked at Violet, saying, "I’m your husband; can’t I even do this little thing for you!"

Violet no longer insisted and leaned against the bed, watching as Daxton walked into the bathroom and emerged with a damp towel.

Daxton sat sideways on the bed, helping Violet wipe her face, then pulled her hand close and, while lowering his gaze, slowly cleaned it. However, his mind was filled with the image of his younger brother doing the same for her.

...

In the neighboring townhouse, Joseph Lancaster changed into home clothes and sat at the desk to study. With two months left before his university graduation, although he didn’t have to worry about work, he wanted to achieve a satisfactory grade for himself.

Having biked for over two hours, his legs were a bit sore, but considering it was all for his child, it was all worth it.

He remembered his mother saying that if a pregnant woman craved something and couldn’t eat it, the baby would be born with red eye rims.

As the child’s father, and being able to afford it, he didn’t want his baby to be born with eyes that were red like a little rabbit’s.

At this thought, Joseph couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

He even imagined, after his child was born, that they shouldn’t take after his sister-in-law too much; she was too gentle, and such a personality would be bullied.

It’s better if the child takes after him more, being smart and sharp-minded.

...

Come summer, Joseph Lancaster had graduated university and officially began working at a company. He still cycled every day because his driver’s license hadn’t come through yet.

In less than two months, Violet Zimmerman was due to give birth. Her belly was even more protruded than that of an average pregnant woman.

She ate well, received good nutrition, and the baby inside her developed well. After an ultrasound at the hospital, the doctor said the baby was developing too well and that delivery would be strenuous.

Her mother-in-law, Lorelei Howard, advised her to exercise more, saying that frequent exercise would make childbirth quicker and less painful.

While Daxton was at work during the day, Violet would feed the rabbits under the shade of the trees by the yard gate. Over a few months, the rabbits had grown fat and large. During this period, Daxton no longer indulged her whims as before; he brought back only fruit each day, no longer buying cooked food for her.

Joseph was the same, occasionally sneaking her a little extra, but only a small amount.

Having gotten used to eating greasy food, suddenly cutting back was something Violet found a bit hard to adjust to, yet, even so, she couldn’t bring herself to eat the rabbits she raised.

She vividly remembered the last time she joked with her younger brother-in-law about craving rabbit meat. Though he laughed it off, the fleeting emotion in his eyes was unforgettable.

It seemed like sadness, maybe even disappointment... Even though she couldn’t quite figure out what it was, seeing her brother-in-law like that made her uneasy.

Thus, even though she hadn’t had meat in nearly ten days, she still couldn’t eat her beloved rabbits that she had raised for so long and grown attached to.

"Madam, it’s time for your nap,"

The servant approached to remind her, and Violet laid the grass leaf down on the ground, extending her hand towards the servant.

"Help me up, please."

"Yes, Madam."

With care, two servants supported her on either side.

Every afternoon at two, Violet would take a nap, and over time it became a habit.

During the hot summer days, the house was equipped with a ceiling fan, and Violet was assisted by the servants onto the bed.

Daxton had specially bought several sets of maternity dresses for her, some one-piece, some two-piece, but Violet preferred the two-piece as it was more convenient to sit anywhere when separated into tops and shorts.

Today Joseph returned from the company early, carrying an oil paper wrapping a chicken wing, which he’d purchased specifically for Violet.

The doctor had advised against overnutrition now that Joseph understood the baby was too large and delivery would be difficult, but remembering his sister-in-law’s longing and grievance from this morning, he couldn’t resist softening.

So while his brother was yet to return, he bought her a chicken wing to satisfy her cravings.

"Second Young Master is here." The servant respectfully greeted Joseph upon seeing him.

"Hmm, where’s my sister-in-law?" Joseph stepped into the living room, having changed into slippers.

"Madam is napping in her room."

"Got it, I’ll go check on her."

Joseph ascended the stairs, lightly holding the railing, his lips slightly curling as he imagined how his sister-in-law would react to the delicious treat he brought.

"Sister-in-law, I’m coming in."

Joseph knocked on the door symbolically before pushing it open, entering the room where Violet’s back was propped up with pillows and a blanket.

Her belly was so big that lying completely flat would make breathing difficult, so she had to lean against the headboard to sleep.

Joseph quietly walked over, placing the oil paper on the bedside table, and with a gentle hand, picked up a thin blanket to cover Violet. However, just as he unfolded the thin blanket, Violet’s silk-covered bulging belly rippled like water waves from left to right. Though not experienced, Joseph had read in the pregnancy manual that it was the movement of the baby inside.

Instinctively, Joseph set the thin blanket aside and knelt in front of Violet, gently lifting her top.

Her prominently swollen belly resembled a small hill, with a small bump jutting out on the right side.

Joseph’s heart swelled with indescribable emotions, whether it be joy, curiosity, or heartfelt tenderness, as he looked at the slightly protruding bump, he couldn’t help but kiss it tenderly.

His lips touched Violet’s belly and lingered there for a long time.

At the doorway, through the narrow gap, Daxton’s narrowed eyes looked as if they were shrouded in darkness.