Ryan Sterling wanted to agree, but he hesitated. In the end, he decided not to pressure Evelyn Grant.
"Let’s wait for next time. Things have been busy lately."
"Okay!" Just before hanging up, Alex Grant couldn’t help but add, "Brother-in-law, my sister, she might look strong and independent, but really, she just bottles up all her grievances and never says a word! If you’re not too busy with work, you should really spend more time with her! Brother-in-law, my sister really, really loves you."
Even if he hadn’t said it, Ryan Sterling already knew all this.
Especially that last sentence.
"Mm."
He put down his phone. Evelyn Grant’s clothes were finished washing.
She came downstairs, glanced at the call log on his phone, and raised an eyebrow. "What did you and my brother talk about?"
"Nothing much. Just small talk."
Evelyn Grant glanced at him suspiciously. "You and Alex haven’t seen each other in years. What could you possibly have to talk about? You didn’t tell him about me being in the detention center, did you?"
Ryan Sterling stood up, a wave of inexplicable annoyance washing over him.
"My brother has treated you so badly, yet you’re still covering for him in front of your family! Evelyn Grant, are you really that in love with my brother?"
She paused, taken aback, and frowned. "That’s not the reason. I’m just worried the shock would be too much for my mom!"
"Really?"
"Why would I lie to you?"
Ryan Sterling huffed softly, the corner of his lip curling up. "I’ll believe you this once."
"..."
It wasn’t until after he left that Evelyn Grant realized.
’Why did I have to explain so much to him?’
...
Julian Sterling spent one night in the hospital and was only able to get out of bed the next day.
Florence Morgan came to see her son first thing in the morning, having specially made him some chicken soup.
But after just one taste, Julian Sterling couldn’t drink any more.
If he had never tasted the soup Evelyn Grant used to make for him, this batch would have actually been fine.
But the problem was, Evelyn Grant had completely spoiled his palate. The chicken soup she simmered was always savory and delicious, without a hint of greasiness.
Now, when Julian Sterling tried to drink anyone else’s, he couldn’t even manage another mouthful.
"What’s wrong, you don’t like it?" Florence Morgan had seen what was on her son’s mind.
He felt a little awkward and made an excuse. "No, it’s just... I’m just getting over my illness, so I don’t have much of an appetite."
"What do you mean you have no appetite? You clearly can’t stand this chicken soup!" Florence Morgan shot down her son’s lie. "And don’t ask me how I know. Back when Eve was taking care of your father in the hospital, she was always cooking for him! I’ve tasted her food, and it’s true—every dish was delicious! She spoiled you rotten, so of course you can’t stomach the soup I made."
"..."
She sighed. "Julian, you used to be so sensible and obedient; Mom rarely had to scold you. But this time, what you did to Eve was truly going too far. That Jane Jacobs is a malicious woman. I never approved of you two dating back then, which is why when your grandfather demanded you marry Eve, I agreed in a heartbeat."
Florence Morgan had lived for the better part of her life; she had a sharp eye for judging character.
From the very first moment she saw Jane Jacobs, she knew that woman was no good.
Hearing his mother speak ill of his "white moonlight," Julian Sterling still subconsciously defended her. "Mom, Jane isn’t a malicious person. She just... she just loves me too much."
"Loves you? She was pregnant with another man’s child and lied that it was yours. You call that love?"
"I..."
"I swear, you’re a lost cause! If you’re going to keep being like this, then I don’t see any reason for me to help you figure out a way to win Eve back!"
With that, she was so angry she started to get up and leave.
Julian Sterling quickly grabbed her. "Mom, I really do want to remarry Evelyn Grant!"