Chapter 153: There Must Be a Misunderstanding, I’m Never Like This

Chapter 153: Chapter 153: There Must Be a Misunderstanding, I’m Never Like This

As Adrian watched her put the things down, he glanced over and asked casually, "Where are the bags? Why are you carrying everything by hand instead of putting it all together?"

Caroline’s eyebrow twitched.

’Since when was he so observant?’

Caroline had already walked out of the kitchen. She glanced toward the entryway, then looked back at him and said calmly, "You’re not happy that I took everything out for you?"

"I am," Adrian replied.

To be fair, you couldn’t blame Adrian for asking.

He just thought her actions were a bit strange, that’s all.

But after hearing Caroline’s reply, he didn’t think much more of it.

.....

After eating their fill, it was already past seven o’clock.

Caroline lay contentedly on the sofa, scrolling through her phone.

After dinner, Adrian went back into the study.

She happened to glance in as she walked past and saw he was in a meeting. She’d almost thought Adrian was secretly reading a novel.

’At first, Caroline had assumed they would end up staring awkwardly at each other in the same room before things progressed to a more... harmonious stage.’

’Apparently, she’d been overthinking things.’

After she finished her shower, she went and lay down on the sofa.

When Adrian came out of the study, he glanced into the living room, then looked away and went to take a shower.

Just as Caroline was getting absorbed in a tile-matching game on the sofa, her phone was suddenly snatched away.

The light dimmed as a heavy shadow fell over her.

Adrian leaned in close, his handsome features instantly filling her vision. The proximity was so close it felt like he was crossing a line.

Caroline’s heart skipped a beat. In the moment she was stunned, his body, carrying the crisp scent of a fresh shower, pressed down on her.

Their breaths intertwined.

The next instant, his soft, warm lips gently met hers with a restrained tenderness.

The kiss lingered, deep and passionate, for a long while.

Until the phone on the coffee table rang.

Adrian pulled back slightly, finally giving Caroline a chance to catch her breath. The corners of her eyes were flushed as she gently tried to steady her ragged breathing.

The phone was still ringing. But instead of picking it up, he first scooped her up, moving her from her lying position on the sofa to sit in his lap.

Only then did Adrian pick up the phone.

It was Ryan.

’The kid’s checking up on us again.’

Just as he was about to accept the video call, they hung up.

Two seconds later.

Caroline’s phone started ringing with a video call.

She answered, and a little head leaned into the frame, tilting as he asked, "Where’s Daddy? Why didn’t he answer my call?"

"I just got out of the shower," Adrian’s voice came from above her head.

Caroline angled the phone up slightly to get Adrian’s face in the frame.

Adrian played along, lowering his head and affectionately pressing his cheek against hers as they both looked at the screen.

Ryan’s big, innocent eyes widened as he looked at his parents snuggled so closely together on the screen, a look of fascination on his face.

This was probably the first time in months he had seen them looking so affectionate during a call.

"Oh," Ryan replied sweetly.

"Are you still coughing today?" Caroline asked with concern.

Ryan shook his head. "Not anymore."

"So, what made you want to go to Grandpa’s today?"

Ryan blinked. "It’s a secret."

"Oh? You have secrets now?" Caroline raised an eyebrow in surprise.

When Ryan had gone over to Franklin Whitman’s place, Franklin had made a point to call and let her know.

At the time, Caroline didn’t think much of it. After all, Ryan’s clinginess came in phases.

Sometimes he’d insist on being with his parents; other times, he’d want to be with his grandparents on either side.

All in all, in this big family, he could go to whichever home he pleased. As long as there were no major conflicts, everyone did their best to indulge his whims.

Ryan was probably the little guy in the family who knew the most "secrets."

He also happened to be the best at keeping secrets; he wouldn’t tell anyone unless asked directly by the person involved.

He bobbed his little head up and down. "Yup! It’s a secret I can’t tell. I can’t tell you guys."

Caroline scoffed. "Can’t tell us, huh? If you don’t, I’m coming to pick you up right now."

Adrian suddenly cut in. "There’s no need for that. Let the boy stay wherever he wants."

"Even if you want to stay over there for a whole month, Daddy supports you, Ryan."

He sounded completely sincere.

Caroline, on the other hand, rolled her eyes at him. ’Just listen to him, acting so enlightened.’

’She had every reason to suspect this guy was just trying to get some alone time with her.’

But for a little kid, the impact of those words was huge.

The moment Ryan heard that, his sense of alarm shot up. A whole month away from his mom and dad? He couldn’t do it.

"I don’t want to be away from you for a month!"

’Hmph! I’m not going to let Daddy get his way.’

He immediately spilled the beans. "Grandpa said he’s taking me to pick out a birthday present tomorrow! He said I can have whatever I want!"

Caroline was silent. "..."

She had just told Franklin today not to spoil the child so much, but he’d immediately turned around and started granting his every wish.

"Mommy, it’s not really about the presents. I just saw that Grandpa and Grandma are all alone at home and seem lonely. I want to keep Grandpa company and be a good son for you."

Caroline: "..."

’Why was she so touched all of a sudden?’

’It turned out she’d misjudged her son.’

Adrian silently watched from the side as Caroline’s expression softened, clearly moved. He gave the little dumpling on the screen a long, hard look.

However, Caroline’s warm feelings lasted less than five seconds.

Because these words were heard by Franklin and Yolanda, who were passing by.

The two of them were even more moved than Caroline.

"Oh, Danny, you’re so sweet..." Franklin was on the verge of tears.

"Why don’t you stay at Grandma’s for another day tomorrow, okay? I’ll cook something delicious just for you," Yolanda said, lovingly hugging Tiny, also nearly overcome with emotion.

The two of them didn’t forget to turn to the screen and huff at their daughter. "See? Look how thoughtful your son is. You could learn a thing or two from him."

The corner of Caroline’s mouth twitched. ’Was her most valuable asset just poached?’

’No, wait. Their own assets had been moved around quite a bit, too.’

"Wait a minute, weren’t you the ones who kicked me out of the house in the first place?"

Under the noble pretext of "helping her build some independence."

Franklin and Yolanda froze for a moment.

It was true; they had done that.

The main reason was that the couple had made some reckless investments behind Caroline’s back and lost a lot of money.

They felt guilty every time they saw Caroline, so they figured it was easier to just buy her an apartment in a safe complex and have her move out for a bit.

Who knew their daughter would get a taste of living alone and actually decide not to move back in?

"That’s a separate issue... In any case, this is the boy showing his love," Franklin said, trying to save face.

"..."

...

After hanging up, Caroline put down her phone. "You know," she said, "sometimes I feel like Ryan is a little manipulative."

"It’s just childish innocence," Adrian said. "He probably doesn’t think about it that much."

Caroline shot him a sidelong glance. "I’ve noticed he gets that from you."

Adrian raised a hand to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering to gently caress her earlobe. He smiled. "You must be mistaken. I’m never like that."

"..."