Free Web NovelChapter 94: Chapter 94: Let Her Stay
Seeing Anne Sutton greet him, Butler Walters said, "Hello, Madam. It’s been a long time."
Anne Sutton asked, "Have you been well?"
Anne Sutton hadn’t expected to run into an old acquaintance here.
Back when Nathan Fawcett was still alive, the butler was almost always by his side, like a shadow. Seeing Butler Walters was like seeing Nathan Fawcett himself.
Butler Walters replied, "I’ve been doing well."
As they spoke, Nathan Fawcett had already walked through the door.
Butler Walters said, "Let’s go inside."
Anne Sutton followed behind Butler Walters, asking, "Have you been here all these years?"
Butler Walters nodded. To avoid arousing Anne Sutton’s suspicion, he explained, "After the Young Master passed away, I came here and started working for Mr. Linden. I meant to come back and visit you all, but... have you been well these past few years?"
Although he was mostly aware of Anne Sutton’s situation, he feigned ignorance and asked anyway.
The question touched upon all of Anne Sutton’s bitter hardships.
Anne Sutton didn’t answer.
’How was she supposed to tell him she wasn’t doing well?’
’Not at all!’
Anne Sutton said, "I’m sorry."
Hearing her say those two words, Butler Walters grew alarmed. "Why are you apologizing, Madam?"
Anne Sutton said, "Our child, Nathan’s and mine... I failed to protect him."
"..."
When Butler Walters heard this, he thought of Young Master Ian, the little boy who was usually a handful and gave everyone at home a headache...
But this whole affair was a secret of the Linden Family; even he didn’t dare speak of it carelessly outside the estate.
Within the Linden Family, Nathan Fawcett’s identity was a topic Anna Linden strictly forbade anyone from ever mentioning.
The real Ethan Linden had passed away. Now that Nathan Fawcett was back, she simply treated him as Ethan Linden, completely unwilling to hear anyone mention anything related to the Fawcett Family.
Butler Walters said, "Let me show you to a room so you can rest."
He then led Anne Sutton upstairs.
Only then did Anne Sutton discover... her luggage had already been brought here!
She looked at Butler Walters in disbelief and asked, "Why are all my things here?"
Butler Walters said, "You were ill, so Mr. Linden had us bring your things over. We’ve already checked you out of your hotel room."
’No wonder Ethan Linden brought me straight here!’
Anne Sutton couldn’t believe it. ’Isn’t this man being far too presumptuous?’
’Besides, I’m just here for Ian’s birthday party. Isn’t bringing all my luggage over a bit over the top?’
Just as Butler Walters finished speaking, Nathan Fawcett walked in. He stood in the doorway, looked at Anne Sutton, and asked, "Is there a problem?"
Butler Walters said, "Well then, I’ll see myself out."
With that, he left.
Anne Sutton asked, "Why did you have all my things moved here?"
Nathan Fawcett replied, "Didn’t you say you wanted to freshen up and change your clothes? Everything’s here now!"
He looked at her, his expression one of complete self-assurance.
Anne Sutton felt her own argument weaken. "But you didn’t have to move everything over!"
With his hands in his pockets, Nathan Fawcett said, "Just stay here until you leave Veridia. Ian adores you. He’s in my ear about you every single day, and it’s driving me crazy. You can keep him company. Besides, in your condition, I’m worried if you stay somewhere else, you could get sick and die and no one would even know."
"..." Listening to him, Anne Sutton retorted, "How could I possibly die from an illness? I told you, I’m fine. Look at me—I’ve slept, and now I’m perfectly okay, aren’t I?"
She was just about to argue further when Nathan Fawcett strode over and swept her into his arms.
By the time Anne Sutton reacted, she found herself airborne, carried in his arms bridal style.
"What are you doing?" she yelped, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck.
Nathan Fawcett placed her on the bed, slipped off her shoes, and sat on the edge. He pulled the covers over, then lay down beside her.
He wrapped his arm around her, not letting go.
Anne Sutton stared at the man so close to her, completely dumbfounded...
’What in the world is he doing?’
’Getting involved with her own brother-in-law like this... does he have any idea how much pressure she’s under?’
When Nathan Fawcett showed no reaction, Anne Sutton gave him a push.
He caught her hand and looked at her, his face a mask of impatience. "I stayed up with you at the hospital all night. Are you sure you want to mess with me right now?"
Anne Sutton: "..."
’He made it sound like he was the one being wronged.’
Anne Sutton said, "Go sleep somewhere else! The Linden estate is huge, don’t tell me this is the only bed. Or have someone move me to another room. If people find out I’m getting tangled up with my brother-in-law, I can’t even imagine what they’ll think."
’What happened at the hotel before was one thing; I was drunk then, and I didn’t know he was Nathan Fawcett’s brother.’
’But now, knowing the truth and still lying in bed with him... I feel like a criminal with a guilty conscience!’
As soon as Anne Sutton finished speaking, she tried to sit up. The mattress was so soft that it took considerable effort, but just as she managed to push herself upright, he hauled her back down.
Nathan Fawcett’s hand rested on her waist, holding her close.
Ever since he and she had been separated, there had been no other woman in his life. freeweɓnovel.cøm
His breath tickled her ear as he said playfully, "Don’t you find this more... thrilling, my dear sister-in-law?"
Forced to lie in his embrace, Anne Sutton stared at the man beside her. ’Listen to him,’ she thought, ’is that something a human being should even say?’
But Nathan Fawcett didn’t show the slightest hint of guilt. He closed his eyes again. "Go back to sleep. It’s not like we haven’t shared a bed before. What are you so afraid of?"
Although she had been drunk last time and nothing had happened between them, they had, after all, spent a whole night in the same bed.
Hearing this, Anne Sutton found herself at a loss for a rebuttal.
Soon, she could hear the even rhythm of Nathan Fawcett’s breathing as he fell asleep.
She lay in his arms, gazing at him, and realized just how much he resembled Nathan...
She raised a hand and gently traced his eyebrow. Even though she knew he wasn’t Nathan Fawcett, for a moment, she couldn’t help but let herself sink into the feeling.
’Just for a moment... I’ll pretend he’s Nathan Fawcett.’
She closed her eyes, despising herself for the thought.
’Just for a little while!’
...
When Anne Sutton woke up, the man beside her was gone.
There was a knock at the door, then several more.
Anne Sutton got out of bed and saw Butler Walters standing in the doorway.
He addressed Anne Sutton, "Madam."
Behind him stood two maids.
Anne Sutton took in the scene and asked, "What is it?"
Butler Walters replied, "Mr. Linden asked me to bring these for you. Some clothes, and your lunch."
He must have known she was traveling light, as he had even prepared an evening outfit for her.
’How thoughtful of him!’
Anne Sutton said, "Thank you."
She then let them in to set the items down.
It was already past lunchtime, but her meal had likely been delayed because she had been sleeping in.
Anne Sutton had been eating for a little while before she realized just how long she had slept.
’No wonder he was gone!’
She had just taken a few bites when Ian walked in. "Auntie."
Seeing him, Anne Sutton exclaimed, "Ian!"
Ian walked right over, placed a small hand on the table to steady himself, and stood on his tiptoes to feel her forehead with his other hand.
Anne Sutton: "..."
