Free Web NovelChapter 94: Chapter 94 A Familiar Little Face
Is this what they called running into an old enemy?
She and Diana had been regulars at this restaurant for years.
Who would have thought Ryan would choose this very place to celebrate his newfound freedom?
“He’s actually celebrating?” Diana gritted her teeth and let out a bitter laugh. “It’s like he can’t wait to be divorced from you! What did you ever do to him?”
Her blood was boiling.
At that moment, she felt like tearing the entire place apart.
She had thought today would finally be a chance for Rose to relax.
Instead, they had run into this kind of bad luck.
Rose glanced around, taking in the restaurant’s unusual atmosphere.
No wonder.
Romantic floral arrangements decorated every corner.
The host’s good mood was impossible to miss.
Was she really going to stay here and ruin such a lovely celebration?
“Let’s go somewhere else.”
Rose surveyed the carefully arranged decorations and simply patted Diana on the shoulder.
It wasn’t appropriate for an ex-wife and an ex-husband to appear at the same celebration.
Not to mention...
Ariel was coming too.
There was no point getting upset over something so meaningless.
Diana understood as well.
She shot an obscene gesture toward the second floor before storming off to retrieve the car.
Rose waited by the entrance for a moment before starting toward the mouth of the alley.
Then she unexpectedly ran into Ryan and Samantha, who were walking side by side toward the restaurant.
The two were chatting as they walked.
Although Samantha did most of the talking, Ryan listened attentively.
Every so often, the corners of his lips curved into a faint smile.
Rose even detected a trace of tenderness in his expression.
Perhaps her stare was too obvious.
Ryan suddenly looked up.
Their eyes met without warning.
He stopped walking.
Samantha noticed Rose as well and frowned slightly.
“What a coincidence.” Samantha quickly softened her expression. “But the restaurant isn’t accepting other guests today. Would you like to join us for dinner?”
The invitation sounded polite enough.
Yet somehow, it felt as though she and Ryan were the married couple extending courtesy to an outsider.
A trace of mockery flashed through Rose’s eyes.
What exactly was Samantha inviting her to do?
Watch Ryan celebrate his return to bachelorhood?
Listen while they discussed when he would marry Samantha?
“No thanks.”
Rose spoke slowly, her voice devoid of emotion. “I’m not interested in what’s in someone else’s bowl. It ruins my appetite. Feel free to enjoy it yourselves.”
Samantha’s smile stiffened.
Was Rose implying that she was living off someone else’s leftovers?
Was that a jab at her relationship with Ryan?
Ryan’s dark gaze settled on Rose.
That single sentence had managed to mock both of them.
Rose had no interest in continuing the conversation.
The divorce was already settled.
There was no reason to waste any more time on them.
Caleb had just texted her.
He and Ariel had already arrived at the entrance of the alley.
She hadn’t yet told him about the restaurant situation.
Without another word, she walked straight past Ryan and Samantha.
She didn’t spare them a second glance.
Samantha frowned.
Rose’s rough manners were undoubtedly the result of spending so many years growing up in the countryside.
No wonder she had never managed to win Ryan’s heart.
What man would truly like a woman like that?
Looping her arm through Ryan’s, Samantha carefully observed his expression.
Only after confirming that he wasn’t looking at Rose did she smile gently.
“Ryan, go inside first. I left my bag in the car.”
“Alright.”
Ryan glanced toward the restaurant.
*****
Rose had barely emerged from the alley when she saw Ariel jump out of the car.
The moment the little girl spotted her, her face lit up.
“Mommy!”
Ariel ran toward her with open arms.
Rose immediately crouched down and caught her.
“How about we go to a different restaurant today?” Rose gently stroked Ariel’s cheek. “This one’s fully booked.”
Ariel looked regretfully toward the alley.
But she obediently nodded. “That’s okay. We can come back another time.”
Rose quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Caleb glanced at his phone before walking over.
Choosing his words carefully, he asked Ariel, “Are they here?”
Diana had just sent him a message.
He had only seen it moments ago.
Rose silently nodded.
An uneasy feeling immediately settled in Caleb’s chest.
He ruffled Ariel’s hair. “I’ll look for another restaurant.”
Rose crouched down and began fixing Ariel’s hair.
Not far away, Ryan emerged from the restaurant again.
After taking a few steps, he suddenly froze.
His gaze had landed on them.
Rose was crouched in front of Ariel, patiently redoing the little girl’s side braid.
Her movements were gentle and practiced.
Afterward, she adjusted Ariel’s light-purple bucket hat and tilted the girl’s face slightly.
Then Rose smiled and pointed to her own cheek.
Even from a distance, Ryan could still see the dimples that appeared when she smiled.
Ariel immediately understood.
Wrapping her arms around Rose’s neck, she planted a loud kiss on her cheek.
Mother and daughter stood bathed in the warm orange glow of the streetlamp.
The scene was indescribably warm.
Ryan’s long strides came to an abrupt halt.
His deep gaze lingered on Rose before slowly shifting to the little girl.
They were too far away.
The brim of the hat partially obscured the child’s features.
He could only make out the rough outline of her profile.
Still...
Something about her seemed strangely familiar.
Oliver happened to step outside for a cigarette.
Following Ryan’s gaze, he looked over and laughed in surprise.
“Who knew Rose had such a maternal side? For a second, I almost thought that little girl was hers.”
He studied the scene more carefully.
Objectively speaking, Rose truly was beautiful.
The warm glow only made her look even more striking.
Then he shrugged. “Looks like she really loves children. I guess she’s always regretted never having one with you.”
His gaze shifted toward Caleb.
Caleb stood beside them, smiling as he watched Rose and Ariel.
Oliver frowned. “Why do they look so much like a family of three?”
There was something oddly natural about the picture.
Almost too natural.
“And whose child is that little girl?”
The sight made him uncomfortable.
Had Rose forgotten her status?
Was she really playing house with another man and someone else’s child?
Didn’t she realize how easily people could misunderstand?
Ryan’s eyes darkened slightly.
Just then, Ariel seemed to sense someone watching her.
She turned her head.
And looked directly at him.
That single glance was enough.
Ryan finally got a clear look at her face.
Instantly, a memory surfaced.
The little girl who had bumped into him at the kindergarten not long ago.
For some reason, Ryan’s brows furrowed.
Without realizing it, he quickened his pace and headed straight toward them.
