Free Web NovelChapter 335: Wendy Was Unable To Reject Him At All
After eating, Todd and Timothy stayed at Wendy’s house for a bit longer, sitting together and chatting. Wendy helped clean up the dishes. Today, with Zess having made an entire table of dishes, there were many plates.
"You can just go sit down and chat with them." Zess took the plate from Wendy’s hands and smiled as she pushed her out of the kitchen.
"I’ll help you clean up. It’s just Todd and Timothy. There’s no need for me to entertain them," Wendy said.
"No need. I can handle it myself," Zess smiled as she shook her head. "I’ll be done very quickly."
When Wendy was at home, she would normally help to do the housework together. Now that she did not go to the office for work at regular times, she had more free time. However, there was not much to do in the house. With Zen staying there as well, Zen also helped to clean around the house. It made Zess work hard to find things to do every day as she was afraid that she was going to lose her job.
Just then, Zen walked into the kitchen holding some dishes and said, "Let me help Zess. Wendy, you go sit and rest."
Wendy smiled a bit impatiently and shook her head. All she could do was to leave the kitchen to them. As she walked away, she said, "Zen, you shouldn’t help our either. Aren’t you pregnant? Come and rest together for a while."
Zen had already been helping out the entire afternoon with the dishes. "I’m fine." If Zen did not do something, she would feel uncomfortable. With a bit to do, she felt more comfortable. Zess initially wanted to chase Zen out as well, but Zen was so insistent, leaving her no choice but to allow her to help.
Wendy went back to the living room, sat on the sofa and watched television with Todd and Timothy. Just when she was beginning to relax, her phone rang. The call was from the mansion.
It was now already past New Year’s Eve over in Lake City. At this time, it was roughly the afternoon of New Year’s Day. It could only be Mrs. Lucas who would call from the mansion. Wendy was a little hesitant about whether or not to pick up this call.
Just then, Leah walked over from a side room and smiled as she asked, "Mommy, who is calling? Is it daddy?" Leah’s voice was full of anticipation.
Wendy smiled and passed the phone to Leah. "It’s great grandmother who has called. You can pick up." Thinking, Wendy added, "Maybe daddy is there too."
It was New Year’s Eve, Michael should have returned to the mansion. Mrs. Lucas would definitely let Michael stay for a night at the mansion. At that time, he should already be at the mansion.
Thinking of Michael, Wendy could not help but wonder, did Yonina follow him back there last night? She should have had. After all, they were going to be engaged soon. This year, they were very possibly spending the holidays at the mansion together.
Hearing that her father was present as well, Leah took the phone happily, her voice tender and full of joy, "Great grandmother, Happy New Year."
Wendy waved her hand at Leah, sending her go to the side to pick up the call. She was a little scared that she would hear Michael and Yonina’s voices through the phone.
Once Leah walked away, Todd saw that her once smiling face had sunk, and reached out to hold her hand as he comforted her, "Corrine, you’re now already back at Rheinsville City. Try not to think about matters of the past and don’t be worried about it anymore."
The warmth of his touch came from the back of Wendy’s hand and she withdrew her hand quietly with droopy eyelids. Everyone had seen the small action, but no one pointed it out directly. Everyone knew that it would be awkward if they mentioned it.
...
Todd Lewis looked as if nothing had happened.
He smiled, withdrew his hand, and said, "It’s still the local new year celebrations that’s nice to watch, right teacher?"
"Yeah, it’s a program that must be watched each year," Timothy Woods replied with a smile. The awkwardness quickly dissipated.
Timothy looked at Wendy Stewart and asked, "Corrine, what plans do you have after the new year?" Timothy added, "I’m referring to your work."
Wendy was Todd’s girlfriend as of now, or at least it was as such externally.
Timothy thought that Wendy might go and work at Todd’s company. This way, the chance of Wendy returning to HG would be slim.
"If you want to go to the Lewis Design Company, teacher is a little reluctant. But I won’t stop you either." Timothy’s tone was a little hesitant, "After all, it’s still your own matters that should take priority."
Wendy naturally understood what Timothy’s words implied.
Everyone thought that she was Todd’s girlfriend, all the more reason she could not go to the Lewis Design Company.
If she went, others might try to alter their relationship.
Wendy still needed to find a chance to clearly explain the matter.
It was not ideal to drag it on.
"Our company has been in need of talent, Corrine, why don’t you come to Lewis Design Company, I’ll be leaving the vice-chair’s position for you." What Todd said was true, he really had been planning to leave the vice-chair position for Wendy. Of course, he knew that Wendy was not willing to go.
Todd and Timothy waited for Wendy’s answer.
"Let’s talk again after the new year." Wendy said, "I’ll decide after considering it for a few days." Wendy was to decide whether to go to HG, not decide whether to go to HG or to Lewis Design Organization.
She would definitely not be going to Lewis Design Organization. The only reason not to reject it now was so that she would not put Todd in an uncomfortable position.
"Mommy, grandmother says that she wants to speak with you." Leah Lewis took the phone and ran towards Wendy with clumsy steps.
Wendy had hoped not to receive this call, she would never have let Leah pick up knowing who it was. But grandmother had asked specifically to speak with her, so Wendy could not reject.
Pursing her lips, Wendy took the phone, "Grandmother, happy new year."
"Happy new year, Wendy..." Grandmother’s tone was a little frail, it sounded like her condition was not very good. "Are you okay there at Rheinsville City? If you’re not used to it, come back. You said the last time that you’d come back to see me, but in the end you went and never returned."
"I’ve been living in Rheinsville City for five years, I’ve long gotten used to living here." Wendy forced a smile and after being silent for a while, she realized that she did not know what else to say. "Grandmother, please take care of your health."
"Grandmother, it’s time to have breakfast." Yonina Collins’s voice was on the other end of the line.
"Yonina, slowly, you’re pregnant, be more careful." It was Winnie Quinn’s voice.
"I’m fine, auntie," Yonina replied. ƒrēewebnovel.com
Although Winnie’s mind was a little abnormal, her condition grew a little more stable after she found out that Yonina was pregnant and soon to be engaged to Michael Lucas.
Now, she was erratic.
Wendy lowered her head slightly when she heard the voices on the other end of the line.
Indeed, she should not have spoken with grandmother.
"Grandmother, you go eat, we’ll chat again later when there’s a chance." Wendy hung up the phone.
Grandmother on the other end heaved a sigh as she heard the beeping of the phone being hung up.
She looked at Yonina and Winnie dissatisfied.
....
Timothy Woods and Todd Lewis stayed a bit more at Wendy Stewart’s house before going home.
Wendy took them downstairs.
"No need to send us off, Wendy, we’ll go back ourselves," Timothy said.
Wendy took a look at Todd and said, her eyes slightly droopy, "Mr. Woods, why don’t you go first, I would like to have a few words with Todd."
Timothy looked at Wendy, then looked at Todd, then seemingly understood something as he smiled and nodded, "It’s me who’s ignorant, y’all should talk a bit on this occasion today."
Wendy knew that Timothy had misunderstood but did not explain. The person she had to explain to was Todd. ƒreewebɳovel.com
After Timothy left, Wendy said to Todd, "Let’s walk a bit?"
Todd had a bad feeling deep down but could only nod.
They walked in the little garden in the neighborhood.
It was now already close to 11 pm, the night breeze was a little cold. Todd took off his jacket and draped it over Wendy. "Don’t catch a cold."
"Todd, you don’t need to be so good to me." Wendy pursed her lips as she took the jacket off, returned it to Todd and sighed, "You being so good to me will only make me feel more guilty. Todd, I’m not worth it."
Wendy’s words filled Todd with sorrow in an instant.
Indeed, Wendy wanted to talk about this matter with him.
That night, Wendy had actually wanted to say it clearly to Todd, but Todd had deliberately dragged it on.
He too knew that he could not drag it on forever. Even if Wendy did not say it today, she would say it tomorrow. If not tomorrow then the day after tomorrow, or the day after that.
To Wendy, this matter was a huge stone. If she did not say anything, it would press against her heart forever. She had no way of peacefully accepting the goodwill that Todd showed her.
"I think you’ve guessed what I’m going to talk about." Wendy lowered her head slightly, not daring to look into Todd’s eyes, her voice was serious and low. "I know that you like me, and are very good towards me and Leah and Jake. I have no way of returning it to you at all, and this has made me feel very guilty.
"I initially wanted to say these things to you a few days ago but I haven’t found the appropriate time. Today of course is not a good time either, but I can’t hold it in anymore. The more you’re good to me, the more I feel like telling you clearly, because I’m afraid that you’d be let down."
Wendy’s words quickly made the atmosphere grow tense. Today was not indeed a good day, but Wendy wanted to settle this matter.
"The last time you confessed your feelings for me, I actually wanted to reject. But there were too many people at that time, if I’d rejected, you’d have become a laughing stock.
"Furthermore, everyone had treated it as if I had agreed, so I had no way of explaining again in front of so many people." Wendy said, "So I can only explain it to you in private. Sorry, Todd, I can’t be your girlfriend."
Todd had been mentally prepared. He was quiet for a while, then asked looking at Wendy, "Corrine, can I ask why you won’t be my girlfriend?" Not waiting for Wendy’s reply, Todd continued, "Is it because you still have feelings for Michael?
"Or is it because you’ve lost the ability to love someone, and don’t want to find out that you don’t love me at the end of it then feel that you’ve owed me in this relationship?
"Or are you worried that once we’re together, I wouldn’t be a good stepfather to the two children?"
Wendy Stewart sucked in a deep breath, raised her head, and looked at Todd Lewis as she smiled lightly, "There’s no way for Michael and me to go back to the past, he is about to be engaged to Yonina. I’m not worried about you not being good to the two children either, you’ve been very very good to them.
"While I’m in Rheinsville City, people who don’t know about our relationship presume that you are the children’s father. How could you not be good to them? It’s me. I’m afraid of owing you."
"But Corrine, don’t you think that you’re being unfair to me like that?" Todd reached out and grabbed Wendy’s shoulder, forcing her to look at him as he said each word, "You say that you’re afraid of owing me, but you’re not even willing to give me a chance.
"A relationship that you’re won’t even give the chance to start, don’t you feel that this is owing?"
"I..." Wendy pursed her lips as she said, "I’m afraid of owing you, that’s why I don’t dare to start it with you. Just as you said, I’ve already lost the ability to love someone.
"In the next half of my life, I no longer intend to love another man, I just want to take care of my two children and for them to grow up well."
"But you’ve never asked me if I’m willing." Todd smiled as he shook his head, "Corrine, what I want is just a chance to start. I won’t force you to love me, I’m already prepared for the fact that you’ll never love me in this lifetime.
"I’m not afraid of failing, what I’m afraid of it not having the chance to start. Even if you’ll never love me in this lifetime, as long as you’ve given me a chance, I’ll take it. I chose to give up because I thought that you and Michael could be well.
"Now that Michael has let you down, I don’t want to let you be with any other man. I want to take care of you, take care of your mother and children for the rest of your life. Besides, our professions are similar too, we have much in common. You and I would be more suitable than you and Michael."
"Todd..." Wendy sighed and said, "I can’t be prepared to love another person at all, do you understand? Even if you give us a chance, the outcome would still be hopeless. Rather than that, I’ll say it clearly now, we’ll continue to be friends, wouldn’t it be better than us separating when something happens?"
Todd shook his head, "Corrine, just why are you so certain that we don’t have any chance? Why won’t you even try? Even if the outcome is bleak after trying, we’ve at least tried."
"I..." Wendy did not know what else she could say.
"Corrine, I’m very serious." Todd looked straight at Wendy and said, "At least, don’t reject me so absolutely. Other than love at first sight, can’t relationships also be built with time?
"As long as you’re able to open your heart, I believe that you’ll fall in love with me. Even if you can’t love me in this lifetime, I won’t force you. Even if you love someone else in time, just tell me and I’ll wish y’all only happiness. Just like...I wished for you and Michael back then.
"I just need you to give me a chance, let me try." Todd was unusually serious as he said, "I absolutely will not force you to do anything you’re not willing to."
Todd’s words made Wendy unable to reject him at all.
The man had already said it to this extent, and he had quietly loved her for five years, helping and protecting her.
When she and Michael were in a good relationship, he really had silently wished for their happiness without interfering.
Wendy’s words of rejection stuck in her throat, unable to be spoken out.
