Third Person's POV
"Yeah, but perhaps it's a trial from heaven for you two!" Blake empathized with Leo's helplessness and distress.
"This trial is sheer agony!" Leo winced at the thought of breaking up with Sunny—it felt like being flayed alive.
Blake let out a faint smile. "I always thought your interest in her was fleeting, but it seems she's become more precious to you than life itself."
"How did you and Catherine persist back then?" Leo earnestly sought advice from Blake.
"A large part of our ability to endure was thanks to the support of our two little ones!" Thinking of the children, Blake's lips curled into a smile.
Leo was taken aback. "Are you suggesting I get Sunny pregnant?"
Blake didn't object. "Do you think it's feasible?"
"I don't know!" Leo's mind was a blank. He couldn't think of any other way out.
"There's nothing that softens the hearts of elders like the prospect of a child!" Blake insisted that children were the finest glue for mending family bonds.
"I'm afraid Granny would be even angrier!" Leo said with a wry smile.
"After Granny fury subsides, she'll inevitably come to cherish the idea of a grandchild. Why not give it a try? Short of this, I can't think of any other way to salvage your relationship!" Blake urged Leo to take the chance.
Leo didn't know how he made it home. Each step felt unbearably heavy, his thoughts a chaotic tangle.
He hadn't expected that he, the nonchalant Leo, would face such a dilemma. Truly, no one's life ever runs entirely smoothly.
Standing at the door, Leo reached to unlock it with his fingerprint but froze mid-action.
Knowing she was inside, just beyond the door, he found himself unable to face her.
He patted his inner jacket pocket—no cigarettes, no lighter.
Turning away, he pressed the elevator button. The elevator took him straight to the underground parking lot.
His designated spot held two sports cars.
He opened one and sat inside, retrieved his cigarettes and lighter, and lit one.
Cyan smoke curled upward, enveloping his face.
Only his deep eyes betrayed his confusion, wrestling with the agony of choice.
After smoking several cigarettes in the car, dampening his inner torment, he returned to the entrance.
Unlocking the door with his thumb, he pushed it open to find the room eerily quiet.
"Had she gone out?"
Leo's heart lurched. Unaccustomed to this silence, he hurried to the bedroom.
Opening the door, his taut heart finally relaxed.
There she was, curled under the covers, fast asleep. His chaotic emotions stilled at the sight.
He tiptoed to the bedside. She slept soundly, her beautiful face still pale.
Lately, her rest had been poor. She often woke from nightmares, drenched in cold sweat. Leo ached to see her like this.
"Sunny, what should I do?" he whispered to her tranquil face, his mind a blank.
For the first time, he was truly lost, unable to decide.
He had promised that he would break up with her, but now, facing her, Leo realized that making this decision was not as easy as he had thought.
"Mmm…"
Her delicate brow furrowed suddenly in a nightmare, unable to escape.
Leo instinctively bent down, his warm palm gripping her clenched fist on the covers.
Sunny jolted awake, her eyes snapping open.
"Are you awake?" Leo knew she was easily startled these days. His touch had woken her before.
"Back already?" Sunny relaxed upon seeing him, her lazy smile lighting up her sleepy face.
"Did you eat at noon?" Leo asked, concerned she hadn't eaten properly alone.
"Sandwich," she replied with a smile, sitting up. Then she noticed, "Why are you back so early at noon? Didn't you say you'd be busy and come back tonight?"
Leo looked into her bright eyes, suddenly unwilling to burden her with his decision.
Yet, he knew he couldn't hide it forever. If he didn't tell her, Patricia surely would.
"I need to talk to you!" Leo's voice was grave.
Sunny, noting his serious expression, stiffened. "Go on," she said softly, masking her turmoil.
"Patricia... she seems to know about your connection to Olivia." Leo sighed, delivering the news.
Sunny shuddered inwardly, but forced a calm facade.
"Figured we couldn't hide it long. What did she say?" Sunny replied with a bitter smile, masking her anxiety and panic. She dared not show her true feelings, fearing it would put Leo in a more difficult position.
"She wants us to break up." Leo locked eyes with her, fearing she'd despair upon hearing this.