Cold eyes observed the child who appeared out of the blue, carrying an array of things. He looked her up and down, then down to up.
Then he turned to Flora: "Where did you pick up this little one? She looks so tiny, can she even cook?"
Flora was torn between laughter and tears.
She'd never imagined the first thing Matthew would care about when seeing Emma would be this.
Before she could reply, Emma dumped her belongings, planted her hands on her hips, puffed her cheeks at the man before her: "Listen here, mister, I cook really well.
But it's not your turn to eat... hmph!"
Matthew ignored the little girl, lowering his voice to ask Flora: "This helper of yours... doesn't she bother you, being a third wheel between us? Such a glaring light bulb..."
"We're not just the two of us, there are two more children." Flora shrugged: "Don't tell me you've forgotten about our kids?"
Truthfully, this meeting wasn't spontaneous, it was planned beforehand.
Matthew had always wanted to take Flora and their children out for a day, to unwind and refresh, to enjoy the familial happiness together.
He nearly forgot about it today because of Selena's attention.
It was only after receiving Flora's reply message that he remembered.
But that didn't mean he liked having an unknown third-party acting as a glaring lamp between them.
In his eyes, everyone around Flora was a subject of jealousy.
And so, Matthew, with his dark expression, drove.
It wasn't until they met their twin children that his face relaxed slightly.
"Mom!" The girl shouted as soon as she saw her mother: "I missed you so much!"
She threw herself into her mother's arms, hugging her tightly.
Her lips bore a smile of happiness that hadn't been seen for a long time.
Flora, holding her daughter, scanned the surroundings, looking for the silhouette of her son.
When she found him, her face darkened instantly.
The little rascal was sitting on the ground by the road, his hands tirelessly moving over a laptop keyboard.
"Charlie, why are you using such valuable things? Are you so engrossed that you can't even see your mom?"
"Mom, don't bother me!" The boy replied evenly, a serious expression on his face that was a miniature copy of Matthew's: "I'm working." It was actual work, not to be disturbed.
Flora was about to retort, but the man next to her tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to stop bothering their son.
Matthew leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper: "Our son is a prodigy."
"His talent is extraordinary, and so is his dedication. I took him to the company's design department the other day, and his skills immediately swayed the head of the department. They've signed a contract with him, now all we have to do is wait for his design to be finished."
Once the design was completed, naturally, it would be examined and applied.
Flora's eyes widened in surprise. She knew her son was clever, but never imagined his intelligence could reach such heights.
Just as the boy's father had suggested, it wasn't an overstatement to call him a prodigy.
In the past, she had simply assumed that his fascination with peculiar books and his constant scribbling were merely pastimes.
Matthew tenderly kissed her cheek, a warm smile spreading across his face: "Thank you for raising such incredible children." His gratitude was genuine and profound.
Even once they settled in the picnic area, their son's gaze remained glued to his laptop screen. He was utterly absorbed in his own world, completely isolated from the bustling environment around him.
Suddenly, a voice filled with excitement echoed from behind them: "The young master's drawings are exquisite! So talented! He could become an artist one day!"
The sudden, high-pitched declaration not only darkened the boy's focused expression, but also startled everyone else.
Matthew glanced at his visibly irritated son, grumbled: "Can you keep it down? If you can't, then leave!"
Emma pouted and crossed her arms: "Grouchy old man! I won't play with you anymore... Miss, let's go prepare the food."
The sun gradually rose higher.
The picnic area, teeming with trees, boasted a refreshing air quality.
Flora was delighting in these rare peaceful moments with her little family.
She took a deep breath and smiled. Having weathered many storms and challenges, she found herself cherishing the simplest joys in life even more.
Suddenly, the sound of a crash rang out, followed by the clattering of dishes and Emma's dramatic cries for help: "Miss, help me!!! Everything's ruined!"
All four family members paused their activities and turned towards Emma.
The commotion was indeed significant, as was the ensuing destruction.
Flora's face darkened in an instant. She thought Emma had wanted to come along to help, not wreak havoc. Everything she touched turned into a mess. Now, all the prepared food was on the ground.
Looking at the jumbled mess of food and Emma, covered head to toe in soda, Matthew's forehead throbbed with a vein.
They had barely managed to relax with their family for one day, and a rambunctious kid had ruined it all.
Given the circumstances...they had no choice but to head home early.
"Emma..." Flora sighed, cautiously gauging the mood of the man standing next to her.
He was not pleased.
Understandably so, this was their first picnic outing since they had been together.
He didn't say anything, but it was clear he had been looking forward to it.
Matthew picked up his daughter: "Watch your step, don't step on any of this. Let's go home!" His voice, though controlled, held a hint of suppressed anger.
Their son wordlessly closed his laptop, got up, and followed his father. But not before casting a sidelong glance at Emma, who was trying to look remorseful.
The once cheery and relaxed atmosphere had been shattered. Only Flora and Emma were left standing, staring at each other.
After a few minutes of choked silence, Flora finally managed to squeeze out a question: "Did you do this on purpose?"
"Ha ha... No..." Emma lowered her head, avoiding Flora's gaze, forcing out a laugh: "Miss... How could I possibly...do this intentionally..."
"If you didn't do it on purpose, then look me in the eyes, and repeat what you just said!" Flora's voice was unintentionally stern.
She wasn't naive enough not to notice the girl's unusual behavior.
Emma was far from clumsy.
She had always been capable of handling all sorts of tasks at home alone, without breaking a thing.
Emma tilted her head up, casting a quick glance at Flora's unpleased expression, then hurriedly bowed her head.
As she awkwardly shuffled her feet, she stammered: "I apologize for ruining your date with Matthew! I was so clumsy!"
"Your actions were quite apparent." Flora sighed: "I am not a fool.
If you cannot provide an explanation, I do not think I can keep you around any longer.
After all, I have no idea when you might ruin something of mine." She was deeply disappointed by Emma's autonomous behavior.
It seemed Flora's words caused Emma immense discomfort. The girl blurted out: "I wouldn't intentionally disrupt your date with Matthew if it was..." She paused mid-sentence as she realized she had spilled the beans, hastily covering her mouth.
But Flora had already heard it.
She furrowed her brows: "So, you admit it?"
Emma's visage was a picture of weariness, left with no option but to nod in agreement: "Yes, it's true.
I'm sorry, but... I just wanted what was best for you.
In the recent time that I have been with you, I've seen who truly cherishes you.
Lately, that man... Patrick has been constantly drinking, and after getting drunk, he incessantly calls your name.
I find him very pitiful..."
Flora was slightly taken aback.
In front of her, Patrick always portrayed a poised demeanor, seemingly never having experienced suffering.
Suddenly, she had forgotten that he was merely a mortal, prone to bouts of sadness and depression.
She was even more surprised that he would resort to alcohol.
Even calling her name when drunk... Still, that could not justify Emma's irrational actions.
"You like him more, I see that he's a better match for you.
Matthew, he's made you so upset... I see the two of you being happy together, you even forgave him, so I couldn't help but intervene..." Her fingers knotted together nervously, her toes digging into the grass rug, a clear indication of her discomfort.
"But this is my business." Flora was stern, not swayed by the girl's explanation: "Even if everyone's intention is to do good by me, you cannot act on my behalf under the pretense of 'doing what's best for me'.
Do you understand?"
Having said that, she felt she might have been too harsh, so she softened her tone: "Emma, you are still young, and you don't understand love.
Just because someone is kind to you doesn't mean you should be with them, like me and Patrick, he's not the one I need.
So... in the future, could you please not interfere in my affairs?"
My affairs are for me to decide.
Regardless of who the other person might be.
Emma seemed to understand partially, but nodded in agreement with Flora's final words.
She would try her best not to meddle in her affairs in the future.
The picnic was ruined, Matthew was in a foul mood.
He remained silent from the campsite to Flora's apartment.
Feeling guilty, Emma took it upon herself to clean up, leaving the two alone.
After much thought, Matthew decided to clear the air: "Flora, move back to the mansion!" In his mind, she had moved out of the mansion due to a misunderstanding, now that it was cleared up, she should return.
Flora had never considered this, she shook her head: "You take the kids home first, I..."
"I what? The children, and I, we all need a complete and normal family." Matthew furrowed his brows, the tension in the confined space of the car was palpable.
He paused for a moment, then continued: "You know as well as I do, Paul's condition is incredibly complex.
If you return to the mansion, you may get to see the child a few times a week.
If you disagree, I won't force you, but I may have to contemplate sending our little one abroad for treatment..."
In a flash, Flora realized what he intended to say: "Are you threatening me?" Her tone involuntarily strained.
Matthew sighed heavily, acknowledging that their children were her ultimate boundary.
He wouldn't use them to manipulate her unless driven to absolute desperation.
But today, he perceived an unprecedented risk.
Because she was too close to another man, and because there were too many unpredictable elements around her.
"It depends on your decision..."
"But what about Selena?" Flora counter-questioned: "Don't tell me you plan to have me and her under the same roof.
Plus, my mother would never allow me to go back there..."
Noticing Matthew's expression, she speculated he hadn't considered this angle.
Selena was his legitimate wife, the mistress of the mansion, her place there was just and fitting.
But not Flora's, and not the children's.
Matthew bowed his head in deep contemplation, soon devising a solution: "Then I shall move here?"
And he did just as he said, Matthew promptly moved his belongings to the apartment where Flora resided.
But he didn't come alone.
As Flora opened the door, she saw the nonchalant man waiting outside, suitcase by his feet. She choked on her words before finally managing to utter: "You... really came?"
"What reason would I have to jest?" Matthew shrugged: "Your welcome expression... is truly unique!"
"Who is welcoming you?" Flora unconsciously raised her voice.