บททั้งหมดของ Why the Crocodile Tears?: บทที่ 291 - บทที่ 300

Back when Gregory lived in this villa alone, the garden had only a few pines and oaks—lush, but dull. Cold, even.Then Anathea moved in. Little by little, the garden began to bloom with flowers of all kinds. Every plant in the flowerbed came from her hands. He could still picture her tending them. Her head was slightly lowered, and her long lashes fluttered under the sun. She looked so beautiful it made him want to claim her for himself.Gregory wanted Anathea to look at him that way. But ever since she told him she no longer loved him, she hadn't shown that expression in front of him.Anathea had always been someone who felt things deeply. She showed tenderness to so many—Jenny, who worked night shifts; the maids who shoveled snow in the dead of winter; and even these flowers, which couldn't speak.But she didn't feel for Gregory anymore.And that stung.However, the way she looked at those flowers with such tenderness was simply beautiful. Her eyes were clear and luminous, an

Anathea looked at the man in front of her. Sometimes, dealing with someone like Gregory felt exhausting. But with Adam's life in his hand, she knew better than to start a pointless fight over something so small.Her only goal now was survival. She needed to keep the peace and avoid conflict where she could.So she smiled faintly. "Of course not, honey."She didn't know if the nickname satisfied him, but she could feel the way Gregory kept his eyes locked on her for a long time. It was long enough to make her uneasy.Finally, he let go and walked toward the dining table.He'd already noticed the cream cake sitting on the table. The frosting had started to melt a little, making it look kind of sad, but that didn't stop him from grabbing a fork and digging in."As expected from you, Annie. It's so sweet and rich."His gaze then shifted to the dishes next. "And my favorite dishes."Gregory instantly knew Anathea had made them herself. "Did you make these for me? They look delicious

Gregory watched the flush creep up the tips of Anathea's ears before finishing his sentence."I mean your cake and cooking."Anathea shot him a sharp look.Smiling, he pinched her cheek, then finally let her go. He grabbed a candle and stuck it into the cake."It's only 11:00 pm. There's still an hour left until midnight. My birthday isn't over yet." He lit the candle with a lighter. The flickering flame cast shadows across his sharply defined features.Standing before the nearly melted cake, he raised his hands, closed his eyes, and softly made a wish. "I wish for Annie and the baby to be safe, healthy, and happy.""Wishes don't come true if you say them out loud," Anathea said, glancing at him.Gregory looked genuinely puzzled. "Really?""You've never made a birthday wish before?" Anathea frowned."No." Gregory shook his head. "I've never celebrated my birthday before. This is my first."Anathea froze for a second, staring at him, unsure if he was messing with her. How coul

Gregory lowered his gaze to Anathea and started unbuttoning her pajamas, revealing her smooth shoulder.As he watched the soft blush on her face, he reached up to gently caress her cheek and smiled. "We've been married for so many years, and you're still this shy?"Anathea bit her lip and looked away to avoid his gaze. Her voice was barely a whisper. "Be gentle.""Don't worry. I won't hurt you." Gregory's tone softened as he watched her delicate nose move with each breath she took. His deep, husky voice became like a lullaby, gently lingering in her ear."I just want you to be happy."The moonlight outside was bright and clear. It streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows and cast a glow across the floor, where clothes were scattered. The white walls reflected the figures of two people entwined.Gregory was no longer the man who demanded everything from her. Tonight, he was tender and considerate, as if he was trying to please her and make sure she felt joy in every moment.

Seeing the teasing, curious look on Giselle's face, Anathea paused for a moment. Her tone sounded a bit off as she replied, "Just… like that.""Like what?" Giselle asked with a grin.Anathea recalled Gregory's tender expression under the moonlight last night. His voice was deep and affectionate as he whispered to her, "Annie, I just want you to be happy."She felt a warmth rising beneath her calm exterior, but she quickly regained her composure and said calmly, "Let's go. Gregory will get suspicious if we waste too much time."Gregory was notoriously strict when it came to Adam's confinement. He wouldn't allow Giselle anywhere near him, especially not as a lawyer trying to reopen Adam's case.So, taking advantage of the moment last night when Gregory had let his guard down, Anathea had managed to get him to agree to let her visit Adam.She might have had too much pride to use such tactics in the past, but now, she had no choice.Warfare strategies followed a specific sequence. B