Semua Bab Why the Crocodile Tears?: Bab 321 - Bab 330

Anathea bit her bottom lip. She didn't pick up her utensils.As expected, nothing good ever happened whenever Eleanor was around. But Anthea was baffled—how did Eleanor know she was pregnant in the first place? Surely the "special" feast served today couldn't be a coincidence."Why aren't you eating?" Eleanor asked in puzzlement. "Don't tell me that not a single dish I've prepared today appeals to your appetite, Anathea."Before Anatheaw could answer, Eleanor added with a touch of disappointment, "Although you and Gregory are married, you don't visit me often enough for me to learn your food preferences. If none of these dishes are to your liking, I'll have the chef prepare new ones for you, alright?"No sooner had Eleanor said this than the other relatives of the Sinclair family shot judgmental looks at Anathea.Anathea didn't have to meet their gaze to know they were eyeing her with hostility. After all, Eleanor had all but called Anathea arrogant despite having married into t

All hell broke loose again after Gregory made his stance clear, shattering the silence."Who gave you the right to speak out of turn, you punk?" Holden struck the table and shot to his feet. "How dare you talk down to your mother over a mere woman?""My wife isn't just a mere woman," Gregory countered icily. "And I saw the need to clarify matters."With that, he cast a long, hard look at Eleanor. "My wife hasn't visited you all this time because when she dropped by to see you on multiple occasions in the past, you refused to entertain her. Isn't that right?"Eleanor made no reply. After all, that was the truth.When Anathea and Gregory first got married, Anathea had indeed swung by the Sinclair residence to visit Eleanor. But Eleanor never cared to waste any time on a woman like Anathea, so she had the maids tell Anathea to leave. She'd done it in front of the Sinclairs' relatives a few times too.Eleanor had been certain Anathea wouldn't reveal that she was married to Gregory

Gregory froze for a moment, then smiled slightly.A flicker of surprise flashed in Theo's eyes, followed by a dimming gloom.Anathea's words were like a stone thrown into seemingly calm waters, instantly stirring up a storm beneath the surface."What? Gregory's wife is pregnant?""No wonder. Pregnant women really shouldn't be eating those dishes.""So, that means the family is about to welcome another kid. Congratulations!"In an instant, all those normally indifferent people gave their fake, overenthusiastic wishes."But if she was pregnant, why didn't she say anything earlier?" someone asked, puzzled."Exactly. It's not some shameful secret. Why did they hide it?"Anathea lowered her gaze. She could feel all the probing stares coming from every direction.The reason she hadn't wanted to say anything was precisely because she didn't want to go through this—being scrutinized by people whose eyes felt as though they could pierce straight into her soul, leaving her chest tight

After Gregory had left the table, Anathea's eyes fell on the box of candied lemon peel on the table. It had delicate carvings on its surface.Suddenly, she realized that it had been a long time since she last saw Brisa.Brisa had always treated her well, as if Anathea were her real granddaughter. Yet, Anathea had left without a word. She felt guilty about that. Now that she was at the Sinclair residence, she figured it was only right to go visit Brisa.So, she picked up the box and followed the direction Gregory had gone in.But as soon as she stepped out of the corridor, even before she turned the corner, she heard two people arguing.It was Gregory and Theo. "You normally keep your cool in front of Uncle Holden. Yet, this time, you picked a fight with him right in front of Mr. Sinclair Senior. You'd be lying if you said this wasn't on purpose!"Anathea froze in place, her steps halting as though concrete had been poured over her feet.She just stood there, silently listening

Gregory took a deep breath and started explaining. "Annie, I… I didn't mean… what I said. I just…"He just couldn't stand it. He couldn't stand having his flaws brought up again and again. Each time, it reopened his wounds and made him question his worth.The truth was, he genuinely wanted to love Anathea like a normal person.When he fought with Holden earlier, he hadn't really thought it through. He'd just wanted to keep the promise he made to Anathea.Since she didn't want to reveal the pregnancy, he'd been determined to protect that secret, even if it meant offending the entire Sinclair family.If Lennox insisted on calling her a jinx, then so be it. Gregory was nothing but a fish on the brink of death in a barren desert—Anathea was the only thing he needed, jinx or not.But he had to admit that he had a small, selfish desire in his heart. When he heard Anathea admit in front of everyone that she was carrying his child, he felt indescribable joy.That was only one selfish de