Semua Bab Second Marriage to the Billionaire: Ex-Husband Begs Me Not to Go: Bab 381 - Bab 390

“Enough! I’m talking to my son!” Lillian snapped, clearly irritated as her attention swung back to the call. “What is it?”“Mom, it’s not that I’m ignoring you. We came to the Duncan house first because Old Mr. and Mrs. Duncan are both still here. Out of respect, it’s only right we visit them first,” Mark explained patiently.“Well, now you’ve said your hellos, so come home for dinner,” Lillian shot back. “I went to the supermarket and bought all kinds of ingredients when I heard you were coming back. I’ve been cooking all afternoon. And now you tell me you’re not coming? What am I supposed to do with all that food?”“Mom, I told you earlier we’d come to the Duncans first, have a meal with them, and then head home. You’re the one who—” Mark trailed off, realizing it was pointless.“I’m the one who what?” Lillian’s voice rose sharply. “Is it so wrong for a mother to want her son and daughter-in-law to come home for a meal?”Then came the familiar sound of sniffling on the other end

“You don’t even know him!” Mark’s voice rose slightly, frustration creeping in. “You’ve barely been together—how can you be sure you really know everything about him? Have you ever thought that maybe the version of him you see isn’t the real one?”“You don’t know anything,” he added, glancing around and lowering his voice. “Aria, I’m certain Archer’s hiding something from you. Something serious—something that could really hurt you.”Aria let out a cold, mocking laugh. “If you’re so sure, then tell me. What exactly did he do that was so unforgivable? Show me the proof.”Mark’s lips tightened. He hesitated, then muttered, “I don’t have evidence yet. But I will find it. Just… promise me you won’t give him your full trust until I do. Don’t give him everything. I don’t want to see you get crushed later when the truth comes out.”Aria finally laughed outright—sharp and biting. “Let’s just pretend for a moment that you’re telling the truth. And I’m supposed to wait for you to ‘find out’?

Only when Melvin came over did Mark finally let go of Aria’s hand.Melvin’s big, dark eyes darted around cleverly, making his slightly round face look even more endearing.“Aria, Mark, what are you doing out here?” he asked with pure curiosity.“Lunch is ready. I came out to look for you,” Aria said gently. Inside, though, her mind was still spinning from what Mark had said. She was trying hard to shake off the weight of his words, but her thoughts were a mess.She hated to admit it, but what he said made her waver.She knew she could be a little blinded by love. She’d given so much of herself to Larry before. And now, meeting someone like Archer—someone who treated her well—she had thrown herself in completely. She dared to, because before their marriage, Archer had given her security: he’d transferred assets to her voluntarily and hadn’t even asked for a prenup.Archer was the heir of the Duncan family.And her? She was a fallen socialite, a once-proud daughter of the Jackso

Archer had no intention of letting Mark know that he was already aware of the situation.“Bro, what if someone takes my chicken drumstick?” Melvin asked anxiously.“Grandma will save one for you,” Aaron replied, the corner of his eye twitching. Every time food came up, Melvin acted like their family was too poor to buy him meat.When Archer returned to the dining room, everyone else was already seated. Without a word, he walked over and sat beside Aria.A few minutes later, Aaron finally came out with Melvin in tow, setting him down on a chair.Mark gave the two of them a suspicious look. Even though Melvin had been far away when he appeared earlier, Mark still couldn’t shake his wariness now.“What took so long?” Calvin asked.“He was playing in the dirt. I couldn’t let him sit down covered in mud, so I took him to wash up and change clothes,” Aaron explained casually.Melvin had indeed changed into clean clothes. Mark dropped his gaze, reassured for now.Meanwhile, Fifi sat

Marianne usually didn’t bother arguing with the younger generation. Over the years, she had grown even more kind and easygoing—but that didn’t mean she didn’t have a temper.Her face darkened now as she said coldly, “Mark, you came here for lunch without telling your family?”Mark’s expression stiffened. “I… forgot to mention it. I was busy.”“How careless can you be?” Grandma scolded, then called out to Lily. “Go and whip up a few dishes for our guest.”“No need, no need. I just came to check in,” Lilian said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “If I’d known you were all eating here, I wouldn’t have bothered making a whole table of food at home.”Both Calvin and Yvette looked displeased at her tone. Marianne quickly spoke again, “Fifi, go upstairs and pack up. You and Mark should head home to see your mother. We can’t keep her waiting. Lilian, while the kids are packing, please have a little something here. It’s not good to leave on an empty stomach. Mark really was