Chapter 319
The morning sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, spilling into the room. Anathea slept deeply and dreamlessly the night before. The blanket tucked around her felt like a warm, cozy cocoon as she slowly roused from slumber.
She was about to get up when she felt the warm breath tickling the shell of her ear.
Anathea turned her head to the side, only to find herself tucked in Gregory’s embrace. His breathing was deep and steady, a clear indication that he was still asleep.
There was practically zero distance between their tightly pressed–together bodies. His hand was on her abdomen, and she could feel the heat of his palm against her skin.
Prying his hand off her abdomen, Anathea made to scoot out of his embrace.
But the next second, she felt a kiss on her nape as Gregory pulled her even closer to him. He buried his chin in the nook between her neck and shoulder, murmuring hoarsely, “Be good. Let’s sleep in a while longer.”
They behaved as a loving, married couple would in the morning. It was also similar to the idyllic life Anathea had envisioned for herself after she’d married Gregory.
Her lashes fluttered in hesitation, but she found herself saying, “It’s late. We should get up. Didn’t you say we’re expected to be at the Sinclair residence for lunch?”
They stayed about an hour’s drive away from the Sinclair residence, and it was already 9:30 am. They would leave the villa past ten in the morning at the earliest after washing up.
It was only after hearing Anathea’s reminder that Gregory slowly opened his eyes, his bleary gaze edged with reluctance.
Before he’d finally realized he was in love with Anathea, he’d always seen her as a tool or an outlet for his pent–up physical urges. He’d never thought about hugging her, either.
And now that he’d realized he loved her, she avoided him like the plague. She would get up much earlier than he did, and he would wake up to find that she was gone.
It was rare that she would sleep in. If Gregory had to be honest, he’d been secretly thrilled when he found her tucked in his arms Having her in his embrace when he woke up in the morning gave him a sense of peace and security.
He decided that he quite liked the feeling, so he hoped to hold her and stay in bed with her for
However, Lennox was never one to tolerate tardiness from the younger generation.
a while more.
If Gregory wanted to introduce Anathea to the old man, he couldn’t risk sleeping in with her and causing her to leave a bad impression on Lennox.
As such, Gregory kissed the silky strands of Anathea’s hair and finally let her go.
Anathea propped herself up, then slipped out of bed to wash up and dress up for lunch. Her appetite had yet to return, and she only managed to have a bowl of organic oatmeal.
Gregory peeled a hard–boiled egg and set it in Anathea’s bowl. “You need to eat a little more; you’re too skinny as it is.”
For some reason, Anathea had been losing weight recently, and she was starting to look a little gaunt. Perhaps she hadn’t been eating or resting well before.
had Martin hire a nutritionist to oversee your meals and diet,” Gregory added.
Anathea nodded once and ate the egg, though eating it felt almost arduous.
They arrived at the Sinclair residence at 11:00 am.
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Chapter 319
+25 BONUS
Gregory took Anathea’s hand as if it were the most natural thing to do, while Jenny led an obedient Xander along as they fell in step behind the couple.
Lennox hardly ever came home, and a crowd had gathered at the luncheon to dine with him.
When the crowd saw Gregory holding Anathea’s hand like a doting husband, they couldn’t help but do a double–take. Even Isabel was stunned by the sight. As far as she recalled, Gregory and Anathea were never this close.
Eleanor stared at Gregory and Anathea expressionlessly, her gaze falling on the latter’s lower abdomen, which had yet to show signs of pregnancy. A thoughtful gleam flashed in her eyes.
When Lennox saw Anathea, he teased Gregory, “You brat. I see you’ve finally gotten over yourself and brought your wife here, huh?”
Gregory smiled but said nothing, while Anathea addressed Lennox politely, “Hello, Mr. Sinclair Senior.”
“Well done.” Lennox appraised Anathea cursorily and nodded in satisfaction. “You should have introduced her to me sooner.”
“It’s not too late now anyway.” Gregory snaked an arm around Anathea’s waist and guided her to their table. After that, he rose and excused himself for a moment.
Anathea was left alone at the table.
The lunch at the Sinclair residence was such a grand, elaborate affair that dining together at the same table became impractical. As such, the Sinclairs had set up separate tables, as one would at a big dinner party. Some tables hosted single dining guests, while others hosted two or three.
At that moment, a figure swooped in and occupied the empty table beside Anathea’s. It was Theo.
Anathea glanced around at the other empty tables and said nothing. She knew Theo had chosen that table on purpose, but she pretended not to have seen him. She didn’t want to cause any more trouble after the altercation the other night.
However, Theo broke the silence between them. “I’d like to talk to you about something.”
