Westley didn't like to go to the Jones family's house. But he was forced to because of Gabrielle. He received cold treatment from Wendy.
This time he crossed the threshold of the Jones' abode, he grudgingly accompanied Gabrielle to celebrate the holiday. He wasn't expecting favorable treatment from them.
Especially from Bryce, he had gone too far.
He would not have stayed long enough had he not considered Gabrielle's feelings.
"Mr. Morris, you are our son-in-law. This is the first time you came here to celebrate the holiday with us. I'm so sorry we had left a bad impression on you," Tobias apologized.
"You and your wife have raised Gabrielle. You gave her a home for twenty years. We will never forget what you have done for her. There's no need to apologize," Westley said nonchalantly, even shrugging his shoulders.
Tobias knew what Westley meant. He came because of Gabrielle. If it were up to him, he wouldn't get in touch with anyone in the family.
Still, Tobias was taken abashed by Westley's retort even when it was said somewhat innocuously.
He thought that he could get close to Westley now that he was his father-in-law. But it was never easy to charm Westley. He could see through layers of disingenuous flatteries.
As a consequence, Westley had been known to be callous. He had desensitized himself especially to those who would charm him to advance their agenda.
Tobias was no exception even if he was his father-in-law.
"Mr. Morris, should we set aside any misunderstanding between us, especially now that we are a family? How we regard each other is affecting everyone." Tobias tried to shift gears, hoping to get on the good side of Westley.
"I know," quipped Westley.
"Mr. Morris, is it true that Nellie is in your hands now? Is she safe? And how about the baby?" interjected Wendy. She felt she just had to know the answer from Westley himself.
Wendy cared about Nellie, even more since she was pregnant with the baby of the Jones family. She had to ensure the safety of the baby in her womb.
"Mrs. Jones, Nellie is in my hands. She is safe now. But if this gets around, I cannot guarantee her safety anymore. I hope you understand what I mean," said Westley threateningly and he looked coldly at Wendy.
Wendy nodded. She knew that Westley was not joking.
"I understand,"
she said. When Westley spoke, he made her feel distraught as if there was an invisible pressure smoldering her.
"I expect you not to get too close to the Collins family. It is not good for you." Westley wanted this clear to Wendy.
"Mr. Morris, what do you mean?" Wendy asked, trying to sound like she didn't know anything.
Westley didn't want to talk about it anymore. He just didn't want to meddle in the affairs of the Jones family.
"You know what I mean. But it's your business so I won't interfere," Westley dourly said as he looked Wendy in the eye.
Wendy's face turned pale. 'Such a ruthless man,' she thought.
Since Bryce came back, they had kept in touch with the Collins family. After all, Nellie was a Collins and she was pregnant with a Jones baby. She should be five or six months on the way.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Lock You In My Heart