Love’s Change of Heart novel Chapter 137

Chapter 137 I Invited Them

Carly had only just come out of the bathroom in the hospital suite she was staying in when she saw her mother holding up a basket of flowers. Surprised, she asked, “Who is it from?”

Marilyn’s face looked pinched as she said grimly, “Aidan.”

Taken aback by this, Carly pressed, “Aidan? But the Pearsons have already sent me gifts. Why would he—”

“Heaven knows,” Marilyn cut her off agitatedly. “It’s a personal gift from him, apparently.”

Carly was even more bewildered after hearing this. Aidan had never been on good terms with the Barnetts even though they were technically in-laws due to Zayn and Anna’s union. Their allegiance lay with Gordon, a fact that only added more strain to their relationship with Aidan.

Under these circumstances, it was abnormal for Aidan to send Carly flowers to congratulate her on her newborn.

“Isn’t he and Georgina getting married soon? Could she have been the one that asked him to send the flowers?” Marilyn guessed.

“No.” Carly shook her head, “Georgina can’t ask Aidan to do anything. No one can.” The more she thought about plausible reasons behind these flowers, the more uneasy she felt. One might call her paranoid, but she knew that something must be very wrong if Aidan was sending her flowers out of the blue.

Just as she was drowning in her thoughts, Marilyn said, “Carly, look at this card over here.”

“Let me see.” Carly took the card and opened it. When she saw the inscription, all the color drained from her face.

At the sight of this, Marilyn asked frantically, “Are you okay? What does the card say?”

Snapping out of her daze, Carly quickly shook her head and hid the card behind her. “N-Nothing,” she lied. “It’s just your run-of-the-mill blessing.”

Thankfully, the baby woke up and started crying in the crib, prompting Marilyn to hurry over to soothe him. Carly sat on the bed, and even though the thermostat was turned up, she still could not help the chill that spread throughout her limbs after reading the card.

Aidan had not written that line on the card without reason. He must have found out I was the one who pushed Leanna into the water!

Knowing Aidan, this would not be the last time she heard from him about this.

…

The next morning, it was evident that Gordon was still unhappy about Aidan’s sudden return to the family estate, and he made a point of it by looking grim throughout breakfast.

Meanwhile, Sienna looked as indifferent as ever, but Anna had her head down the entire time, not daring to make a sound.

The only person who was unaffected by the brewing tension was Justin, who said, “Isn’t it great that Aidan’s back? He hasn’t stayed on the estate for years. Now that you’re back, you should definitely stay longer.”

Gordon’s face grew even darker when he heard that, but he made no reply.

A smile curled on Aidan’s lips as he said, “I should. It’s not every day that I don’t have to fret over company matters.”

He had only just said this when Gordon slammed his utensils down on the table. Thereafter, he rose and left for his study with his walking stick in hand.

Sienna wasted no time dabbing the corners of her mouth with the napkin and following Gordon into the study.

Not wanting to be left alone with the others at the table, Anna got up as well and hurried after her aunt and uncle.

A few seconds later, Justin pointed out, “You ought to keep Leanna company now that you’re back, Aidan. I’m sure she could use a familiar face around here.”

“Really?” Aidan cast a perfunctory look at Leanna, who was determined to finish her oatmeal instead of looking up at him. “I don’t know, she seems pretty happy here.”

Leanna almost choked on her oatmeal.

Justin laughed and began to roll away from the table. “The weather is splendid this morning. I’ll be going for a stroll in the garden. I’m sure you guys have plenty to catch up on anyway.”