Aidan grunted, "Yeah, I did."
Leanna didn't say anything further. Seeing the gloomy look on his face, she figured something bad must have happened. She patted his back, comforting him silently. A long while later, she whispered, "Let's go. I'll make something for you. What would you like to eat?"
He cheekily asked, "You'd make anything?"
I knew I shouldn't have comforted him. She pulled her hand back. "Time to go."
They got into the car, and Aidan looked at her. "I don't feel like going home."
Leanna started the engine and drove the car. "So, where would you like to go?"
"Where would you like to go?"
"Home. I want to sleep," she answered seriously.
"Well, that can be arranged."
I don't like where this is going. She didn't bother to entertain him further.
A few moments later, he entered an address into the GPS. "I'd like to go to this place."
She glanced at the screen and said, "Sure."
The place they were heading was in the old area. Highside was a big place. Even though Leanna had been around for a long time, she couldn't recall ever setting foot in this area. It took her an hour just to get to the place Aidan had told her.
Eventually, she stopped the car and got out. Everywhere she looked, only dilapidated houses and broken walls stood. This was a desolate place abandoned by its people a long time ago. As if sealed by time, the city had forgotten of this place.
She wondered why Aidan led her here. He stopped beside her and stared ahead. "This was where I lived before I was taken back into the family."
Leanna stared ahead in shock. "Really?"
"Yes."
"So, why…" Did it become like this? She wasn't sure if she should ask this.
"A developer bought this place a few years ago, and everyone moved."
"Was it you?"
Aidan looked at her and smiled. "No."
"Huh?"
"The developer bought this place because he caught wind of the government's decision to develop this wing. But after the change of mayors, the project had been called off, and this became a no man's land."
A while of silence later, Leanna whispered, "I can never understand the rich. How could he spend so much money on this place only to abandon it in the end?"
Aidan patted her shoulder. "If the investment can't make any money, cutting your loss is always a good idea."
She thought he had a point. This was the old area, and the location of this place had been the worst in this area. If the government didn't help it out, these slums would have no future to speak of. Any investment would fail.
The sun was setting in the distance, and Leanna rested her head on Aidan's shoulder, staring at the houses before them.
The place held some resemblance with Underwood Lane. Houses were built near one another, and alleyways riddled the streets. It was a quiet place. Nobody would think this was part of Highside if they didn't know better. A while later, Leanna thought she should ask some questions, and she looked up at Aidan. "So, you and Ms. Fletcher lived here for a while?"
"Yes."
"Nobody else was with you?"
"No."
Ever since she saw Naomi, Leanna had a feeling she was different from most people. Naomi might look simple, but her air spoke of a sense of regality that not even Sienna could compare. A moment of silence later, Leanna asked, "Do you know about her family, then?"
"Never asked. Ever since I was born, this was where I lived," Aidan answered, not showing any trace of emotions.
Leanna still thought Naomi would never wreck anyone's home, and she had a feeling that these slums weren't Naomi's real home either. There must be something more to that story.
The sun had fully set, and dusk descended. Aidan said, "Let's go."
"Alright." Aidan took the wheels on the way back. It was a long journey, and traffic wasn't the best, so Leanna leaned on the seat and fell asleep. When she woke up, she realized Aidan wasn't driving them home. She moved her arms and neck around. Groggily, she asked, "So, where are we going?"
Softly, he said, "Home."
"Is that so? I don't recall this road, though."
A smile curled his lips. "This is the road that will lead us to our home."
Aidan took a right turn, and Leanna realized they were heading to Castor Villa. Oh, right. He did say we'd move to Castor Villa once he's back from Lachstein. I totally forgot about it. A few minutes later, they stopped before the villa, and Leanna got out of the car. She saw lights hanging around the garden. There were swings, vines, and a whole garden of flowers in the yard.
The place was designed according to her vision, and something else was included as well. It felt like home now. Castor Villa used to be a cold place, but now it wasn't anymore. She turned around and met Aidan's gaze.
Aidan cocked his eyebrow. "Let's go in, shall we?" He held her hand and took her inside.
She could imagine what it looked like inside, but when she saw the real deal, she couldn't help but feel amazed for a moment. It's exactly what I had in mind, but comfier, warmer, and brighter. House plants decorated the inside, lending a sense of life to the house.
Smiling, Aidan led her upstairs and opened the door to the bedroom. Once the lights were turned on, Leanna smiled. Even this place looks like a home now. However, when she saw the nursery, all delight was snuffed out.
Noticing the look on her face, he asked, "What's the matter?"
A while later, she looked at him. "I have something to tell you."
"What is it?"
She pursed her lips, her eyelashes fluttering. There was a lump in her throat, and she couldn't bring herself to speak even after several attempts.
Aidan stood before her, stroking her head. "What's wrong, Honey?"
She hung her head low. Hoarsely, she said, "When I went for a checkup last time, the doctor told me I might never have a baby."
"Is that all?"
She nodded. Leanna had gotten over the fact, but when she saw the nursery, she realized that Zoe was right. Aidan does want a child.
Right then, he pulled her into his arms. "I have something to say as well."
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