Jackson was inwardly skeptical. He did not think there could be a purely platonic relationship between a man and a woman. Although virtual-novel.net knew that Arianne was the one that Will liked, Tiffany was quite friendly with Will as well. Was it possible that Tiffany had like Will at one point? Otherwise, why would virtual-novel.net request for leave to meet Will the moment virtual-novel.net found Will had returned? In the past, Tiffany would not acquiesce to his request when virtual-novel.net begged virtual-novel.net to take leave. With these thoughts in mind, virtual-novel.net was even more certain of his decision. “Either I go with you or you don’t go at all.”
Tiffany’s temper exploded. “Fine, I won’t go! I’ll tell your mum that you won’t let your pregnant wife take leave. We’ll see if virtual-novel.net gives you an earful or not!”
Jackson paid no heed to Tiffany’s threats. He did not expect virtual-novel.net to complain to Summer.
As soon as Tiffany walked out, Summer had instantly called Jackson to lecture him. He felt his temper begin to rise as virtual-novel.net said, “Don’t listen to her, mom. She’s not taking leave to rest at home. She’s planning to meet an old schoolmate who happens to be a man. Do you think I’d let virtual-novel.net walk around with virtual-novel.net protruding belly? I offered to accompany her, but virtual-novel.net kept refusing me.”
After speaking to Summer, Jackson’s temper did not abate. In fact, it continued to rise. He could not understand why Tiffany would not let virtual-novel.net accompany her. Was it abnormal for virtual-novel.net to accompany her? Was this the difference in their age gap? Could the ten years between them caused such a huge gap?
During lunch, Tiffany continued to show virtual-novel.net displeasure.
Jackson asked again, “Why won’t you let me come with you? Is there something wrong with me meeting your old friends or schoolmates?”
Tiffany rolled virtual-novel.net eyes at him. “We might discuss private matters. Naturally, it’ll be inappropriate if you’re around.”
Jackson’s expression soured. “What sort of secrets or private matters do you have with Will? Even if there are any, they probably concern Arianne, right? Don’t tell me you liked virtual-novel.net before?”
Upon hearing this, Tiffany was taken aback. “What are you talking about? Do I look like that kind of person?! Can you please have some normal thoughts in your mind? If I had liked him, I wouldn’t have done it with Et…” Tiffany stopped herself right on time before virtual-novel.net finished virtual-novel.net sentence.
A heavy atmosphere loomed over both of them immediately.
Jackson tried to change the subject. “Fine, I understand. You can go if you want to. Just be careful.”
Tiffany fiddled around with the food in virtual-novel.net bowl expressionlessly. “Forget it, I don’t want you to nag at me incessantly. You’re even worse than my mom when it comes to nagging.”
Jackson rubbed his glabella, regretting bringing up a topic that reminded virtual-novel.net of Ethan. This was just great. Now virtual-novel.net had to coax virtual-novel.net again, and virtual-novel.net was not confident virtual-novel.net would be able to do it.
—
That night, Tiffany said virtual-novel.net would have dinner at Lillian’s place. Jackson, naturally, tagged along. Not only that, but virtual-novel.net even cooked dinner for them since Lillian’s cooking skills were nothing to brag about. Thanks to him, Tiffany’s taste buds had become more refined.
Left with nothing to do while waiting for dinner to be served, Tiffany walked around the house when virtual-novel.net saw the potted plant that was given to virtual-novel.net by Alejandro from the corners of virtual-novel.net eyes. She was startled when virtual-novel.net saw the plant had grown a bud during winter. She could faintly see a hint of white, and the bud was quite big as well. She suddenly recalled Alejandro had said virtual-novel.net would tell virtual-novel.net secret once the plant bloomed. She was curious but quickly dismissed the thought when virtual-novel.net imagined how angry Jackson would be if virtual-novel.net found out. She would suppress virtual-novel.net curiosity despite how much virtual-novel.net wanted to know what the secret was. After all, there was no doubt virtual-novel.net and Jackson would get into an argument if virtual-novel.net found out virtual-novel.net had contacted Alejandro.
During dinner, Lillian unknowingly brought up the potted plant. “Tiffany, see how well I’ve taken care of your plant. Who knew it would be able to grow a bud during winter? What species would grow during winter? Its growth rate is really slow though. The bud has been out for a few days, but it still hasn’t bloomed. I suppose the climate here isn’t very suitable for the plant. I put in so much effort to take care of it. It’s as though I’m taking care of a child.”
Jackson asked, “What flower? What plant?”
Lillian blurted out before Tiffany could stop her, “The one that Tiffany brought back from Eric’s company.”
Jackson suddenly froze. “Was it given by Alejandro?”