Chapter 145: Mom’s First Lesson
Theodore Keating and Ruth Hughes exchanged a look and sighed. Sitting by the old man’s bedside, they recounted what had just happened, including the events between Asher Keating and Madeline Sterling four years ago, and the fact that Leah Sinclair was Mabel Grant’s daughter.
After listening, the old Mr. Keating furrowed his brow tightly. Theodore Keating watched him in silence, then stood up to pour him a glass of warm water.
"No wonder," the old Mr. Keating said, taking the water. He had a sip and sighed slowly. "When I saw that young lady this afternoon, I kept feeling like I’d seen her somewhere before. The way she looks... she really does resemble Mabel back when she was that age."
"Come to think of it, she really does."
Ruth Hughes thought back carefully. She had only seen Leah Sinclair twice. In her younger days, although she was Theodore Keating’s wife, she rarely saw Mabel Grant. This was partly due to Theodore’s personality and partly because she herself wasn’t fond of social events.
On the few occasions she did see her, Mabel Grant was very haughty and didn’t really spend time with people like them. However, she did clearly remember Mabel Grant’s beautiful eyes.
Leah Sinclair’s eyes were also beautiful; Ruth had been struck by them the first time they met but had never made the connection. She never would have imagined that Leah Sinclair, the woman her son had gone from sponsoring to dating, would turn out to be Mabel Grant’s daughter.
At this, a bitter pang shot through Ruth Hughes’s heart. It had been so long since Asher had found a girl he liked, and she could tell that her son was very fond of her.
Even though Leah was an orphan, as long as Asher himself was happy, she, his mother, had no objections. Besides, she’d grown quite fond of Leah herself.
But now, Leah Sinclair had suddenly become the second daughter of the Grant Family. Knowing Mabel Grant’s personality, Ruth really wasn’t sure if Mabel would allow Leah and Asher to be together.
Theodore Keating saw his wife’s reddened eyes and knew what she was thinking. He patted her hand and sighed softly.
"Dad, do you think... Mabel... will she make things difficult for Asher? These past few years have been so hard on him. He’s finally... finally found a girl he’s truly happy with by his side," Ruth Hughes couldn’t hold back any longer, asking through a choked sob.
"That child, Mabel... she’s had a mind of her own since she was little. Back then, so many men were chasing her, but she just had to fall for the second son of the Sterling Family. This whole thing... it’s really hard to say." The old Mr. Keating was also unsure.
The three of them fell into silence again. In the end, seeing how late it was, Theodore Keating helped the old Mr. Keating lie down to rest and then led Ruth Hughes back to their room.
Leah Sinclair woke up very early the next day. She didn’t move, just continued to nestle in Asher Keating’s arms. Thanks to the medicine she’d applied, the area was no longer as uncomfortable. She thought about the fact that Mabel Grant would probably contact her today, and she wasn’t sure how to face her.
In twenty-four years, she had never felt a mother’s love, nor had she ever called anyone "Mom." ’Now that Mabel Grant is here, how will she treat me? I have no idea. Will she make me return to Kingsford with her? If I go back to Kingsford, will I have to leave Asher?’
The thought of having to leave Asher Keating made Leah’s heart feel as if it had been squeezed in a fist. ’I can’t possibly leave him.’
But then Madeline Sterling’s words from yesterday resurfaced in her mind. ’That’s right. Even if I’m Mabel Grant’s daughter now, won’t people still whisper behind Asher’s back that his girlfriend used to be a bar hostess?’
’It’s because I’m not strong enough. If I were stronger, if I could stand by Asher’s side as his equal, would people still say such things about him?’
’Even if some people will always talk, at least if I become stronger, I’ll be able to support Asher, instead of just hiding behind him and letting him protect me.’
A pang of sorrow washed over Leah at the thought. She lifted her head slightly. Asher Keating was still asleep. Slowly propping herself up, Leah carefully studied Asher’s features in the dim light filtering through the curtains.
In his sleep, Asher’s features weren’t so cold and severe. On the contrary, they looked more natural, more suited to his age. Usually, he was so composed and calm that it was easy to forget he wasn’t even thirty yet.
Leah watched him for a long time before gently placing a kiss on his lips. "Asher, I love you."
At the kiss, Asher’s brow furrowed slightly. His eyelids fluttered, and he slowly drifted awake.
Opening his eyes and seeing Leah looking at him, he curled his lips, his voice raspy with sleep. "Why aren’t you sleeping in?"
"I couldn’t sleep."
Leah nuzzled against his neck. Asher propped himself up, pulled her into an embrace, and kissed her forehead. He didn’t do anything more. He had been too rough with her yesterday and was afraid of hurting her again.
After they got up, Asher wanted Leah to rest at home. However, she insisted she was fine, thinking about the files she still needed to organize, and pestered him to take her to the office.
Asher, afraid she would sneak off to the office once he was gone, confirmed with her several times that she wasn’t in any discomfort before finally driving her there.
The medicine from Chester Hale was very effective. At first, walking was still a little uncomfortable for Leah, but she soon adapted. Besides, her main task for the day was just sitting and organizing files, so she didn’t feel much else.
Mabel Grant called just as Leah was about to go to lunch. She invited her to eat—just the two of them. After a moment’s hesitation, Leah agreed. She then sent a message to Asher, letting him know that Mabel had reached out and she was going to meet with her.
When she arrived at the appointed restaurant, Mabel Grant was already waiting. She was alone in the private room. Leah stood awkwardly at the doorway.
Mabel Grant pulled out the chair beside her, gesturing to Leah. "Come and sit."
Leah slowly walked over and sat down. Mabel Grant studied her carefully, then slowly smiled. "Your Uncle Jacobs said your eyes are exactly like mine were when I was young. Looking at you now, it’s really true."
Leah looked up at Mabel Grant’s eyes. She had beautiful, almond-shaped eyes that tilted up slightly at the corners. When she wasn’t smiling, her gaze seemed somewhat cool and aloof.
But now, as she smiled at Leah, they held an inexplicable warmth. Leah quickly lowered her head. "I... I’m not as beautiful as you are."
Mabel Grant’s laughter rang out. She reached out, lifted Leah’s chin, and made her look at her. "How could you not be beautiful? Your father, in his generation, was one of the top three most handsome men. And as for your mother... well, that goes without saying. If I claimed to be number two, no one would dare claim to be number one. Your eyes are like mine, and your nose is like his. Has no one ever told you that you’re beautiful?"
Being held in that position, Leah’s face slowly turned red. "Someone has... It’s just that I don’t feel that way. I’m... too plain."
Mabel Grant laughed and let her go. "Leah, the first lesson your mother will teach you is this: for a woman, the most important thing is confidence."