Chapter 78: Y-You, Get Out
Caroline Whitman: "..."
How could she possibly explain this was all because her libido had run wild?
’Can I even say that?’
’Of course not.’
’That would just scare him off.’
Caroline Whitman could only manage a smile. "I’m just a little ’overheated.’ No need for the hospital."
Seeing her reluctance, Adrian Grant could only remind her, "If something’s wrong, tell me right away."
Caroline Whitman hummed in agreement and took two steps forward. She was afraid that if she stayed in the same space with him any longer, she’d have another "episode."
But she moved too quickly. Her slipper suddenly slipped, sending her whole body tilting backward.
Holy crap!
’What are these crappy slippers?!’
’I’m never wearing this pair again!’
’After the Chinese medicine and sprained ankle incidents, the classic "slipping" plot point is happening to me again?’
In that weightless moment as Caroline Whitman’s body fell backward, several thoughts flashed through her mind.
The first wasn’t whether she would fall on Adrian Grant, but that this world was definitely one giant Mary Sue novel.
The next second, the expected impact with the floor never came.
A pair of strong hands had caught her back, and a handsome, chiseled face was clearly reflected in her eyes.
While she was still in shock, Adrian Grant had already steadied her, pulling her into an embrace from behind.
Caroline Whitman’s first instinct was to look down at her towel. Thankfully, she wasn’t exposed.
She quickly turned to face him, instinctively placing a hand against his chest. The firm feel of his muscles was distinct against her palm.
’My gaze drifted slightly downward. Aside from those few groggy morning encounters, this is probably the first time I’m wide awake and can openly enjoy such a bonus.’
It was as if her sense of smell suddenly kicked into high gear. The mingled scents of their different body washes lingered at the tip of her nose.
But Adrian Grant’s scent was the most prominent.
The distance between them now was no more than a palm’s width.
Realizing this, Caroline Whitman’s ears instantly flushed hot, and her heart suddenly sped up.
She felt that familiar sensation from when she’d been admiring the handsome man by the pool reappear.
Just as that familiar, hot rush began, Caroline Whitman’s mind went BUZZ, and she thought frantically: ’Oh no!’
She quickly bowed her head, covered her mouth and nose, and spun around abruptly. "Y-you, get out."
Adrian Grant immediately let go, his gaze dropping to the person who had suddenly turned her back to him while covering her mouth and nose. He frowned slightly. "What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?"
Caroline Whitman felt both ashamed and mortified. "I’m fine. You go out first. I need to get dressed."
Adrian Grant also realized their current state of dress wasn’t exactly appropriate. He agreed with an "Okay," then left the room, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.
Hearing the door close, Caroline Whitman glanced over her shoulder. Once she confirmed he was gone, she rushed to lock it.
Then she hurried back to the bathroom to splash her face with water. Only after the bleeding subsided did Caroline Whitman come out to get clothes from her suitcase and change.
She glanced at the time—it was already eight o’clock.
’I can’t believe I was in the shower that long.’
Thinking about what just happened, Caroline Whitman hated how pathetic she’d become.
’I’m doomed, I’m doomed.’
’Forget about pursuing him. In this state, how could I possibly dare to show my face in front of him again?!’
Before long, the little one, fresh from his bath, ran over and knocked on the door. "Mommy, can I come in?"
Caroline Whitman had just recovered. Hearing her son’s call, she got up to open the door and saw Ryan Grant holding his special doll, his little head tilted up as he said in a childish voice:
"Mommy, I want to sleep with you tonight."
Caroline Whitman was confused. "What’s wrong? This morning, didn’t you say you wanted to sleep with Daddy tonight?"
As she spoke, she looked up. There was no sign of Adrian Grant in the hallway; she didn’t know where he was.
"I changed my mind. Because Mommy had a nosebleed, I have to take care of you," Ryan Grant said sweetly.
Caroline Whitman had a stress reaction just hearing the word "nosebleed."
She almost reflexively looked outside again to confirm that Adrian Grant was indeed not there.
So, Caroline Whitman quickly pulled the child inside. "Good boy, Mommy’s really fine. Just don’t say things like ’nosebleed’ next time."
Nestled in her embrace, Ryan Grant blinked curiously. "Why not?"
Caroline Whitman didn’t answer, but the child in her arms smiled, his almond eyes curving. "Hehe, I know. Mommy got shy when she saw Daddy."
"Nonsense," Caroline Whitman retorted instinctively.
But then she wondered how such a small child could know what she was thinking, so she asked, "How did you know?"
"Hehe, Mommy told me before. Back when you first started chasing Daddy, you always got nosebleeds when you saw him. Daddy thought you had some kind of illness and said he wanted to take you to the hospital for a check-up."
"..."
’Always?’
’Wait, that can’t be right.’
’Was my parallel-world self also such a pathetic pervert?’
But hearing her son say that, and recalling how Adrian Grant had just suggested she go to the hospital again, Caroline Whitman asked with a start:
"You didn’t just tell Daddy about this, did you?"
Ryan Grant blinked, his little mind flashing back to when his daddy was helping him with his bath earlier.
"Daddy wants to ask you something."
"Is it about Mommy again?"
"Smart boy. Has Mommy ever told you what she hates most about Daddy?"
"Yes."
Adrian Grant: "?"
’She really has?’
"Mommy said you’re too clingy sometimes. I think that’s not a good thing about you either, Daddy. You’re always sending me to Grandma’s or Nana’s house so you can be all clingy with Mommy by yourself."
Adrian Grant: "..."
’All future events. A useless reference.’
Adrian Grant dried him off. "Our conversation today is a secret."
"Oh." Ryan Grant was already used to keeping secrets.
’Every time Mommy asks about the past, she tells me to keep it a secret.’
’Daddy’s the same way. Every time he quizzes me about the past, he also tells me to keep it a secret.’
’So strange.’
...
"Hm? You didn’t tell Daddy what you just said, did you?" Caroline Whitman asked again, nervously.
Ryan Grant shook his head obediently, his soft voice tinged with innocence. "No, Daddy didn’t even ask why Mommy had a nosebleed."
Hearing this, Caroline Whitman breathed a sigh of relief.
"If he asks about it next time, you can’t tell him, okay?"
"Okay."
After giving him her instructions, Caroline Whitman finally felt at ease and lifted the covers.
"Let’s get to sleep early tonight. We’re going hiking tomorrow."
She didn’t need to tell him twice. The little one was already starting to yawn. He had only slept briefly during the car ride that day; the rest of the time was spent playing and burning energy. Staying up this late was his limit.
"Good night, Mommy." The little one snuggled under the covers and was asleep almost instantly.
「The next day.」
Everyone woke up bright and early.
Caroline Whitman had actually been awake for a while, but the thought of seeing Adrian Grant later meant she needed to do some mental preparation.
"Sigh..."
’Before, we could at least be "bed buddies," innocently holding each other while lying on the same bed.’
’But not anymore.’
’Or rather, I don’t dare to anymore.’
Caroline Whitman wondered, ’Since when did I start liking Adrian Grant this much?’
"Mommy, don’t be a sleepyhead! Daddy already made breakfast and is waiting for you to come out and eat with us."
Ryan Grant ran from the living room into the bedroom and once again tugged on the blanket of his mother, who was still in bed.