"You're pregnant now. Can you really eat something that sweet?" Charlie glanced at Evie's dessert and asked.
"Not too much. It's easy to get gestational diabetes. But I don't eat it often. I just sneak a little when I'm out," Evie replied with a smile.
"Sounds like they've got you on a tight leash now."
"Tell me about it. I have to take care of the house, the company, and my mom's family. Anywhere else I go needs approval!" Evie answered, a little frustrated.
"You're pregnant now. You're the family's top priority," Charlie said, grinning smugly.
"When you get pregnant, I'll make fun of you too," Evie shot back.
"Fine by me. I'll wait for that day," Charlie laughed even harder.
Evie felt a bit embarrassed.
After a while, Charlie remembered something and asked cautiously.
"Has that woman come to bother you?"
"What woman?" Evie looked at Charlie, confused.
"The one I told you about before. Alexander's first love."
Evie chuckled.
"You remember that? That was ages ago."
"I heard she came back to the country for your husband. I was worried, so I had to ask," Charlie pouted.
"It's fine. Alexander isn't that kind of man. And she isn't either. Don't worry about it."
"I'm not worried about anything. It's none of my business. I'm just worried about you," Charlie replied, lifting her chin.
"Don't worry. Alexander knows his limits."
"No, you care about me," Evie comforted Charlie. "You're afraid I'll get hurt."
"No matter what happens, don't be a pushover. And don't forget about us."
"You know I'm not a pushover," Evie said with a smile.
Truth was, she had been really hurt last time at the hospital.
But when she looked back and calmed down, things didn't seem as bad as she thought.
And Alexander hadn't known she was pregnant back then.
Later, when she found out she was pregnant, Alexander's actions made her feel like she was overreacting. She gradually let it go.
Some things seem worse when you think about them too much. When you really don't care, they're nothing.
To put it bluntly, even if Alexander's feelings for Grace weren't over, she couldn't just leave him, could she?
All she could do was let Alexander go. Or just let him go.
If Alexander wasn't worth her persistence, she thought she would naturally learn to let go.
After all, life is the best way to train and change people.
But clearly, things hadn't reached that point yet. So she didn't want to worry too much.
Besides, she was still carrying her baby. She hoped to keep a relaxed mood. She didn't want to be paranoid all day, making herself tired and everyone around her tired too.
"Evie, you've really changed a lot. You've become strong, brave, optimistic, cheerful, and positive," Charlie gushed.
"I've always been like this, okay?" Evie said.
"No way! You used to be timid and introverted. You weren't good at talking. You were shy and liked to run away," Charlie counted off.
"No, you're not talking about me," Evie said.
"Why not? I've had your back for so many years. Otherwise, how could you have grown up and found your husband?" Charlie said.
"How can you say I'm like a little sapling?" Evie laughed.
It wasn't because she was so weak that Charlie always covered for her.
It was because Charlie had always seen her as weak, so she was used to protecting her.
Gradually, the way they got along became what it was now. Charlie was like an old lady who liked to worry, and she was like a little kid who never grew up.
"You are. And you're still a sapling with a lot of problems," Charlie said.
Evie smiled and didn't argue. She just said.
"I've become a towering tree now. Can you rest easy?"
"You're still a towering tree? As long as you're strong enough not to be blown down by a small typhoon, I'll laugh!"
"Charlie, you really sound like my mom," Evie laughed.
"Go away. Am I that old?" Charlie said.
"No, it's the way you care for me. It's very similar to my mom."
Charlie rolled her eyes, but she didn't argue. Sometimes she really did worry like an old woman.
The two of them ate a lot of food. Later, they really couldn't eat anymore. Evie also knew she should go back.
She asked Charlie if she wanted to come to her house.
Charlie said she couldn't. She had something to do later. She told Evie to go back and rest early. It was hard carrying a belly.
"I'm used to it. It's okay," Evie said with a smile.
"You'd better go back early. Otherwise, he'll come to me and ask for you," Charlie joked.
"No, he's busy at the company now. He doesn't have time to talk to me," Evie said with a smile.
In the end, Evie went back first. Charlie was a little bored and went shopping.
Now she couldn't go shopping with Evie like before.
After all, Evie's body wasn't convenient now. If someone accidentally bumped into her and she fell, there would be trouble.
After a tour, Charlie felt there was nothing to buy.
She wanted to go to a nearby restaurant she liked to eat at and then go back.
She didn't expect to run into Owen as soon as she entered the restaurant.
She hadn't seen him since the last bad luck on the tennis court. She didn't expect to see him here.
"Owen—"
Owen shivered. He hated it when people called him that!
He turned his head and saw a beautiful, fashionable woman. After a quick search in his mind, he remembered she was Lucas's cousin. He had almost broken her face.
"Charlie, what a coincidence!"
"Yes, what a coincidence! I can still meet you here for dinner," Charlie replied with a smile.
"With friends, or by yourself?" Owen asked.
"I'm by myself."
"If you don't mind, come have dinner with me and my friend. It's so busy here."
"Will I be disturbing you?" Charlie asked hesitantly.
"No, come here! I'll introduce you," Owen said.
Charlie followed Owen.
It was a beautiful girl. But it was a pity she was a little skinny. She didn't look very energetic.
"Grace, let me introduce a beautiful girl to you.
My cousin, Charlotte Moore.
Charlotte, this is my friend Grace. Your cousin knows her too," Owen introduced.
"Hello, Grace," Charlie politely greeted.
"Hello, Charlotte," Grace said with a smile.
"I came to eat by myself. I'll let her sit with us. It's more lively," Owen explained.
"Welcome," Grace invited Charlie to sit with her.