"Exactly. Just keep your eyes on your own husband, and stop worrying about someone else's!" Victoria said with a grin.
"Sis, you're such a pest!" Evie shot back.
Victoria wasn't buying it. She just kept grinning like a cat that got the cream. "I'm not a soft coin. Not everyone gets to love me!"
Evie could only sigh and let her curiosity linger.
The whole family gathered around the dinner table. They joked and laughed. The atmosphere was warm and cozy.
Evie had a good appetite. She ate a lot.
Alexander didn't limit her shrimp intake today. He peeled several for her. But Evie didn't want to overdo it. She told him to stop.
She basically ate whatever he gave her.
Sometimes she felt like a baby who needed to be fed.
But seeing the smug look on Alexander's face, she didn't care. She enjoyed being taken care of.
After dinner, they chatted and joked in the living room. They ate some fruit. It was almost ten o'clock before they headed home.
"Mom, see how good Alexander is to Evie? You don't need to worry anymore," Victoria said, chewing on an apple.
"I'm not worried!" Amelia said.
"Really? Then who was it just a few days ago, saying, 'What has Alexander done to Evie? Should we call the police?'" Victoria mimicked her mother's voice perfectly.
"Call the police about what?" William asked, walking over with a newspaper. He had only caught the tail end of the conversation.
"It's Mom who said—"
"Nothing!" Amelia interrupted her eldest daughter, shooting her a warning look.
"What's going on? Afraid I'll find out?" William asked, frowning.
"Evie didn't come home for a while, and her phone was unreachable. Mom was worried Alexander had done something to her. She was thinking about calling the police!" Victoria looked at her mother and tattled anyway.
"Nonsense!" William shot his wife a glare.
"I was just worried about my daughter! She suddenly disappeared, and I couldn't reach her by phone!" Amelia explained.
"Didn't Alexander call to tell us? He said Evie was in danger, so he moved her out!"
"That's exactly why I was worried! He called, but Evie didn't tell us herself. Besides, it was only a few days later that Evie called back. I was relieved then!" Amelia said, glaring at her eldest daughter.
Victoria went to her father's side and continued, "Dad, I think Mom is going through menopause. She's always so suspicious!"
"Victoria, are you asking for a spanking?"
"Dad, look! Mom is threatening me again!" Victoria complained.
"Amelia, if you're bored at home, find something to do. Dancing is popular now. You should go. Stop thinking about things all day!"
"I don't have the time. I have endless housework to do. I have to wait on you two hand and foot. How can I find the time?" Amelia protested, standing up and walking toward the kitchen.
"Dad, you're the only one who can handle Mom!" Victoria said flatteringly.
"Is there something wrong with your mother?" William asked.
"Of course not!" Victoria answered directly.
Evie and Alexander went back home.
She was in a great mood from the evening. The food was delicious. She was doubly happy!
At that moment, Evie felt like singing and dancing. She wanted to shout about how beautiful life was.
"Evie, you look like a rabbit tonight," Alexander said with a smile.
"No, I don't!" Evie looked down at herself.
"You can't sit still. You're practically jumping. That's a rabbit," Alexander continued.
"I'm just happy! Aren't you happy?" Evie explained, restraining herself a little. She took Alexander's arm.
"I'm secretly happy inside," Alexander said calmly.
Evie was stunned for a second. Then she burst out laughing.
They went straight to the main house when they got back.
At this hour, Eleanor hadn't rested yet.
Knowing they would come back in the evening, the old lady was sitting in the sun room, quietly drinking tea and waiting for them.
"Mom—"
"Mom—"
Alexander and Evie called out.
"You're back!" Eleanor replied with a smile, motioning for them to sit down.
Alexander held Evie's hand and sat down opposite his mother.
"Evie, I've put you through a lot during this time."
"Not at all. Our family is fine," Evie shook her head.
"Yes, the whole family is fine," Eleanor nodded in agreement, then sighed. "It's true that a family that doesn't care for each other doesn't enter the same house."
The implication was clear. Scarlett didn't care for her family. She stirred up so much trouble and ended up getting herself locked up.
And Evie was destined to be the one who cared for the family. That was why she was able to enter their door.
Eleanor asked Evie how she was feeling. How was her appetite? Was she getting used to living there?
Evie answered truthfully, telling her mother-in-law to rest assured.
"Evie? Do you prefer living in Sterling Manor, or your new house now?" Eleanor asked at this point.
"To be honest, Mom, I've gotten used to it since I married into the family. But the layout of the new house is also very nice!" Evie replied.
Eleanor laughed. She didn't ask further. Naturally, she hoped the family would live together. It was livelier.
However, some people were superstitious about the location. They always felt that Sterling Manor's location was both lucky and dangerous.
She still hoped Alexander and Evie would be more stable and move to the new house.
But since Evie had said that, it was fine for them to like it. If they wanted to live there, they could. She was old. She couldn't keep up with their ideas and vision. She wouldn't interfere too much.
"Mom, how have you been lately?" Evie asked with concern.
"Good. I'm just waiting to hold my grandchild!" Eleanor said with a smile.
"Soon!" Evie followed up, then looked at Alexander. Her face turned red.
"Mom, that's all I'm looking forward to now. I don't want anything else!" Eleanor's smile deepened.
"Mom, I'm planning to have a few more with Evie. I'm afraid you won't be able to hold them all!" Alexander said, hugging Evie's shoulder.
"That's fine. You're welcome. Mom can hold one in each hand!" Eleanor said with a smile.
Evie looked at Alexander for a long time. She wanted to say she wasn't a sow. But seeing her mother-in-law in such a good mood, she didn't say anything. She just laughed.
On the way back to Sterling Manor from the main house, Evie turned to look at Alexander and asked, "How many do you want me to have?"
"Of course, the more, the better!" Alexander answered with a smile.