Drama Novel
Chapter 420 Staying For The Time Being
Chapter 420 Staying For The Time Being
"Julian!" Susan's hand flew out to pull at him anxiously. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
Finding leverage on her grasp, Julian took her into his arms. With an arm carrying Chesney and an arm wrapped around Susan, he felt like he had the world i n his embrace.
As he took a light whiff of the fragrance in Susan's hair, there was a small smile playing on his lips." Susie, I missed you."
Susan’s fretful mind was put at ease in an instant. Her gaze was gentle as she hummed lightly. She thought that she did not have to be bothered by the photos. She did not have to trouble herself worrying about Julian’s insignificant lie.
Perhaps he'd had something else to attend to in the hotel. He had come out with the woman, but that did not mean that they had stayed together the entire night. Maybe he had lied to save her from worrying about him working overtime.
Susan did not want to pursue this. Even when all the clues pointed in the direction of suspicion, she trusted Julian, so any doubts could be ignored.
"Daddy, mommy, don't be shy." Chesney giggled.
"Ah, you... Daddy just got home and he's tired. Let's not pester him." Susan carried Chesney away.
"Julian, go get some rest first...” Susan looked up and spoke to Julian when suddenly, a gentle voice said," Alright, that's all. Everything is here. Move it all upstairs for me."
Susan looked over and her smile froze in place instantly.
It was a woman. A beautiful woman. Most importantly, she was the woman in the photo.
"Julian, this is..." Susan gazed at Julian in a trance.
Julian smiled and replied, "Susie, let me introduce you. This is Miss Doyle. Willa Doyle. She’s a friend of mine that will be staying with us for the time being.”
Willa Doyle!
A friend!
She was going to stay in their house for the time being.
Susan suddenly felt her legs lose the ability to support her.
Her decision to not get entangled in all these suspicions and continue to trust Julian wholeheartedly had not come easy, yet Julian was bringing this woman to their home in the afternoon when he had just exited the hotel with her in the morning?
Susan felt faint.
"Hello, Mrs. Shaw." Willa extended a hand toward Susan with a smile.
Although she was staring at her, Susan did not react for a while, letting Willa's hand hover in the air.
"Susie?” Julian looked at her weirdly.
Why did she look like she was spacing out?
"It's fine." Willa was not fazed or embarrassed that
Susan was not shaking hands with her. She pulled her hand naturally and flashed her a friendly smile. "Mrs. Shaw, I didn't want to be a bother, but I'm not familiar with the area. Mr. Shaw has been a good friend of mine for years, so I let myself trouble you."
"A good friend for years?" Susan glanced at Julian. Why had she not known that he had such a friend?
"Yes," Julian replied easily. "Willa's a friend of mine from high school. We kept in touch after graduating. She’s here in Ningcheng City for some personal affairs and we met by chance, so I invited her to stay with us. Susie, I’m busy with work and you must be bored at home alone. I thought that the atmosphere in the house would be merrier with Willa’s company.” 1
Julian and Willa had discussed it and agreed that she would assume the identity of a high school friend. Julian had even gotten a graduation certificate from his school for Willa.
He did not want Susan to find out about her condition, but Willa had to take care of her by being around her, s o he wanted to give Willa an identity that could pave the way for the girls' friendship. This way, the treatment could be conducted much easier.
"A high school friend. Hmm..." Susan still looked like she was dazed. 1
"Susie, what's the matter?" Julian felt as though something was up.
Susan forced a smile. "Nothing. Since she’s your high school friend, we must welcome her, of course."
"Thank you." Willa grinned brightly like a blossoming flower.
A shiver coursed through Susan involuntarily.
"You are Julian's high school friend? Why have I never seen you, Miss Doyle?" Madam Shaw said simply with a glance.
Julian arched a brow. "Mom, how many of my friends have you met?"
Madam Shaw cracked an awkward smile. She had been busy with the company and had not really paid attention to Julian's studies or anything like that.
"Cough. Since you're Julian's friend, I'll just call you Willa. Willa, come on, you're just in time to have dinner with us." Madam Shaw invited her politely.
"Thank you, Madam Shaw," Willa said gently.
All the Shaws and Willa Doyle sat around the dining table. Oliver was not around. His vacation had come to an end and he was already back to report at the base. He would only be back on the weekends now.
Since Willa was a guest, Madam Shaw was courteous t o her. She kept scooping up dishes for her and chatting with her, looking pleasant and amiable. 2
As Susan looked at Willa's dazzling smile, she grew paler. She could not sit around any longer. If she did, she would push herself to the edge of insanity.
"Sorry, I don't feel very well. I'll make my way upstairs first." Susan put down her cutlery and went up directly.
"Susie?" Julian watched her back in shock, about to give chase to her. 1
Madam Shaw frowned and dropped her cutlery with a huff. "Julian, is Susie throwing a tantrum because of m e? We have a guest. It's fine that she isn't receiving her like a proper host, but she's upset when I help her do i t?"
"Mom, Susie said that she doesn’t feel well." Julian furrowed his brows.
"Hah! Sure she doesn't. I wonder if she doesn't feel well physically or emotionally," Madam Shaw scoffed. "Never mind, no need to engage me. Go upstairs and cheer your wife up."
Worried about Susan’s state, Julian headed upstairs immediately without another word. Madam Shaw looked possibly even more upset.
Willa smiled when she watched the scene. "Madam Shaw, don’t overthink it. Mrs. Shaw probably feels genuinely ill."
"You don't understand. This woman, Susan... She's..." Madam Shaw was about to vent, but upon remembering that Willa was an outsider, she swallowed her words. "Never mind, it's fine. Willa, have some more."
She scooped more food for Willa as she spoke.
"Thank you, Madam Shaw," Willa said with a smile.
Once Susan entered the bedroom, she hid under the covers. When Julian caught up with her, all he saw was a lump on the bed.
"Susie? What's the matter? Where are you hurting?" he asked softly.