Filed to story: Sweetheart Do You Still Love Me
“She came running back home after getting pregnant with my child. Help me look for her.”Child? Elspeth was startled, abruptly straightened up in her seat, and her head hit the car’s roof, causing her to yelp in agony.
“Gilbert Payne, did you actually get a girl pregnant? What kind of man are you?”When the driver heard that, he softly remarked,
“Scumbag.”She agreed with his comment and self-righteously declared,
“Scumbag!”When he heard that, Gilbert scowled in annoyance and gritted his teeth, wishing he could shove her head into a toilet bowl.”Final warning, Elspeth Lynwood! I’m telling you to help me find Ginna; otherwise, I’ll find a way to increase your training!”
Once he had finished his statement, he abruptly cut her off. Immediately, Elspeth dropped her phone and let out a wail of agony. When something good happens, he never thinks of me. However, he’ll start looking for me as soon as he needs something from me. Times of difficulty indeed have a way of revealing a person’s true character.Soon, she pushed the shock of knowing Gilbert had fathered a child out of her mind, calmed herself down, and got out of the taxi. While paying the driver, she accidentally added an extra zero to the payment screen.”Miss, you overpaid.”She flapped her hand at the driver.
“It’s fine. Think of it as a tip. Go home and rest.”Has this pretty lady’s heart been broken? He silently stared at her in confusion.By the time Elspeth returned to the Winthrop Residence, everyone was asleep. However, Callum’s room was the only room where the light was still on. When she entered the room, no one was in sight. So, she turned to leave the room but suddenly bumped into someone’s chest.Then, she raised her head and saw Callum. He did not look to be in a good mood. Moreover, a melancholic look was on his face as the scent of cologne and cigarettes hung around him. She instantly knew what had happened.”You were at the bar?”Callum grunted in acknowledgment but remained silent otherwise.After a moment of hesitation, Elspeth asked,
“You saw everything?”Instead of responding, he only stared at her, and the intensity of his stare sent chills down her spine.”Well, I’ll go take a shower. Wait here for me.”
After saying that, he calmly walked into the bathroom.Meanwhile, the sound of water splashing echoed through the room. As she waited, she strolled over to his side of the bed and sat down with her heart pounding.Judging by his facial expression, he looks upset. Still, I’m at a loss for words. I’m not sure my explanation will compensate for my earlier behavior. Moreover, I feel he won’t even bother to hear it. With that in mind, Elspeth waited silently for Callum to punish her as she sat in the room.Soon, the shower was turned off. When the door creaked open, he walked out and stood in front of her in his bathrobe.She watched as beads of water slid down his handsome face and abdomen before disappearing into the fabric.
“Are you seducing me?”
Following that, she gulped in giddy joy.Callum was greatly uplifted by Elspeth’s expression, so he went over and gently lifted her chin.
“Which of us is more handsome?””You, of course,”
she answered without hesitation.He nodded and smiled.
“Not bad. Your reward is a kiss.”
Then, he ducked his head and kissed her on the lips.”Callum-“He interrupted her mid-sentence and relentlessly kissed her, eventually biting her lips as if to crush them.She was soon running out of breath, making her smack his chest.”Enough, Callum. Stop kissing me.”Elspeth’s objection only ignited the anger simmering in Callum.
“You met up with a man behind my back, didn’t you?””He is my friend. I only met him to welcome him back to the country. Anyway, we weren’t alone. There were quite a few of us-“”What about the dance?””I lost a game.”Suddenly, she lowered her head with an innocent expression, resembling a child awaiting a lecture from a parent.”What’s wrong with punishing you then?”
Callum lowered his head and unraveled the bow on Elspeth’s neck with his teeth.
“I’m not only going to punish you,”
he continued with a low chuckle.
“I’ll have some fun tormenting you as well.”So, he bit her neck, leaving behind a red mark.However, the itch on her neck made her entire body tremble.
Callum’s heart skipped at the sight of Elspeth’s stare. As he was about to continue, she frowned, clasped her hands over her stomach, and perspired heavily on her forehead.
“What is it? Are you sick?”
His anger subsided, and concern filled his features as he stared at her curled-up body.Meanwhile, she could not have foreseen that her period would start so suddenly after being late for so many days.Was that meant to be a blessing, or did it ruin the mood?”I’m fine. It’s one of those days-“
Despite her agonizing cramps, Elspeth still responded to Callum.”I see. Rest up. I’ll make you ginger tea.”Ginger tea? Do I really hear that, or is it a trick in my mind?
“You know about ginger tea? Are you for real?”He smiled and replied proudly,
“I know more than you think I do.””Amazing.””Alright. Stay there and wait for me. Rest well.”
Then, Callum gently positioned Elspeth on the bed, tucked her in, and walked out of the room.Afterward, she went to the bathroom to clean herself up and sat on the bed while waiting for him to return.About half an hour later, the door silently swung open, and he walked in with a hot cup of ginger tea. She could even see some grated ginger floating in the tea.”I never expected the cold and aloof Mr. Winthrop to be a good cook.”
Following that, Elspeth took a sip of the tea. It’s nice and sweet, and as it goes down my throat, it makes my belly feel warm and fuzzy. I’m feeling a lot better now.”I know how to cook, and my food tastes much better than your egg-fried rice,”
Callum mocked.It immediately put her in a bad mood when she heard that. Then, she angrily set the cup of tea on the table and shot him a sidelong glance.
“You said it didn’t taste bad last time.””I was afraid you would be angry, and it dealt a blow to Max. That was quite worth it.”Poor Max, not only did he have to eat all the egg-fried rice, but he also had to sing its praises.Suddenly, her cheeks blushed as she loudly huffed,
“From now on, I won’t cook for you again. Even if my cooking improves slightly, I will never cook for you.”Meanwhile, Callum looked at Elspeth, smiling in silence.”Oh, right. Callum, have you noticed something weird between Blake and Lisa?”He ducked his head and smirked,
“I have. He’s very interested in her right now. Every day, he’s asking to go out with her.””Then, should we give them a nudge so they could get together?”She is incredibly daring to have such a bold notion. Callum thought about it and was entirely on board with the idea. It will make her happy and help Blake understand how Lisa makes him feel, so it will be like killing two birds with one stone.”What are you thinking, Callum?”
His silence and smile made Elspeth suspicious.”Nothing. I think your idea is pretty good.”
Then, he tucked her in and stroked her head.
“Still, you should be resting now. Sleep in my room tonight. I’ll be sleeping in the guest room.”
Following that, he walked toward the door.”Wait, Callum. I know everything,”
she called out to him angrily.He immediately came to a halt when he heard that.
“If you didn’t know, then your hacking skills would be a lie,”
he remarked with a smile.However, Elspeth could not resist rolling her eyes at Callum.
“Why can’t you tell me directly? Why must you wait until I expose you?”
She already knew he was the one who started the rumor. Nonsense! The only way to put an end to the speculations is for me to accept his engagement! I know he planned this entire scenario because he wants me to be his fianc?e. Moreover, she had Lisa look into that matter early that morning, and it turned out that he was the one who orchestrated the whole thing.Suddenly, his eyes went dark.
“Of course not. Telling you might mean you’ll stall. This is to push things forward, so we’ll be engaged soon.”Based on what Callum understood about Elspeth’s character, their engagement would be put off indefinitely. Nevertheless, the sudden appearance of Eric convinced Callum that he needed to tie the knot with her immediately or risk losing her forever.”Still, you agree with my suggestion and go along with it, right?”Her face immediately turned red when she heard that, and she swiftly hid her head under the blanket….Elspeth did not feel well over the next few days, so she hid and rested at the Winthrop Residence. In addition, all her work was handled by Harper and Timothy.On the other hand, Timothy felt extremely upbeat that day, so he dragged Yelena, who had recently gotten engaged, to the set. He also roped in the perpetually absent Blake and had them work on a new show together while they were still trending.Meanwhile, despite feeling unwell, Elspeth did not get the rest she needed. When Margot and Theodore learned she was sick, they visited her room repeatedly, bringing hot, comforting soups and stews.That day, Margot brought a bowl of chicken soup she had spent hours on to Elspeth’s room. After a quick, wary glance, she swiftly entered the room and closed the door behind her.”Mrs. Winthrop, I really can’t drink anymore. I am so sick from days of drinking nothing but soup.”
While she did not want to drink the soup, she did not outright refuse it because Margot was her elder.Then, Elspeth set the bowl on the bedside table. When Margot saw that, she pulled a wry grin on her face.
“It’s for your health. Your stomach hurts, so you must consume something hot to soothe it. I’ve added quite a few herbs to the soup. It’s a recipe from a famous doctor. It will definitely work!”Then, Elspeth dejectedly smiled at her.
“Mrs. Winthrop, did you forget I study traditional medicine-“”Everyone believes doctors cannot treat their own illnesses,”
Margot interrupted.
“Look at how many years you’ve been suffering. The pain never got cured, did it? I think you have to find someone to help you with it. Perhaps, some medicine will solve your issues.”Elspeth knew Margot was acting in her best interests, so she had no choice but to accept the act of kindness. On the other hand, she was secretly plotting her way out of her treatment.”You must look after your body. Otherwise, you will have to live with pain after giving birth-“While Margot continued to urge Elspeth to drink the soup, Elspeth suddenly recalled something.
“Mrs. Winthrop, you know my parents, right? I’d like to know more about my mother.”Then, Elspeth’s heart sank with worry when she noticed Margot’s eyes flashed with an unrecognizable emotion, and her smile faded. I shouldn’t have asked that question.At that moment, she recalled how the Winthrops had gotten into a big fight over her mother.
“I’ll stop asking if you don’t want to speak about her,”
she cautiously added.However, Margot sighed and replied,
“Why would I not? If you want to know, I’ll tell you everything.””Really? Thank you!”
Elspeth exclaimed. Afterward, she straightened up and prepared herself to listen to Margot.”Your mother and I used to be close friends, but-“
Listening to Margot’s voice, Elspeth felt like being in an immersive experience and seeing her mother standing vividly before her. Her mother, Helena Joneson, used to be the most dazzling young lady in Blaydal. Before Margot was married, she was also a beauty from the same city. The two of them had a close relationship and often hung out together.However, as time passed, they reached a point where they fell in love for the first time. Margot had a crush on Theodore, but he secretly had his eye on Helena. In contrast, Helena fell in love with the famous sculptor named Grover Lynwood. Due to their situation, a love quadrangle was formed.As Margot reflected on the past, Elspeth noticed a hint of jealousy in her eyes.
“You have no idea how many people fell head over heels for your mother back then. I assume 80 percent of the men in Blaydal had a crush on her, but your mother didn’t fancy any of them. Instead, she fell for your father, Grover, on an outing.”As soon as the name ‘Grover’ was brought up, Margot sighed.
“Sadly, your father was too poor for your grandfather’s liking. He wasn’t even able to pay a million for the bride-dowry.”A million?! Elspeth gasped in shock. Who else besides those born with a silver spoon and those from wealthy families could afford to pay a one million bride dowry?”Due to that, old Mr. Joneson wasn’t willing to marry your mother to your father. At the same time, Theodore proposed marriage to your mother, which made your grandfather realize how nice of a person he was. That’s how he agreed to Theodore’s proposal.”Suddenly, Margot could not help clenching her teeth at the mention of that incident and continued,
“He was really filthy rich back then-“Elspeth chuckled dryly before asking,
“What happened after that?””Something outrageous happened.”
While recalling the incident, Margot’s expression soon became solemn.”What happens?””Apart from your mother, the Jonesons had another daughter, but she was rather introverted and was raised at home. I saw her, and she was as lovely as your mother. However, your mother eloped with your father the day before the engagement. At that moment, Theodore’s twin brother, Thiago, was drunk and ran to the backyard of Joneson Residence.”Elspeth listened intently to the climax, knowing what would happen next, and she held her breath.”After that, Thiago raped the girl from the Joneson Family, causing the engagement to be canceled. Consequently, Theodore never had the chance to marry your mother again.”
Margot sighed and added,
“Later, the young lady committed suicide, and your grandfather sent Thiago to jail. Since then, he has not been set free.”Elspeth suddenly felt pity for that lady, but it was at that moment that she connected the dots. This incident must be why my grandfather refuses to let me marry Callum. Therefore, we can’t tie the knot due to the extreme animosity between the two families.”I dared not tell you before this as I was afraid you would vent your anger on Callum because of this incident. That child likes you wholeheartedly, which made me contemplate for a long time whether or not to tell you, but since you wanted to know the truth, I decided to tell you so that you can make up your mind.”Elspeth shook her head and smiled.
“The grudges are held between the previous generation and have nothing to do with me. Besides, the Jonesons merely gave birth to me without raising me. Why should I take over their grievances?”Margot was pleased to hear that. Beaming, she patted Elspeth’s hands in relief.
“That’s good to hear.””However… I heard from my dad that my mom left because of a fight between them. Did my mom contact you after all these years?”Then, Margot lowered her head and pondered for a moment before replying,
“About ten years ago, she contacted me a few times. However, I didn’t tell Theodore because I was afraid he might still have lingering feelings for her. At that time, Edmund went missing for two days while Max was involved in a car accident. It felt like we were being cursed, but since then, your mother hasn’t shown up again, and I didn’t contact her either.”
Going missing and a car accident… Elspeth narrowed her eyes as a bold idea popped into her mind.
“Does that mean after my mother contacted you, accidents started happening one after another to the Winthrops?””You can say so, but they might also be coincidences.”Suddenly, Margot felt conflicting emotions and stated,
“If you want to look for your mother, I must tell you something beforehand. I suspect your mother knows your whereabouts and might have even shown up before you, but you couldn’t recognize her. Alternatively, she might have observed you silently all along, but some irresistible force is stopping you two from reuniting.”Elspeth knew it all too well. Who else could the irresistible force be besides Michael?!The accidents that happened one after another to the Winthrops were warnings Michael gave to her mother. If she tried to contact the Winthrops again, he would make things difficult for them!Elspeth narrowed her eyes as her hatred for Michael grew.
“I understand the situation now, Mrs. Winthrop. Thanks for telling me.””You’re welcome. You have the right to know about these things as her daughter.”After counting the minutes and realizing more than half an hour had passed, Margot finally collected herself and got up.
