Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion
Under these circumstances, she would naturally stand up for Marigold.
Even so, Eleanor was unwilling to accept defeat. ‘Miss Zellweger, my brother and your husband have been good friends for many years. Shouldn’t you be on the Wagners’ side?”
‘So?” Danika raised an eyebrow scornfully, finding her words somewhat ridiculous.
“You shouldn’t take her side,” Eleanor stated.
Danika couldn’t help but laugh mockingly, looking at Eleanor as if she were looking at a fool. “Paul and my husband are indeed good friends of many years, but so what? How can you be so sure that Paul shares the same opinion as you? Tell me, does he know you came here to humiliate Marigold?”
Danika believed that Paul still regarded Marigold as his sister and probably wouldn’t allow anyone from the Wagner family to come and cause trouble for her.
Indeed, upon hearing those words, Eleanor’s expression changed, and she instantly shut up like a clam.
Gilbert and Marigold (14)
Eleanor slinked away with her tail between her legs, and Danika withdrew her gaze. She turned to look at Marigold, who was standing to the side.” Don’t take her words to heart.”
“I know. I never took her seriously, to begin with.” In the past, she never had high regard for Eleanor, let alone now. After going through so much, she’d long let go of such things. Even if their father were still around, Marigold probably wouldn’t care about what he had to say anymore.
Hearing her response, Danika felt relieved. “You really don’t plan on returning to the Wagners?”
Yesterday, Paul called Eustace and asked her to persuade Marigold to return to the family. Danika didn’t agree or make any promises. Still, she wanted to check with Marigold on what she actually thought of the matter.
“Well, I never really felt a sense of belonging with the Wagners anyway. It’s better this way, I think.’ She had a new life now, and she was content and happy with it.
Danika could tell she wasn’t lying, so she immediately dismissed the idea of helping Paul persuade Marigold to go back. “The Wagner family isn’t anything special. It’s better for you to be the lady of Gilbert’s house.”
“Danika…” Marigold felt helpless that she was bringing it up again. She couldn’t control herself and started blushing furiously.
Danika didn’t continue teasing her and shifted her attention back to the dress. “This outfit is beautiful. Wear it for the baby’s naming ceremony.”
‘Okay.” Though she said she didn’t mind, Marigold was somewhat stimulated by Eleanor’s distasteful words. Her previous hesitance was totally gone as she agreed to get the dress almost instantaneously.
After buying the dress, they didn’t hurry to go back. They planned to have dinner at the mall before going home. As soon as they found a restaurant that was to their liking, Eustace called. Ever since Danika and Eustace got married, he’d hardly been apart from her. He would come to her whenever he had free time, just like now.
Upon learning that Danika was having dinner with Marigold, he said he would come and join them. He was rather clingy.
“You and Eustace seem to be getting along great. Your relationship didn’t become mundane and boring after you got married.” Although Danika complained that he was clingy, Marigold could see that she was actually very happy.
Danika put away her phone and smiled. “Yeah, it’s going fine. It hasn’t been that long since we got married anyway.” If things changed so quickly between them, how were they going to spend the next few decades together?
“Since he insisted on coming to eat with us, why don’t we invite Gilbert as well?” Danika suggested, afraid that Marigold might feel like she was a third wheel.
“There’s no need, Danika. Gilbert is very busy.” Marigold quickly refused, not wanting to disturb him.
She didn’t understand much about his work, but she felt concerned seeing Gilbert come home so late every day and often skipping meals. Being reminded of his unhealthy eating habits, Marigold said, “Danika, if you have time, please persuade Gilbert to eat properly. It seems like he often skips dinner, and it’s not good for his health.”
Danika didn’t actually know about it. Initially, when Marigold said it wasn’t necessary, she was ready to let it go. But upon hearing that, she immediately dialed Gilbert’s number. “Since you know he doesn’t eat dinner, it’s all the more important to get him to come over and make sure he eats.”
Marigold wanted to say something else, but Gilbert had already answered his phone on the other end.
“Gilbert, are you done with work?” Danika spoke on the phone with Gilbert while winking at Marigold, reassuring her that she wouldn’t make things difficult for her.
Marigold didn’t say anything more, but she felt somewhat excited inside.
“Come over and eat with us. I’ll send you the location.,.1 don’t care. Even if you haven’t finished your work, you still have to come and have your meal first, or I’ll hold this against you.”
In the end, Danika emerged victorious and successfully convinced Gilbert to come out.
Gilbert and Marigold (15)
Putting away her phone, Danika looked at Marigold, who was seated across from her. “It was a success. Gilbert will come over in a moment.”
‘Okay,” Marigold replied, blushing slightly.
Seeing her reaction, Danika couldn’t help but comment, ‘I thought you would be as bold as before. I thought you would make some progress with Gilbert while staying under the same roof.”
“I…” Marigold opened her mouth but hesitated for a while before saying,” I’m afraid doing that might make him feel disgusted with me.”
After all, she’d seen with her own eyes the unfiltered disdain on Gilbert’s face once. Now that she finally had the chance to get close to him again, she didn’t want to do anything that would make him repulsed and potentially cause him to send her away.
‘He probably wont. I feel like Gilbert treats you differently now compared to before.” Although she wasn’t sure what to make of Gilbert’s current attitude toward Marigold, she could sense that there was a change.
As soon as Danika said that, Marigold’s eyes lit up with a hint of surprise and disbelief. “Really? Do you really think so?”
“Yeah.” Danika nodded. “But I’m not entirely sure what he’s thinking. If you really like him, you should still take the initiative and try to win him over.”
At this point, Danika no longer harbored any dislike toward Marigold. She was even looking forward to seeing her marrying Gilbert and forming a family with him. It wasn’t just for Gilbert’s sake but also for the child who would soon be one month old.
Children fare better with their parents by their side. If their parents had a loving relationship, it would be all the more conducive to their growth and development.
“Okay. I know what to do,” Marigold replied with a nod. Perhaps because of Danika’s encouraging words, she actually started to ponder the possibilities.
While they were talking, Eustace arrived at the restaurant. He walked right over and sat next to Danika.
‘Hi, Eustace,” Marigold greeted. Although she wasn’t very familiar with him, she knew him because of Paul.
Eustace nodded but didn’t say anything. “Have you ordered?” he asked Danika.
Danika nodded. “Yes, we have.”
‘Good. Did you buy new clothes?” Eustace noticed the bag next to Danika and leaned closer, whispering in her ear.
Danika nodded and pushed him away lightly. Marigold was still sitting across from them, so Danika thought he should be a bit more reserved and keep some distance from her. Eustace noticed she was a bit embarrassed, so he moved aside a little and didn’t continue leaning in. He then returned to his original state of aloofness.
But it was already too late. In Marigold’s heart, the once lofty and distant Eustace had fallen from grace. She could hardly believe her eyes.
Was the man who was clinging to Danika just now really the same Eustace she used to know?
Marigold could still remember the first time she saw Eustace. She’d followed Paul to a party and saw him sitting on the sofa from a distance. He held a glass of wine in his hand. By merely sitting there and doing nothing, he exuded an aura that made him seem unapproachable.
At that time, she had a favorable impression of Eustace. She secretly asked Paul to introduce him to her. After all, no one would pass up on the chance to get to know a handsome guy.
‘If you don’t want to die, drop this idea,” Paul replied simply and bluntly, his tone laced with a hint of warning.
Marigold wasn’t thick. When she heard Paul say that, she knew she couldn’t afford to cross paths with this person. So, she gave up on the idea at the drop of a hat.
Fortunately, she was only attracted by his appearance and didn’t like Eustace that much.
But what did she just see?
She witnessed that same man, who used to be high and mighty, become lovestruck and clingy. If she hadn’t been certain that the person in front of her was Eustace, she would have started to doubt whether he was the same person.
Gilbert and Marigold (16)
While she was lost in her own thoughts, Gilbert walked into the restaurant and headed straight toward the three of them.
“Gilbert’s here,” Danika spoke up. Marigold instantly snapped out of her daze and looked at the object of her affection, who had just arrived.
‘Danika,” Gilbert greeted Danika with a nod and looked at Marigold. “How did the health check go?”
‘Everything is fine,’ Marigold answered with a smile. She still felt a bit nervous in front of him. Gilbert didn’t pay much attention to that. He took a seat next to her naturally.
Soon, the waiter brought the dishes, and the four of them ate and chatted.
When the topic shifted to the upcoming naming ceremony for Caleb, there was no shortage of conversation among them, even Gilbert surprisingly had a lot to say. Although he didn’t say it explicitly, Danika could tell that he genuinely adored his child.
After dinner, the four of them parted ways. “We’ll head back now.”
‘Okay, drive safe,” Gilbert reminded, watching Danika and Eustace get into the car and drive away. Once their car was some distance away, he said to Marigold, “Get in the car.”
‘Okay.” Marigold walked toward the passenger seat, opened the door, and got in.
Inside the car, they fell into an awkward silence.
‘Sorry for interrupting your work.” After a while, Marigold finally plucked up enough courage to speak up.
Gilbert furrowed his brow, seemingly not understanding why she was apologizing. “Why would you say that?”
‘It’s because of me that Danika called you. If it weren’t for me-“
“It has nothing to do with you, and besides, having a meal doesn’t disrupt my work that much.” Although he was indeed busy when Danika called him, it didn’t mean he would blame Marigold for it. He wasn’t an unreasonable tyrant who blamed everything on others.
Seeing that he didn’t seem to blame her, Marigold breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Are you going back to work?”
It was only 8 pm. Judging from his usual working hours, he might still have pending work waiting for him at his company.
‘That won’t be necessary.’
‘Oh, it’s good that you get to rest earlier.”
“I guess so.”
The atmosphere fell into silence once again. Marigold desperately wanted to say something but didn’t know what to say.
Soon, the car arrived at the villa, and the two of them got out and walked inside.
As they came back early that day, Caleb was still awake. The nanny was playing with him in the living room. Upon seeing his parents, Caleb seemed to sense who they were and started giggling in delight.