My CEO Ex: Let Me Go.-Chapter 59

Alexander looked at me for a moment before suddenly smiling. "Vivienne, this isn’t funny. Even if you have issues with Olivia at work, you shouldn’t be making jokes like this."

No wonder Olivia had said that.

But even if she hadn’t warned him, he wouldn’t have believed it.

Olivia had been with Vanguard Global Enterprises for years; her character and work ethic were well known to him. And besides that, she had a long-term boyfriend. How could she possibly like him?

I fell silent, not saying another word.

See? Alexander didn’t believe anything I said, so why bother pretending he cared?

Had I forgotten that Alexander was the best actor? Why had I ever taken his concern seriously?

By the time lunch hour was almost over, I received a message on WhatsApp from Alexander.

“Come to my office for lunch. I’ve prepared your favorite.”

I stared at the message, my finger hovering over the send button as I typed, "I’m going out with some colleagues."

For a few seconds, I hesitated, then deleted it and simply replied, "Okay."

When I arrived at Alexander’s office, the table in front of the couch was already set with lunch.

I walked closer, and my eyes fell on a familiar package next to the lunch boxes.

Noticing where I was looking, Alexander spoke up. "That’s your Black Forest cake. I know you like it. You can have it after lunch."

It took me a moment to realize that Alexander seemed to be trying to win me over with cake.

If this were before, it might have worked. But now, seeing the Black Forest cake in the afternoon light, all the goodwill vanished. I didn’t even feel like eating lunch anymore.

I sat down on the couch, keeping a safe distance from the cake as if it were a plague.

Alexander sat across from me. Halfway through my meal, I put my chopsticks down. "I’m done."

Alexander looked up. "That’s it? Eat a little more."

I thought about the baby growing inside me and forced myself to eat a little more.

"Thank you for the meal, CEO Hawthorne." I finished and got up to leave.

Alexander frowned at my cold demeanor, then reminded me to take the cake with me.

I glanced at the cake on the table, and a strong wave of resistance surged in my chest.

Once the sweet outer layer was peeled away, I had no interest in the Black Forest cake at all.

I never liked chocolate; it always felt bitter, bitter enough to reach the heart.

But at this point, it was too late to say I didn’t like it.

I bent down, grabbed the cake, and headed back to my office.

As luck would have it, my assistant walked in just then with some documents. Seeing the cake in my hands, she was surprised. "Director Vivienne likes afternoon Black Forest cake too?"

"I don’t. It was given to me. If you like it, you can have it." I handed her the cake.

The assistant hesitated, "Isn’t this a bit... awkward?"

"What’s wrong? I’ve taken so many days off. You must have been busy. Consider it a little treat from me," I said with a smile.

The assistant brightened and accepted the bag. "Thank you, Director Vivienne."

As Alexander came out of the bathroom, walking past the stairs, he overheard a conversation.

"Black Forest cake from Afternoon Time—when did you buy that?" one of the female employees asked.

"I didn’t buy it," another replied.

"Then how did it get here? Director Vivienne gave it to me. She’s such a nice person."

Alexander paused at the top of the stairs, his face darkening instantly.

One of the employees was holding the package from Afternoon Time.

Vivienne had given away the cake he had bought for her to her assistant.

...

All of Grandpa’s medicines and medical equipment were ready. He could be discharged and go home.

Alexander and I went to the hospital to pick up Grandpa and take him back to Ashford Manor.

When we reached the door of the ward, Alexander suddenly stopped.

I bumped into his back, rubbing my nose. "Why did you stop?"

Alexander turned around, took my hand, and only then did we enter the room together.

I bit my lip, took a deep breath, and straightened up. Together, we called out, "Pop-Pop!"

Grandpa was delighted, his face lighting up with a wide smile. He had been sitting on the couch, ready to go. "You’re finally here! Let’s head home."

With the support of his cane, Grandpa stood up.

I pulled my hand away from Alexander’s and went over to support my grandfather. "Pop-Pop, take it easy."

"It’s nothing," he replied.

Alexander didn’t say anything. He moved to the other side of Grandpa and helped him.

Grandpa waved him off, "Look at you both, worrying like I can’t walk on my own."

This time, Dr. Harrison’s assistant came with us back to Ashford Manor.

Alexander was still worried about Grandpa. When he found out that Grandpa wanted to go home, he suggested that Dr. Harrison’s assistant stay at Ashford Manor for a while.

Grandpa had no choice but to agree.

Once we arrived at Ashford Manor, Grandpa seemed to be in good spirits.

Alexander and I sat on the sofa, keeping Grandpa and Evelyn company while they chatted.

Before long, Sebastian Hawthorne and Lydia arrived, bringing their son, Eleanor Hawthorne, with them.

Eleanor was four years old now, and his sharp, adorable looks made him even more endearing.

He was holding a toy and went straight to Grandpa and Evelyn, calling out, "Great-grandparents!"

"Sweetheart," Grandpa said, patting Eleanor’s head. He was obviously fond of him. "Come to Grandpa. Have you been good today?"

"Baba and Mum said I should be extra good to see Grandpa," Eleanor replied.

"Good boy! Sweetheart, do you remember these two?"

"Can you recognize them?" Grandpa asked, pointing at me and Alexander.

Eleanor, with his big, round eyes, looked at both of us and called out in a loud, clear voice, "Uncle, Aunt!"

"Looks like Eleanor has an excellent memory," I said, smiling as I waved at him.

Eleanor kicked his little legs and climbed into the seat next to me.

I couldn’t help but pinch his soft cheek. It was so squishy.

"Auntie, don’t pinch me anymore! I’m a big kid now!" Eleanor said seriously, looking at me with his big round eyes.

His serious little face made me laugh out loud.

Evelyn couldn’t resist adding, "Eleanor really gets along with Vivienne. I remember when he was younger, he wouldn’t let anyone hold him except Vivienne."

"Isn’t he just too cute? Who wouldn’t love a kid like that?" I said, smiling.

"What cute, what cute... When he gets naughty at home, I sometimes wish I could just stuff him back in my belly," Lydia joked.

Everyone burst into laughter.

Lydia smiled and then asked, "Vivienne, I can tell you really like kids. When do you and Alexander plan to have any?"

The topic of children had come up again.

I furrowed my brow and glanced at Alexander.

Seeing how lively and cute my little nephew was, Alexander couldn’t help but imagine what their child might be like. Would the child take after him, or her? Would the kid be more energetic, or more reserved? He’d prefer a daughter...

Suddenly, Alexander snapped back to reality.

What was wrong with him?

His marriage with me was still uncertain, so why had his mind suddenly jumped to the idea of kids?

Seeing Alexander fall silent, I had no choice but to answer for both of us, "Alexander and I don’t have any plans for kids at the moment. Maybe we’ll talk about it in a couple of years."

"That’s true, you’re still young. No need to rush. It’s nice to enjoy a few years together, just the two of you."

I lowered my head, pretending to be shy, though I couldn’t hide the helplessness in my eyes.

I couldn’t tell if they were acting or being sincere. At least they seemed harmonious.

Evelyn smiled and asked, "Vivienne, what happened to the bracelet Alexander gave you last time? Aren’t you going to show it off?"