Once the mind becomes anxious, time seems especially long.
Norman Douglasâs thoughts were restless as he pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it for himself.
He took a drag from the cigarette, faintly hearing laughter from inside the house. His fingers trembled, and the ash fell in a flurry.
The laughter was both unfamiliar and familiarâ¦
Normanâs expression froze for a moment.
His wife had been depressed for nearly two years, how long had it been since he heard her laugh?
Norman stared at the house, urgency in his eyes, wishing he could see directly through the walls to find out what Purple Summers and Mrs. Douglas were saying and doing right now.
At that moment, the white door finally opened againâ
Mrs. Douglas came out holding the baby to see Purple Summers off.
The five-month-old baby looked plump and fair, with Mrs. Douglas holding up its chubby little hand to wave goodbye to Purple.
Norman suddenly saw his wife and daughter, his eyes welling up with heat and his chest swelling with an uncomfortable sourness.
Although living together, the couple could not reunite, having to endure the pain of being separated from their flesh and blood, it was too much to bear!
He heard Purple Summers tell Mrs. Douglas, âDonât worry, Iâll take care of it in a couple of days.â
Afterward, Mrs. Douglas returned to the house with the child, and the door closed again.
Even though Norman was restrained and composed, he couldnât help but ask Purple out of curiosity, âWhat did you say to her? Why did she want to see you? What did she ask you to do?â
A string of questions followed.
Not long ago he had been issuing a cold and arrogant order to leave, but now he was urgently asking Purple.
The housekeeper stood shocked in his place.
The private tutorâs gaze kept flitting over Purple.
Everyone was extremely surprised.
Their eyes were glued to Purple, waiting for her to reveal the answer.
âI just went in to see the baby,â Purple said with a smile. âMrs. Douglas has taken good care of the baby. I held it for a bit, and it was quite heavy.â
She even held the baby!
Even Mr. Douglas had only held the baby a few times during the puerperium, and once back home, Mrs. Douglas no longer let anyone near the child!
âWhat did you two talk about?â Norman was baffled. âDid she say how to take the child out?â
âMr. Douglas, as Iâve mentioned before, Iâd really like to help your wife, but the way I help might make you uncomfortable,â Purpleâs smile was faint, âIn a couple of days, once Iâve taken care of things for Mrs. Douglas, youâll know what weâve discussed.â
Everyone was waiting for Purple to reveal the answer, and yet she was playing coy at this moment.
The female private tutor was displeased, and said with disdain, âWhat do you mean by that? Are you trying to act mysterious to gain some advantage? Mr. Douglas is a Justice, he wonât fall for your tricks!â
Purple looked at her, still smiling, âIâve just found out that you are Mr. Douglasâs private tutor. Arenât you supposed to be teaching the young master? Following eagerly here, are you trying to teach Mr. Douglas how to respond?â
The private tutor was left speechless, both embarrassed and angry.
She had followed out of curiosity, neglecting the young master upstairs, which was an undeniable fact she couldnât refute.
Purple had no intention of arguing with the private tutor, her goal for the day had been achieved, so she bade Norman farewell.
Norman looked at her intently, his meaning profound, âWanting to go down the legal path, itâs good to be articulate, but being sharp-tongued will only make you disliked.â
âIt seems Mr. Douglas dislikes me quite a bit,â Purple replied, her smile undiminished, âFortunately, your wife likes me a lot!â
Norman, at a loss for words, frowned and watched coldly as Purple Summers and Allen Rivera and others left.
Once they had left the Douglas Family home and settled into Allenâs car, Jane McCain couldnât contain her curiosity any longer and asked Purple, âTell us! Why would Mrs. Douglas agree to see you? What did you talk about?â
âActually, itâs nothing much, I just told her that I know Camilla Farrell,â Purple said.
Jane was confused, not understanding the significance, while Allen, in the driverâs seat, chuckled and gave Purple a thumbs-up.
âSmooth,â Allen said.