Eudora stood at the door in a daze. Just as she was rubbing her eyes, she saw Auntie Valerie standing on the stairs, looking at her.
Auntie Valerie was flustered as she thought that Eudora might have overheard the conversation on the phone call. However, in the next second, Eudora gave her a big smile.
âGood morning, Auntie Valerie!â
Auntie Valerie sighed a breath of relief. Then, she greeted her with a smile as well, âGood morning.â
âWhereâs Amos?â Eudora asked.
Eudora wasnât aware that she had become accustomed to Amosâ presence all the time. The first thing she did every morning was to look for Amos, and if she didnât see him, she would ask for his whereabouts.
âMr. Granger and Mr. Louis have gone out. They said that they would be back soon. Breakfast is ready. Iâll go get it for you.â
âYes, thank you!â Eudora then went back to her room to wash up. By the time she was downstairs, Auntie Valerie had already prepared everything and the breakfast was served on the table.
Eudora took a deep breath, âIt smells so good. Did you make these?â
Auntie Valerie shook her head hastily, âMr. Granger has prepared this on his own!â
In the next second, Eudora had already taken a piece and sent it straight to Auntie Valerieâs lips, âTry some.â
Auntie Valerie was stunned. The Grangers were like her family, as they wouldnât leave her out on anything. Auntie Valerie was touched and she shook her head at once, âIâve already eaten! Mr. Granger had prepared extra breakfast for me, and itâs delicious. You should have some.â
Eudora believed her words, therefore, she continued to eat obediently.
After being under Amosâ care for some time, Eudora was already feeling much better and she didnât have morning sickness anymore. After giving it some thought, Auntie Valerie felt that Eudora would be fine!
It was at this moment that she changed the subject.
âMiss George, do you remember the joke that you used to tell? When I came here this morning, Mr. Louis shared that joke and I had a good laughâ¦â
Eudora couldnât recall the joke, thus she asked, âWhat was the joke about?â
Auntie Valerie told the joke by first asking how many steps it took to put an elephant in the refrigerator, and Eudora laughed for a while, âThatâs so silly! Have I really said this kind of joke to Amos in the past?â
âYes!â Auntie Valerie also laughed, âMr. Granger enjoys listening to your jokes! Whenever Mr. Granger gets a rash on his body, you were the only one who could cure it.â
Eudora was shocked, âWhat rashes? I heard that Amos couldnât touch other women. Is that true?â
Auntie Valerie nodded, âYes! Hence, you and Mr. Granger are a perfect match, but itâs a pity thatâ¦â
Auntie Valerie stopped talking at this moment, triggering Eudoraâs curiosity, âAuntie Valerie, what did you mean by pity?â
Auntie Valerieâs words were already at the tip of her tongue. The words spun a few times in her throat and stopped there because she saw Eudoraâs smile.
Eudora had been smiling happily ever since she woke up in the morning. She seemed to have slept well, and perhaps, she was delighted that Amos had made breakfast for her.
It was because of her delightful smile that Auntie Valerie felt even more guilty. Wouldnât she be cruel if she were to tell Eudora such an awful truth when she was smiling that brightly?
However, what would happen to her grandson if she didnât tell her?
Auntie Valerie made up her mind and finally spoke when Eudora asked her for the second time.
âMadam, itâs actually about the month of which the baby in your belly was conceived. Old Master Granger has just passed away recently, yet youâ¦â
Eudora was dumbfounded. She was unable to come to her senses for a moment.
Auntie Valerie was about to speak again when Amosâ voice was heard outside the door.
âAuntie Valerieâ¦â
His voice sounded very urgent and perhaps, even a little fierce. It was as though he was about to devour someone. Auntie Valerieâs legs trembled as she saw Amos coming through the door.
He stood in front of Auntie Valerie, and his face was as dark as the bottom of a pan. There was anger, but also disappointmentâ¦
Behind him was Harley, who was looking at Auntie Valerie with displeasure. He was obviously disappointed with her behavior too.
Auntie Valerieâs heart sank, knowing that she had been caught at that moment. She also knew that she no longer had the chance to explain herself. Just as she was about to say something, Amos gave an order after suppressing his anger, âPlease tidy up the kitchen.â
Auntie Valerie knew that Amos didnât want to scare Eudora. Hence, he chose to hold back his anger.
Harley quickly followed her to the kitchen.
After Auntie Valerie left, Eudora stood up slowly and looked blankly at Amos.
Amos looked at her and felt extremely uneasy. He didnât know how much Auntie Valerie had revealed to her. Could she have known the whole truth already? Wouldnât she be devastated if that was the case?
No, it mustnât end like this. He couldnât watch her crumble!
Amos thought of this and realized that his heart was already preoccupied with anxiety. He was really afraid as he had already lost her twice. He couldnât bear to lose her once again.
âEudora, donât think too much. In fact, itâs completely different from what it seemsâ¦â
Amos initially thought that he could remain composed, but what he said ended up being incoherent.
âIs it true what Auntie Valerie said just now?â Eudora suddenly spoke.
Amosâs heart skipped a beat, âHmm?â
âI meanâ¦â After all, Eudoraâs memory was still stuck to when she was still twenty. Therefore, she still felt embarrassed when she was talking about such a thing, âWas our baby conceived soon after the Old Masterâs funeral?â
Their culture emphasized a lot on paying tribute to the deceased. It was widely considered a stigma if a woman were to get pregnant soon after an immediate family member had passed away, the elderly in particular.
Amosâ heart, which had been pounding vigorously, fell hard.
âIs that all Auntie Valerie had told you?â
âIs there anything else?â Eudora looked shocked.
âNo, of course not,â Amosâ worry was thrown into disarray as he spoke incoherently.
In front of him, Eudora became even more embarrassed and impatient, âYou havenât answered me yet. How could we do such a thing?â Eudora had lost her mother and she knew the pain of losing a loved one. At such a time, Amos probably wouldnât have the mood to do such a thing, right? Did she tempt him into breaching this taboo?
Eudora felt a little guilty and embarrassed.
She covered her face in embarrassment and looked down at her belly, which was slightly protruding after being well taken care of recently.
Her actions and expressions were really a million times more lovely at this moment. She was like a lost kitten, pure and unadulterated.
âIf the Old Master were to learn about this, he would have despised me, wouldnât he? Iâm so inconsiderate, Amos!â
Amos was jittery and he scrambled forward to hug her, âNo, itâs all my fault. I was drunk that night and I couldnât help it. Itâs all my fault. Even if my father were to know about it, he would blame me instead of you. Iâll bear all the blame and burden regardless of anything. Donât worry about anything. Iâm here for you.â
Instead of feeling better, Eudora frowned even more upon hearing Amosâ words.
âThat wonât work either. You are the childâs father after all. If anything were to happen to you, what should I do then? I donât want anything to happen to you.â
She hugged his arm and buried her head in his embrace. After a pause, her eyes suddenly lit up, âWhy donât pay a visit to the Old Masterâs grave? Iâll explain it to him, and heâll surely forgive us.â