Chapter 430: Chapter 431

Gregory was being his usual stubborn self.

I glanced at him and sighed, “Cut it out.”

As Mark had pointed out, whether it was university or the hurdles of two years ago, he had been there to pull me through. If it hadn’t been for him rescuing me, tirelessly seeking out doctors, and introducing me to mentors that propelled my career forward, I doubt I’d have climbed out of the pit of depression so swiftly. I owed him a debt of gratitude I couldn’t repay, but I’d never forget the favor.

Besides, Mark had come over today especially to bring Snowy to me.

Gregory, acting as if he heard nothing, didn’t ease up, leaving me somewhat helpless. That’s when Mark said, “It’s fine, you stay and have dinner with them.”

With those words, he changed his shoes and left.

The moment the door closed behind him, a wave of guilt washed over me, and I abruptly shook off Gregory’s grip, “Happy now?”

“Somewhat.”

Gregory eyed me, his tone ambiguous, “Mad at me?”

Considering Ike was still around, and his health condition, I shook my head and replied softly, “No, let’s just eat.”

Returning to my meal, I ate in silence.

After dinner, he glanced at me, “Angry I didn’t let you see him off?”

“I told you, I’m not angry.”

“You’re not angry, yet you won’t speak?”

“What’s there to say? It’s not like I have to talk non-stop.”

He chuckled, “He insulted you to your face, and you’re not mad at him, but you’re mad at me for not letting you see him off?”

“I’m not...” I pursed my lips, “It's just that Mark truly has helped me a lot, and I didn’t want to lack even the basic courtesy of hospitality.”

“And what about me?”

“Greg...” Ike, who had been lounging on the beanbag rubbing his belly after dinner, piped up in a small voice, “Don’t be jealous, Greg. Jane said the other guy was a guest, and you’re family.”

Gregory frowned at me, “Is that true?”

I couldn’t be bothered to respond.

“Really, the uncle heard it too.”

Ike crisply answered, then tugged at his shirt, adopting a mature tone, “Uncle, do you know why my dad got divorced?”

Gregory replied, “Wasn’t it because he was too old-fashioned?”

“Nope.”

“Then why?”

“Because he was like you, bad at talking.”

Ike added with a hint of frustration, “That’s normal for girls not to like you. Girls like boys who can make them happy.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, seeing Gregory pinch his cheek, “Who’s been filling your head with this stuff?”

“Nobody told me.” Ike looked up, “Every time dad was mean, mom would get upset. Ike has eyes and ears; I can see for myself!”

“Little devil.” Gregory laughed.

Ike, seizing the moment of Gregory’s good mood, ventured, “Uncle, can I sleep over at Jane’s tonight? I want to sleep with her and listen to her bedtime stories.”

Gregory glanced at me, “That’s up to Jane.”

“But she said it’s up to you.”

“Is that so,” Gregory’s lips curled into a smile, gesturing towards the bathroom, “If you can wash up by yourself, you can stay over.”

“Yay!” Ike dashed into the bathroom, excited, even singing a bath song.

Soon after, the sound of running water filled the air.

As I bent down to pick up my sketchpad, planning to work on the balcony, Gregory’s index finger hooked around my little finger from behind. He gently swayed my finger, his voice low, “Am I really family?”

“...”

My heart skipped irregularly, still upset, I said, “You and he are both friends.”

“Friends?” He scoffed, “Just friends, huh?”

I remained silent, lowering my gaze to his sharply defined face, “Then what are we?”

Fiancés, perhaps. That engagement from years ago, remembered by him alone. As Mark said, the Ford family wouldn’t welcome me. Otherwise, the drama of two years ago wouldn’t have occurred.

Yet, in this moment, looking at him, I felt an unexpected surge of hope.

His eyes, under the flutter of long lashes, held mine, “That depends on you, Jane. You owe me an explanation for two years ago.”

“Your father came to see me.” I took a deep breath, explaining only half of the story, “I didn’t have much choice.”

Back then, I was even more ordinary than now, with no power to resist. Especially not at the cost of dragging Gregory down with me.

Gregory frowned, then scoffed, “So, you stayed silent and remained Mrs. Ferguson by Bryant’s side for two more years? If I remember correctly, not even a month after you returned, I was in trouble.”

I had anticipated his skepticism; such a feeble reason wouldn’t convince him easily.

Taking another deep breath, I said, “Actually, I wasn’t with the Ferguson family. When I left, I just forgot to take my phone.”

“Then where were you? What were you doing?”

His ability to pinpoint the heart of the matter was unsurprising. I shouldn’t have thought I could easily deceive him.

Suddenly, Gregory let go of my finger, his voice cool, “You were with Mark those two years, weren’t you?”

I was momentarily stunned, surprised by his quick deduction.

He laughed bitterly, his voice rough as gravel, “So, I’m not even a backup?”

Lost Me, Gained Regret (Jane and Bryant Ferguson)

Chapter 430 His Charming Wife Chapter 10 Dominant Boss: Call Me Hubby, My Dear Chapter 250 Finn Shows up Amidst Many Obstructions