Chapter 628


    "Actions speak louder than words, babe."


    Karen was about to pinch Jeffrey again but her hand was suddenly caught in his firm grip.


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    "You don''t just go grabbing a man''s belt without permission."


    His voice was a deep, husky whisper that made Karen freeze in surprise.


    Jeffrey leaned in close, his breath tickling the fine hairs on her earlobe, "And you can only touch


    mine."


    ...


    Dorothy was utterly shocked. When they had left Swevia Country, Karen and Jeffrey were at each


    other like cats and dogs. But as they returned to Eldorria City from Snowfall City, the two were hand


    in hand at the airport.


    "Wow! Aunt Karen, you''re not smacking Mr. Turner anymore?" Langston blurted out with a surprised


    look stered all over his little face.


    He vividly remembered the sound of Karen''s p on Jeffrey’s face during theirst dinner together


    – it echoed!


    Such an embarrassing moment being aired like dirtyundry, Jeffrey felt a tad awkward. Hastily, he


    scooped up Langston and covered his mouth, "What do you know, kiddo? That''s how Aunt Karen


    shows love! Haven''t you heard? ''A smack means love, a scold means affection!'' The harder the


    smack, the deeper the love!"


    "So, my dad not spanking my mom means he doesn''t love her?"


    Smile on Jeffrey’s face disappeared in an instant.


    Karen was exasperated and pushed him away, "Don''t fill the kid''s head with nonsense!"


    Everett, cradling Abigail, nced over at the two and softly pulled Dorothy closer, "No need to


    worry. Jeffrey''s serious this time."


    "Let''s hope so."


    Dorothy noticed the genuine smile on Karen''s face and the intimate interactions between them,


    which did put her mind somewhat at ease.


    Once they were all in the car, with the men and kidsughing up front, Dorothy chose to sit in the


    back row with Karen.


    "Does Keh know?"


    Karen shook her head, "No way, how could I tell him?"


    If Keh found out that her boyfriend was Everett''s close buddy, and that he once had a thing for


    Heather, she''d probably be thrown out of the house!


    "But he''ll have to find out sooner orter."


    "We''ll cross that bridge when wee to it." Karen shuddered at the thought, "Jeffrey and I are


    moving too fast. It might end as quickly as it started. Nothing''s certain yet."


    She wasn''t holding out much hope for their rtionship. Keeping her expectations in check seemed


    the best way forward.


    After a moment''s thought, Dorothy lowered her voice, "Karen, if things between you and Jeffrey get


    serious, and you eventually make it to the altar, promise me you won''t let my issues affect your


    rtionship."


    She feared her own fallout with the Lopez family would drag them into the mess.


    Karen raised an eyebrow, "That depends on Jeffrey''s stance. If he can''t distinguish right from


    wrong, I won''t be with him! Everett''s mom is up to no good; if Jeffrey tries to cover for her or speak


    in her favor, I''ll kick him to the curb! I have no room for someone without integrity."


    Dorothy''s fear was precisely on this issue, "It has nothing to do with you guys."


    "Don''t overthink it, Dorothy," Karen reassured her, patting her shoulder gently. "Worrying about this


    all the time must be exhausting. Everyone has their destiny, and love is no different. How it evolves,


    whether itsts – it''s all random and uncertain. If it ends, it''s because it wasn''t right. Whyment


    over something that wasn''t meant to be?"


    Dorothy had always admired Karen''s straight talk.


    Up front, Jeffrey was animatedly recounting his encounter with Derek and Serena,pletely


    unabashed and even proud as he concluded, "Anyway, after meeting the parents, I''ve finally


    upgraded from being her ''fancy fruit'' to the real deal."