Chapter 1870


    As soon as ric heard her tone, he knew Hertha was still holding a grudge against him.


    His expression became somber, ready to exin what happened at Sapphire Skyline the other day, but just as he was about to speak, Kimberly emerged from the kitchen, halting his words mid-breath.


    Kimberly, Hertha''s mother, was still in the dark about the whole situation. If he brought it up now, Kimberly would surely jump to the same conclusion as Hertha, assuming he was out gallivanting with other women.


    Exining himself to Hertha was already a tall order; adding her mother to the equation would onlyplicate matters further.


    ric could only offer Hertha a sheepish smile, saying, "Things aren''t always what they seem."


    "Enough dilly-dallying, you two. Come on over and eat," Kimberly called out to ric and Hertha.


    "Right on!" ric eagerly moved to the dining table, taking the initiative to sit down and enthusiastically serving Kimberly and Hertha.


    As Kimberly epted the bowl ric handed her, she said, "Sit down and join us. There''s no need to stand on ceremony. I invited you for dinner because I want to clear the air between you and Hertha."


    Kimberly had always hoped ric and Hertha would marry, given that ric was the biological father of the children.


    If ric and Hertha were to marry, it would mean the children could grow up with both their biological parents, which she believed would make them happier.


    They had even gone as far as the registry office, yet the marriage hadn''t happened.


    Kimberly had only heard Hertha''s side of the story regarding their non-marriage. The true nature of the situation, the details, remained to be scrutinized.


    At the mention of getting to the heart of the matter, ric''s expression froze momentarily before he forced a wry smile, resuming his awkward demeanor.


    Fumbling with his fork, he avoided Kimberly''s expectant look.


    The failure of their marriage was on him, and he had always felt a deep sense of guilt, making him reluctant to face Hertha''s parents.


    He had mustered the courage toe over because Hertha had said she never wanted to see him again, a prospect ric feared deeply. He didn''t want to be strangers with Hertha.


    Even if it meant facing the wrath of Hertha''s parents, he had toe.


    He had braced himself to be turned away at the door by Kimberly, yet to his surprise, she weed him, allowed him to y with the kids, and even invited him to stay for dinner.


    He knew a confrontation was inevitable, yet he couldn''t help fearing it.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Don''t just eat the rice; have some of the side dishes," Kimberly said as she noticed ric''s focus on his te, serving him some.


    ric quickly reached out, epting the food with a sweet, "Thanks, Mom—"


    Her warning re cut him off mid-sentence.


    "Thanks, Kimberly..." he quickly corrected himself, earning a slight nod of approval from Hertha.


    Hertha was not pleased with the


    situation either. It wasn''t the


    oue she had hoped for, and the disappointment was evident as she hid behind her te, pushing the food around to mask the sadness in her eyes.


    "You two are so alike, can''t even remember to eat your veggies," Kimberly chided, serving Hertha as she spoke.


    Hertha simply epted the food, remaining silent.


    "Daddy and Mommy are so alike!" Helena eximed, her chubby little hands gripping her spoon with excitement, her voice especially sweet and endearing.


    "That''s why they made us!" Julian chimed in, adding his piece.


    Hertha was taken aback; the kids were really pushing the notion of her and ric being a perfect match.