Chapter 319


    Just as she was about to turn and leave, Ian''s arms enveloped her in a protective embrace. His


    eyes were a deep ocean of emotion, his voice husky with tenderness. "What are you in the mood


    for? I can fetch it for you. How about some king crab? I''ll peel a couple for you. Sounds good?"


    His voice was as soft as a whisper, tinged with a hint of eagerness to please her. He feared a harsh


    tone might push ra away.


    Whenever she faced such tenderness from Ian, ra''s heart would always melt. She closed her


    eyes briefly, powerless, and whispered, "No, thank you."


    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    "How about some crawfish? They''re the real deal here. And they''ve got all the spicy dishes you


    usually love. Let''s try some tonight."


    ra quickly shook her head. "I don''t feel like eating."


    In the early stages of her pregnancy, those foods were off-limits. If Ian were to find out, it would


    certainly arouse his suspicion.


    Ian looked at her, bewildered, "Howe you''ve changed your tastes in just a few days? Didn''t you


    use to drool over this kind of food? What''s wrong? Are you not feeling well? Let me take you to see


    a doctor."


    His cool palm rested on ra''s forehead, the other hand on his own,paring their temperatures.


    Relieved they were the same, he let out a sigh. "No fever, so why don''t you want to eat? Are your


    stomach problems acting up again? I''ll book an appointment with a specialist for you."


    "It''s not that. I''ve just put on weight recently and want to slim down, so I''m watching what I eat for


    dinner."


    "Put on weight? You look slimmer to me. ra, are you hiding something from me?"


    Ian''s suspicions grew heavier by the second. His eyes scoured over ra, searching for something


    amiss.


    At that moment, Rose approached, defusing the situation. She ushered ra to sit and had a light


    yet nutritious pregnancy-friendly meal brought to her. "ra, I heard you haven''t been feeling up to


    eating much, so I had this prepared for you. Eat up, darling."


    Ian looked on in surprise, "She''s not feeling well, and you knew? Besides, she''s always had a


    hearty appetite. She won''t be able to stomach such nd food."


    Rose shot him a poignant re, "Your great-uncle has been looking for you. The whole family''s


    waiting to have a drink with you. Go on, I''ll keep rapany."


    "No, I can''t leave her with you. I need to take her with me."


    "Why drag her to a bunch of men drinking? To inhale second-hand smoke? ra wouldn’t dream of


    it."


    Ian still felt uneasy, casting worried nces at ra. "Stay with Grandma Rose. I''ll be back soon."


    He looked from the te of food to ra and then walked away.


    Watching his retreating figure, Rose sighed, "Have you set the date for your departure?"


    ra nodded, "February 6th."


    Rose counted the days. ra had only a week left. Her eyes reddened instantly. Gazing at ra''s


    belly, she murmured, "ra, our family have wronged you. You''re pregnant and still have to hide.


    Trust Ian. He’ll sort everything out and bring you and the baby home soon."


    "Grandma Rose," ra softly called out, "don''t tell him. I''m afraid I won''t be able to leave."


    "I understand. It just breaks my heart that you two can''t see each other soon. You must be missing


    each other terribly."


    As the dinner came to an end, the butler reported, "Rose, Mr. Ian is drunk and keeps calling out for


    Ms. ra. He won’t let anyone touch him."


    ra immediately stood up, "Take me to him."


    She found Ian alone in a corner, slumped on a couch, a picture of destion as he stared out at the


    night sky.


    When Ian noticed ra, his gaze turned fragile, his voice hoarse with the aftermath of inebriation.


    "ra, please don''t leave me, okay?"