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I grinned slyly:"Some things need a big scene."
Meeting Lily again surprised me.
I knew she'd returned pregnant,but I didn't expect her to show up when her due date was only a month away.Rumor had it she was carrying twins.
My sources said the father wasn't the story's main lead,James Nolan,but a wealthy foreign aristocrat with royal ties.They felt the sparks between then in their first meeting,hooking up the day they met.
She carried his sons and was promised a title,but couldn't marry into royalty pregnant or with kids.
So,she was desperate to ditch them.
Sometimes the world seem so strange to me.
Lily was supposed to run abroad with James's child in the original story.Instead,she fled with awakened Henry,then ran back with a foreign aristocrat's kids.
Henry got nothing in those five years.
I glanced at him.
No time for musings.Henry carefully helped Lily sit,fussing over napkins and water.
Only after he had done everything for him did he notice me,guiltily explaining:"She's pregnant.I'm just worried."
"Trust me,I see her only as a little sister.I love you."
I didn't care.The waiter,professional enough not to laugh,handed us menus.
I'd poach him in a heartbeat.
I gestured for Lily to order.
"It’s been a long time.Pick anything."I smiled.
Lily smiled gently:"Too many words tire my eyes.Darling Henry,help me."
Henry took the menu,listing her likes and dislikes.
Lily,all innocence:"Dear,Henry and I have nothing going on between us.Don't overthink this!"
After her words,Henry listed a few of my favorites.
"Sophia loves fish,bouillabaisse,and..."
He ordered several dishes in a row,beaming:"It's been a while.I don't know your new favorites,but I'll learn them all."
Lily:"Darling,your fiancé's so sweet.You're so lucky!"
The waiter, prefessional as he was,nearly laughed.
I laughed:"Cancel everything from the fish onward."
I ordered two random dishes,returned the menu,and calmly eyed them.
Yes,Henry was sitting across from me,next to Lily,us at opposite ends of the long table.
"There are some things we need to discuss openly."
Lily nodded eagerly,snuggling Henry,teary and frail:"Darling Henry pities me.Don't worry,dear,the kids will call you Mom.I'll just be a godmother."
Henry went pale.
He hadn't told me I'd raise Lily's kids if we married.
But from the moment I saw himafter five years,I knew.
His"change",his"regret"—all for Lily's children.
I'd watched coldly,seeing how far he'd go.
All this act was too real.Too convincing.
It reminded me of the past,which I couldn't tolerate.
I sneered at him.
He stammered:"Sophia,listen.Lily's single.She can't raise twins alone.It'd ruin her reputation."
"She's your sister,so she's my little sister too.I'm thinking of her."
Seeing I didn't interrupt,he continued:"This way,we'd have kids right after marriage.You'd skip the pain of childbirth.I'm thinking of you."
"Lily's kids will be just like her—sweet,thoughtful.They'd call you Mom..."
I cut him off,cold:"You gonna say it's lucky for me they call me Mom?"
He mumbled no.
