Chapter 413: Who Would Come Here?

Hayley’s POV:

As I stepped out, I saw Benjamin hanging up the phone. He gently asked, “Why aren’t you sleeping?”

I didn’t say anything, simply stepping forward and wrapping my arms around his waist. “I just can’t sleep.”

Benjamin pulled me closer. “Don’t overthink it.”

We stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, and in that moment, Hera stirred joyfully within me. A sense of calm washed over me, and I absentmindedly stroked his hand, saying, “I’m so glad to have you.”

Benjamin rested his chin on my head, his voice soft. “I feel the same way. I’m so glad to have you.”

“Didn’t we plan on having some food after I took a nap? I’ll call the supermarket and have them send over the ingredients.”

Benjamin raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised, and asked, “So, are you saying you’re planning to cook yourself? Do you know how to cook?”

I grinned mischievously. “I think it’s time you got a taste of my cooking. But let me warn you in advance, if it doesn’t taste good, you can’t complain.”

Benjamin chuckled. “Deal.”

With a smile, I happily called the supermarket, and within half an hour, they delivered all the ingredients I needed. Just as I was about to get to work, Benjamin quietly put on an apron.

“W-what are you doing?” I looked at him in confusion.

Without hesitation, Benjamin took the ingredients from my hands and said, “I’ll take care of it. You should go relax.”

“But I was the one who said I’d make it.”

“It’s fine, leave it to me!” His tone was firm, making it clear there was no room for argument.

I handed him the ingredients with a grin. “Alright, then. I’ll leave it to you.”

Benjamin processed the ingredients slowly, although his movements looked simple and ordinary, each gesture revealing a refined elegance. I smiled to myself and stepped out of the kitchen, settling on the sofa to watch TV. Time passed, and soon, a delicious aroma filled the air.

“Come wash your hands, dinner’s ready.”

Excited, I jumped up from the sofa and hurried to the dining room. As soon as I walked in, my eyes landed on the meticulously arranged dishes on the table, each one so appealing that it instantly sparked my appetite.

“Your cooking is amazing!” I said, genuinely impressed.

Just then, the doorbell rang. I was puzzled. Who would come here in the middle of the day? But Hera’s restless reaction immediately made me realize that whoever it was, they certainly weren’t someone I wanted to see. With a sense of unease, I went to open the door. When I saw who had arrived, I couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. As expected, it wasn’t someone I wanted to see.

“Mrs. Southwell, what brings you here?”

Odessa glared at me, letting out a cold, dismissive huff. “Ms. Carson, we need to talk.”

“If you have something to say, then say it here,” I said, my irritation rising at her hostile demeanor. I made an effort to keep my temper in check.

Odessa looked around my house, then raised her eyes to meet mine. “What’s this? You’re not even going to invite me in?”

Before I could respond, she walked in. As she reached the dining room and saw Benjamin, she froze in shock. “Ben, what are you doing here?”

Benjamin slowly set down his utensils, his tone calm and unhurried. “Is there something strange about me being at my future Luna’s house?”

There was nothing wrong with what he said! But Odessa looked furious. She had never liked me, and seeing her precious son with me clearly made her even angrier.

“You didn’t come home last night, and I was worried sick. I didn’t expect to find you here. You should’ve at least let us know where you were,” she complained to Benjamin.

I walked over and invited her to sit down. I wanted to ignore her, but I couldn’t—after all, she was Benjamin’s mother.

Suddenly, Benjamin spoke to her. “Mom, if you have something to say to Hayley, just say it in front of me. You both are the most important people in my life, so there’s no need to hide anything from me.”

His words made it clear that he was standing up for me. Odessa’s eyes widened as she stared at Benjamin, then shot an angry glance at me. Whatever she was planning to say to me was likely some kind of scolding, but she clearly wouldn’t do that in front of Benjamin.

After a moment of silence, she began to treat me very kindly. She smiled at me, and then pulled an invitation out of her bag.