Reading Juicy Gossip in Her Mind

Chapter 263: Can You Be a Little More Daring

Isabella met Alexander's gaze; his deep-set eyes seemed to draw her into their dark depths. An unexpected wave of intimacy rose between them. She stared at his unbelievably handsome face, her heart pounding. Her gaze drifted downward, landing on his slightly parted lips. Instinctively, Isabella swallowed. Close, too close; we're about to kiss! she thought.

Alexander snapped back to reality, realizing he'd almost lost control. No, I can't, he thought. Bella hasn't given her consent. How can I disregard her wishes and kiss her against her will? From his perspective, Isabella held the power of choice. She could do anything to him, but he couldn't cross the line.

What is he doing? Is his masculine instinct about to show itself? Should I resist? If I lift my head, I might accidentally kiss him, Isabella mused.

A lump formed in Alexander's throat, and he breathed out anxiously. However, Isabella was too timid to kiss him; she could only imagine it.

"W-What's wrong? Are you ticklish? I didn't do it on purpose," she stammered.

Alexander lowered his gaze. Can't my wife be a bit more daring? he thought. Sigh Never mind. I'm no better.

"It's all right," he said, his voice somewhat hoarse. "It's getting late; perhaps it's time to rest." His body tingled with anticipation, but he held back his excitement, fearing it might frighten his wife.

Seeing Alexander drop the matter, Isabella immediately lay down and murmured, "Mm-hmm." However, once lying down, she turned onto her side and wrapped her arms around Alexander. Oddly enough, it felt very comfortable. Since Alexander agreed, it's within my rights, she thought.

Alexander turned off the light and tucked Isabella in. Moonlight filtering through the window allowed some outlines to be discernible. He looked at Isabella, who blinked.

"Close your eyes."

Isabella was about to speak, but Alexander leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Good night," he whispered.

A wave of emotion surged within Isabella's heart.

"Goodnight."

They slept soundly, but the same couldn't be said for Elaine and Zendaya.

Chapter 263: Can You Be a Little More Daring (Continued)

Elaine and Zendaya chatted excitedly, catching up after years apart. Elaine didn't hide anything, clarifying her past for Zendaya.

"Back then, my parents fell in love, but my grandparents disapproved because of their different family backgrounds. They secretly married, and I was conceived. Eventually, my grandparents accepted their marriage, allowing them to go public only after my father achieved certain business goals. He worked so hard to meet the family's expectations and alleviate the pressure that he didn't even sleep. But my mother couldn't stand the loneliness and his lack of time for her, so she cheated on him with her first love. After my father found out, she eloped with her lover. The scar on my waist is a reminder of that time. In her haste to escape, she saw me as a hindrance, pushing me down the stairs. This scar is from the surgery," Elaine said, lifting her clothes to show Zendaya the prominent scar—a perpetual reminder and pledge to never forgive her mother.

Zendaya was deeply pained. Seeing Elaine's scars, tears welled up. She couldn't imagine Elaine's pain.

"Aren't you going to ask anything?" Elaine asked bitterly.

Zendaya looked at her in bewilderment.

"Even when I talk about that woman like this, you don't have a shred of doubt?" Elaine said, frustrated.

Zendaya lowered her gaze, silent for a moment. "I do have fragmented childhood memories. Perhaps… it's karma. They didn't have a good life afterward; struggling financially, filled with petty troubles. I remember my mother constantly complaining about my father. When she drank too much, she cried and expressed regret. Their days were filled with arguments and unrest. Sometimes, they even took their frustrations out on me."

"Did she hit you?" Elaine asked anxiously.

Zendaya paused, rolling up her sleeve to reveal an old scar. "There was this one time she drank too much and cut me with a wine bottle shard. She said that if it wasn't for me, and my father's lies, she could have gone back. Back then, I thought she meant to her single days, but that wasn't it…"

"Shameless!" Elaine blurted. "She has two daughters, yet she couldn't even treat one of them right. She's nothing more than a selfish woman!"

Zendaya shivered but didn't curse her dead mother like Elaine.

Chapter 263: Can You Be a Little More Daring (Continued)

Unable to resist, Elaine embraced Zendaya.

"Sorry, Elaine," Zendaya whispered.

"What nonsense are you spouting? That woman wronged me; what does it have to do with you? We're both just unlucky to have such a mother," Elaine retorted.

Zendaya chuckled. "At the very least, she gave me a wonderful sister." She'd always felt alone, but now she had an amazing sister. It felt like a dream.

Elaine also chuckled. "Indeed, the only good thing she ever did was leave me a wonderful little sister."

Their conversation was interrupted by a ringing telephone. It was probably someone trying to reach Elaine on her mobile phone.

Elaine answered. "It might be my parents. They've probably just woken up and got quite a jolt from the news, haha." Zendaya tensed, afraid to face Wren. She thought he'd despise her. Elaine noticed her tension. "Don't worry, you're only associated with me, not them."

"Revealing our relationship might not be beneficial for the Graham family, right? It would harm your parents," Zendaya said, understanding the implications.

"Haha, when I got the DNA test, I already told them. They said I'm in charge of my own affairs," Elaine replied, then picked up the phone. It was her father's somber voice, with her mother's soothing tones in the background. Elaine candidly admitted everything. "What's wrong? Didn't you say I could make my own decisions?"

"You never told me you'd be making such a big fuss!" Wren exclaimed. "If you're so capable, clean up this mess yourself!"

Elaine playfully stuck out her tongue at Zendaya, then appeased her father. Wren didn't mention Zendaya. Wren and Elaine had healed from their wounds thanks to Grace. He had no reason to concern himself with the child his ex-wife had with another man, but he didn't stop Elaine. Grace, however, quietly inquired about Zendaya's circumstances and expressed sympathy.

Chapter 263: Can You Be a Little More Daring (Continued)

"She's with me; we're building a sisterly bond. Don't worry. I'll protect her; no one can mess with my sister," Elaine teased, laughing. "Mom, I have a sister now, when will you give me a little brother?"

"What nonsense are you spouting, child!" her mother replied.

"What I meant is, I have a sister now. You don't need to worry about me anymore. Please, give me a little brother," Elaine said, laughing heartily. Zendaya felt her family didn't mind her, and she joined in the laughter. Even a younger brother unrelated to her, she felt, would be cherished.