Chapter 8: Fragile Stephanie

Stephanie had been in poor health since childhood, so Lawson didn't overthink it. He glanced at their parents, who were walking ahead and chatting, and asked, "Should we go to the hospital?"

Stephanie lied. She didn't feel sick. She grabbed Lawson's arm and faltered, "No need, Lawson. It's always like this after I stay in one room too long. I just need some fresh air, and I'll be fine."

Lawson caringly stroked her back and whispered, "You should tell me sooner if you feel sick. They won't blame you."

Stephanie stared at his handsome face and felt relaxed. She bashfully held his hand and murmured, "I know."

Then Stephanie seemed to remember something and said with feigned sympathy, "I saw my sister just now. Why was she at Watershed Restaurant?"

My father said her parents came from River Town. There's only one train to Melcester every day. Didn't she get the ticket?

Hearing this, Lawson knitted his brows. He looked back at Watershed Restaurant, uttering carelessly, "Probably."

Stephanie bit her pink lips and said hesitantly, "In fact, before my sister left, she was fighting with my grandma. She didn't take the money my father gave her and accused us of chasing her away! Between you and me… Lawson… do you think I'm too greedy? Shouldn't I vie with my sister for you?"

"This isn't about you!" Lawson was disheartened to see Stephanie's misty eyes and immediately consoled her, "I fell in love with you first. Myrna… she'll wish us the best."

Stephanie was fragile. The only brave thing she ever did was be with Lawson. As a man, Lawson felt he must be responsible for her. He didn't trust another man to take care of Stephanie, so he had to turn Myrna down and apologize.

"OK."

Stephanie noticed Lawson's indifference when he spoke of Myrna and felt much at ease. She was also guessing why Myrna came to Watershed Restaurant. Perhaps it was a coincidence, like her grandma said.

Stephanie composed herself and smiled. Suddenly, she saw a person walk out of the restaurant from the corner of her eye. It was Myrna!

Myrna wore the same T-shirt and plaid shirt she chose before going out at noon and the same light blue short jeans, showing off her beautiful white legs.

Myrna's facial features were distinctive. Her eyes were as dark as ink; her eyelashes long and curved. An irresistible charm exuded from her.

Apparently, Lawson saw Myrna. He exclaimed in surprise, "Myrna?"

Except for Myrna, Lawson also saw other people. When Luther, who was walking in the lead, heard the exclamation, he paused and looked over at Lawson. Oliva, held by her daughter, stopped chatting with Amy when she saw Harold. Oliva instructed her daughter to walk her to Harold and greeted him with a smile, "Mr. Payne, why are you in Melcester?"

Mr. Payne? The Starks were dumbfounded!

Celia suddenly thought of something. She glanced at the Paynes, and her expression changed.

The Payne family? Could it be the family Celia had heard about? The upper class in Melcester was divided into three classes. The Stark family, newcomers, were in the lowest class. The Cooper family was one class higher than the Starks.