Willy didn't refuse.
He complied obediently, "Got it."
The old lady gave Lila a meaningful look, "Come visit me when you have time, and remember to bring my adorable little great-granddaughter."
"Okay, it's the weekend the day after tomorrow. I'll bring her over."
Just after stepping out of the hospital room,
Willy said to Lila, "Go back by yourself."
Lila hadn't really expected him to actually take her home.
But hearing his tone and thinking about her goal, she decided to change her mind. "Your grandmother said you should take me home."
Willy never expected her to respond like this.
His face darkened instantly.
Stopping in his tracks, he stared intently at Lila, his gaze icy. "What right do you have to negotiate with me?"
His voice was cold and familiar, dripping with sarcasm.
Lila pressed her lips together, expressionless. "If you won't take me, then I'll go back and tell your grandmother."
Willy's anger flared, "Threatening me?"
Lila remained calm, "If that's what you think, then so be it."
Willy had never been talked back to like this. If it weren't for considering the old lady's health, he would have left without hesitation.
At that thought, he suddenly let out a cold laugh.
Then he said, "Still claiming you didn't scheme against me? Decided to drop the act?"
Lila went along with his words, "Yes, I'm dropping the act."
As she spoke, she lifted her chin, looking utterly confident.
Willy's jaw tightened, and his hands, hanging at his sides, twitched slightly. He really wanted to strangle this woman.
Despite his reluctance and murderous thoughts, he ultimately gave in.
During rush hour, the traffic was severe.
The atmosphere inside the car was even colder than the freezing weather outside.
It wasn't until Willy's phone rang that the silence was broken.
It was Stella calling.
"Willy, Sissi has a slight fever and is asking for you."
"Daddy, when are you coming back? I feel awful..."
"Be good, Sissi. Daddy is on his way now. Listen to Mommy."
Willy had the speaker on, so Lila heard every word of their conversation clearly.
When she heard the little girl's voice, her brow furrowed.
Moreover, it was the first time she had heard Willy speak with such patience, even gentler than when he was comforting the old lady.
A indescribable feeling churned inside Lila.
Earlier in the hospital room, she had asked the old lady about Stella.
The old lady had assured her not to worry, saying that Stella and Willy were nothing more than business partners and friends.
Lila had wanted to ask about the child, but at the time, she wasn't sure, so she held back.
Now, hearing the voice, her suspicions had become reality.
Should she ask about it?
Just as she hesitated, Willy's voice came, "Get out by the roadside."
Lila abruptly looked up at him, her lips parting slightly. After hesitating for a few seconds, she finally asked, "You and Stella have a child together, don't you?"
Willy seemed to have expected her question.
He glanced outside, drove the car to the roadside, and stopped. Turning, his deep eyes fixed on Lila's face.
After a moment of silence, he said casually, "What's it to you?"
Lila was stunned for two seconds before replying, "It does concern me a little."
Willy said, "Since you already have the answer, do you still want to continue being the third party?"
As his words fell, Lila's heart trembled.
She clenched her fingers, her nails almost digging into her palms.
Stella's smug face kept swirling in her mind.
Soon, her eyes reddened—out of anger.
But to Willy, it seemed like something else entirely. He mocked, "Trying to fake tears to make me pity you?"
Lila took a deep breath, gritted her teeth, and stared directly at the man in front of her. Instead of answering, she asked, "Willy, why did you agree to my pursuit back then? Why did you act like you liked me when we were in bed?"
Willy's dark eyes冷淡ly regarded the woman before him. His thin lips pressed into a straight line, and a trace of impatience flickered between his brows. "Get out."
He didn't answer.
The question of whether Willy had ever liked her was something Lila had long wanted to ask but never dared.
She was afraid of hearing a negative answer.
Now, from the man's look of disgust and sarcasm, she had already gotten her answer.
Her rationality returned.
Her throat moved, and when she spoke again, her voice suddenly softened. "Whether you like me or not, I've always liked you—in the past and now."
With that, she pushed the car door open and hurriedly got out, as if fleeing.
Willy was taken aback for a moment. He clearly hadn't expected Lila to suddenly say something like that.
This woman's desire to become Mrs. Willy was blatantly obvious.
He didn't understand why his grandmother had taken such a liking to her.
Was it just because of the child?
At that thought, his eyes narrowed.
If that were really the case, then perhaps bringing Sissi to see the old lady would allow him to shake off Lila, this "mess"?
Lila picked up her child, Lyra, and the mother and daughter took the subway home.
On the way,
Lyra told Lila, "Mom, my new deskmate is a new student. Her name is Sissi. She had a nosebleed this morning, so she didn't come in the afternoon."