CHAPTER 23: CHAPTER 23: A FAMILY OF THREE

Declan Hawthorne replied with a question mark.

"Isn’t Aunt Barrett suspicious of us? I told her I have someone special and asked Poppy for a favor."

"I want you to look at this picture and see if it’s appropriate to send to Aunt Barrett."

After explaining, Mason Rivers realized that something was slightly off.

Florence Lynch was too adorable, and the scene earlier had even made Mason, who always believed in casual relationships, long for a wife, kids, and a cozy home.

Declan Hawthorne replied, "Not appropriate."

"If my mom sees her with a child, she’ll definitely suspect something."

Mason Rivers’s parents would never accept a woman with a child into their home.

Seeing the child, any discerning person would know Mason was bluffing.

Mason suddenly understood.

He had thought that Declan was unhappy because he suddenly saw a child born to Poppy Hale and another man.

But now he saw, Declan was indeed Declan.

Calm and objective.

Mason sent a cleverly angled hand-holding photo, with Poppy walking beside him and him hugging her waist from behind, taken in front of a mirror.

Mason’s hand didn’t actually touch Poppy and her face wasn’t shown.

But from the photo, it looked intimate and ambiguous, like a shy couple in love not ready to go public.

This photo couldn’t be faulted, even if sent to Mrs. Hawthorne.

Poppy Hale and Mason Rivers were always friends.

In college, Poppy often played games with Mason.

Her family hosted an art exhibition, and Poppy invited Declan Hawthorne to go but he declined because he was busy with a part-time job.

Mason went.

After coming back, he spoke in the dorm about Poppy’s paintings being works of art!

Others thought he was exaggerating and some looked at Declan Hawthorne.

"Declan, do you think those paintings were paid for to be done by someone else? Holding an exhibition, what extravagance; she could’ve just used the money to treat our dorm to a meal."

Declan Hawthorne didn’t look at Mason’s picture.

But he had seen Poppy Hale painting, serious, focused, lost in her painted world, making him feel that when Poppy concentrated on her art, she might actually ignore him.

He glanced at the person, speaking curtly, "Don’t covet other people’s money; how she spends it is her business."

The person sneered, lowering their voice.

"Weren’t you just with Poppy for her money? If the Eldest Miss Hale didn’t throw cash around, would you even look at her?"

Declan Hawthorne’s expression darkened.

He ended up with Poppy Hale for various reasons, be it accidents or bets.

But it was never for money.

Declan Hawthorne truly didn’t care for Poppy Hale’s family wealth.

But he knew her way of expressing herself was buying things for him, which to others, naturally became Declan receiving many expensive gifts from Poppy.

It looked like he was a kept man.

That person saw Declan not speaking and put down the headphones, looking over, "Declan, don’t tell me you actually fell for Poppy Hale?"

Declan Hawthorne exhaled a breath, "Boring question."

At his reaction, others around burst into laughter.

Standing aside, Mason Rivers quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

-

Mrs. Hawthorne was having afternoon tea at the mall with Mason’s mother, Tessa Thorne.

Upon receiving Mason’s photo, Mrs. Hawthorne exclaimed.

"Hey, look, is there really something going on?"

"Barrett, you’re really something. I asked that boy so many times, and he always said he didn’t have anyone. This girl has such a nice figure, why not show her face?"

Mrs. Hawthorne laughed, "Maybe she’s shy. You’ll see her eventually, won’t you?"

At that, Mrs. Hawthorne became worried again.

"Mason having someone is great, but my Declan is the one causing a headache!"

Tessa Thorne put down her phone, "Rachel hasn’t troubled Declan, has she?"

Talking about Rachel Rivers, Mrs. Hawthorne felt awkward.

But since her son directly said he didn’t like Rachel, no matter how satisfied Mrs. Hawthorne was with her, she wouldn’t promise anything.

In Mrs. Hawthorne’s heart, her son was always the priority, even over her husband.

Mrs. Hawthorne picked up her teacup, laughing.

Since Declan clearly stated his disinterest in Rachel, she prioritized her son’s wishes.

Everything else was secondary.

"No, I haven’t asked about their professional lives; they’re young."

"Any chance for them to develop something?"

Tessa Thorne looked expectantly at Mrs. Hawthorne.

Mrs. Hawthorne, enthusiastic, avoided mentioning Rachel and Declan.

"Chance for what? Oh, Tessa, I have a nephew who’s pretty good, 26 this year, I’ll introduce him to your Rachel sometime. It’s beneficial for young people to interact and make friends."

Tessa Thorne was baffled.

What did Mrs. Hawthorne mean by this?

Wasn’t she aware Rachel liked Declan?

And now she’s suggesting another match for Rachel?

Tessa wanted clarity, but saw Mrs. Hawthorne already smilingly typing on her phone, with no intention to continue the conversation.

In the face of the Hawthorne Family’s status, Tessa couldn’t throw a tantrum in front of Mrs. Hawthorne.

Tessa Thorne felt vexed but maintained a smile outwardly, feeling as if her heart was bleeding within, gritting her teeth, "Alright, as you say."

Seeing Tessa this way, Mrs. Hawthorne’s mood brightened.

If Tessa had kept pushing, Mrs. Hawthorne wouldn’t have known what to say.

After all, it was all because of Declan’s antics.

At this moment, Declan Hawthorne sent a message.

It was an old school photo, Declan in a blue shirt and white pants, with a slender-waisted girl in his arms. The girl, with long hair, faced him, blocking her face, but one could spot a small dimple.

Declan’s face was clear as day.

He was looking down, listening to the woman in his arms, with a distinct smile.

Mrs. Hawthorne knew her son well.

Seeing Declan’s expression, she naturally knew who the girl in his arms was.

Mrs. Hawthorne was overjoyed!

This was the first time she saw Declan having such close contact with a woman!

Declan Hawthorne: "I like women."

Before Mrs. Hawthorne could reply, Declan retracted the photo.

Mrs. Hawthorne: "..."

She hadn’t got her fill yet!

-

Mason Rivers took a call, said goodbye to Poppy Hale, and left.

He also gave Poppy the card from earlier.

Said it was for a red packet and sent two altogether.

"One for your effort, one as Florence’s uncle’s gift."

Poppy Hale, with Florence, thanked him, watching Mason leave.

After he left, Sean Lynch came by.

Seeing Florence, he wore a doting smile, "Come here, Florence, let Uncle give you a hug."

Florence, familiar with Sean Lynch, obediently snuggled against him.

Their reserved restaurant was upstairs.

The three of them headed to the elevator, chatting and laughing.

As the elevator doors opened, a few people were standing inside in small groups.

Poppy and the others stepped in, finding a place to stand.

They didn’t notice Declan Hawthorne standing in the elevator’s corner.

Sean Lynch: "I’ve booked a parent-child restaurant, everyone online says kids love it, on the fifth floor."

"Okay. Thank you for the trouble."

"No need to be formal, we’re family, right Florence?"

The girl in the man’s arms nodded obediently, replying in a sweet voice, "We’re family."

Declan Hawthorne’s heart stung unexpectedly for a moment.

This was a family of three.