CHAPTER 72: CHAPTER 72: IS IT LOVE AFTER MARRIAGE...?

Leaving Veridia Hall.

In the car, neither of them spoke, as if both were hiding something in their hearts.

Holly absentmindedly scrolled through her phone, but none of the words registered as her mind was consumed by what Grandma Young had said, "Your body is not in good shape, it’s not easy to conceive."

She quietly observed Blake Sinclair through the rear-view mirror. His jawline was tense and his expression grave, looking like he was angry.

There was something unsettling in Holly’s heart, making her uncomfortable.

She was upset over not wanting to drink traditional medicine, but what about him?

What was the reason for Blake Sinclair’s current silence?

Was it because of what Grandma Young said?

Because of her body’s difficulty with conceiving?

Holly felt a suffocating weight on her chest, unconsciously twisting the seatbelt, feeling a bit down.

But, they had clearly discussed before marriage that they don’t want children for now, and he had agreed.

She had breathed a sigh of relief then, but now thinking about it...

"Not wanting for now" and "not easy to have" are entirely different matters.

The desire to have children and the ability to have them are worlds apart.

Especially for a prestigious family like the Sinclairs, could they really accept an heir marrying a wife who might not be able to have children?

She felt like there was an invisible wall between her and Blake Sinclair.

Untouchable, unfathomable.

The words she wanted to say got swallowed back down again, and in the end, she silently repressed the turbulent emotions in her heart and turned to look out the window.

Forget it, maybe not asking would still maintain some surface calm.

...

Since that day back from Veridia Hall, Holly had been completely "hijacked" by traditional medicine.

Blake "the capitalist" Sinclair exhibited remarkable execution power.

He adjusted his work schedule and, without fail, would personally deliver a steaming bowl of traditional medicine after breakfast and before dinner.

"Drink up."

Two simple and unemotional words fell on Holly’s ears, no different from "Darling, time to take your medicine!"

As if afraid she would pour it out, Blake Sinclair would always stand watch by her side, waiting until she finished drinking before leaving, and would hand her a piece of milk candy in passing.

Moreover, milk tea and coffee were replaced with nourishing soups.

Originally, after dinner every day, she would curl up on the sofa to watch dramas while Blake Sinclair would occasionally head to the study to handle work, without disturbing each other.

But now, he would take her downstairs for walks after dinner, under the guise of "promoting blood circulation."

"I don’t want to move, my sofa can’t live without me, I have a phobia of leaving it," Holly whined and fussed.

"Just half an hour." He coaxed and half-tricked her downstairs.

After several consecutive days, Holly felt she was going crazy from this extremely healthy lifestyle.

The world! Not worth it!

She could only sneak in a cup of milk tea whenever she visited the Lunar Lotus Studio.

As a sip of crème brûlée crisp milk mousse tea slid down her throat, Holly leaned back on the sofa, full of satisfaction.

Celia Stiles looked at her and couldn’t help but laugh, "Senior, aren’t you afraid of President Sinclair finding out when you sneak drinks like this?"

Holly scrolled through her phone, dismissive, "Heaven knows, the earth knows, you know, I know. As long as you don’t say anything, I don’t say anything, how would he know?"

After completing a course of traditional medicine, Blake Sinclair took her back to Veridia Hall for a follow-up visit.

Seeing Grandma Young frown while taking her pulse, Holly felt guilty and dared not lift her head.

Grandma Young withdrew her hand, adjusted her reading glasses, and spoke calmly, "The treatment seems effective, your pulse is stronger than before."

Holly secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Blake Sinclair’s tightly pressed lips also seemed to soften a bit.

"However..."

Grandma Young continued, "You still haven’t completely kicked the cold drink habit, have you?"

With traditional medicine, there’s nowhere to hide!

The relief Holly felt got stuck in her throat, almost choking her.

She didn’t look up but could clearly feel the surrounding pressure drop a few degrees.

She attempted to argue, but lacked conviction, "Grandma, could you... could you check again? I have been taking my medicine on time and even taking walks after meals..."

She avoided the topic of secretly drinking milk tea.

Grandma Young was amused and waved her hand, "I never said you couldn’t drink any. Young people can indulge occasionally but remember to be moderate. Everything in moderation."

The last few words were directed at Blake Sinclair, meaningfully.

After a new prescription was filled, as they left Veridia Hall, Blake Sinclair walked ahead in silence, at a faster pace than usual.

Holly watched his rigid back, clicked her tongue in annoyance, pondering how to apologize, oblivious to the fact that he had suddenly stopped.

She almost ran into his back, hastily coming to a stop.

"What’s wrong... is there anything else?"

Blake Sinclair turned around, his gaze landing on her face, eyes dark as ink, making Holly’s heart unsettled.

"Holly." He called her softly, his voice devoid of emotion.

Holly’s body stiffened, "Well... I only drank a few times! Really! Just a few times! If you don’t believe me, you can check the shop’s surveillance, really not much!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she wanted to bite off her tongue.

He hadn’t even asked anything yet, so why did she admit it on her own? So spineless!

She was vexed, but suddenly felt a tightness around her waist.

Blake Sinclair extended his long arm and gently pulled her into his embrace.

His chin rested on the top of her head as he sighed helplessly, "Next time, you don’t have to hide from me to drink secretly. Just tell me when you want to drink, and I’ll go with you to buy it."

"Hmm?"

Holly was stunned.

Why the sudden change? He’s not mad anymore? Could it be because she was honest?

Blake Sinclair released her, lowered his eyes, and showed some serious introspection in his gaze, "These days, I’ve been too tense, pushing you too hard. I won’t be like that anymore."

Is there such a good thing?

Holly blinked, trying her luck, "Then... since you admitted your mistake, can’t I stop drinking the herbal medicine?"

Blake Sinclair: "....."

He looked at her silently for two seconds, "That’s a no, you have to take the medicine."

Holly: "....."

She knew it!

White joy.

In the end, after some bargaining and "friendly" negotiation, they finally decided she could have bubble tea once a week.

The price was that Holly’s hands were sore in the mornings for a few days.

However, because the new prescription from Grandma Young only required once-daily dosing, Holly felt hopeful again.

Celia Stiles looked at her returning from her follow-up visit with a radiant face, exclaiming, "It seems President Sinclair is really good to you, he even reflected on himself."

Holly bit her lower lip but didn’t deny it.

"I never expected it, the plot of marrying first then falling in love from novels is happening right next to me!" Celia held her face in hands, looking all dreamy.

Holly froze for a moment.

Marrying first then love...?

Originally getting a marriage certificate with Blake Sinclair was due to circumstances, more accurately, she didn’t want him to be punished because of her.

Who would have thought that married life would be like this, but on careful reflection, Blake Sinclair has unknowingly permeated her life.

Habit is a scary thing, it seems like she’s gotten used to having him around.

But the more she gets used to it, the more scared she is.

She always felt there were many unsaid things between her and Blake Sinclair, like the issue about children...

"Celia," she asked, "what do you think, if one day, Blake Sinclair and I get divorced, what then?"

"Ah?"

Celia was startled, "Are you going to divorce? But isn’t President Sinclair treating you well?"

Holly shook her head, a tinge of confusion in her eyes, "He is very good to me, but he can be good to others too. Now he takes care of me and gets jealous because I’m his wife; it’s his duty and honor as a husband. But that’s... not because of love."

Celia seemed to slightly understand, "Then what about you, do you love President Sinclair?"

Holly was momentarily stunned.

Love?

After experiencing that betrayal, how could she dare to believe again? Especially someone like Blake Sinclair.

Holly: "I think...not really."

Celia got straight to the point: "Then why don’t you make him fall in love with you? Once President Sinclair loves you, you can slowly open your heart, and there’s nothing to lose this way!"

Make Blake Sinclair fall in love with her?

That’s simply the funniest thing ever!

Holly chuckled.

That is Blake Sinclair! A gem of the Sinclair Family, practically unattainable...

"You know, right now we’re just sharing the same bed, and that’s it."

She said in a low voice, with a tinge of self-mockery.

She thought that after her period ended, they would continue what they left unfinished that night. Yet, after returning from Veridia Hall, there was no further progress between them.

Perhaps, he wasn’t too keen either.

After all... the issue with the children,...

Celia sighed, "Feelings develop slowly. But what you mentioned earlier is indeed a problem, but..."

She snapped her fingers, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "There are ways, I need to prepare something!"

Holly looked bewildered and wanted to ask more, but her phone rang.

Seeing the words "Blake Sinclair" flashing on the screen, she instinctively thought he was catching her for sneaking bubble tea again.

Once the call connected, she blurted out, "I really didn’t drink this time! Heaven and earth can testify!"

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds, followed by his deep laughter.

"I still have some trust in my wife. I’m waiting for you at the entrance of Lunar Lotus Studio, we’re having dinner at the old house tonight."