Chapter 4

A week later, I received a bank notification.

Leonardo had transferred money to me. The note read: "Half month's wages, use it for now."

The amount wasn't large, with odd cents included.

I stared at the message, spacing out.

Comments instantly flooded the screen:

[Leonardo literally only kept enough for himself to eat bread every day!]

[His hands are covered in blisters but he's still thinking about his ex-wife]

I climbed up from the sofa.

Touching my still-flat belly, I said slowly, "Baby, your dad seems about to starve to death."

Then I walked into the kitchen—a place I'd barely entered in three years.

Leonardo used to make me all sorts of elaborate dishes.

I could only cook instant noodles, and I often burned them.

I looked up recipes, nearly cut my finger, forgot to add seasoning. After two hours of struggling, I finally made a pot of soup.

I also went to the pharmacy for iodine and band-aids.

Based on the scattered comments mentioning "southern new development zone," I took a cab there.

The construction site was dusty. Standing at the entrance in my soft house dress and slippers, carrying a thermos, I looked completely out of place.

Comments laughed at me:

[Lawrence in this outfit is somehow adorable]

I was looking around when I saw a white car pull up.

Prescott got out. She was carrying an elegant lunch box.

She saw me too. Her smile stiffened momentarily before recovering its elegance.

"Miss Lawrence?" She walked over. "What brings you to a place like this?"

She eyed my thermos and laughed lightly.

"Bringing Leonardo food? He has a sensitive stomach, can't handle anything too greasy."

I seriously examined the soup I'd made.

"It's chicken soup. Not greasy. I skimmed the fat."

Prescott stepped closer and lowered her voice.

"Miss Lawrence, there are some things you might not understand."

"Leonardo is at his lowest point right now. What he needs is someone who can help him make a comeback, not a princess who only knows how to make soup."

I thought for three seconds.

"But he's hauling bricks right now. Hauling bricks requires strength, not a comeback."

I paused, then added:

"And I'm not a princess. I can earn my own money... though I haven't figured out how yet."

Comments were dumbfounded:

[Prescott is rendered speechless]

[Lawrence's logic is always so bizarre yet irrefutable]

The awkward moment was broken when Leonardo emerged from the construction site.

He wore dust-covered work clothes, band-aids on his hands, sweat on his forehead.

Seeing us, he visibly froze.

Prescott immediately rushed over. "Leonardo, I brought you food..."

But Leonardo walked straight toward me.

His brow furrowed. "Why did you come here? It's dusty."

I held up the thermos and medicine bag. "I brought you soup. And medicine."

Leonardo's eyes showed emotion. When he took the items, his fingers trembled slightly.

Prescott's face went pale. "Leonardo, I specially..."

Leonardo turned to her, his tone polite but distant:

"Miss Prescott, thank you for your kindness. But I don't need it. Don't come here anymore."

Then he said to me in a low voice, "I'll take you home."

He completely ignored Prescott, frozen in place.

In the taxi, both were silent. Looking at the band-aids on his hands, I suddenly said:

"The wounds on your hands got dust in them. They'll get infected."

Leonardo pulled his hands back.

"It's fine."

I said slowly, "Prescott said you two are moving in together."

Leonardo's head whipped around. "She's talking nonsense!"

His voice was urgent, with rare anger.

Then, realizing he'd lost composure, he explained in a low voice:

"I have nothing to do with her. I'm living in the workers' dormitory now."

I said "Oh" and fell silent again.

Comments floated by:

[Wait, why Leonardo ends up so rich later is still a mystery?]

[What kind of CEO is as miserable as Leonardo, I'm speechless!]

The car arrived at the villa.

Before I got out, Leonardo suddenly said, "Don't worry about money. If you need more, tell me."

His eyes were bloodshot, but his gaze was serious.

I nodded, remembering tomorrow was my prenatal checkup. After taking two steps, I turned back.

"Will you still be hauling bricks tomorrow?"

Leonardo: "Yes."

"Okay, then you do your thing."

With that, I walked straight into the villa.

Before bed, I received a text from an unknown number.

"Leave Leonardo. You're not worthy of him."

I looked at it for a while, then slowly replied:

"Are you Prescott? You texted the wrong person. I'm his ex-wife."

Then I blocked the number, turned off my phone, and went to sleep.