My Pretty Sweetheart (Arianna)
Chapter 584

Letting out a soft sigh, I pulled my hand away and said calmly, "Mr. Roberts, please come in and have a seat!"

I guess I wasn't all that surprised to see him. At least after meeting him again, I found that I did not miss him as much as I thought I would. Four years was indeed enough for a person to learn to let go of things Even the resentment had faded away until it was but a distant memory of a feeling I once had.

He walked in and sat down on the rattan chair. I brought the fruit I picked yesterday to him and entertained him like a guest. I looked at him with a slight smile. "This is fruit I planted myself. They taste pretty good. Have a taste."

He looked at me, his stare was deep but calm. After a moment, he nodded and took a bite of the peach.

After a long while, he looked at me and said, "It's very sweet!"

I nodded. After four years, I had become exceptionally reticent.

Norman came by with Anne and Bennett after picking them up from the school. When he saw

Hendrix sitting in the house, he was caught by slight surprise. However, being the well-educated man that he was, he made sure not to appear too exaggerated. He just nodded lightly and greeted, "Good day, Mr. Roberts!"

Hendrix didn't have much reaction when he saw Norman. I paused and decided to introduce Norman. "He's the manager of the hotel."

Hendrix nodded in understanding and stood up to shake his hands. He looked elegant and aristocratic. He paused when his gaze fell on Anne and Bennett.

Boys seemed to grow much slower than girls at their age. They were both five but Bennett looked like a four year-old standing next to Anne.

I caught Hendrix's face sink a little, but did not read too much into it. I looked towards the two kids. "What would you like to eat today?"

Anne seemed less than happy when her gaze fell on Hendrix. She said, "Anything's fine, Mommy."

Bennett noticed the wound on my ankle and said, "Let Daddy cook for you tonight."

These terms were nothing out of the ordinary when used normally. But it was different when they were heard by Hendrix.

I did not say much. I just looked up at Norman with a slight smile. "It appears your skills are needed here tonight."

Although Norman was a little surprised at Hendrix's arrival, he didn't think too much of the situation, being the simple, straightforward person that he was. Instead, he looked over at Hendrix and asked, "Mr. Roberts, why don't you stay and have dinner with us later? We planted all these vegetables ourselves. You should have a try."

Hendrix tucked the strange expression on his face away and nodded, his eyes looking more and more profound.

I shifted my gaze at the two kids and barked out my usual instructions. "You two - go pick some vegetables in the backyard. And Anne, don't pick on Bennet. Do you hear me?"

Anne pouted and replied with a nod, "Mommy is biased towards Bennett. You're always protecting him."

I said helplessly, "He's already shorter than you. If you continue bullying him like this, he won't grow any taller in the future."

"Fine, fine, fine. I won't bully him!" Carrying two baskets in her hands, she looked at Bennett and said, "Mommy asked me not to bully you. So, I'll carry the basket for you, okay?"

Bennett said, "Dad told me that I'm a man who needs to protect girls. You didn't bully me. I'm just protecting you."

The two children continued murmuring their arguments to one another as they made their way to the backyard.

I shook my head helplessly and a smile unconsciously appeared on my face. Since Anne was alone, I used to worry about her a lot. But I felt relieved now, seeing her and Bennet becoming closer than actual siblings.

I retracted my gaze and felt a burning gaze on me.

I came back to my senses and saw Hendrix staring at me grimly. His gaze betrayed the complexity and intensity of the turmoil of emotions he had storming on within him.

I paused for a moment. "Mr. Roberts, you may rest first. I'll go check in the kitchen to see if there's anything I can help with."

He grabbed my wrist, his voice low and muted as he asked, "How have you been all these years?"

My mind went blank for a moment. I looked back at him placidly and replied, "I've been good. These four years have been the most peaceful years of my life."