Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband? novel Chapter 498

“Jade, why are you doing this again? I keep telling you, it’s not good for your back. What if you throw it out again?” Mila dashed down the garden path into the flower beds, reaching for the trowel in Jade’s hand.

“I’m not that fragile,” Jade muttered, brushing her off. “If I don’t keep moving, that’s when my back will really give in… And who’s this?” She cut herself off mid-sentence, nodding toward Forrest, who was trailing behind Mila.

“Jade, this is Forrest—the one I told you about. He’s brilliant—helped me so much with my research since college,” Mila explained. “Forrest, this is my great-aunt.”

“Nice to meet you, ma’am.” Forrest’s voice was a little tense, but he managed a composed smile.

“Friendly, aren’t you?” Jade’s tone was less than warm.

“Jade!” Mila tugged at her sleeve, worried. She’d brought Forrest home to reassure her aunt, not to have him grilled.

“Oh, relax.” Ignoring Forrest, Jade looked Mila up and down, her frown deepening. “So, does the Montgomery family feed you at all? Every time you visit, you come back looking thinner. I’ve told you again and again—what’s so great about that place? Why bother with them?”

“Jade…” Mila softened her voice, giving her aunt’s hand a gentle squeeze.

“Hmph.” With Forrest present, Jade held her tongue, dropped the trowel, and took Mila by the hand. “You must be hungry. I’ve got everything ready; let’s eat and get you settled in first.”

—

The dining room table was piled high with food—a generous spread of both Western and homey comfort dishes. The Sutherland family didn’t stand on ceremony; Mila and Miranda sat on either side of Jade, who presided at the head of the table, occasionally joining the conversation.

Forrest kept mostly quiet.

Quiet, but not idle—he reached across the table to serve Mila, passing her dishes just out of reach, helping fill her plate. The butler standing by to serve found himself with nothing left to do.

This time, Mila didn’t protest.

Even though she felt self-conscious under the watchful eyes of her aunt and friend, she forced herself to accept Forrest’s gestures. She’d brought him here to set her aunt’s mind at ease—this was her bold leap, and embarrassment was a small price to pay.

Besides, Forrest really did know her well. He served everything she liked, never missing a beat, and as she ate, she realized her plate was never empty—not once.

All the while, Jade watched Forrest from the corner of her eye, giving nothing away.

When lunch was over, Jade arranged for Forrest to have a guest room, then kept Mila back for a brief chat before declaring she needed her nap and dismissing everyone.

She didn’t mention Forrest at all.

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