Chapter 4
Macy, in a loose maternity dress and flats, directed the workers as they carried the custom-made baby crib into the nursery.
Her eyes sparkled with the gentle happiness of a mother-to-be.
That maternal glow in her eyes faded bit by bit the moment she spotted Walter, leaving only awkward discomfort.
She forced a smile and walked up to him. "Walter... what brings you here?"
Walter held out the box to her with a faint, wry smile. "I didn't get a chance to congratulate you at the hospital. This is the blessing locket that Macy and I got from a church years ago... It's just Macy..."
He paused, then added with a faint smile, "Anyway, just think of it as a little something from me."
Macy froze for a beat, then took the box.
The sandalwood box felt warm in her hand, yet to her, it was as if she were holding a hot potato, making her heart race with unease.
She knew she owed Walter before her far too much...
But there was nothing she could do.
Just then, a sudden fit of coughing came from the next room.
Macy's face instantly tensed.
"Connor?" Macy immediately turned and hurried inside, expertly directing the servants. "Why is he coughing again? Where's the medicine I brewed? It's cold now—quick, prepare a fresh batch of herbs. No, I'll do it myself. I can't trust any of you to do it properly."
The empty Wilson villa was thrown into a flurry of activity at the sound of Connor's cough.
"She is way too concerned about Mr. Mills," the passing maid Jade Day grumbled under her breath. "It's just some medicine. Does it really matter who brews it?"
The older maid shot her a disapproving look. "She dotes on Mr. Mills. Even with terrible morning sickness, she insists on preparing all his meals herself—let alone brewing his medicine. If you want to keep working for the Wilson family, you'd better watch your tongue."
Only after they finished speaking did the maids notice Walter sitting on the sofa.
A look of panic flashed across the maid's face. "M-Mr. Buckner, you're still here? Jade, prepare some coffee for Mr. Buckner!"
Jade acknowledged and scurried off to fetch the coffee set.
Walter shook his head with a faint smile. "No need. I'll be leaving now. Please, don't let me keep you."
With that, Walter turned on his heel and headed for the door without a backward glance.
After standing too long, Walter's movement tore at his leg wound, sending a sharp pain shooting through him.
Walter couldn't help but stagger slightly from the pain.
The maid's eyes softened with sympathy as she returned with the coffee set.
The maid muttered, "Mr. Mills just coughed a few times, and Lindsey was almost in tears with worry..."
"Every wife dotes on her own husband. What a pity Macy is gone... if only she were still here..."
Walter turned his back on them and strode out of the Wilson villa's gate.
Even if Macy were still here, it wouldn't make any difference.
She would still be by Connor's side, taking care of him.
Walter thought that, if only, he wished Macy had died in that car accident instead.
*****
Perhaps out of guilt, Macy had been sending Walter various health supplements these past few days.
On the day of his dressing change, she even made a point to send the Wilson family driver to pick him up.
"Walter," Macy said with a perfectly measured smile, "Mom mentioned you're having trouble getting around. Since Connor has a follow-up examination, she asked me to give you a ride to your dressing change."
Connor also stepped out from the backseat, carefully adjusting Macy's scarf around her neck. Smiling warmly at Walter, he said, "We're family now. That's what family does."
Unable to refuse, Walter got into the car.
Macy and Connor sat in the backseat, while Walter took the front passenger seat.
From the rearview mirror, Walter could clearly see Connor gently placing his hand on Macy's belly. Lindsey shot him a playful glare and teased, "It's still so tiny—you can't even feel anything yet!"
Connor didn't say a word, simply reaching out to gently tousle Macy's hair.
For a fleeting moment, Walter felt like an outsider lurking in the shadows, secretly watching from the dark.
Though Macy's identity was fabricated, after years together, Walter could read every flicker in her eyes and every nuance of her expression.
She was truly fallen for Connor.