Secretly Married for 4 Years, He Regrets to Tears After the Divorce

Chapter 253: Chapter 253: Care from the Mother-in-law

The October wind carried the chill of late autumn, drifting gently through the half-open window.

The cream-colored sheer curtains were blown gently upward, then slowly fell, casting soft, swaying shadows on the floor.

The living room was covered with a thick, light gray carpet, on which Adrian Lancaster was kneeling.

Spread out before him was a soft, brightly colored baby play mat, printed with colorful animals and stars.

His daughter, Nina, was lying on her back on the mat, her eyes, like black grapes, focused intently on the fabric mobile hanging above her.

She reached out a chubby little hand, straining to grab for it again and again. Her tiny fist clenched, then opened, as a string of crisp giggles spilled from her lips.

Her son, Owen, was lying on his side nearby. He lacked his sister’s clear objective, simply content to babble on his own, speaking to the air in a language no one could understand, his face a whirlwind of expressions.

One moment, he would stuff his little fist into his mouth and suck on it with great relish; the next, he would kick his little legs forcefully, pushing a corner of the thin blanket covering him away.

Adrian Lancaster gently pushed the mobile with one hand, his gaze resting tenderly on the two children.

The sunlight, filtered through the sheer curtains, became soft and hazy, sprinkling across the children’s fine hair and rosy cheeks, and also settling in the depths of his smiling eyes.

His chest was filled to bursting with happiness. This moment of peace and fulfillment was a scene he hadn’t dared to dream of for a very long time.

BZZZ BZZZ BZZZ...

The moment of peace was broken by the vibration of a phone on the coffee table.

Adrian Lancaster snapped back to reality, got up, and walked over.

A single word pulsed on the screen: Mom.

It was a call from his mother-in-law.

Adrian Lancaster instinctively glanced upstairs. Wren Sutton had just finished her postpartum recovery exercises and was taking a shower; she definitely couldn’t answer the phone right now.

After a brief hesitation, he swiped his finger across the screen, answering the call for her.

"Wren." Mrs. Sutton’s kind and gentle voice immediately flowed from the receiver, with the faint sound of a soothing classical piano piece in the background.

"Have you eaten? Were the children well-behaved today?"

"Mom, it’s me, Adrian." Adrian Lancaster subconsciously lowered his voice. "Wren is in the shower and can’t come to the phone right now."

There was a distinct pause on the other end of the line; she hadn’t seemed to expect him to answer.

But immediately after, the warmth and kindness in her voice grew, coming through the line clearly.

"Oh, it’s you, Adrian." Mrs. Sutton’s tone was filled with natural concern.

"How’s your recovery coming along? Make sure you rest up properly. Don’t rush back into things."

A wave of warmth spread from the receiver.

Adrian Lancaster’s gaze returned to the two carefree little figures on the carpet, the curve of his lips deepening.

"Mom, I’m recovering well. Thank you for your concern."

He paused, a hint of a new father’s pride creeping into his voice.

"The children were very good today. Nina’s made a leap—she’s learned to grasp things. She can hold on to her little rattle for a few seconds now."

"Really?" Mrs. Sutton’s voice was instantly colored with undisguised delight.

"Oh, my goodness, my sweet granddaughter is so clever! To be so capable when she’s still so little."

Her doting tone made it sound as if Nina had accomplished some incredible feat.

Hearing this, the smile in Adrian Lancaster’s eyes deepened.

"Her brother is much better at rolling over now, too. He loves lying on his side, just babbling and playing by himself."

"The little guy is amazing!" Mrs. Sutton was beaming, her voice brightening.

"The last time we video chatted, he seemed to be having a tough time rolling over, huffing and puffing. It’s only been a few days, and now he’s so nimble! He’s a clever little one, too!"

Listening to his mother-in-law’s generous praise, Adrian Lancaster was overjoyed but didn’t dare take the credit.

"The two of them get their cleverness from Wren."

"They take after both of you," Mrs. Sutton said cheerfully. "They get it from you, too. You’re clever as well."

Adrian Lancaster replied, "Mom, thank you for the compliment."

"Adrian," Mrs. Sutton’s tone grew a little more serious, tinged with gravity and emotion.

"This past year... it hasn’t been easy for Wren, and it hasn’t been easy for you. Now that you’re back, safe and sound, this old mom’s heart is truly, genuinely happy. Happier than anything."

Adrian Lancaster’s fingers, holding the phone, tightened imperceptibly. A lump formed in his throat.

The incident, the separation and suffering—it was all an unspoken understanding between them, something no one elaborated on. But this belated care, full of acceptance, flooded his heart like a warm spring.

Mrs. Sutton continued in a gentle voice, "When you have time, bring the children over for a meal. Your father and I miss the two little ones, but we want to see you, too. Let’s have a proper get-together, as a family."

"Okay." Adrian Lancaster suppressed the emotions churning within him, his voice steady but filled with sincerity. "I’ll talk to Wren. We’ll arrange a time as soon as possible to bring the kids back to see you and Dad."

Mrs. Sutton gave a gratified laugh. "Good, good. Just bring yourselves. Don’t buy anything, we don’t need a thing. Having you here is the best gift."

"Mm, of course."

Adrian Lancaster agreed, and after exchanging a few more words about taking care of themselves, the call ended.

After hanging up, he placed Wren Sutton’s phone back in its original spot on the coffee table. The screen went dark, but Mrs. Sutton’s warm voice seemed to still echo in his ears.

A few minutes later, the continuous sound of running water from the bathroom finally stopped, replaced by the faint, subtle sounds of someone tidying up.

A little while after that, soft footsteps sounded on the stairs.

Wren Sutton came downstairs wearing a loose, soft, light-pink loungewear set. The cotton fabric swayed gently with her steps, outlining the soft curves of her body as it gradually recovered from childbirth.

She was enveloped in warm, damp steam and the faint scent of shower gel.

Her long hair was carefully wrapped in a light-beige hair towel, tied in a loose knot on top of her head. This revealed a long, fair neck, her skin glowing with a soft, delicate luster in the indoor light.

The steam from the bathroom had flushed her already lovely cheeks a rosy pink, spreading from her cheekbones to her ears. It was like the most captivating blush on the tip of a ripe peach—full and vibrant.

Her long eyelashes were still dotted with tiny, un-wiped droplets of water, making them look dewy and accentuating the clarity and brightness of her eyes. They were like water-washed Obsidian, a gentle light flowing in them with every glance.

Hearing the sound, Adrian Lancaster turned his head. His gaze fell upon Wren Sutton and froze for a moment.

The love and tenderness pooled in the depths of his eyes nearly overflowed in that instant, transforming into an invisible yet warm light that enveloped her.

"Your mother called just now."

Wren Sutton raised an eyebrow and walked over with a questioning look.

"What did my mom say?"

"Nothing special. Mom and Dad just miss the kids." Adrian Lancaster paused, his gaze fixed deeply on Wren Sutton. "They want to see us, too. They asked us to bring the kids back for a home-cooked meal when we’re free. I said we would."

Wren Sutton sat down on the play mat and naturally extended her right hand, palm up, gently catching her daughter’s little hand as it waved randomly in the air, trying to grasp something.

The baby’s tiny fingers immediately curled, gripping one of her mother’s fingers with a soft but deeply dependent strength.

At the same time, her son, lying on his side, fumbled for and caught another of her fingers with his hand.

The little guy seemed to be instinctively searching for warmth and touch. Once he had a hold, he contentedly brought her finger to his mouth and continued to babble.

The warmth of her children’s bodies traveled clearly through the skin of her fingertips, like a tiny electric current flowing into her heart, bringing with it an immense sense of security and completeness.

Wren Sutton leaned forward, her gaze shifting between her son and daughter. Seeing their complete trust and carefree expressions, a smile bloomed on her lips.

It was an incredibly gentle smile, like the first rays of sun melting the snow, carrying a tranquil power that could soothe all weariness. The corners of her eyes and brows were tinged with the soft radiance unique to a mother—sacred and warm.

"We really should go back for a visit. My mom mentioned it several times during our last video call."

Adrian Lancaster nodded. "You pick a time. I’m free whenever."

Wren Sutton missed her parents too, so she blurted out, "Tomorrow."

Adrian Lancaster had no objection. "Okay, tomorrow it is."

Wren Sutton pulled back her gaze, her eyes once again settling on her children.

"Darlings, Grandma and Grandpa miss you. We’re going to Grandma’s house tomorrow, okay?"

As if they understood, both children turned to Wren Sutton and gave her innocent, adorable smiles.