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

Chapter 254: Chapter 254: Cherish the Person Before You

On Saturday morning, the sunlight dyed the autumn sky a pale gold.

It filtered through the sparse sycamore leaves, scattering dappled, dancing spots of light across the car’s body.

Adrian Lancaster placed a pink and a blue infant carrier, one by one, onto the back seat.

His movements were careful and precise. He first made sure the base clicked securely into the ISOFIX anchors, hearing a crisp "CLICK."

Then he leaned over to check each safety buckle, tightening the shoulder and crotch straps one by one, using his fingertips to measure the tension and ensure a perfect fit against the babies’ bodies.

Once he was satisfied, he took the plush cushions he had prepared and tucked them into the gaps between the carriers and the car doors, as well as between the two carriers, creating a stable, protective barrier.

The overstuffed diaper bag was in the trunk.

It was neatly organized with wet wipes, diaper rash cream, diapers, formula, bottles, a thermos of hot water, cotton gauze cloths, a small thin blanket, a thermometer, a change of clothes, saline solution...

Adrian Lancaster got into the driver’s seat, adjusting it and the rearview mirror.

Wren Sutton adjusted the long, cream-colored knit cardigan she was wearing and sat in the passenger seat.

Before the car had even started, she couldn’t help but turn, her gaze drifting gently over the seatback to the rear.

Owen and Nina happened to both be awake.

The babies were swaddled in pale blue and light pink blankets, revealing two pairs of nearly identical, round eyes like black glass, curiously gazing at the shadows of the trees and the sky outside the window.

When a bird flew past, the brother and sister duo cooed in unison, their little swaddled legs kicking excitedly a few times, causing the carriers to rock gently.

Adrian reached across the center console and gently squeezed Wren Sutton’s slightly cool hand.

"Don’t worry." His voice was low and steady, carrying a reassuring strength.

"I checked the buckles three times. They’re on the tightest setting. Even if our two little ones decide to practice their kicking at the same time, they’ll be perfectly safe."

Adrian patted the back of Wren’s hand reassuringly, then pointed to the rearview mirror, which he had deliberately angled to keep both carriers in view.

"You don’t need to turn around. You can see the children clearly from here."

Wren’s eyes met his in the mirror, and she saw the steady assurance in his gaze.

The tension in her shoulders eased slightly. She let out a soft "Mm," sat up straight, and buckled her seatbelt.

Adrian pressed the brake and pushed the start button.

The engine gave a low, smooth hum, and the air conditioning system sent out a comfortable breeze.

A gentle smile touched his lips. "Here we go."

...

The car drove smoothly into the Sutton family’s residential complex.

Sunlight shone on the osmanthus trees in front of the building, and a sweet fragrance floated in the air.

The moment the car came to a stop, the building’s entrance door opened.

Mr. and Mrs. Sutton were already waiting at the door, their faces filled with unconcealed anticipation and smiles.

Mrs. Sutton was wearing a dusty pink cashmere sweater with a mandarin collar, layered with a matching long vest. Her hair was pulled back into a smooth, low bun, and a pair of small pearl earrings adorned her earlobes, making her look especially gentle and elegant.

Mr. Sutton was also dressed in a well-tailored, traditional-style jacket. He looked refined and full of vigor.

Adrian got out, went around to the back, and carefully unbuckled the carriers. He lifted both out steadily, one in each hand.

Owen and Nina were captivated by the new environment, their big dark eyes darting around as they explored with curiosity.

"Oh, my little darlings, you’re finally here."

Mrs. Sutton didn’t even bother with pleasantries for her daughter and son-in-law, her gaze glued to the two children.

"Look at their eyes and brows, just like Wren when she was a baby. But their noses and mouths are like Adrian’s. They really know how to pick the best features from their parents."

Mr. Sutton came closer as well, his face wreathed in a loving smile as he gently squeezed one of the babies’ tiny hands.

"So adorable. Everyone, come inside, it’s windy out here."

He helped Adrian with the heavy diaper bag and led the family inside.

Inside, the house was immaculate. The afternoon sun poured through a large, floor-to-ceiling glass window, bathing the entire living room in a bright, warm glow.

On the wall in the entryway, black-and-white and color photos of several generations of the Sutton family were artfully framed.

The people in the photos, old and young, all possessed a gentle, scholarly air. Some wore traditional long robes, others wore glasses, and the backgrounds were often studies or courtyards, silently speaking to the family’s heritage.

Along one side of the living room stood a massive, floor-to-ceiling solid wood bookcase, filled with neatly arranged tomes of all kinds—from thread-bound classics to hardcover new releases, the calligraphy on their spines either bold or elegant.

A faint, serene scent of sandalwood mingled with the subtle, inky fragrance of book pages, creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere.

Adrian took out the gifts he had brought, one by one.

For Mr. Sutton, there was a brand-new carbon fiber fishing rod set, complete with all accessories and of excellent craftsmanship.

For Mrs. Sutton, he had an elegant and exquisite Suzhou silk scarf, embroidered with a pattern of pavilions and towers from a Jiangnan water town. It was smooth to the touch, with a soft luster.

"Adrian, we agreed on the phone yesterday. You were just coming home for a meal, you didn’t need to bring anything. Why did you?" Although Mrs. Sutton said this, a smile was already spreading from the corners of her eyes.

Adrian gently pushed the gift toward her, his tone sincere. "Mom, this is just a little something from Wren and me. I hope you and Dad like them."

Beaming, Mrs. Sutton accepted the gift and examined the scarf’s embroidery closely.

"I love it, of course I love it. The material is so nice, and the pattern is so elegant." She never wanted to dampen her children’s enthusiasm.

Adrian’s gifts catered perfectly to their tastes. Mr. Sutton was also very pleased and praised Adrian for his excellent choices.

The family gathered on the large, comfortable sofa, sipping light tea and eating washed strawberries and cherries from a fruit platter.

The conversation drifted from the recent weather to neighborhood news, and then to Mr. Sutton’s newly completed calligraphy practice. Lighthearted laughter frequently filled the living room, and the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.

Mr. and Mrs. Sutton couldn’t get enough of their grandson and granddaughter. Each held one of the babies, rocking them gently, cooing at them in exaggerated tones, or pointing at objects in the living room and telling them softly what they were.

Owen stared about curiously with his big, dark eyes, while Nina giggled as her grandfather’s beard tickled her.

In the blink of an eye, it was time for lunch. Mrs. Sutton stood up and called out.

"Lunch is ready! Everyone, to the dining room."

The large round table in the dining room was already laden with a dazzling array of dishes.

In the very center was a plump, steamed sea bass.

The fish had been scored with fine, even cuts and was topped with a layer of verdant scallion shreds, pale yellow ginger slivers, and a few strands of bright red chili.

Hot oil had just been poured over it, making it SIZZLE as an intoxicating aroma filled the air.

"Your dad went to the lake before dawn and waited to catch this fish. It was still flopping around—as fresh and plump as can be."

Mrs. Sutton’s voice was filled with undisguised pride as she pointed to a nearby plate of braised pork belly, glistening and crimson with a thick, rich sauce.

"I used the best cut of pork belly for this and slow-cooked it on low heat for two whole hours. Look, it’s so tender it’s falling apart, just wobbling if you pick it up with chopsticks."

Beside it was blanched choy sum, crisp and emerald green, drizzled with a light soy sauce.

A corn and pork rib soup was served in a porcelain tureen, its broth an inviting creamy white.

The sweet and sour spare ribs were a beautiful golden-brown, their tangy aroma whetting the appetite.

Stir-fried river shrimp were plump, pink, and translucent.

Every dish was generous in portion, a feast for the senses, and infused with the meticulous preparation and wholehearted love her parents had put in since the day before.

Beside the dining table, Mr. Sutton had already prepared two brand-new, natural wood high chairs, wiped spotlessly clean.

"These are Owen and Nina’s special seats."

Adrian carefully placed the babies securely in the high chairs and fastened the safety harnesses.

The two little ones sat in their special seats, well-behaved and quiet, blinking their big eyes as they curiously observed the feast on the table and the adults.

Everyone took their seats and began to eat.

Mrs. Sutton hardly ate herself, constantly using the serving chopsticks to put food on her daughter and son-in-law’s plates.

"Wren, eat more of this fish. It’s very nourishing and good for you." A piece of the most tender fish belly landed in Wren Sutton’s bowl.

"Adrian, try these ribs. They’re simmered to perfection and fall right off the bone." A few sauce-coated ribs were added to his plate.

"Thanks, Mom," they both said with a smile as their bowls quickly piled high with food.

The family ate happily together, the conversation naturally revolving around the two little babies.

Topics included when the babies might roll over, the babbling sounds they’d been making lately, the day one of them accidentally laughed out loud...

The little details of daily life were filled with sweetness.

As they were talking, Nina, who had been looking around quietly, suddenly puckered her little mouth and let out a soft whimper. Her little hands started moving restlessly toward her mouth—her usual sign of being hungry.

Perhaps it was twin telepathy, but Owen, beside her, started to squirm as well, mimicking his sister.

Seeing this, Wren subconsciously put down her bowl and chopsticks, about to get up.

But Adrian, beside her, gently placed a hand on her arm.

"You just eat. I’ll take care of it."

His tone was gentle yet firm. He immediately set down his own bowl and chopsticks, stood up, and walked briskly to the living room. From the diaper bag, he took out the formula canister, two bottles, and the thermos filled with water kept at a constant temperature.

His movements were methodical: scooping the formula, adding the water, capping the bottles tightly, shaking them until smooth, and testing the temperature.

The entire process was practiced and swift.

Soon, Adrian returned to the dining room with two perfectly warmed bottles of milk. He sat down naturally beside the children and began to feed them patiently, one in each hand.

Mr. and Mrs. Sutton took in the whole scene, exchanging a look. Both felt gratified and moved.

Mrs. Sutton, in particular, watched her son-in-law’s profile as he focused on feeding the babies. She couldn’t help but lean over to Wren’s ear and whisper emotionally in a voice only the two of them could hear.

"Wren, Adrian is a really good man. Cherish him. Don’t think about divorce again."