Deep Love Hidden From Him
Chapter 76

Theodore's seafood allergy was something that Everleigh had known when she was still in high school. Later on, when she was enrolled in Ocpeace Medical University, she had even done research on how to counter the allergic effects. To this end, she had conducted a few experiments on Theodore, somehow tormenting him in the process. However, the research bore no fruitful results.

Sometimes, a memory of the past was like a thorn in the heart. If you left it untouched for a long time, you will think that it is no longer there. But if you accidentally come across it, it will hurt you to no end. Everleigh and Theodore did not speak to each other. The whole room was so quiet as if the whole world had gone silent.

Suddenly, the ringtone of a mobile phone broke the stagnant atmosphere. Everleigh held the phone in a hurry and went out to answer the call. She looked as if she had been granted amnesty. Even from her back, her panic was obvious.

"Hello?"

The call was from Stainley. He said, "Everleigh, have you found the children? Where are you now?" "Yes, I've found them. We're now having lunch.' "I see. That's great then. I was thinking of having lunch with you, but I wasn't expecting Erica to cause a ruckus. I hope you were not shaken by her."

"I'm fine. I think Shawn was more shaken than me. Can you help me apologize to him? I'll treat him to a meal when I come back to the university," Everleigh said as she felt sorry.

"Sure, no problem. How about this evening? Do you have anything to do in the evening? I think I'm almost done with my job at the university. Why don't we visit the zoo?" Stainley suggested just then. Everleigh had promised Adrienne and Alastair that she would take them to the zoo this weekend, but since Stainley had mentioned the alumni gathering, the plan had been delayed indefinitely. She had thought the event would have taken one whole day. Luckily, it ended early by the afternoon, and there was nothing much left to do. She could leave if she wanted to.

"The zoo?" Everleigh hesitated for a moment and looked out of a window at the corridor. The darkening clouds showed hints of changing weather. She replied, "Let's make it another day. I think it's going to rain soon."

She recalled the weather forecast predicted that it would rain when she had left her home earlier that day.

"Okay. Give me a call when you're home."

"Sure."

Just as Everleigh ended the call, a waiter conveniently walked past her while carrying the seafood platter that they had ordered. It was summer, thus looking at the cold seafood only made it appear even more refreshing.

Everleigh's emotions were mixed, as if her heart was feeling something inexplicable.

Meanwhile, in the room.

Adrienne was eating sea urchin with a spoon. When Theodore put another portion of sea urchin on a plate in front of Alastair, Adrienne shook her head and said, "Daddy, Alastair can't eat sea urchin. He'll grow red dots if he does."

Hearing this, Theodore's eyes narrowed as he studied Alastair.

Allergy was a hereditary trait.

Just then, Everleigh opened the door and entered the room. When she returned to sit down next to Adrienne, she raised her head and saw Theodore sizing her up with a probing gaze. "What's the matter?" Everleigh was lost at what Theodore was doing.

"Is Alastair also allergic to seafood?"

The word "also" made Everleigh's face slightly stiff.

She could not be certain if Theodore was indeed the father of her children. However, sometimes, some small details made her more feel inclined to believe that the man was their father.

For example, Alastair and Theodore shared an uncanny resemblance. They shared the same personality. Both of them hated talking and their tastes were similar. They were even allergic to the same thing.

Nevertheless, in the end, these were all a mental hint. It was fine if she was to convince herself, but the thought of explaining face-to-face with Theodore was a different story. She simply lacked the confidence to do so.

"Yes." Everleigh avoided Theodore's gaze and said, "It's not very serious. Many children are allergic to seafood now. I heard it'll get better as they grow older."

"I don't think so." Theodore's eyes were set on Everleigh. He looked like he was taking apart every tiny change of expression on her face.

To Everleigh, the feeling was like being interrogated. She gritted her teeth and refuted, "I am a doctor. I have more say in this aspect."

It was not the first she had tried connecting her children to Theodore.

Theodore's cold eyes were filled with a hint of anger. He snorted, "You don't have to dissociate yourself from me, you know. If what I said is true, I'm the one who's on the losing side."

These words were spoken mercilessly and Everleigh's eyes dimmed.

"It was just a joke," Theodore added. Though he meant it that way, no one in the room heard anything funny.

The waiter served the seafood porridge and the udon next.

Theodore was allergic to seafood and the kids had eaten quite a bit. The bowl of seafood porridge was obviously meant for Everleigh.

After working for an entire morning, Everleigh had become starving so she did not wait for Theodore before she grabbed the porridge from the waiter.

When Adrienne finally filled her stomach, she began running around the room. Her hands were restless as they were touching things everywhere. "Adrienne, mind your hands!" Everleigh warned her.

Adrienne curled her lips and went straight into Theodore's arms. She looked like she was unfazed by anything as Theodore would always back her up. Theodore casually shoved a strawberry into Adrienne's mouth. She pouted her mouth and said, "Let's go to the zoo later today. I want to see the pandas." Everleigh was startled and hurriedly said, "Don't mind her. It's going to rain soon. I'll take them there tomorrow by myself."

"No, she's not. Mommy's lying again. She's been doing that a lot lately. We have never been to the zoo." Adrienne raised her head and looked at Theodore, saying, "Daddy, Mommy promised to bring us there today, but then Stainley asked for her help. That's why she brought us here instead and not the zoo!"

"Is that so?" Theodore glanced at Everleigh.

Everleigh had broken her promise with her children because of Stainley's invitation.

At this thought, his gaze filled Everleigh with an inexplicable sense of guilt. She felt like she was a child who had done something wrong and was waiting for her parents to punish her. She was so nervous that she dared not to look at him and her children.

"Daddy, there's a giant panda at Ocpeace Zoo. There's nothing like it abroad. Alastair and I are dying to go and see it. Will you go with us there, please?" Adrienne added fuel to the fire.

"Okay, let's go after we finish eating."

Everleigh suddenly raised her head and shot an astonished look at Theodore.

Theodore remained calm as he put another strawberry into Adrienne's mouth. He did not even look at her. He was acting like he was taking care of his own daughter. To those who did not know better, he looked just like someone who had been taking care of children for years.

"No... You really don't have to do that. You must be very busy so you don't have to pay Adrienne any heed." Everleigh gazed at Theodore nervously as she spoke.

"You don't have to join us if you don't want to. Adrienne is my friend and I am not someone who likes to fool children."

Theodore's words were cold and they felt rather sarcastic. Everleigh was unsure if he was insulting her for being narcissistic or that she did not bother to keep her promise with her children. "Okay, I'll tag along." Everleigh had no choice but to agree.

No matter how unreliable she was in being a mother, she would never allow someone else to take care of her children. It was especially so if that someone was Theodore.