It'll Come Naturally
Chapter 1691 Rivals In Love (Part Three)

"Your home?" Fred raised an eyebrow to underscore his words. Irked by Rain's arrogance, he taunted, "Mr. Xia, you seem to have consumed too much liquor last night, but you should have recovered from your drunkenness by now. As I recall, this is Annie's home, where she and her children live. I don't remember it being your luxury mansion." He had no idea why Rain and Annie separated in the past, but Fred believed it was Rain's fault that resulted in Annie bringing up the twins by herself. But regardless of the reason, Fred believed that a man should never allow his wife to raise their children alone.

"Well obviously, Mr. Chen has an interest in my affairs. Otherwise, how did you know I was drunk last night? Or could it be possible that you had someone spying on me?" Rain sneered at him. He plastered a mocking smile on his face while thinking to himself, 'Is he trying to take my woman from me?'

"Mr. Xia, you're overthinking things. When would I ever have the time to do what you're accusing me of?" Fred attempted to be flippant. Inside, he was gritting his teeth, trying very hard to suppress his anger.

"So be it. I only wonder why you appear in my home at such an early hour," Rain challenged. He cast a glance at Annie, who was looking pale while watching their confrontation. He tried remembering what Annie said about Fred. 'She told me last night that there was nothing between her and this man. I can't wait to hear her explanation about this situation, 'Rain thought.

"I'm a good friend of Annie, and it's quite normal for me to visit her. Mr. Xia, I also want to ask you what do you come here for?" Fred shot back. Although Rain's face remained impassive, Fred could sense a dangerous aura emanating from the man, which was difficult to ignore.

With one brow arched, Rain replied, "That's easy. I'm here to pick them up and bring them to our real house." In his head were happy thoughts. 'You won't have any opportunity to approach my woman and our kids once they live with me, 'Rain said in his mind. "Really, Daddy? Is that true? We'll really be living together from now on?" Joyce asked eagerly. As Rain nodded, she let out a joyful shriek. "Hooray!" Joyce's high-pitched tone snapped Annie out of her trance and brought her back to the present. Rain had told her of this plan last night, but she'd almost forgotten about it and had no opportunity to discuss the matter with the kids.

"Of course it's true. We're family, so it's best that we all live together, right?" Rain replied. He planted a soft kiss on his daughter's cheek. The man was confident Fred wouldn't do anything to derail his plans. "Daddy, what about Mommy? Will she also be moving to your house?" Huey suddenly cut in. The boy was mature in his thinking and considered things more thoroughly than his twin sister.

"What do you think, my dear?" Rain threw the question at Annie. He meant to throw Annie off-guard with his intimate tone, and he noticed this tactic worked.

She stuttered, but was unable to form an answer. Annie had definitely no plans to move into Rain's home, so she was baffled by his sudden decision.

"Don't allow yourself to be pushed around, Annie. Just do what you think is best for you and the kids," Fred urged. He laid a hand on her shoulder as an expression of his support, and to help Annie calm down. Rain's sharp gaze caught that supportive hand on her shoulder and it stayed there. Angrily, Rain thought, 'How dare he act so intimately with my woman in front of me!'

"Fred, why don't you check into your hotel first?" Annie suggested. "I'll get in touch with you later after you've settled in." Her eyebrows were tightly knitted now. Annie thought she needed another private talk with Rain. "But, I'll worry about you," Fred whined a little. In other words, Rain's presence didn't make him comfortable.

With a ghost of a smile, Annie assured him, "Don't worry. I will be all right." Pretending to be calm in front of Rain was a challenge for Annie, because she was really nervous and breathless under his piercing eyes.

Conceding defeat, Fred said, "Okay, I'll get going. But I will call you once I reach the hotel," he promised. Reluctantly, he collected his luggage and prepared to leave. Although worried about Annie, Fred didn't want her to feel awkward because of him. He knew if he insisted on staying, it would make her resent his presence.

A smile of triumph spread on Rain's face. He considered it a victory to get rid of Fred.

"Have you already packed up all your stuff?" he asked Annie. Once his rival departed, Rain put the aloof expression back on his face.

"Can I say no to your request?" Annie finally found the courage to speak. She made a last attempt to resist. Annie knew that her kids welcomed the idea of living with their father, but she didn't want to go with them.

"Impossible," Rain said firmly. He looked her in the eye, daring Annie to argue.

But she agreed. "As you wish," she acquiesced. "I'll pack up their stuff now," Annie declared. She knew arguing with Rain would lead to nothing but a fight, so she gave it up.

"Mommy, aren't you coming with us?" Huey inquired. The sensitive boy noticed the way his mother was speaking, and it bothered him.

"No, I won't be going with you. Only you and Joyce will live with your Daddy." It was with a heavy heart that she said this. Anyway, Rain was the twins' father, and he had a right to decide such matters. And while she couldn't refuse his request to have the kids live with him, it was Annie's right to decide if she would come with them.

Petulantly, the boy declared, "If Mommy isn't moving with us, then I won't go with you either." While it was true that he liked his daddy and would love to live with him, he loved his mommy more and would never agree to let her live alone.

"Joyce won't go as well!" Huey's twin followed her brother's lead. "Joyce wants to stay with mommy!" she shouted. She echoed her brother's words and squirmed to get out of Rain's embrace.

"This is what you want, Annie, right?" Rain gave a bitter laugh. "It seems that in your eyes, I really am a bad father," he said sadly. He was so naive to believe that one night would be enough for Annie to figure things out regarding their lives, but that was not to be so.

Annie knew she had to be tough and remain strong in front of her children. "Both of you, be good, all right? Go live with Daddy for a few weeks. Mommy has a lot of things to take care of, and I won't have time to take care of you," Annie lied. She scrambled her thoughts to convince them to go with Rain. Annie had no idea the kids would be so unwilling to leave her, and she felt sorry when she looked at Rain.

"No! We don't want to be away from mommy!" Joyce burst out crying. The first thing that came to her mind was that her mother didn't love her anymore, and that was why she was giving them to their daddy, to stay.

It was partly guilt, partly annoyance that had Annie raising her tone with Joyce. "Be quiet, Joyce. I don't want to be angry with you," she told the sobbing little girl.

But the girl continued bawling. "Mommy doesn't love Joyce anymore!" she cried out miserably. "Please give me another chance. I promise to be obedient from now on," she sobbed. Annie raising her voice didn't pacify Joyce, so she tried another tactic.