Leaving While Pregnant：He Goes Crazy！
Chapter 429 Why Force It?

This internal debate... it gnaws at him. If he were to admit that he has a soft spot for Uncle Cooper, what then? The thought alone causes Dylan Hansen to blurt out, "Uncle Cooper has been with us for longer." At those words, Adrian Blackwood's breath catches in his throat.

"So..." he begins tentatively.

"Yet, Uncle Blackwood always watches our streams, and you don't skimp on the tips," Dylan adds, his sentence lifting Adrian's sinking heart back into hopeful suspension. Adrian initially feared a verdict against him was coming, but Dylan's words sent his heart into a flutter, the anticipation heating up his emotions like a steak on a sizzling grill. "And so?" Adrian asks, his voice tense.

He never imagined himself so anxious over a child's opinion, dreading the thought of not being chosen, of being sidelined for someone else.

"So..." Dylan drawls out the word, mischief in his eyes as he watches Adrian's breath hitch. Tilting his head playfully, he declares, "It's a tie between Uncle Blackwood and Uncle Cooper."

A tie? Adrian is momentarily stunned.

"A tie, really?"

"Uncle Blackwood, did you really think you'd lose to Uncle Cooper?"

Adrian's lips purse subtly-he isn't ready to admit it, but he had thought just that. After all, he missed out on years of being there for them. Presence is powerful, and absence even more poignant.

With that realization, a hint of a smile graces Adrian's lips. His hand rests gently on Dylan's head, and he whispers, "Uncle Blackwood is happy to hear you say that."

Their conversation is cut short as Eva returns with Ruby Hansen dressed in new clothes; the talk of ties and rankings is put on pause.

To Adrian Blackwood, a tie is a victory, at least for now. It signals that soon, he could very well overtake Michael Cooper's place in the little ones' hearts. He suddenly can't help but feel grateful for all those times he tuned into their livestreams.

By the time afternoon came around, Eva was informed that her passport and other documents were all set, and she could buy a ticket to return home at any moment.

Yet there was still no word from David, and to make matters worse, Michael Cooper had been injured.

If she left now, Eva felt an unsettling sense of incompletion.

Adrian Blackwood saw the turmoil in her soul and offered, "You go back first. I'll stay here to take care of things. The kids need to be in school."

"You're staying?"

Eva's eyebrows knitted in concern. "What for? Haven't we almost wrapped everything up here?"

"I promised to rescue David, and I intend to keep that promise."

Eva felt guilty knowing he was still looking out for her despite his own injuries. Now that he insisted on staying back, the weight on her heart grew heavier.

"Let's get you on the evening flight. Brent will accompany you home. Until I return, he'll protect you every step of the way," Adrian assured her. "Once you're back, don't stay in your old house. Move to mine. Jacob will arrange for round-the- clock security."

Even though he wasn't returning yet, he had arranged everything as if he were.

Listening to Adrian lay out his plans one by one, Eva felt a tightness in her heart. She bit her lower lip and asked, "Can't these things abroad be handled by someone else?"

"What if they don't handle it well?" he replied. "Besides, if it weren't for that person, it might have taken a lot more effort to replace you."

Even though he'd always replace her in the end.

"No more worries," Adrian said softly as he wrapped his arm around her slender waist when he saw she was about to speak again. "If I've chosen to stay, it's because I'm confident." "But... these aren't things you should have to do."

"Eve," Adrian called her name softly, "It's never about what one should or shouldn't do, it's about willingness."

"If you feel sorry about me staying behind, perhaps you can consider making my role official once I'm back?"

Eva instantly got his hint; he referred to the issue of titles.

He wanted the kids to stop calling him Uncle Blackwood and to start calling him Dad.

Was he going through all this trouble just for such a small wish?

With that realization, Eva paused, "Won't you tell them?"

Adrian's lips curved into a subtle smile, leaving her question unanswered.

For a while, he spoke softly, "I won't be meeting them this time. Let's leave it for the next visit. I hope by then, I'll have received some favors from you, and they won't be calling me Uncle Blackwood anymore." Clearly, he had his sights set on something more.

"Go on," she urged him.

Before she had a chance to think further, Adrian Blackwood had gently nudged her up, prompting her to go into the room and pack.

Afterward, Adrian left, likely feeling a bit melancholic about their impending separation, choosing not to stay with her.

Eva sat alone in the vast room, her gaze sweeping over the empty space and considering the fact that she would be staying behind to search for David. A growing sense of loneliness started to settle in her heart.

-

The kids, learning they were returning to the states, cheered joyfully, already talking about visiting Auntie George and missing their own school.

Their flight was scheduled for nine in the evening, and with four hours to go before their departure, they had dinner together as was their custom.

However, as Eva and the kids came downstairs, Adrian Blackwood was nowhere to be seen.

Just the three of them.

Eva couldn't help but inquire, "Where is he?"

Jacob, standing respectfully by her side, replied, "Ms. Hansen, Mr. Blackwood had to leave for some urgent business. He said you should start supper without waiting for him."

Stepped out? Right now, of all times? She and the children were leaving tonight, and he had acted so nonchalant in the afternoon.

Not only did he not accompany them home, he wouldn't even share a last meal with them. Eva was at a loss for words.

Ruby Hansen, innocent as ever, blurted out, "Why, Uncle Jacob? Where did Uncle Blackwood go? Is he not hungry?"

Faced with the child's candid question, Jacob hardly knew how to weave a lie, merely averting his eyes as if he knew nothing, saying, "I'm not sure. He didn't tell me what he was going out for." Eva silently watched him, noting how he nervously touched his nose after his explanation-a clear sign of his discomfort.

He was no good at lying.

Sighing inwardly, Eva didn't press further and simply focused on her dinner.

If he didn't wish to spend more time with them before they left, why should she insist on it?