The first heir novel (Master Yu Who Smokes)
Chapter 353

The atmosphere in the hospital room seemed different.

Giada smiled a smile that encompassed the warmth of a spring breeze, one that Philip knew there was more than met the eye.

It was a smile that removed herself from the narrative while she mocked and threatened at the same time.

Standing from her seat, she walked toward Philip who looked as if his entire world had crashed. She spoke gently, "Take your time as you explain to Wynn, would you? We'll meet again, very soon." With that, Giada waved to bid Wynn farewell. "I'll be leaving first then, Wynn. I'm sure Philip has his reasons to hide from you, so I do hope you'll keep an open mind and hear him out."

Wynn was about to stand and send her out only to be held back by Philip.

With no other choice, she smiled politely. "You can come over next time then, Aunt Giada."

"Oh?"

There was a new hint of shock in Giada's expression at the invitation. Her brows curved into a smile. "Very well then, I'll visit when I have time. I'll get going now, wouldn't want to intrude on you two any longer after all."

Only after Wynn respectfully bode Giada farewell did Giada leave the room.

This left Wynn and Philip alone in the hospital room.

"Close the door," Wynn instructed indifferently.

Like a child who had been caught red-handed, Philip hummed a sound of acknowledgment and went to close the door.

Anxiety stewed in his chest for he felt a fear he had never before.

What did Giada tell Wynn?

Was it his identity?

Was it something else?

"Sit." Arms crossed, Wynn wore an expression of detached composure. Earnestly, not unlike an elementary school student, Philip sat as he was told. "Good job, Philip Clarke. For how long have you been hiding this from me?"

Wynn inquired, though the coldness of her tone seemed to carry hints of reproach.

After sneaking a glance at Wynn, Philip got a slap at his shoulder before he muttered, "S-Seven years..."

'What?'

Wynn's eyebrows furrowed, unease written on her face as she pressed on. "Why'd you hide it from me? I'm your wife, am I not?" Philip, too, felt disheartened. Tugging on Wynn's hand, he played the guilty card. "Wynnie, I didn't mean to... I had my reasons, I...”

Watching Philip crestfallen before her, Wynn reached out a pale arm and flicked Philip's forehead with a slender finger. "You're my husband, Philip. You have to tell me about these things, okay? Sure, Aunt Giada's your stepmom, but there's nothing wrong with that. Why didn't you tell me?"

'Stepmom?'

Philip was confused. In a rush, he asked, "What else did Giada tell you?"

Wynn blinked. "Yeah! She told me she got married to your father after the death of your mother, and that the actual reason why she's here in Riverdale is to check on how you're doing. She also said that she hopes I can persuade you to go home, something about how your family needs you and how your dad's side of the family wants you back too. Why didn't you say yes? You're father and son, what resentment can there possibly be between a father and his son? Find a time and clear your schedule. Go back and take a look, okay?"

Despite understanding what was happening, Philip still felt uneasy and pressed on. "Did she say anything about what my family does? Or who I am?"

'Just what is Giada Wallis planning?'

"Isn't your family in the restaurant business? You told me last time right?"

Wynn asked suspiciously. Was Philip hiding something from her again?

"Yeah, yeah. We're in the restaurant business."

Philip's hand came up to scratch at the back of his head while he continued to contemplate what exactly Giada was plotting.

'Holy sh*t! I almost sold myself out!'

"Oh, and Philip? Aunt Giada said something about how Dad isn't feeling very well these days. Are you really not going to visit?" Wynn asked.

The hand holding the fruit knife froze at the question before Philip smiled and passed Wynn the apple he had cut. "Don't worry about it so much. I'll bring both you and Mila to visit after you get better, okay?" Wynn accepted the apple. "I know there's some sort of misunderstanding between you and Aunt Giada, but I don't think she's a bad person... She's pretty well versed in a variety of topics. I think it'll do both of you some good to sit down and chat sometime."

Despite not knowing what the misunderstanding Philip had with Giada, Wynn could tell that Philip was reluctant to let her know of Giada's true identity from how he hid it from her the last time. However, Giada was still Philip's stepmother.

"It can't be, right, Philip? That the reason why you hate her is 'cause she hit you when you were a child?"

Shocked, Wynn's hand covered her petite mouth. Her eyes were blown wide as she recalled stereotypical rich household scenes from Korean dramas.

'Does Philip have such a heart-wrenching childhood?'