Chapter 423

The biting cold wind couldn't penetrate Layla's thick down jacket, but the chill in her heart made her feel cold all over.

Even though she knew Samuel was angry and that many of his words might not be sincere and could be hurtful, Layla still felt a slight sting.

Layla asked, "Don't you trust me at all?"

Of course Samuel trusted her.

To him, trust was the foundation of everything. A relationship not built on trust had already ended.

"Don't use these words to force me," he said calmly.

Layla said, "I'm not forcing you. I just hope you can believe in me, especially in my loyalty to you."

The most feared misunderstanding between lovers was the lack of trust.

Layla added, "Brian  and I are just purely superior and subordinate. That day, when he suddenly showed up downstairs, I thought there was an urgent matter at the company. I didn't expect he would..."

Samuel interrupted her, "If you cared about me, you would have kept your distance from him from the start, knowing that it bothered me. Moreover, I reminded you more than once."

"We work in the same company..." Layla suddenly fell silent for a few seconds, her brow furrowing. After a moment of hesitation, she made a decision and said resolutely, "If it bothers you, I'll quit."

Samuel let out a cold laugh. "Are you threatening me?"

Layla never expected him to misunderstand her intentions so much. "I'm not. I just think that if it bothers you, I won't see him anymore."

Samuel asked, "Isn't that job very important to you? Your dream. If you quit today for me, will you be content?"

Layla nodded. "I will be. Everyone has to make choices; you're more important than the job."

Samuel shook his head. "I don't want you to regret it in the future or hold a grudge, thinking it was my fault you gave up your career."

"Samuel..." Layla said bitterly, "Tell me, what should I do? I really care about you, and I don't want us to keep fighting. I'm over three months pregnant; it's time for me to stay home and rest anyway. That was the plan around this time."

Samuel said, "I don't want you to quit because of me."

Did she understand? Samuel respected her.

His love meant Layla could make her own choices freely, not because of him.

He could compromise for her countless times, but he would never want her to make even the slightest compromise for him.

Layla said, "Samuel..."

Samuel took a deep breath. "It's late. I'll have him take you home."

"I can go home, but can you have a meal with me first? I'm really hungry," Layla asked cautiously, "There's a convenience store right there, very close."

Samuel was completely defeated by the look in Layla's eyes, afraid of being rejected.

Loving someone meant giving up power.

No matter how strong the defenses Samuel set up, the heart he protected was as soft.

He didn't say anything, just silently walked towards the convenience store.

Although Layla's gloomy mood hadn't completely lifted, it eased a bit, and she followed him.

The two walked one after the other, their backs seemingly leaning on each other, slightly warming Layla's heart.

These were just small conflicts; even the best relationships have friction, which was normal. Looking on the bright side, after every argument, they would understand each other better and their feelings would deepen.

Layla felt invigorated, ran to catch up, and grabbed Samuel's sleeve once again.

Samuel didn't pull away, letting her hold on.

Layla smiled secretly.

She knew Samuel was just tough on the outside; in reality, he was very gentle with her.

Layla said, "You didn't have dinner either, did you? Your stomach isn't good; even if you're busy with work, you need to remember to eat on time. Did you forget you promised me that? You didn't keep your word."

Samuel glanced at the night sky.

Shifting the blame, huh? Wasn't it because she made him so angry?

"Aren't you hungry? My stomach's been growling for a while," she said, rubbing her belly with one hand.

"Look, the moon is so full tonight."

"The moonlight is beautiful."

"Have you heard the saying? When someone says the moonlight is beautiful, it means they like you."

"Spring is coming; it's not as cold anymore."

"I really hope summer comes soon. I'm so tired of wearing this down jacket. It's exhausting. Short sleeves are much more comfortable."

"Layla ..." Samuel suddenly called her name, his voice low and magnetic.

"What's up?" She looked at him expectantly.

Samuel said, "You talk a lot."

Layla thought he was going to say something romantic, but he ended up complaining about her.

Layla was both amused and annoyed, saying,"It's not news that I'm talkative. I've always been this way. It's youthful energy, something an old man like you wouldn't grasp. You're aging and still whining about my chatter."

Layla said, "You used to talk more than me, nagging all day long, reminding me of this and that, like an old man."

Samuel uttered, "That's because you're dumb."

She did feel a bit dumb sometimes in front of Samuel.

Layla stuck out her tongue.

But Samuel could be childish too.

It just showed that Layla had truly entered his heart.

Wasn't there a saying? Every man had a little boy hidden inside.

Layla said, "Are you dissing me? I'm telling you, it doesn't matter if you are; no returns allowed."

Samuel smiled faintly, hidden by the night. Even though he was still angry, he hoped Layla would always cling to him. Bold, unreasonable, clingy, talkative, and adorably annoying.

Sometimes, he had to teach Layla a lesson, or she wouldn't know how to behave or be clingy.

This was perfect.

At the convenience store.

Layla ordered two bowls of curry noodles and two servings of fish balls.

Samuel took out his card.

"Sir, our card machine is broken. We only accept cash right now," the male clerk said apologetically.

Samuel looked towards the entrance at James.

"Don't bother him; I'll handle it," Layla said, pulling out her wallet.

Samuel said, "I don't have the habit of letting a woman pay."

Layla said, "Then how are we going to eat if we don't pay?"

Samuel didn't say anything.

"There's a first time for everything. You've always said you'd treat, but you always end up paying. Let me do it this time." Layla decisively took out cash. "Two bottles of water, please."

For the first time, she realized how good it felt to pay!

Layla felt like the richest person in the world.

Layla savored her curry sandwiches. "It's been ages since I had these. Back when I joined Holland Group and was waiting for my paycheck, these foods were my go-to for saving money. I really missed them; they're so tasty."

Samuel twisted open a bottle of water and placed it in front of Layla.

When had she ever thought something didn't taste good? She always ate with such gusto.

"Eat your  foods and stop grinning at me." Samuel pushed Layla's face towards her bowl.

Layla looked up and smiled, showing her beautiful teeth, her eyes curving.

After finishing her bowl of noodles, Layla felt even more energized. "Let's walk home."

Samuel said, "Ten miles."

Layla shivered but stubbornly said, "Ten miles it is."

She'd walk with Samuel until dawn if she had to.

Tilting her chin up provocatively, she said, "What? Are you afraid?"