Chapter 210
Curious, Timothy leaned in closer to Aiden, peeked at his phone, and said, “Aident, your phone isn’t using a filter”
Valerie chuckled, “You even know about filters?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Timothy said. “Mommy always turns on the filter when she takes pictures. She says that’s when she looks most like her true self!”
Valerie laughed, “Aiden’s a real man, no filters needed!”
Timothy puffed out his chest proudly and said, “I am a real man too, no filter needed!”
A faint smile flickered in Aiden’s eyes, amused by the boy’s serious little act. He snapped a photo and sent it to that old group chat he’d almost forgotten
about.
Below:
Aaron was confused.
Marco Palmer: [Your son?]
Linette Wells: [Aiden, when did you secretly have a kid? He looks about three or four!]
Aiden: [He’s my wife’s friend’s son. Just looks familiar.]
After Aiden’s remark, everyone in the group took a closer look at the photo.
Aaron zoomed in on the photo and examined it carefully, replying: [Now that you mention it, he really does look kind of familiar.]
Linette: [It’s just a kid. Don’t they all look the same? When are you having
one
of your own?]
Marco: [Aiden, come out for a drink.]
Aiden: [No, thanks.]
Aaron: [Marco, with a beautiful wife and now a kid too, of course, Aiden would rather play dad. But seriously, when are you having one of your own?]
Aiden subconsciously looked toward Valerie lying on the hospital bed.
She was peeling an orange for the boy, her lashes s lowered, looking especially gentle.
Aiden: [Her call]
Valerie assumed Aiden was busy with work, so she focused on keeping Tomothy entertained.
Timothy was such a well–behaved kid, when someorye played with him, he’d burst into giggles and mess around, clearly having a blast.
But when no one was around, he’d quietly amuse himself in a corner.
At dinner, Timothy even pulled out his child–sized bowl and spoon from the bag Jeana had packed for him, handed them to Aiden to fill, and then happily fed himself.
Valerie had worried that, being so young, he might not be used to adult food. Luckily, since her own meals were always light for health reas managed to get through the meal just fine.
Since it was inconvenient for Valerie to stay in the hospital, she completed th
discharge paperwork early after dinner and brought the child home.
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Chapter 210
Camille was startled by the sudden arrival of a child, but after the house had been too quiet for so long, having such a well behaved find fascinated the household staff. They all quickly grew fond of him and doted on the child with great affection.
That evening, with Aiden out on business, Valerie was in her room putting, Timothy to bed. The little one was well behaved, never Crying of fascinat clutching his pants and pitifully pleading. “Madam, I need to go potty.”
Valerie quickly called for Camille, but just then, a guest arrived at the house.
Camille came in, looking a bit uneasy. “Ma’am, there’s a visitor… it’s Miss Sydney Skinner.”
Back when the Skinner and Walker families were close, Sydney frequently visited the Walker family.
At that time, Aiden was still living there, and Camille had seen her many times. Word was, she and Aiden had even dated back in his college days.
Valerie’s heart clenched at the name.
She thought, ‘Sydney…
་་་་་་་་་་་་་་
‘That text from the other night, and Aiden’s trip to the airport, he must have
to pick
her up, right?‘
Suppressing her unease, Valerie said, “Got it. Tell her Aiden isn’t home.”
Camille’s expression grew even more peculiar. “Miss Skinner is here to see you. She heard about your back injury and brought some rare medication. She even went to another city to get them. They’re said to be quite precious… Whatever else, it’s a thoughtful gesture.”
Though Valerie couldn’t help but wonder what Sydney’s real motives were, Valerie asked Camille to take Timothy to the bathroom. She then freshened up before inviting Sydney upstairs.
Sydney came prepared today, dressed in a strikingly glamorous, fitted crimson gown, the simplest cut, yet effortlessly exuding sophistication that suited her perfectly. She strode in on high heels, a radiant smile on her face, but that smile faltered for a moment when she saw Valerie.
Valerie, recovering from injury, wore simple homewear. Her hair was loosely tied back, her face completely bare, and dark circles lingered under her eyes from pain and sleepless nights.
Yet even in such a state, Sydney was momentarily dazzled by her beauty. Valerie’s skin was flawless and delicate.
Sydney couldn’t help but think, ‘If I were in her condition, there’s no way I’d look this good.’
As the consummate socialite she was, Sydney instantly smoothed her expression with practiced ease, naturally set down the gift, and said, “Hello, Ms. Clark. I never imagined our first meeting would be under such circumstances. I am Sydney Skinner.”
The moment Valerie laid eyes on Sydney, she was visibly taken aback.
‘This Sydney is truly beautiful,‘ she thought.
Valerie knew she herself was attractive, but Sydney’s beauty was of an entirely different breed.
Sophisticated, luminous, and exuding a confidence that seemed to come from her very bones, a kind of self–assurance that someone like Valerie, who’d grown up with hardship etched into her bones, could never possess.
Sydney knew Valerie recognized her, and her demeanor dripped with unmistakable arrogance.
Valerie quickly returned a smile. “Hello, Miss Skinner. Please excuse my appearance, I’ve hurt my back, so I’m not at my best.”
“Not at all, you’re still beautiful,” Sydney said with a seemingly genuine smile, “Aiden mentioned you were injured, so I came specific
to see you.”
‘Aiden told her?‘ Valerie thought, feeling a twinge of discomfort.
Facing her smile, Valerie said with a tight smile, “Thank you.”
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Chapter 210
“Ms. Clark, you look even younger than I imagined, Mrs. Walker, Aiden always claimed he wasn’t into younger women,” she chuckled softly, her tone laced with subtle mockery. “But men are all the same, sweet words to your face, different stories behind your back. And when it comes to sweet talking, they’ve mastered every trick in the book…”
Valerie offered a polite smile. “Miss Skinner, I’m married now. My husband doesn’t like it when others call me that. If possible, please call me Mrs. Walker, I’d hate for him to hear and get upset.”
Sydney waved a dismissive hand. “It’s just a title. Aiden’s never been one to fuss over such trivialities.”
“Who says so?” A man’s voice suddenly cut in from the doorway, making Sydney freeze instantly.
AD
