Fortunate to Have You This Lifetime

She then sat on the sofa with Cleo in her arms, watching TV. To cheer Cleo up, she deliberately chose a show about the animal kingdom, where the life of pythons in the tropical rainforests was being narrated.

…It was unclear whether Cleo understood or not.

Anyway, Tiny watched with intense focus.

Latter, as the light in the living room gradually dimmed, the serpentine orange glow streamed in, warm and magnificently iridescent.

It was dinner time already.

Purple Summers remembered Atra Blanc, who was resting upstairs. Atra Blanc had had quite a shock today, and although she wasn’t gravely hurt, Purple still hoped that Atra could get more rest.

She put down Cleo and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

The Summers Family did have a large kitchen, but the small Western-style building and the large villa had always kept to themselves distinctly, and Purple didn’t much feel like going there.

What to cook?

There wasn’t much to think about, as there was only one thing she could make… bibimbap.

While Purple was rinsing and cooking rice in the kitchen, Atra Blanc came downstairs to the kitchen and smiled at Purple upon seeing her.

“Purple has grown up, she can cook now,” Atra Blanc said with a smile.

Purple felt ashamed; her cooking skills were hardly worthy of the phrase “can cook” in front of Atra Blanc.

Perhaps it was because it was Purple’s first time cooking, which held special meaning, Atra Blanc didn’t stop her, but only helped out in the kitchen, washing vegetables and such.

Once Purple had finished, Atra Blanc added a few side dishes, and dinner was complete.

“I don’t know if your brother will come back tonight; otherwise, those leftovers will go to waste,” Atra Blanc said at the dinner table.

The family didn’t have the habit of eating leftovers, and there was a lot of the bibimbap Purple made still remaining.

Purple said, “Brother said he’ll come back tonight.”

Atra Blanc nodded upon hearing this, “He should come back. With such a big incident at home, he should help with the aftermath. Otherwise, his elder and third brother might be discontent.”

Purple ate her meal in silence, not joining the conversation.

She thought to herself: The two brothers’ discontent with Alexander Summers wasn’t new; adding one more incident wouldn’t make a difference, nor would having one less…

Alexander indeed returned that night, just too late, after ten at night. By then, Atra Blanc had long gone to bed.

Purple, who was reading in bed, was startled even though she expected him, as he suddenly entered her room.

“Have you eaten? There’s bibimbap in the kitchen.” Purple spoke while quickly getting out of bed and locking the door to prevent Atra Blanc from appearing suddenly like the last time.

Alexander took off his coat and threw it on a chair, then lifted Purple onto the bed and held her in his arms, asking, “What did Nathaniel Summers say to you today?”

Purple found it exasperating that he asked about this as soon as he returned, “What could he say? The police came to investigate, and he wanted me to give him the surveillance footage.”

“He could’ve sent a servant to ask for the footage; why did he need to come over personally?” Alexander pressed, always suspecting Nathaniel had an ulterior motive in seeking out Purple.

Purple gave him a chilly look and said irritably, “You want to commit murder again? Go ahead, I won’t stop you.”

Alexander laughed and pinched her nose, “Trying to use reverse psychology?”

“Do you need me to use reverse psychology on someone like you?” Purple pushed his hand away, a bit upset, “You come back and all you do is ask about this; you don’t even care about how Mom is doing.”

“Purple, don’t be mad…” Alexander soothed as he embraced her and kissed her fiercely. His rough fingertips caressed her slender waist gently, greedily lingering as they traveled upward.

Purple held down his mischievous hand, sternly saying, “No, I’ve already showered and don’t want to shower again!”

“I can’t help it…” he muttered heavily as he lay on top of her, “Whenever I see you talking to him, I can’t stand it.”

Had it been before, Purple would have thought him to be neurotic, but now, her heart softened involuntarily…

Alexander’s concern over Nathaniel wasn’t unfounded.

Once her heart softened, her resistance seemed hesitant, and with her hesitation… Alexander got his way.