Meeting You Was Fate

Mandy waited for Nathan's response but did not receive any.

At MC Garden

"Mand! Oh, grandpa's baby is here too!" Stanley's grin stretched from ear to ear when he saw Mandy arrived with Adrian.

"Hello, grandpa," Adrian called sweetly.

Madeline was in the middle of stirring the meal she was cooking when the adorable voice of the child reached her ears. She put down the spatula at once and trotted out of the kitchen, a delighted look on her face. "Adrian!"

"Hello, grandma!"

Adrian was no stranger to the elderly couple. Nathan had often taken him for a visit and, from their very first meeting, asked him to call them grandparents.

Nathan, however, did not tell them of the boy's true identity. Not that he was afraid that Madeline and Stanley would fight over the boy, they could dote on their grandchild all they wanted. But, he was concerned that Adrian would remind them of their daughter. After all, when Mandy had left him, she left her parents too.

"Father," Mandy greeted with a slight smile.

"Grandpa, have you been in good health these days?"

the table by the French window. The boy's question sent him roaring in laughter and, with a pat on his chubby thighs, he asked, "Who taught you to say

this," Adrian declared proudly, sitting down with his legs crossed. His back was ramrod straight as he readied himself to

of the word dad, Stanley looked around and

tonight," Mandy piped in, a bit too hastily to

in front of Mandy. She scrutinized her daughter's expression, who was lounging on the sofa and playing with her phone. "Did you fight with

protest. She ripped the packet open and said unhappily, "Mom, look at me. I'm an adult now. Why do you still take me as

arms and stared at Mandy for a full three seconds before she conceded, "All right. I know you're very stubborn and will never admit it.

deep sigh, offering little else by way

Do you find me annoying?" Madeline snapped, her eyes

nothing to blunt her mother's perceptiveness, and Mandy could never hide her real thoughts from her. It was the main reason why, among all the family members, she feared Madeline the

and tossed her phone aside in a fit. On top of her mother's inquisition, she did not know which client Nathan had gone to see earlier. The man

He is even more patient than you. Okay, if you are hungry, let's go and eat. Come and wash your hands!"

plans for a relaxing visit. She had not foreseen that Madeline would grill her as soon

considering his next move carefully. When he heard Mandy call them for dinner,

Stanley agreed and reached out to rub the boy's

students. But he only took a fancy to the stubborn and moody Madeline. A stark contrast from her husband's gentle demeanor, Madeline had always been blunt and would say whatever she wanted to say. It was

caught in a conflict. They had built such sturdy ground that picking a fight with each

sky was already dark by the time dinner had finished. One after another, lamp posts along the streets lit up, illuminating the night that had gradually