If Zoe hadn’t taken the initiative to send that photo, Emma would have known even less than Zoe. She’d always taken a hands–off approach with both sons, never interfering in their personal lives.
Emma deftly dodged alt probing questions, giving nothing away and keeping up the pretense that she knew it all. As soon as she got home, she thought about it, then decided it was time to see what she could get out of her son.
After all, she didn’t see who was making out with Aria that day.
Emma asked, “Owen, what have you been up to lately?”
“Mother dearest,” Owen replied playfully, “just ba
working lately.”
Emma fell silent for a moment, then tried a different tack. “So, what are you doing right now?”
Owen replied, “I’m reading.”
“Reading?” Emma pressed further. “Alone?”
Owen fell silent for a second before answering, “Yeah.”
Emma caught that split–second hesitation. A wide grin spread across her face. ‘Owen hesitated,‘ she thought. ‘If he is alone, why would he pause like that? So, he’s not alone right now. No wonder they went together that day to drop off Aria’s sister for the SAT. Turns out they were already a couple.‘
The more Emma thought about it, the happier she became. Clearing her throat, she teased, “If you’ve got time to read, you must be pretty free. How about I set you up on a few blind dates?”
In the study, Owen looked puzzled. “Why the sudden urge to set me up on blind dates, Mom? Kim is six years older. Shouldn’t you be worrying about him first?”
At the mention of “blind date,” Aria’s ears perked up, and she glanced over.
“You’re seeing someone, aren’t you? You’re my only concern now. You’re not getting any younger. It’s time to settle down. Have a baby soon, and your dad and I would love to help take care of the kid,” Emma said.
Owen pressed his lips together, muted the speaker, and held the phone away. “I’ll be right back,” he murmured to Aria.
Aria gave a slight nod.
Owen stepped out of the study. “Mom, you’ve never interfered in our lives. Why the sudden push for marriage?”
“Seeing other families with their granddaughters makes me jealous,” Emma sighed,
Owen frowned. “Isn’t Julia enough?”
Emma said, “The more grandchildren, the better. Your/grandpa keeps pestering us to set you and Kim up on blind dates.”
Emma wasn’t lying. The family only had two grandsons, both still single. The older one hadn’t gotten a girlfriend yet, while the younger looked like a bachelor. The family didn’t push them, but Brodie kept urging them.
“Mom, having Julia is more than enough. You can’t have it all, you know,” Owen said.
Hearing Owen’s words, Emma was once again/confused. ‘Wait, are they not together yet?” she wondered.
She continued, “There are plenty of nice girls in Mandino City. Going on blind dates doesn’t mean you have to commit right away. Besides, sperm quality declines with age. It’s better to start a family sooner rather than later.”
1/2
10:54 Wed, 25 Jun
Chapter 474
Owen said, “Mom, I’ll never have kids. I’ve already had a vasectomy.”
Emma gasped, “What? You’ve decided?”
Owen confirmed, “Yes, I’ve decided.” He had already scheduled the vasectomy for the day after tomorrow.
“It’s fine if you don’t want kids. You’re not the one suffering the pain of childbirth anyway. But while having children is optional, finding a life partner
Emma asked. isn’t. In the end, it’s your spouse who’ll be there to support you. You know what I mean, right?”
“Yes,” Owen replied. “As long as I find someone, it doesn’t matter if we get married or make it official. Just being together is enough. You’re right, Mom,
Emma was left speechless.
She thought, ‘Not only are they refusing to have kids, but these two aren’t even planning to get married.”
Emma sighed at the thought of the Saxon family. Although Aria had severed ties with them, to outsiders, it still appeared to be a marriage alliance between the two families.
Emma said gently, “Just make sure you know what you’re doing. Whatever you decide, don’t take advantage of the girl or mistreat her, understand?”
Owen had a hunch his mom was onto something. “Alright, I need to go now,” he said.
“Alright then,” Emma replied.
Owen returned to the study and sat beside Aria, resting his head on her shoulder. “My mom might have known we’re together,” he murmured.
Aria ran her fingers through his hair and said, “It’s fine if she knows. It’s not like we’re hiding anything.”
Owen couldn’t help himself. He turned and kissed her on the chin. Aria arched an eyebrow at him
in
confusion.
“Never mind,” Owen said softly. “Just go ahead and read.”
AD
