Have I Told You Lately

Chapter 35: Feelings Can’t Be Forced

Before Rachel could say a word, he looked up at her and chuckled, “She also likes you now.”

Rachel stunned and suddenly felt awkward. She turned to look at Monica, pretending that she didn't

understand the connotations in his words, "I also like Monica very much and sincerely hoped her

autism would be cured. If my company is useful, I would like to accompany her more.”

"Rach, thank you." Osmond shot her an affectional look.

Rachel smiled stiffly, "Osmond, no need to thank me. We made an agreement before. You’ve done me

many favors and I think taking care of Monica is something what I should do. And I sincerely like her

and hope her be healthy."

Nothing is more important than Monica. No matter what the relationship was between them two, she

couldn’t turn a blind eye to Monica.

Osmond looked at her, his lips moving and closing for several times, but in the end, he didn’t say

anything and just smiled.

The two exchanged banters for a while. Feeling that it was late, Osmond stood up, “I and Monica will

go back first. Have a good rest.”

Rachel also slowly stood up, "Well, I will see you off."

Osmond smiled and shifted his gaze to the little girl on the ground, "Monica, let’s come back."

Monica was immersed in the picture book and finally looked up at Osmond who had called her several

times. A few seconds later, she slowly shook her head blinking her watery eyes.

Osmond froze, "Why are you shaking your head? You don't want to leave?"

Monica looked at him and then at Rachel, then nodded slightly.

Osmond was amused. He walked over and picked her up, "But it's too late, we should go home so that

Auntie can go for sleep. Hmm, we can visit he later, is that okay?"

Monica shook her head vigorously nestling in his arms, a trace of grievance creeping onto her chubby

face. She tugged at Rachel’s sleeve and pouted.

"Don't cry..." Osmond was a bit helpless. He rubbed her head, coaxing softly, "You like the picture book © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

right? You can take it and read it on the way home.”

Rachel smiled and pinched her chubby face, “Auntie will gift you the picture book.”

Osmond nodded at her, “Stop here, we’ll go first. And have a good rest.”

Rachel sent the two to the door. Just as she was about to say goodbye to Monica, who bent her head

on Osmond’s shoulder, Monica suddenly cried quietly with big tears falling down her cheeks.

Rachel was startled, “Osmond.”

Osmond turned to look at Monica and frowned, “Monica, are you uncomfortable?”

Since she seldom spoke, they could figure out what was wrong with her.

Unable to bear to see Monica crying quietly, Rachel walked over and took her into her arms, “Let her

stay in my house tonight. I’ll take care of her.”

“Oh. You’re pregnant and have to work tomorrow. I won’t allow her to bother you. I’ll take her back and

coax her at home.”

Rachel gently patted Monica’s back and smiled at Osmond, “Not a big deal. My mom can also help me.

She’s experienced in coaxing children.”

Osmond rubbed his eyebrows and said helplessly, “Ah, this stubborn girl.”

Rachel raised her eyebrows and bantered, “Oh are you jealous at me? Let her stay here for one night,

and I’ll return her to you tomorrow morning.”

It was understandable that he could not bear to part Monica since he had been with Monica since her

birth. If she were him, she would also feel it unbearable.

“All right, please take care of her tonight. I’ll come to pick her up when I go to work tomorrow morning.”

Rachel nodded, “Okay.”

“Give us a bell if she keeps crying and messing up.”

"Okay."

The two chatted for a while at the door, and Osmond left.

Knowing that Monica will stay here tonight, Theresa was quite delighted. It would be livelier with a child

in the house. She didn’t say anything, but Rachel can read her feelings from her facial expressions.

When she came out of the bathroom after washing, Monica had been asleep in Theresa's arms.

"Look, Monica is so cute. But what a pity that she cannot speak."

Rachel, in her pajamas, stood by the sofa and glanced down. Not knowing what she was thinking, she

just murmured, "She's still young and it will be cured one day."

Theresa raised her head to study her carefully. After a long while, she spoke in a serious tone, “You

can consider about Osmond. I think he’s a good man to live with. He’s gentle and considerate and can

make a balance between his career and family.”

Rachel stayed silent for a few moments. She then sat down and leaned on her shoulder, whispering,

“Mom, I’m considering about it. But you should know that feelings cannot be forced. Just don’t interfere

in it.”

Theresa froze, and then pouted weakly, "I didn't intervene. I just asked him to have dinner with us. He

has helped us several times and we cannot thank him merely by words. Plus, feelings can be

cultivated. You have no bad feelings for him and he seems to like you.”

Anyway, she felt that Osmond was the most suitable candidate for her daughter and feared that Rachel

would miss the opportunity and regret in the future.

Rachel looked up at her and spoke expressionlessly, “I had cultivated feelings with Kenneth for three

years and there was no result. Kenneth had no bad feelings for me and I liked him, but we divorced in

the end. What if I marry Osmond and divorce again?”

Theresa was choked.

Fearing that she would think wildly when she was at home alone, Rachel didn't dare to say more. She

told her to go to bed early and carried Monica to the bedroom.

Lying on bed, she sent Osmond a message. Just as she was about to turn off her phone and go to

sleep, she received a phone call. She was startled fearing that the ringing might wake Monica up, and

hastily answered the call without noticing who the caller was.

"Hello."

"Not asleep yet?"

Rachel's expression changed slightly when she heard the familiar voice, "What… what's the matter?"

Since they met in the court last time, they hadn’t contacted each other for about a month. She thought

that he had gotten the right idea and would not contact her anymore.

Hearing her deliberately lowered voice, Kenneth frowned, “Is it inconvenient?”

Rachel sat up and tucked the corner of the quilt for Monica, whispering, “It’s okay. You can speak

freely. It’s so late and I gotta sleep.”

Hearing her words, Kenneth on the other end of the phone subconsciously pictured a scene in his

mind.

She was going to sleep soon but there was the other person by her side. She lowered her voice fearing

that it would wake the person up, so that person must be asleep and they were in the same room?

Although he didn't know why he had so much speculation, he was clear that his mind was in turmoil. It

seemed as if his heart was stung by needle – it was neither painful nor itchy, but it made him

uncomfortable.

"Kenneth Shawn, are you still there? What's the matter?" Rachel frowned as Kenneth had stayed silent

for a long while. She frowned and thought there might be a bad reception, so she checked the screen

yet found nothing unusual.

"Kenneth Sh..."

As she was calling him the second time, the call was suddenly hung up,

Rachel stunned and stared at the phone for a long time, baffled.

Could it be that he called the wrong person?