Is It Love Or a Lie?

Chapter 6 A Family Reunion

Florence's grip tightened slightly on her knife and fork, her heart feeling like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, making it hard to breathe.

Yesterday, after being reborn, her mind was filled with worry for her babies and resentment toward Lancelot. She hadn't bothered to hide her emotions, which allowed Shirley to catch her off guard.

She had brushed it off as a flare-up of postpartum depression, but it was clear now that Lancelot wasn't fully convinced.

'It makes sense. My reaction was too unusual back then. No wonder Lancelot didn't buy it.'

Taking a deep breath, Florence tried to calm down, a look of confusion crossing her face.

"I'm not sure what happened yesterday. I just got really anxious all of a sudden. With the birth coming and you not around, I guess I got a bit overwhelmed. Maybe you could help me find a doctor to adjust my mood. Once I feel better, I'll apologize properly to Shirley."

Lancelot studied her calm demeanor, but the doubt in his heart lingered.

Something about Florence seemed different from before, though he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.

Suddenly, loud cries echoed from the nursery.

Four piercing voices rang out one after another as if they were competing to see who could be louder. The sharp cries seemed to pierce through the air, reverberating throughout the spacious villa.

The quadruplets had woken up, and they were hungry!

Florence got anxious, and she hurriedly got up, leaving Lancelot behind as she rushed toward the nursery.

"I'll go check on the babies."

Lancelot's gaze deepened as Florence hurried off, a complex emotion flickering across his eyes.

In the nursery, four babies lay in their cribs, waving their arms and legs, their faces flushed from crying.

Florence rushed over, picking up each child one by one, whispering softly, "It's okay, sweeties. Don't cry. Mommy's here..."

But even with Nancy's help, calming down all four babies at once proved to be an impossible task for Florence.

"Let me help."

Lancelot had appeared in the nursery without her noticing. Seeing Florence struggling, he offered to help.

"No need, you..." Florence blurted out her refusal without thinking.

In her previous life, Lancelot had been utterly disgusted by these four babies, heartless enough to even try to harm them. So when he offered to help, Florence was immediately put on high alert.

"What's wrong?" Lancelot frowned slightly, looking at her in confusion.

"Nothing..." Florence realized she had overreacted and quickly covered it up. "I just worry you're too clumsy and might hurt them."

"I see." Lancelot couldn't argue with that.

He had no experience with babies, not even knowing how to properly hold one.

"Don't worry, Mr. Grosvenor. I can show you."

Although oblivious to the tension between them, Nancy was eager to involve Lancelot, believing it was his right as a father to help care for the babies. She stepped forward and patiently showed him how to cradle a baby.

Though Lancelot was awkward at first, he managed to get the hang of it under Nancy's guidance.

He looked down at the tiny baby in his arms.

The baby's soft skin, delicate features, and long lashes fluttering gently with each breath were absolutely endearing.

An unfamiliar warmth began to stir in Lancelot's chest, a feeling he had never experienced before. It was as if a warm spring breeze was melting away the cold, dark clouds that had weighed on him for so many years.

He rarely smiled, but at this moment, he showed a genuine smile, leaving Florence momentarily stunned in her own surprise.

A mix of emotions swirled in her heart.

'If it weren't for all the past bitterness and hatred, maybe Lancelot could've truly been a good father... maybe even a good husband.'

But the memory of his past cruelty brought back the flood of resentment, washing away any tenderness she might have felt.

"Be careful. Don't hurt the baby," she said, her voice tinged with barely noticeable sarcasm.

Lancelot paused, looking up at her with a hint of confusion in his eyes. "Florence, what's wrong?"

"You're clumsy. Just be careful." Florence avoided his gaze, softening her tone as she continued to feed the babies.

With four babies to feed, Florence barely had a moment to breathe.

Lancelot watched the scene, the six of them together, and that indescribable feeling of contentment grew stronger. This was the family harmony he had dreamed of as a child.

"Florence, my dear daughter, congratulations on your new role!"

A hearty voice came from the doorway, and there stood Brian Moore, her father, smiling warmly as he rushed in after a long journey.

"Dad!"

Florence's eyes welled up with tears. She hadn't seen her father since her rebirth, and the sight of him now made her heart swell.

"Why are you crying, silly girl? This is a joyous occasion!" Brian pulled his daughter into a hug, gently patting her back. "You're a mother now. Still acting like a little girl, huh? Are you upset that I couldn't be here during such an important time?"

Florence shook her head, her voice choked with emotion. "No, Dad, don't say that! Who could've known they'd arrive so early?"

"Silly girl." Brian affectionately ruffled her hair. "Come on. Let me see my grandchildren!"

Florence wiped away her tears and handed the babies to Brian, one by one.

Brian's smile couldn't be brighter when he held his four adorable grandchildren. 'My great daughter has given birth to two boys and two girls, and they all inherited their parents' good looks.' His heart swelled with pride.

"Wonderful, they're all such good babies. The pride of the Moore family!"