Pampered By My Three Brothers: The Return Of The Neglected Heiress - Chapter 1419

Chapter 1419: Soulmates
Meanwhile, at a bar and restaurant in the city…

Grace chuckled, her chin resting on the palm of her hand. She was alone at the long table, all of her guests—who had been invited for her fake birthday—had already left. Yet, she had no plans to leave just yet.

“So silly,” she whispered to herself, shaking her head as she lifted her margarita to her lips.

As she took a sip, her brows arched upon catching a familiar figure from the corner of her eye. The radar in her head went off, compelling her to shift her gaze toward the figure standing nearby.

Haines.

A small smile formed on her lips as she watched him approach. When he was just a few steps away, she looked up to meet his eyes.

“I told you,” she said, a faint giggle in her voice, “you didn’t have to come today.”

Haines didn’t answer. He merely sighed as he stared down at her. Her cheeks were rosier than usual, her eyes slightly squinted—clear signs that she had already had a few drinks. And from the looks of it, she had enjoyed tonight more than her last birthday celebration.

“You want a drink?” she asked, tilting her head. “Since you’re here, I wouldn’t mind having company.”

“You’ve had enough,” he pointed out. “Get up. I’ll take you home.”

Grace pouted. “But I still want to drink.”

“Then drink at home.”

“But if I do that, you won’t be there anymore.” She frowned deeper, pinching the hem of his suit while sporting a puppy eyes. “If I continue drinking at home, will you stay and keep me company?”

“No.”

“Then I’ll drink here.” Grace rolled her eyes and looked away, propping her cheek against her palm. “It’s much more fun drinking outside—good music, people having fun, and someone bringing me drinks nonstop.”

Haines sighed heavily, watching as she reached for her margarita again. As she took another sip, he rested his hands on his hips and cocked his head back.

“Fine,” he conceded—only to flinch slightly when she suddenly turned to face him.

Without hesitation, Grace stood up and squared her shoulders. “I don’t drink beer or anything like that. But I do have wine—Penny gifted me a bottle from an auction she went to last time.”

“…” Haines blinked. Then blinked again.

Despite being a little tipsy, she didn’t seem so drunk that she couldn’t get home on her own.

“I’ll stay for a bit,” he said. “But—”

“I won’t defile you,” she interjected, tapping his chest playfully with her index finger. “Though, I might let you take a peek.”

Haines deadpanned. “I like beer.”

“Hihi.” She giggled, watching him walk away before skipping after him.

Grace hadn’t expected Haines to show up tonight. The only thing she had anticipated from him was a simple goodnight text—which, for all she knew, he might have sent, and she had just missed it. But having him pick her up in person? That had made her night so much better.

—

Inside the Car…

Seated in the front passenger seat, Grace glanced at him, all smiles.

“Just let me drive in peace,” Haines said before she could open her mouth, eyes fixed on the road. “You’ll have plenty of time to say whatever’s on your mind later.”

“Ohh…” Grace narrowed her eyes, smirking. “Does that mean I have permission to flirt with you?”

“No, it means I want to drive without distractions.” Haines shot her a side-eye and coldly added, “I already have a bad leg, which brings our chances of survival down to ninety percent.”

Grace chuckled, shrugging. “Alright, then.”

She fell silent, simply enjoying the view of him driving. Haines, on the other hand, remained tense despite the quiet.

He knew from experience that the silence wouldn’t last.

The moment he let his guard down, Grace would say something—something ridiculous enough to make him pull over.

Not tonight.

“Say…”

Haines felt his shoulders tense immediately.

Grace giggled. “Never mind. I’ll ask you once we’re at my place.”

“Just ask now.”

“No.” She shook her head. “It’s better if I ask when you’re looking at me.”

“Whatever it is, my answer won’t change whether I’m looking or not.”

“I know.” She smirked. “But then, I wouldn’t have an icebreaker for when we get inside.”

“…”

“Say…”

“…”

“Haines…”

“…”

“Darling?”

“…”

“Sweetheart?” Grace raised a brow, but Haines remained stone-cold in the driver’s seat.

“Babe? Honey? Baby?”

After a second, Haines sighed in defeat. “What now?”

“Just wondering what those words would sound like coming from you.” She shrugged, earning a quick glance from him. “We’re lovers, so it’s only right that we have pet names, right?”

“We are not real lovers.”

“You’re hurting me, Sweetie.” She dramatically placed a hand on her chest. “Hmm… That doesn’t sound right. My love? My one and only?”

Haines rolled his eyes, leaning back slightly against the seat. He stared at the stoplight, watching the countdown. Just one more and they’d reach her home.

Grace celebrated her fake birthday close to her place, after all.

“Soulmate?” she guessed again, grinning when his eyes snapped toward her.

Her smile stretched wider. “Hi there, soulmate.”

“Goodness,” he breathed out. “You definitely had too much to drink tonight.”

“I did,” she admitted with a laugh. “But that doesn’t mean I’m not serious. From now on, greet me as Soulmate. Or, if that’s too long, just call me Love.”

“…” Haines shook his head. She had to know that was never going to happen.

“Let’s try it,” she urged. “Call me Love or Soulmate.”

“Why would I?” he shot back. “I don’t think we’re soulmates at all.”

“Hah!” Grace laughed, raising a finger as if she were presenting an undeniable fact. “My dearest Haines, haven’t you ever wondered why you were single during your prime years?”

“Because I wasn’t interested—”

“Because I wasn’t born yet.” She cut him off smugly. “But hey, look on the bright side! At least I wasn’t born when you were in your fifties. You didn’t have to wait that long.”

“Where did you even get that idea?”

“From Hugo.” Grace chuckled. “He didn’t exactly say it, but he gave me the idea earlier. And you know what? It makes sense.”

“Hugo doesn’t even understand the concept of dating,” Haines deadpanned. “You’re getting ideas from the wrong person.”

“But I see you blush~” Grace reached out and poked his cheek.

Haines let out a heavy sigh, refocusing on the road just as the red light turned green.

Yet, as they drove on, he could feel something chipping away at him—little pieces of hope slipping through the cracks.

Now, why had he even shown up tonight?