Falling for the Goddess

Sara Stands in Front of Him

From conversations with Grandma Blake and Aunt Miller, Sara Hart had learned that Adrian Blake's biological mother had passed away when he was very young. Afterward, his father, Thomas Blake, had remarried a woman from the Carter family, named Karen Carter.

This must be the woman standing before her now.

And the little boy clinging to Adrian Blake's leg was his half-brother, Jimmy Blake.

"Jimmy, let go. Let your brother and Sara come inside," Karen Carter gently called to him, waving her hand.

But Jimmy Blake didn't move. His small hands clung tightly to Adrian Blake's leg, his large, innocent eyes gazing up at his older brother.

Adrian Blake hesitated for a moment, then finally reached down and gently ruffled Jimmy Blake's hair.

Only then did Jimmy Blake release his grip, a satisfied grin spreading across his face as he scampered over to Sara Hart. He looked up at her, his voice filled with curiosity, "Are you Adrian's wife?"

Sara Hart wasn't used to interacting with children, and his direct question caught her off guard. Faced with his wide-eyed innocence, she crouched down with a smile and greeted him, "Hello!"

She deftly avoided answering his question.

"Let's go inside," Adrian Blake said in a calm voice.

"Okay!" Jimmy Blake chirped, quickly turning and following closely at Adrian Blake's side as they walked into the house.

Karen Carter led Sara Hart inside as well, speaking softly to Adrian Blake as they walked. "Your father only just found out about your marriage. He's upset that you kept such a big thing from us... You know how he is."

"Mm," Adrian Blake responded noncommittally.

In the living room, Thomas Blake sat rigidly on the couch, his face stern and imposing. He was a man who exuded authority even without speaking, and today, it was clear he was suppressing his anger.

Sara Hart opened her mouth to greet him, but she hesitated, unsure of what to say. Thomas Blake didn't even glance in her direction, as if she weren't there at all.

Sensing the tension, Karen Carter intervened, offering Sara Hart a way out. "Sara, come help me slice some fruit in the kitchen. Let the men talk."

With that, Karen Carter gave the two of them some privacy and took Jimmy, who was still eager to stick to Adrian Blake, along with her.

Sara Hart cast a glance back at Adrian Blake. He stood before his father, his head lowered, his whole demeanor radiating cold detachment.

"Don't mind them. Adrian and his father are always at odds like this. Thomas is not upset with you," Karen Carter said gently as she sliced the fruit, trying to reassure Sara.

"I understand. Thank you, Auntie."

"I heard from your grandmother that you're still in school?" Karen Carter asked, her tone casual but clearly curious.

"Yes," Sara Hart replied.

"Which university?"

"North Capital University."

"That's very impressive. So, how did you and Adrian meet?" Karen Carter asked, though the question seemed innocent enough, it caught Sara Hart off guard.

Not knowing how to respond, Sara Hart was saved by Jimmy Blake, who tugged on Karen Carter's sleeve and asked, "Mom, can I play with Sara?"

Karen Carter gave him a fond smile. "Of course, but remember to be polite."

"I know!" Jimmy Blake beamed, quickly pulling Sara Hart aside and lowering his voice, "Sara, are you and my brother living together now? Auntie says married people have to live together."

"Yes," Sara Hart nodded, amused by his seriousness.

"Can I come visit you sometimes? Mom always says my brother is too busy, and I'm not supposed to bother him, but I hardly ever get to see him..."

Seeing the slight pout of disappointment on Jimmy Blake's face, Sara Hart knelt down to his level and asked, "Do you like your brother?"

Jimmy Blake nodded vigorously, his expression earnest. "But whenever he comes home, he leaves again so quickly. He never stays to play with me."

Sara Hart patted his head gently. "It's not that he doesn't want to play with you. He's just very busy with work. There are lots of things he has to take care of, so he doesn't have much time."

"Then, when I grow up, can I help him with his work? Will he have more time to play with me then?" Jimmy Blake asked, his eyes wide with hope.

Sara Hart smiled warmly. "Yes, if you grow up quickly and help him, then he'll have more time to play with you."

"I'll grow up fast, I promise!" Jimmy Blake declared, his determination clear. "Can you play with me until then?"

"Of course," Sara Hart said, laughing softly.

In the living room, Thomas Blake stared at his son, his face dark with barely suppressed anger. "You got married without saying a word? If I hadn't heard it from your grandmother today, were you planning to keep it from me forever?"

"You wanted me to get married, didn't you? Now I'm married. Problem solved," Adrian Blake said, his voice indifferent, his demeanor cold.

Thomas Blake's eyes narrowed in fury. "I wanted you to get married, yes, but not like this! I had already found some suitable matches for you, even arranged for you to meet them. And now you go and marry someone without a word? How am I supposed to explain that to those families?"

"Grandma likes her," Adrian Blake replied calmly.

"Even if your grandmother likes her, what can a university student offer you? How will she help you in your career? You need to marry someone who's your equal in status!"

"An equal in status?" Adrian Blake's voice took on a mocking tone. "Then why didn't you marry someone of equal status back then?"

Thomas Blake's eyes widened in disbelief, his chest tightening with rage. "What did you just say? "

Adrian Blake met his father's gaze, his eyes devoid of warmth. "I'm just following your example."

"Ungrateful brat!" Thomas Blake bellowed, his body trembling with fury. Unable to contain himself, he grabbed the cup of tea beside him and hurled it toward Adrian Blake.

Adrian Blake didn't move. He stood still, watching his father.

But the pain he expected never came.

In an instant, Sara Hart had darted in front of him, blocking the flying cup. The hot tea spilled across her back, and though she gritted her teeth, a low groan of pain escaped her lips.

Thomas Blake was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected Sara Hart to step in. Despite his dislike for her, she was still a young woman, and he couldn't ignore the fact that she had been hurt because of him.

Hearing the commotion, Karen Carter rushed out from the kitchen, taking in the scene of shattered porcelain and spilled tea. "What's going on? Can't you two just talk things out without this?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Jimmy Blake peeked out from behind her, his eyes wide with fear. "Sara.. Sara is hurt..."

Only then did Adrian Blake snap back to reality. He quickly reached out, pulling Sara Hart to him and fixing his icy gaze on his father. "If we're not welcome here, then we won't trouble you again."

With that, he wrapped his arm around Sara and turned to leave.

"Adrian..." Karen Carter began, wanting to stop them, but Thomas Blake waved her off. "Let him go!"

Outside, the sound of a car engine starting up echoed through the courtyard. Thomas Blake's face was stormy with anger. "If he wants to leave, he shouldn't bother coming back!"

Karen Carter glanced between the two men, sighed heavily, and scooped Jimmy into her arms. "What a mess," she muttered, though there was the faintest trace of a satisfied smile on her lips when no one was looking.