Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress

Chapter 1749: I think... it’s something like that

"Please. Let me love her."

Grace and her mother, Angeline, stared at Haines in equal surprise at everything they had just heard. Haines kept his eyes locked on Angeline, his hold on Grace’s hand tightening.

As he squeezed her hand, Grace looked down at their intertwined fingers. Her eyes softened, and a subtle smile curled on her lips. When she lifted her gaze to him, it shimmered with affection and appreciation.

Happiness? To the point of tears?

Was that what she meant when she started pursuing Haines?

’I think... it’s something like that,’ she thought.

Because, oddly enough, she didn’t feel like squealing or jumping out of joy. She didn’t feel like shouting in excitement. Instead, her eyes stung with tears at hearing his words.

Meanwhile, the surprise on Angeline’s face slowly shifted into quiet resignation.

"Goodness," she sighed, glancing at her daughter, who was now gazing at Haines with undeniable affection. Shaking her head mildly, she looked back at Haines and nodded.

"I’m not going to break the two of you up."

She chuckled in defeat. "Haines, my daughter is the only thing I have in this world. Her happiness is mine. But you and I... we’re practically the same age. If I’m not wrong, you may even be older than me."

"I know," Haines replied, bowing his head slightly as he took a deep breath. His grip on Grace’s hand tightened until she squeezed his hand back.

When he turned to her, Grace offered him an encouraging smile. She gave a gentle nod, and that was all it took for the tension in his shoulders to ease.

"If you make my daughter happy, I won’t complain," Angeline continued. "However, both of you—" she paused, waiting until their attention turned to her. "This is not just for you, Haines, but for you too, Gracie. This relationship will be criticized. People will say cruel things, simply because they don’t understand."

She looked between the two of them. "It’s not going to be easy."

Haines didn’t respond.

Not because he disagreed—he knew exactly what she meant. He’d used that very excuse before to hold himself back.

was: he

judged for loving someone half his

the question was... Could Grace handle

endure the stares?

his eyes silently asking those very things. Grace held his

they even say, Mom?" she asked. "That I’m after his

clicked her tongue and shrugged. "Fine by me. Like you said, people criticize

want to be understood," she added, leaning toward Haines with

Angeline shook her head, watching her daughter finally

snuggled into his side. If she could fuse with him, she would. All she wanted

this mean... you’re blessing

looked at them both. After

said—her voice warm

will," Haines said, exhaling deeply. "I’ll make her the happiest, and I give you my

is it?" asked

throat, rubbing his palms against his thighs. The

Grace asked, brows raising. "What’s

embarrassment. "I was just wondering... what should I call you? ’Auntie’

Grace: "..."

Angeline: "..."

Grace couldn’t bring herself to suggest

shook her head. "Let’s not get into that right now. Let’s just... take it slow. I’m sure we’ll

Grace agreed, laughing awkwardly. "We’ll sort

been a while since he felt this embarrassed, but it wasn’t

changing the subject to clear the lingering awkwardness. "I’ll go

can—" Haines began, but stopped as

for now," she replied. "Grace,

Grace nodded and turned to Haines.

the mother and daughter probably needed a little time alone. So he excused himself and stepped out of the dining

Grace lingered, her gaze following Haines’s retreating figure. She smiled like