CHAPTER 162: SHOVED INTO THE WATER

Lauretta felt puzzled when George unexpectedly brought up her personal life. It felt out of place, like a wrong note in a song she knew well. She looked at him, curious about why he cared about her feelings towards children. She asked him why it mattered to him, and even if she did like kids, she didn't see how it was any of his business. George felt uneasy under Lauretta's intense stare. He hadn't planned on this confrontation. For nearly an hour, he'd been quietly watching Lauretta and Ryan interact with others. Their easy friendship and laughter made him feel uncomfortable, stirring up a jealousy he couldn't explain. "It's not like it's my business," George stuttered, his voice revealing his inner turmoil. But even as he said it, he knew it wasn't true. Seeing Lauretta and Ryan together, possibly talking about some plans made him painfully jealous. Lauretta's lips tightened into a thin line. There was a tiredness in her eyes, a hint of something deeper that George couldn't quite