Chapter: 31

As they entered the manor, Alan casually draped his arm around Kaitlin's waist.

She tensed, casting a puzzled look his way.

"Grandma doesn't know about our divorce yet," he murmured.

Understanding his need for pretense, Kaitlin didn't pull away.

Beth approached them, her face lighting up with joy.

"Kaitlin, you're here! What have you been up to? Why haven't you visited lately?"

Beth held Kaitlin's hand and began chatting warmly.

“Alan's been swamped at work, so we haven't had much free time,"

Kaitlin replied smoothly, offering Alan a convenient alibi. "But I promise to come by more often."

Beth's face brightened with a content smile. "It's so wonderful to see you both looking so happy. It really sets my heart at ease."

Kaitlin engaged in light conversation with Beth before they all settled down for dinner.

Throughout the meal, Beth repeatedly touched on the subject of grandchildren.

In this generation, Alan was the only descendant of the Hewitt family, and Beth's desire to hold a great-grandchild bordered on fixation.

“Alan, you need to ease up on the work focus. It's high time you had children. You've been married long enough," Beth pressed, her voice a mix of concern and frustration.

Kaitlin found herself staring down at her plate, feeling the awkwardness intensely.

The taste of the food seemed to fade.

After all, she couldn't produce a child alone, and physical intimacy with Alan had been rare.

Now, with their divorce, the likelihood of fulfilling Beth's hopes dwindled even further.

"Grandma, let's focus on enjoying our meal. Having children isn't something we can rush," Alan interjected, his voice carrying a note of weariness at the ongoing pressure.

When she heard Alan's words, Beth dropped the topic.

After the meal, the servants tidied the room.

"It's getting late. Why don't you stay over? We've got a room all set up for you. Kaitlin, let's have breakfast together tomorrow morning," Beth proposed.

Kaitlin forced a smile, her mind racing for an excuse to decline.

The idea of staying meant sharing a bed with Alan-a scenario she wanted to avoid. Surely she couldn't expect him to sleep on the couch, right?