Our Love Story: Hard to Guard Against the Sudden Love Strike

Chapter 543 - 515: Quentin Thorne’s Decision

Sienna Thornton advised Quentin Thorne to take it easy and take care of his health. She also invited him to move into the apartment with her and Simon Forrester while Ian Grant and his daughter were away.Quentin Thorne politely declined, stating that living in his own house was more convenient because he frequently needed access to documents and books at night.

The two chatted for a while before entering the house.

Auntie King had already prepared dinner. Simon Forrester was making tea in the living room and watching the six o’clock news, while Melinda Linton was helping set the table.

Seeing Quentin Thorne follow Sienna Thornton inside, Melinda Linton was both surprised and delighted. She quickly went to the kitchen to grab an extra set of bowls and chopsticks.

The atmosphere during dinner became much livelier with Simon Forrester and Sienna Thornton present. They shared amusing stories from their trip to Yorai. Sienna Thornton, keen to cheer up Quentin Thorne, used all her charm to make their honeymoon sound fun and light-hearted, hoping to lift Quentin’s spirits.

As they wished, Quentin Thorne began to smile, seemingly putting aside the matter of Ian Grant’s illness for the time being.

After dinner, Simon Forrester and Quentin Thorne chatted over tea in the living room, while Sienna Thornton finished washing their clothes, took a shower, and joined their conversation.

She talked about the new case Director-General Linton had given her and his rather cryptic remarks.

Quentin Thorne’s view was similar to Simon Forrester’s; he candidly said that Sienna Thornton had a good chance of being promoted to Director in a few years. This was because the current Minister was about to retire, and then the Deputy Minister would be promoted to Minister, while Director-General Linton would be promoted to Deputy Minister. For the vacant position of Director of the Treaty and Law Department, an internal selection would likely be held.

Sienna Thornton had a high level of education, a good background, and most importantly, a strong competence. She worked diligently and carefully, not only familiar with the major countries’ trade laws and World Trade Organization rules but also adept at negotiations.

Her only deficiency was her years of service in the Treaty and Law Department, so Director-General Linton was right in saying that she should focus on winning cases in the coming years and not worry about anything else. This would mean that although her seniority might not be the highest, she would have the most victories.

After hearing Quentin Thorne’s analysis, Sienna Thornton felt clearer about her future career plan.

Her words hinted at a desire to realize her value within the Ministry, but Quentin Thorne told her that the Treaty and Law Department, or even the entire Ministry, should only be a transitional phase for her. Her career should not be confined there.

...

That night, even after Simon Forrester went to his room to rest, Quentin Thorne continued to talk privately with Sienna Thornton in the living room.

Simon Forrester initially wanted to wait for Sienna Thornton to come to the room and then ask her about their conversation. When he finally saw Sienna Thornton come in, she just grabbed her pillow and said she was going to sleep with Melinda Linton, and Quentin Thorne would sleep with him.

Simon Forrester was so startled that he sat up in bed, saying he would go sleep on the sofa and leave the room for Quentin Thorne.

Sienna Thornton told him to bear with it for just one night and, while doing so, to comfort Quentin Thorne.

Simon Forrester wanted to cry but couldn’t shed a tear. Just when he was planning to sneakily change clothes and head back to the apartment, Quentin Thorne came in with a change of clothes, ready to take a shower.

Seeing his son-in-law looking so forlorn, he laughed and said, "Don’t worry, I won’t eat you alive."

Simon Forrester: "..."

.

The next day, Melinda Linton rose early, and Sienna Thornton, feeling embarrassed to sleep in, got up early too.

She initially wanted to wake up Simon Forrester, but when she went out, she found the bedroom door already open. Upon entering, she saw the bedding and pillows neatly folded, which was unusual for Simon Forrester, who wasn’t one to make the bed.

She stepped out of the room and went to the living room, finding no one there either. After asking Auntie King, she learned that Simon Forrester had been dragged by Quentin Thorne for an early morning exercise just at dawn.

...

Sienna Thornton changed into sportswear to find Simon Forrester and Quentin Thorne.

As she was leaving the building, she saw Simon Forrester and Quentin Thorne walking towards her from a distance, chatting and laughing. She quickly jogged over.

"We were just about to head up, and you’re just coming down?" Simon Forrester initially wondered, but recalling that she was someone who never exercised, he immediately understood and quickly told Quentin Thorne that he would accompany Sienna Thornton for a few laps before going up.

Quentin Thorne thought it was a good thing to enjoy exercising, and he was more than eager to encourage them to run a few more laps.

But as soon as Quentin Thorne entered the building, Sienna Thornton pulled Simon Forrester into the gazebo in the garden. Before they could get comfortable, she asked immediately, "Did Quentin say anything last night?"

Simon Forrester nodded, explaining in detail, "He said Aunt Grant doesn’t have much time left. After all, they’ve been a couple, and they share a child; he wishes to spend the last part of her life with her. So, he might not come here to see you and Mom as often in the future."

Sienna Thornton remained silent.

Honestly, hearing Quentin’s decision, she understood but also felt slightly hurt.

She feared Quentin might, because of Ian Grant’s illness, choose to distance himself from them again to spare Isaac Grant any distress.

She knew full well that Quentin wouldn’t do that, that the distance was only temporary, but she still feared. That fear gnawed at her seemingly rational mind with almost predatory force.

This was an unease rooted deep within her; it usually lay dormant, but at the slightest hint of Quentin potentially leaving, the fear of being abandoned would arise, wildly rampant and unstoppable.

Without saying a word, she hugged Simon Forrester, closing her eyes where he couldn’t see, allowing two tears to fall.

She shook her head vigorously, murmuring softly, "Now I finally understand why I was so scrambled when I learned about Ian’s illness..."

Simon Forrester, catching on, hugged her tightly, comforting, "It’s not what you think."

He couldn’t help but defend Quentin, "Taking care of a cancer patient is a long, exhausting, and emotionally taxing task. Quentin made this decision, one, of course, considering Auntie Grant’s feelings, and two, to avoid bringing negative energy and bad emotions to you and Mom. Superstitiously, he might even feel he carries a gloomy aura, forcing himself to stay away from you until this is over."

His logic was sound, but Sienna Thornton’s hurt was beyond her control.