Chapter 474

If Zoe hadn’t taken the initiative to send that photo , Emma would have known even less than Zoe . She’d always taken a hands – off approach with both sons , never interfering in their personal lives .
Emma deftly dodged alt probing questions , giving nothing away and keeping up the pretense that she knew it all . As soon as she got home , she thought about it , then decided it was time to see what she could get out of her son .
After all , she didn’t see who was making out with Aria that day .
Emma asked , “ Owen , what have you been up to lately ? ”
“ Mother dearest , ” Owen replied playfully , “ just ba
working lately . ”
Emma fell silent for a moment , then tried a different tack . “ So , what are you doing right now ? ”
Owen replied , “ I’m reading .”
“ Reading ? ” Emma pressed further . “ Alone ? ”
Owen fell silent for a second before answering , “ Yeah . ”
Emma caught that split – second hesitation . A wide grin spread across her face . ‘ Owen hesitated , ‘ she thought . ‘ If he is alone , why would he pause like that ? So , he’s not alone right now . No wonder they went together that day to drop off Aria’s sister for the SAT . Turns out they were already a couple . ‘
The more Emma thought about it , the happier she became . Clearing her throat , she teased , “ If you’ve got time to read , you must be pretty free . How about I set you up on a few blind dates ? ”
In the study , Owen looked puzzled . “ Why the sudden urge to set me up on blind dates , Mom ? Kim is six years older . Shouldn’t you be worrying about him first ? ”
At the mention of “ blind date , ” Aria’s ears perked up , and she glanced over .
“ You’re seeing someone , aren’t you ? You’re my only concern now . You’re not getting any younger . It’s time to settle down . Have a baby soon , and your dad and I would love to help take care of the kid , ” Emma said .
Owen pressed his lips together , muted the speaker , and held the phone away . “ I’ll be right back ,” he murmured to Aria .
Aria gave a slight nod .
Owen stepped out of the study . “ Mom , you’ve never interfered in our lives . Why the sudden push for marriage ? ”
“ Seeing other families with their granddaughters makes me jealous , ” Emma sighed ,
Owen frowned . “ Isn’t Julia enough ? ”
Emma said , “ The more grandchildren , the better . Your / grandpa keeps pestering us to set you and Kim up on blind dates . ”
Emma wasn’t lying . The family only had two grandsons , both still single . The older one hadn’t gotten a girlfriend yet , while the younger looked like a bachelor . The family didn’t push them , but Brodie kept urging them .
“ Mom , having Julia is more than enough . You can’t have it all , you know , ” Owen said .
Hearing Owen’s words , Emma was once again / confused . ‘ Wait , are they not together yet ? ” she wondered .
She continued , “ There are plenty of nice girls in Mandino City . Going on blind dates doesn’t mean you have to commit right away . Besides , sperm quality declines with age . It’s better to start a family sooner rather than later . ”
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10:54 Wed , 25 Jun
474
Owen said , “ Mom , I’ll never have kids . I’ve already had a vasectomy . ”
Emma gasped , “ What ? You’ve decided ? ”
Owen confirmed , “ Yes , I’ve decided . ” He had already scheduled the vasectomy for the day after tomorrow .
“ It’s fine if you don’t want kids . You’re not the one suffering the pain of childbirth anyway . But while having children is optional , finding a life partner
Emma asked . isn’t . In the end , it’s your spouse who’ll be there to support you . You know what I mean , right ? ”
“ Yes , ” Owen replied . “ As long as I find someone , it doesn’t matter if we get married or make it official . Just being together is enough . You’re right , Mom ,
Emma was left speechless .
She thought , ‘ Not only are they refusing to have kids , but these two aren’t even planning to get married .”
Emma sighed at the thought of the Saxon family . Although Aria had severed ties with them , to outsiders , it still appeared to be a marriage alliance between the two families .
Emma said gently , “ Just make sure you know what you’re doing . Whatever you decide , don’t take advantage of the girl or mistreat her , understand ? ”
Owen had a hunch his mom was onto something . “ Alright , I need to go now , ” he said .
“ Alright then , ” Emma replied .
Owen returned to the study and sat beside Aria , resting his head on her shoulder . “ My mom might have known we’re together , ” he murmured .
Aria ran her fingers through his hair and said , “ It’s fine if she knows . It’s not like we’re hiding anything . ”
Owen couldn’t help himself . He turned and kissed her on the chin . Aria arched an eyebrow at him
in
confusion .
“ Never mind , ” Owen said softly . “ Just go ahead and read . ”
AD