Chapter 151: The Child Adopted by the Lewis Family
Chapter 151: The Child Adopted by the Lewis Family
(Aria’s POV)
“The child adopted by the Lewis family.” Upon hearing Dr. Nathan Lewis’s words, Dominic’s nonchalant demeanor shifted slightly, a frown creasing his brow as he inquired with genuine concern, “How is Mrs. Lewis doing? Is she alright now?”
Dr. Lewis’s voice carried a mixture of relief and worry through the phone speaker. “She recovered a few days prior, but she keeps insisting she saw her lost daughter. I’ve tried everything to soothe her, but nothing
works.”
His tone grew more desperate. “I had no choice but to ask Aria for help. She’s the only one my mother responds to positively.”
As the call was on speaker, I heard everything clearly. Despite it being a direct call to Dominic, I nodded to him immediately, signaling my willingness to go.
I had only met Mrs. Lewis once before at the hospital, but she had seemed genuinely kind. Her confused state had touched something deep within me, especially her maternal instincts reaching out to comfort a
stranger.
Moreover, Dr. Lewis had taken exceptional care in treating my mother Emily when she was ill. He had been patient, thorough, and compassionate during her final days.
I felt it was only right to reciprocate his kindness. Besides, it was just a simple visit, a mere favor that
required no real effort on my part.
My wolf stirred gently within me, responding to my decision to help with warm approval.
However, Dominic playfully retorted with obvious amusement, “Your call couldn’t have come at a worse time,
Nathan. Can’t it wait for another day?”
His silver–gray eyes sparkled with mischief as he continued, “Don’t you know what special day today is? I just completed my mate bond with Aria.”
Dr. Lewis’s tone immediately softened, becoming more coaxing. “That’s precisely why I called you, you territorial wolf. Aria is kind–hearted and easy to talk to.”
He paused, then added with knowing insight, “I was just afraid you wouldn’t let her go if I asked you directly.”
Dr. Lewis then offered with genuine sincerity, “How about this? Consider it a favor I owe Miss Summers.
Anytime she has a request, I will go through fire and water for her.”
Dominic immediately grinned at me, revealing his perfectly aligned white teeth. His expression was triumphant, like he had just won an important negotiation.
“Well, granted,” he replied promptly to Dr. Lewis.
There was a pause on the other end, followed by Dr. Lewis’s incredulous voice. “Damn it, you were just waiting for me to say that, wéren’t you?”
Dominic chuckled, his Alpha satisfaction evident. “Doctor Lewis’s favor isn’t easily owed. I had to get one for
Chapter 151: The Child Ad.
my mate, didn’t I?“–
Dr. Lewis scoffed through the phone with obvious exasperation. “Hmph! I think you’d be better off letting Aria call me her sworn older brother. Wouldn’t that be better than playing these games?”
Dominic’s expression immediately darkened, his possessive Alpha instincts flaring. “Want to be my brother–in–law? In your next life!”
“You scoundrel!” Dr. Lewis’s voice carried mock indignation.
After hanging up, Dominic took my hand with gentle firmness. His touch was warm and reassuring, grounding me in the present moment.
“No choice, we have to go to the Lewis family,” he explained, his voice softening with understanding. “Mrs. Lewis hasn’t been well mentally since losing her youngest daughter.”
His silver–gray eyes met mine with tender concern. “Since she’s taken a liking to you, just consider it a good deed.”
I looked at him, half–amused and half–exasperated by his earlier performance. “Didn’t I just nod to you? You were the one who insisted on playing hard to get with Dr. Lewis.”
His negotiation tactics made me seem petty and scheming, when I had been perfectly willing to help from the beginning.
“That’s different,” Dominic said, his eyes sparkling with playful ease as he wrapped an arm around my waist protectively.
“You’re my mate. I have to get you a little something extra,” he continued, his voice carrying possessive
satisfaction.
I didn’t understand his Alpha logic and found it oddly endearing. Too lazy to argue with his territorial
reasoning, I simply said, “Alright, let’s go quickly.”
Dominic smiled with obvious pleasure, intertwining our fingers as he led me toward his luxury SUV.
Once in the car, I watched the scenery outside as we drove through the Northern Territory countryside. The
rolling hills and ancient forests were peaceful and beautiful.
But due to my pregnancy, I had become particularly prone to sleepiness. Even during the day, waves of
drowsiness would wash over me without warning.
As the gentle motion of the vehicle lulled me, I soon drifted off into a comfortable sleep.
When I finally awoke, the car had stopped completely. Still groggy, I heard Dominic’s deep voice beside me,
warm with affection.
“Awake?” he asked softly.
Realizing where I was as I turned to see him, I unbuckled my seatbelt and glared at him with embarrassment
“Why didn’t you wake me up?” I demanded, feeling mortified.
It felt incredibly rude to have slept so long at someone’s doorstep. I didn’t want to appear like I was putting on airs or being disrespectful to the Lewis family.
Dominic feigned innocence, his expression almost boyish. “I saw you were sleeping so soundly, I couldn’t bear to wake you.”
Chapter 151: The Child Ad
His protective instincts were evident even in this small gesture. “You need your rest, especially now.”
“How long have we been here?” I pressed, still worried about the impression we might have made.
“Don’t worry, we just arrived,” he said languidly, his tone designed to soothe my concerns.
I was half–skeptical until I saw Dr. Lewis rushing out of the elegant Lewis family residence with a bright smile. His welcoming expression finally put my mind at ease.
It seemed they truly had just arrived, and I hadn’t kept anyone waiting.
“You’ve finally arrived,” Dr. Lewis said, walking directly towards me with obvious relief.
“Aria, thank you so much for today. I’m so sorry to have troubled you with this trip, but I truly had no other
choice.”
His gratitude was genuine, and I could see the worry lines around his eyes that spoke of his mother’s
condition.
“Dr. Lewis, you’re too kind,” I replied with a sincere smile. “Where is Mrs. Lewis?”
“Come, come, I’ll take you to her,” Dr. Lewis gestured for me to follow, his movements eager.
As we walked toward the house, he continued warmly, “Aria, you should come visit more often when you have free time. My mother would be so pleased.”
Before I could respond, Dominic wrapped an arm around my waist possessively. His Alpha presence
immediately asserted itself.
“I’m sorry, my mate is very busy. She probably won’t have time to visit often,” he said with polite firmness.
Dr. Lewis glanced at Dominic with knowing amusement, then leaned closer to me conspiratorially.
“Do you know? This guy was such a coward when he had a crush on you back then. He didn’t even dare to
confess.”
His eyes twinkled with mischief. “I say, it serves him right that he was single for so many years!”
“Hey, Nathan, are you looking for a fight?” Dominic’s voice carried mock threat.
I covered my mouth, chuckling inwardly as I watched the two longtime friends bicker and expose each other’s
embarrassing pasts.
“Dominic!” Just then, a young woman ran over from somewhere in the estate grounds.
She reached out to hook her arm around Dominic’s with obvious familiarity. “Why are you here?”
Before she could embrace him, Dominic raised his hand smoothly, dodging her advance. His movement was practiced, suggesting this wasn’t the first time.
“Alison, you’re so grown up, yet still so clumsy?” Dr. Lewis scolded with a stern face and obvious embarrassment.
Alison Lewis pouted, her expression momentarily sulky. But in an instant, it shifted back to her usual composed and elegant demeanor.
However, when her gaze fell on me, her brows furrowed immediately. Her friendly expression disappeared completely.
< Chapter 151 The Child Ad
“Why are you at my house?” she asked with barely concealed hostility.
“What kind of talk is that?” Dr. Lewis frowned with clear disapproval. “Miss Summers is my invited guest”
His voice carried authority as he continued, “Where did you learn such manners? Being so rude and
presumptuous to a guest?”
Alison stomped her foot in frustration, gave a cold snort, and then turned and walked away. Her departure
was dramatic and childish.
“This girl!” Dr. Lewis couldn’t help but purse his lips, then looked at me with an apologetic expression.
“Miss Summers, I’m truly sorry. This girl has been spoiled beyond measure.”
I smiled at him diplomatically, not saying much in response. It was clear there were family dynamics at play
that I didn’t fully understand.
“Spoiled is an understatement,” Dominic interjected, glancing over with obvious disapproval. “I think she
doesn’t even know her own name anymore.”
“Doesn’t know her own name?” I looked at Dominic in confusion, trying to understand the meaning behind his
cryptic words.
“My dear Alpha Dominic, please say a few less words,” Dr. Lewis pleaded, pressing his palms together in a
gesture of surrender.
But Dominic showed him no deference, simply lowering his gaze to me. He explained in a low voice that only !
could hear clearly.
“This girl isn’t a child of the Lewis family at all. She’s from Mrs. Lewis’s older sister’s family, placed here to be
fostered.”
His silver–gray eyes held knowing understanding. “They said it was to ease Mrs. Lewis’s pain of losing her
daughter.”
My eyes widened in surprise at this revelation. It was really like that? No wonder her behavior seemed so
territorial and possessive.
I had wondered before why, after the Lewis family’s daughter went missing, another girl of similar age had appeared. I had assumed it was a twin sister, or an older sister not much older.
I had never expected this Miss Lewis to be an adopted child, placed there as a replacement for the lost
daughter.
“My little girl… My little girl is back…” Just as I was lost in thought, a familiar call echoed from the staircase.
Immediately after, Mrs. Lewis appeared, running downstairs with an expression of pure joy. Her face was
radiant with hope and recognition.
“Mom, slow down…” Dr. Lewis quickly stepped forward to meet her, concern evident in his voice.
But Mrs. Lewis bypassed Dr. Lewis entirely, walking straight to me with determined purpose. She hands with gentle but firm fingers.
ed my
“My little girl, Mommy finally found you!”
