Dear Sweetheart novel

Although Rayna was swamped with matters regarding the product launch at her company, she still worried about

Jefferson in the back of her mind.

She would visit the hospital daily every afternoon and would prepare a nutritious breakfast and lunch if she had

extra time on her hands, which Ringo would deliver to Jefferson.

Jefferson once commented about how her outstanding culinary skills had ruined his desire to order takeout ever

again since she began cooking for him.

“I’m willing to cook for you just because you’re a patient.” Rayna rolled her eyes. “Don’t get used to it. I look

forward to you returning the favor when you’re back.”

Jefferson’s lips quirked as he nodded. “Of course. I’ll cook anything you want.”

Rayna brought Jefferson to see Linda the minute he’d recovered from his leg injury.

“Let’s eat with her later.”

“Are we heading over to your mom’s?” Jefferson felt surreal as he’d never expected Rayna to bring him to see her

mother.

He fretted, “I would be remiss if I didn’t bring any gifts since it’s my first time visiting your house.”

“It’s all right.” Rayna was amused as she lay her hand on his before he opened the door. “You don’t have to. My

mom doesn’t fuss over stuff like these. Besides, you have all the time in the world to do so in the future.”

“Well, if you say so.” An imperceptible smile graced Jefferson’s features as he held Rayna’s soft palm.

Ringo, their driver, darted a glance at them and shook his head.

He thought, “I can’t believe Mr. Hamilton is on cloud nine just because he got to visit Rayna’s parents.”

Rayna used her keys to unlock the door to Linda’s house.

She took a pair of slippers for Jefferson from the shoe rack and called out, “What soup are you preparing, Mom? It

smells heavenly!”

“Belle, you’re here!”

Linda wiped her hands on her apron at the sound of Rayna’s voice and made her way out of the kitchen. “You like

to eat beef stew with vegetables, don’t you? I made some for you…”

Her voice trailed off once she caught sight of an unfamiliar young man following Rayna.

“Belle, who is this?” Linda questioned dazedly.

She assumed Rayna had made up with Curtis when she mentioned bringing her boyfriend over for a meal over the

phone this morning.

Why isn’t Curtis with her?

“Right, both of you haven’t been introduced.” Rayna beamed as she pulled Jefferson to her side. “This is my

boyfriend, who took good care of me when I was studying abroad!”

“It’s a pleasure, Ms. Linda.” Jefferson greeted as he bowed politely.

His name was familiar to Linda.

She knew they’d broken up but did not pry because she respected Rayna’s privacy.

Little did she know Rayna would bring him here many years later.

“Hello.” Linda hid her surprise behind a smile and nodded at Jefferson. “Belle mentioned you in passing. I’m grateful

you took care of her while she was studying abroad.”

Jefferson’s gaze at Rayna was full of mirth as he replied to Linda, “I should thank you instead for raising such a

beautiful and bright daughter.”

Linda waved her hand in embarrassment. “I didn’t do much at all. Belle’s achievements are all due to her effort.”

“I can see that Belle’s personality and looks took after you. I feel threatened that she’s so popular!” Jefferson

chuckled.

“Oh, is it?”

Rayna couldn’t stand their conversation any longer and interjected, “That’s enough flattery. Why don’t you focus on

preparing food, Mom? We hadn’t eaten anything since the morning as we’ve been craving your food.”

Linda urged Jefferson to sit on the couch and made tea for him.

She asked Rayna to help her in the kitchen with the excuse that many vegetables needed to be cleaned. However,

when Rayna checked out the kitchen, it turned out that the vegetables were all clean, and there was nothing else

she needed to do.

Rayna was speechless. “Mom, why did you ask me to help when you’ve done everything yourself?”

She turned to leave, but Linda grabbed her hand and shoved a bowl of vegetables in her hand.

“The peas haven’t been peeled yet, have they? Get on it!”

Linda eyed the living room as she was marinating the meat.

“Is Jefferson truly your boyfriend?” She scooted next to Rayna surreptitiously once she was sure that Jefferson was

consumed with the television program.

Rayna side-eyed Linda. “Do you think I’m lying to you?”

“What about Mr. Faymon?”

Rayna was still visibly shaken by the mention of Curtis’ name and felt her sorrow swell.

“Mom, we broke up last year. Do you understand?” She continued peeling the peas and said dispassionately, “He

and I are a thing of the past. Please do not mix up the surnames of your future son-in-law and accidentally call him

by the wrong one.”

Linda was not born yesterday and could tell that Rayna still hadn’t fully let Curtis go despite her nonchalance.

Nonetheless, she would not butt into her daughter’s personal affairs.

Linda sighed. “Are you really so sure that you love him?”

“Yes. We’ll pick our wedding rings soon once work has settled down.” Rayna couldn’t help feeling indebted to

Jefferson in light of how much he’d sacrificed for her. “Mom, he’s done a lot for me.”

Jefferson would always appear whenever she was in a tight spot.

What’s wrong with marrying a man that would never give you cause to cry or grieve?

Linda refrained from commenting further at Rayna’s words. “Regardless of who you end up with, all I hope is that

you’re happy.”

“Rest assured, Mom. I will be.” Rayna’s face lit up.

“I need not worry much about you, but your younger siblings are another case altogether.” Linda began prattling

on. “One is so busy filming overseas that she only returns once every few months, while the other has simply

vanished from the face of the earth.”

Linda did not notice the change in Rayna’s expression and started inquiring, “Did you manage to contact James?

Are he and Kristie fine? I’m quite worried about them.”

“Belle, what’s wrong?” Linda finally detected Rayna had ceased peeling the peas and was staring at them in her

hand blankly.

“It’s nothing.” Rayna quirked her lips. “I was thinking about work matters.”

“I’m so sorry for not being able to help much.” Linda lamented, “I can see how grueling it is for you. Don’t over-

fixate on earning money. Always remember to rest and don’t stretch yourself thin.”

Linda’s heart ached for Rayna the most out of her three children.

As the eldest sibling, Rayna had always carried most of the responsibilities yet she had never once uttered a word

of complaint. Moreover, she’d always sought to improve herself constantly.

Her life would have been a mess if not for her independent and thoughtful daughter.

Rayna was exasperated. “I’m just worried about launching my company’s new product as there are lots left to do.

How could you call yourself useless when you managed to bring up three smart and capable children? Why don’t

you continue preparing our meal? I’m famished!”

“All right, all right. I won’t dwell on this topic any longer.”

Rayna was ushered out from the kitchen by Linda shortly.

She washed a plate of fruits and accompanied Jefferson to watch television in the living room as there was nothing

left for her to do.

Rayna snuggled next to Jefferson and was almost in hysterics when she saw that he was searching on his phone

“what suitable gifts to bring when meeting one’s in-laws” and “how to please your mother-in-law.”

“Come now. My mom is happy with you! There’s no need to search up all of these!”

“I found out that the male counterpart in a relationship is expected to bear gifts when visiting their partner’s

mother to prevent being looked down upon.” Jefferson pinched Rayna’s nose affectionately. “To think I believed you

when you said it was acceptable to arrive empty-handed. Ms. Linda is probably thinking about how miserly I am

despite being cordial.”