Love's Change of Heart

Chapter 817 It Was Two Nights

Observing Zoe's stunned reaction, Sheila quickly explained to Daniel, "Zoe is not usually like this. She just… gets shy when she sees a handsome guy. Please don't mind her."

Daniel withdrew his hand, a smile playing at the corner of his lips. "I don't mind at all. It's truly an honor to be liked by Miss Hart."

"You..."

Before Zoe could utter a word, Sheila promptly pulled her daughter aside and addressed her husband. "Matthew, why don't you have a chat with Dan? Zoe and I will prepare dinner."

With that, she dragged Zoe into the kitchen.

Taking the bag from Zoe's hand, Sheila glanced inside. "You haven't been eating properly. Look at what you've bought."

Zoe snapped back to reality. "Mom, he—"

"I'm not lying this time," Sheila interrupted. "You know my leg isn't in good condition. It's an old problem. And it was Daniel who offered to help me and insisted on walking me home." Then, she set down the bag and continued, "Do you really think I would marry you off to any random man I meet on the street just because I'm desperate to have a grandchild? Do you think I see you as a mere means to have a grandchild?"

Zoe fell silent for a moment. "I didn't mean that, but… he doesn't seem like a good person. And you brought him home just like that?"

Sheila continued to sort through vegetables while replying, "You do have a point there. At first, I had my doubts as well. I thought he might be a scammer. However, upon reflection, scammers aren't typically this handsome. Besides, at my age, what could he possibly scam me for? Perhaps he'll try to trick me into getting a health card at a senior center or something. How much money can a health card cost? Even if I do get scammed, it's worth it."

Zoe was left speechless.

She finally realized where she got her traits from.

Zoe helped Sheila with the vegetables. "Haven't you heard that the more handsome a man is, the more likely he is to deceive people? Watch out, he might scam all your savings."

Sheila chuckled and teasingly replied, "Think you can pull a fast one on me just because I don't watch TV? The actual saying goes, 'The more beautiful a woman is, the more likely she is to deceive people.' Besides, your father and I have saved up for your marriage. If you get married, do you expect us to take our savings to the grave? I might as well let him deceive me, at least I would willingly go along with it."

Zoe found herself at a loss for words.

Her mother had skillfully redirected the conversation back to her own perspective.

Feeling defeated, Zoe sighed in resignation.

Sheila glanced outside and noticed that Daniel and her husband were getting along well. Turning back to Zoe, she lowered her voice and said, "Let me tell you something seriously. Your father and I have done some digging about him. Whether he's a scammer or not, I believe you'll definitely like him!"

Zoe lazily responded, "You're mistaken. I definitely won't like him."

Undeterred, Sheila persisted, "You don't know that yet. Trust me, once I reveal everything, you'll be amazed too. Daniel is a musician. He can play the cello, piano, and most importantly, he's multiracial. Just look at how handsome he is!"

"Wait a minute—"

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Sheila interrupted Zoe and exclaimed, "What are you waiting for? When your father first told me about your criteria for a partner, I thought you were intentionally trying to pick a fight with me. Where could we possibly find someone who meets all your criteria? However, fate works in mysterious ways, and it just came knocking on our door! Tell me, where else in the world would you find someone with these qualities right in front of you?"

Zoe felt a sudden headache coming on. She had merely mentioned it casually the night before yesterday. Who would have thought that?

Undeterred, Sheila continued, "I won't pressure you this time, but he's exactly your type, the one you like. If you let this opportunity slip away, I won't hold any expectations for you anymore. It would be better to let him scam away our savings and put an end to this wishful thinking."

After that, she handed Zoe the fruit stray and instructed, "Alright, don't linger here with me. Take this out and find a chance to have a good conversation with him."

Zoe lowered her head. Weren't they talking the whole time? When did her mother find the time to cut the fruits?

She forcefully shook her head, trying to clear her mind.

Everything felt like a dream.

Zoe was nudged out of the kitchen by her determined mother. Holding the fruit tray hesitantly, she took hesitant steps toward the sofa and placed it in front of Daniel.

Inside the kitchen, Sheila exchanged a subtle glance with her husband, who swiftly rose to his feet, saying, "Zoe, you talk to Dan. I'll go downstairs and buy some wine."

Soon, only Zoe and Daniel remained in the living room.

Zoe stood there, her face devoid of expression as she gazed at Daniel. Just as she was about to speak, she caught a glimpse of her mother eavesdropping by the kitchen door.

Reacting swiftly, Zoe walked over and closed the kitchen door.

Sheila's voice filtered through. "Hey, I won't listen, I won't listen anymore."

Returning to Daniel's side, Zoe glanced at the balcony. "Let's go over there and talk."

Daniel rose from his seat and followed her lead.

As Zoe stood still, she suddenly turned around and took a deep breath before asking in a low voice, "What are you doing in my house?"

Meeting her gaze, Daniel calmly responded, "Your mother twisted her ankle. I couldn't just leave her stranded on the street."

Zoe probed further, her voice filled with skepticism, "Did you intentionally approach her?"

Daniel's response was calm and sincere. "I did want to find an opportunity to say hello, but her ankle injury was unexpected."

Zoe furrowed her eyebrows tightly as she questioned, "Why did you want to find an opportunity to say hello to her? Wait, why did you suddenly come here from Lachstein?"

Daniel remained composed as he responded, "To hold you accountable."

"To hold me..." Zoe was puzzled. "Accountable for what?"

Taking a step forward, Daniel approached her and enunciated each word clearly. "I don't believe that two single adults can act without consequences. I have never regarded our relationship as a mere one- night stand."

Instinctively, Zoe took two steps back until she found herself leaning against the wall. Once she regained her composure, she stated, "Well, technically speaking, it was two nights."

Daniel's brow twitched at her remark.

Looking up at him, Zoe continued, "Let's be clear then. I understand your views on relationships, and I'm aware that I'm not the only one-night stand you've had. As you said, you didn't consider me as such, and I agree. But you—"

"What do you think of me?" Daniel interrupted her. "In your eyes, am I merely someone who engages in one-night stands with anyone at any time?"

Zoe remained silent for a couple of seconds before responding, "I didn't say that."

Daniel pursed his lips and explained in a low voice, "I have never had a one-night stand."

Upon hearing his assertion, Zoe chose to believe him.

She had heard Elijah mention Daniel's promiscuity, but he wasn't the type to engage in casual flings. While he might not prioritize emotions as much, he took responsibility for each fleeting encounter until both parties lost interest and went their separate ways.

"But those girlfriends of yours, they all seem to have superficial relationships. I don't see any difference," Zoe remarked.

Daniel locked his gaze on her and firmly stated, "None of them, at least in my eyes, were one-night stand material. So, you need to take responsibility."

Zoe found herself utterly speechless. What?