The Divorced Military Queen Awakens (by Sadie Baxter) novel Chapter 711

Chapter 711 Midnight Pasta 
At those words, Tess felt her eyes sting and her throat tighten, as if something had lodged itself there. 
“Grandma, you’re going to live to be a hundred. Don’t say things like that.” 
She stubbornly tried to make Olivia stop, even reaching up to cover her mouth. 
But Olivia just smiled gently and brushed her hand away. 
“Hear me out. 
“I know your last marriage was miserable, but I also need you to understand that one bad experience shouldn’t make you lose faith in everyone else.” 
Abel couldn’t help but be moved by the scene before him. “Mrs. Larson, I promise I’ll treat Tess right!” 
But the moment the words left his mouth, Olivia shot him a glare. “Did anyone say it was your turn to speak?” 
Abel shrank back and shut his mouth, obedient as could be. 
Olivia’s gaze returned to Tess, soft and tender. “Good girl, the Larsons will be in your hands from now on. This family is no small thing. If you try to carry it all alone, you’ll wear yourself out. And then there’s Layla to think about too.” 
Her eyes were sincere, her hand gently stroking the back of Tess’s hand, as if conveying unspoken advice. 
Tess couldn’t help but feel her heart stir. 
“Grandma, I’m not alone. I have Lyra and Raven by my side, and Aunt Violet too, don’t I?” 
Tess tried to lift her grandmother’s spirits, but Olivia just smiled and shook her head. “Friends and a true partner are not the same thing.” 
Finally, Olivia cast a friendly glance in Abel’s direction. “This boy may be reckless, but I can tell his feelings for you are genuine.” 
Abel perked up the moment he heard himself mentioned, straightening his posture. 
His eager expression was almost too much to look at, and Olivia quickly looked away again. 
“Grandma, I need time to think about it. Right now, I’m not ready to consider anything like that.” 
Tess pressed her lips together, her fingers tightening. 
Olivia noticed the small movement and studied her for a moment before letting out a long sigh and releasing her hand. 
“This is your life, after all. All I can do is offer my advice.” 
The moment Abel heard this, he felt like he had just been handed a death sentence. His breathing quickened, and he was about to rush forward to say something. 
But Olivia’s gaze flicked toward him. “Since you’re not ready to decide, we might as well call the Shaws after all.” 
“Hold on. A second ago, you said doing that would break your promise.” 
Abel’s eyes went wide. 
Olivia spread her hands, her expression innocent. “That was then. This is now.” 
Abel felt the world go dark. 
A small smile tugged at the corners of Tess’s lips. “Grandma, let me handle this. You should get some rest.” 
Olivia rose to her feet, her gaze sweeping over the two of them. “Well, this is a matter for you young people. An old woman like me has no business meddling.” 
“How can you say that, Grandma? When it comes to anything about me, you’re always welcome to have a say.” 
Tess pouted in displeasure. 
Abel was caught off guard by a glimpse of this rare, girlish side of her. 
“Alright, alright. I’m heading back. Let Layla stay with me for a while. Come get her once you two have sorted things out.” 
Tess nodded and gently placed Layla into Olivia’s arms. She watched the two of them disappear around the corner before finally turning back. 
Outside the window, the sky had gone completely dark. 
Meeting Tess’s gaze, Abel couldn’t help but feel nervous. 
“You haven’t had dinner, have you?” 
Abel blinked, clearly not expecting that question. 
But since she asked, he answered honestly, “No. I left in a hurry.” 
Tess studied his face. Just as Abel was starting to squirm under her gaze, he felt a light breeze as she walked past him. 
“Come to the kitchen,” 
She opened the door and was already heading down the hall. 
Abel paused for a second, then broke into a grin and hurried after her. 
The Larsons always ate dinner early, so by now the kitchen had already been cleaned and tidied. 
Tess opened the fridge. There were still plenty of vegetables and fruits inside. 
“I’ll make you some pasta. You want it?” 
She held a tomato in her hand and glanced back at Abel. 
“Yes!” 
“Then start chopping.” 
Tess tossed two tomatoes to Abel, then rummaged through the cabinets for pasta. 
Abel found the cutting board without being told and got to work. By the time Tess had located the pasta and some shrimp, the tomatoes were already sliced into neat, even pieces. 
Tess raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Nice knife skills. When did you learn to cook?” 
Abel scratched his head. “I can’t really cook. I tried learning a few days ago, but I only got as far as chopping vegetables.” 
At that, Tess tossed him a bundle of greens and a couple of eggs. 
The Larson Estate had grown quiet for the night, but the kitchen was still full of warmth and bustle. 
One of them chopped vegetables and cracked eggs while the other heated the pan and added oil. 
Their movements wove together, filling the space with a gentle warmth. 
“Here you go, Mr. Shaw. Hope it’s good enough.” 
At last, Tess set a steaming, fragrant plate of pasta onto the small table.