Susan gaped and let out a quick sigh. Something seemed to be stuck in her throat. "Young Master Harper ... is your Daddy?" Louis nodded slowly. With shaking eyes, Susan looked forward again. There, Frank Harper stood still, while Kara looked down with one hand raised and clutching her head. “Oh, I understand now.” Susan started nodding. Tears appeared in her eyes. "No wonder he was kind to us. Turns out he just wanted to make amends." After a faint snort, Susan grasped the hands of her two grandchildren. "Emily, Louis, let's get out of here." "Mom ...." Kara was about to stop them. However, she didn't know what to explain. With drooping shoulders, Kara was forced to watch her loved ones going down the stairs. Then, with an exasperated sigh, she looked at Frank as if asking for advice. Unfortunately, Frank was also helpless. He was weak in facing the twin's sadness and his feelings of guilt. Amidst the chaos, there was only one person who looked excited. After brushing aside t
"Louis and Emily haven't called yet?" Frank asked quietly. Kara turned to the pantry door. Seeing the CEO smile sadly, her eyebrows lowered even more. "Not yet. Looks like they're mad at me." Frank nodded. As he stepped in, he checked Kara's lunch. The salad was still intact. "Want to eat with me? I've finished negotiating with the client." Kara shook her head wearily. Seeing that lackluster gesture, Frank's heart became even sadder. "Kara ...." He placed his hand on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry I dragged you into this. Kids shouldn't be mad at you." Kara fell silent. She couldn't lie if her heart wasn't healed by those words. Frank's tongue was getting numb. He could not bear the guilt any longer. "Kara, I promise, I will fix this. I will apologize to your mother and the children, explaining that they shouldn't be angry with you." Kara still didn't answer. Her head remained bowed with furrowed eyebrows. Frank pulled a chair and sat next to her. Gently, he lifted her chin so th
“He left you, Kara. He left you!” Susan emphasized. Kara looked up, trying to gather strength. As soon as her head straightened again, she took her mother's hand, trying to convey the sincerity. "But now he's back, Mom," she said softly. "He also regrets it. Remember what he has done for us lately. We can still survive because of his company. We can still be with the twins also because of his help. He was the one who saved the twins from being kidnapped." Kara shook Susan's arm, trying to revive her mother’s kindness. However, the middle-aged woman looked away. “And Mom, remember how happy Louis and Emily were when they played with him? When have you ever seen them laugh so heartily? When have you ever seen them sleep so soundly?” Susan raised her hand to her ears. She didn't want to hear more. In her eyes, Kara had been blinded either by love or despair. “If you want me to talk to him, get out now.” “But, Mom ....” "Get out." Susan glanced at the door. Knowing that the guards
Kara still faced the door. Her vision was blurry. The tears couldn't stop flowing. ‘What will Frank do? Can he handle all this chaos?’ Sighing in resignation, Kara turned around, about to check on the twins. However, before she had time to move from her position, the door to Susan's room opened. "Mom?" Kara swallowed hard. Through a movement of her head, Susan signaled her to come in. Kara complied. "You cried for that jerk?" Susan asked as she walked towards the chair. When she turned around, she continued, “Why?” Kara tried to catch her breath. Her head moved to match the rhythms. “I don't know, Mom. The thought just came to me, just like this feeling. I do not understand too." “Come to your senses, Kara. That man has ruined your life. He's already left you. You still dare to pin your hopes on him?” Kara bit her lip. She didn't know what the right answer was. When she saw her mother sigh in disappointment, she finally chose honesty. "Mom, you once said that I don't have to
Slowly, Kara lowered her head. She couldn't look her son straight in the eye. "Mommy was also surprised when Mommy met him at the office, Louis." “But Mommy said that our Daddy had died. Why did Mommy lie? Is it because Mommy didn't have the heart to tell us that our Daddy was a bad person?" Kara got tightness in her chest. She took a breath, but her lungs only got hotter. She was really confused about how to explain. “Actually ...,” she swallowed hard and looked out the window, “our meeting was accidental. At that time, we didn't know each other, let alone love each other. When he left, we didn't even know each other's names.” "You two didn’t get to know each other yet?" Louis sighed with round eyes. Kara took a deep breath then returned her gaze to her son. “Yes, Mommy only found out his name on the first day at Savior. But ... he didn't remember Mommy.” Louis' eyebrows immediately dropped. “How could he forget? Isn't he our Daddy? He should remember that he planted us in Momm
“Are they asleep yet?” Frank muttered from the door. His eyes looked teary as they wandered through the sky-colored room. Tonight, he should be sitting there—near the twins—reading a fairy tale or a technology article, instead of lamenting. With languid steps, he turned to the next room. When his gaze fell on the fluffy blanket that Emily usually hugged, the pressure in his chest was no longer unbearable. His breath began to rumble and his hands clenched into tight fists. ‘If only Isabel hadn't messed up, the kids would still be laughing with me. Now, they won't even look at me.’ With his eyes closed, Frank tried to calm the turmoil in his heart. At that moment, the phone in his pocket rang. Seeing his assistant's name on the screen, he answered silently. “Report, Sir. I've taken care of everything. The news will be published tomorrow, exactly at seven in the morning.” That's the time people go to work. They would listen to the radio in the car, browse social media on the commut
Wela raised both hands to shoulder level and then closed her eyes. “Think about what we wanted most when we were little.” After a few moments, she opened her eyes again. “We just want to have fun with the people we care about, right?” Kara and Frank glanced at each other again. Their movements made Wela excited. “Come on, Frankie. What are you waiting for? Break up with your fiancée then propose to Kara. After you two get married, I guarantee that Emily won't experience psychogenic fever again. It's time for you to be with your children." Kara's eyeballs almost popped out. “W-what do you mean, Doctor? I really don't understand.” While Frank gaped speechlessly, Wela touched Kara's shoulder. “I am a doctor and also Frank's friend. Of course I could recognize his children at a glance. Especially Louis, he is one hundred percent like little Frankie.” “You know about the commotion yesterday? Which servant told you?” Frank inquired, glancing sharply. Wela shook her head carelessly. “
"How about you? Do you like that guy?” Susan looked at Louis seriously. “I can't decide yet. He haven't achieved all my points." Susan's eyes suddenly narrowed. “What points?” “I can only judge him if he has fulfilled three points. First, he has to break up with his girlfriend. Second, he has to prove that he and Mommy love each other. Third, he has to prove that his treatment of me and Emily is sincere." Susan blinked in amazement. Her grandson was indeed full of surprises. “Then let's wait until those points are tested.” Louis puffed out his cheeks then nodded. He understood that the problem could not be resolved quickly. However, his furrowed brows still lingered. “Grandma, may I ask again?” Susan, who was just about to put down the comb, suddenly stopped her movements. "Yes?" “Does Grandma know Finnic?” The shattering of glass rang in Susan's ears. Whether it was a fragment of heart or memory, she wasn't sure. It was the name she hated the most without Kara knowing. “Why
Philip rushed in and grabbed Barbara's hand. Before he could say anything, Barbara was pushing again. After Briony came out, Barbara breathed a sigh of relief. “Philip .... Our child has been born.”Even though his head was nodding, Philip blinked in confusion. His mouth was agape, not knowing how to respond. "Yes ...," he sighed after a few moments. Briony's cries helped him regain his senses. "Wow," Philip blinked. He bent down, stroking his wife's hair with mixed feelings. "You're so great, Babe. You can give birth that fast." Barbara smiled proudly. "Our efforts weren't in vain, Phil. I was actually scared earlier. Briony's urge was very strong. But Louis and Emily forbade me to push. I tried to hold it in until finally, I gave in." Philip sighed in amazement and disbelief. Still looking stiff, he kissed Barbara's temple. "You're amazing, Babe. I'm glad you didn't encounter any major difficulties." Philip wiped the tears from her face. "I'm happy too. But where were you? I to
"Louis, Auntie is about to give birth!" Emily rose with a high arch of her eyebrows. "You’re right! We have to take her to the hospital!" Wasting no time, Louis grabbed Barbara's hand, pulling her to turn around. "Come on, Auntie. Let's go back to the car." However, Barbara shook her head. Her face was pale, her body tense. Her feet seemed to be glued to the earth. "What's wrong, Auntie?" "Call Philip," she muttered softly. "What?" "Call Philip!" The twins flinched. After one nod, they ran towards Philip. "Uncle Philip! Uncle Philip!" "Hey, where are you guys going?" Barbara exclaimed again. The twins braked. When they looked back, Barbara was waving. "Why did you leave me here alone?" Her voice was shrill. "You told us to call Uncle Philip!" Louis shook his head, not understanding. "Yeah, but don't leave me here." While limping, she inched closer to Louis and Emily. "One person calls him. One more person, hold me!" The twins blinked. Not because they didn't understand, b
"Hello, Orion," Emily whispered as the tiny baby in the box opened his eyes. Her hand reached out, trying to reach his chubby cheek. From the other side of the box, Louis also looked inside. "Hello, Oscar." "Louis?" Emily scolded with round eyes. "Why do you call him Oscar? This is our first meeting with him. Don't make a bad impression." Louis pursed his lips. "Okay, sorry. I'm used to it. Let me repeat." After clearing his throat, he looked down again. "Hello, Orion. It's me, Louis. I'm your cousin." Emily smiled slightly and nodded. "That's just right." After giving Louis thumbs up, she waved her hand downwards. "And I'm Emily. Nice to meet you, Orion." For a few moments, the two toddlers were busy observing Orion. Philip and Barbara were amused by their comments. "It turns out that Uncle Philip was right. Orion looks like both of his parents. His eyes are like Auntie's, while his nose and mouth are like Uncle's." "His chin also looks like Uncle’s, but his hair looks like
A nurse tried to calm Ava. However, the woman still shook her head, rejecting all the words directed at her. She was very weak. The pain seemed to knock out all the bones in her body. Her brain could no longer function normally. "No. I have no strength anymore. I can't continue." After taking a heavy breath, Jeremy bowed. The nurse had shifted. Jeremy had more freedom to stroke Ava's hair which was wet with sweat and her face which was flooded with tears. "Ava, can you hear me? Ava?" Their gazes finally met. Jeremy could see the desperation in those brown eyes. "I can't take it anymore, Jeremy. I can't. Let the doctor take it out. I can't take it anymore." Jeremy's chest felt like it had been torn apart. He almost choked with pain. Stroking Ava's shoulder, he shook his head. "No, I know you. You're not someone who never gives up, Ava. You can do it." "But I don't have the energy anymore, Jeremy." "There is. There definitely is." Jeremy grabbed Ava's shaking fingers. "This is f
"Look at this, Brandon." Louis placed a stack of photo paper on the table. Then, he showed them one by one to his friend. "This is a picture of Russell crying. This is a picture of him laughing. And this is a picture of Russell being angry." "Can babies get angry? Isn't he still too young to understand anything?" Brandon shook his head faintly. Louis shrugged. "I don't know about that. But when Russell sees something he doesn't like, his hands keep flapping and his mouth makes sounds ...." Louis imitated a baby's moan which made the librarian glance. "Russell also has sharp eyes, Brandon. If he feels annoyed by us, he will glare while furrowing his eyebrows." Emily touched the base of her eyebrows, checking to see if they were the same shape as Russell's eyebrows in the picture. Brandon smiled at Emily's expression. "I think he must be really cute when he's angry." "Yes!" Emily nodded quickly. "He's always cute, all the time. Louis, show him a picture of Russell in the shower."
"Oh, look at Russell, Louis. Isn't he very handsome? He's clean and smells good." Emily put her nose closer to Russell's face. When she managed to kiss that very soft cheek, she giggled holding back her laughter. She didn't want to disturb Kara who was sleeping in Frank's arms. "Yes, he is very handsome. He looks like me. Isn't that right, Grandma?" Louis raised his gaze towards the woman holding Russell. Susan smiled amusedly. "Yes, he looks like you. Only his nose is a little sharper." Louis' lips immediately pursed. His forefinger pointed at his own nose. "How sharp do you want Russell's nose to be? My nose is already very sharp." Susan chuckled at Louis' answer. "I’m just joking, Louis. It doesn't matter whose nose is sharper. What's important is that you're both healthy." Louis nodded in agreement. His hands then rose to touch the baby's feet. "Grandma, is Russell heavy?" Susan raised her eyebrows. "Do you want to carry him?" Louis glanced at Emily. "How about you try fir
"Hello, Good Boy," Kara held Russell carefully, as if the little creature was a very fragile pearl. Tears could not stop running down her face. After kissing the baby who was covered in a towel, Kara whispered again, "This is Mommy, Russell. I'm happy that I can finally hug you like this." While biting his lips, Frank also bowed. He stroked the tiny back then kissed his head. "And this is Daddy, Russell. Daddy is also happy that you are finally here." Still with a wide smile and red eyes, Frank looked at Kara gently. Before the pool of emotion dripped again, he quickly kissed her forehead. Kara closed her eyes accepting the warmth. "Thank you for giving birth to our son, Queen Bee," Frank whispered hoarsely. Kara smiled wider and nodded faintly. "Thank you for accompanying me here." "That's what I should have done a long time ago." Frank stroked her cheek before kissing her again. "Daddy, we want to see Russell too! Can we come closer?" Emily asked, jumping a little on the chai
Kara was sitting on the bed. Her head rested on the broad shoulder next to her. Closing her eyes, she tried to catch her breath."Is there any news from the Twins?" she asked quietly. Frank shook his head. His hands kept to massage Kara's fingers. "You don't need to worry about them, Queen Bee. They are independent and intelligent children. They will understand that you have to give birth soon. Let's celebrate their birthday after Russell is born, hmm?" After a short nod, Kara turned her head further. "Are you crying?" Frank's eyebrows pulled together. Moving his head away so that it would be easier to see her, he shook his head. "Why do you think I'm crying?" "Your voice is shaky, Frank." Pursing his lips, Frank took a deep breath. "I'm not crying." "Then why are your eyes red and watery?" Frank blinked firmly. "I'm not crying," he repeated with more emphasis. Still out of breath, Kara let out a laugh. Her head tilted slightly, waiting for his tears to fall. "Are you sure?"
"Hello, Brandon. Welcome to our event," Louis shook his classmate's hand. "Hello, Louis. Happy birthday. I hope you live a long and healthy life," the blonde boy said, occasionally glancing at Emily. "Thank you, Brandon. Did you come alone?" Brandon nodded. "Yes, my parents had to attend another event. So, only the driver took me here." After one blink, Brandon offered his hand to Emily. "Happy birthday too, Emily. You're so beautiful tonight." Emily shook Brandon's hand with a sweet smile. "Thanks, Brandon. You also look cool tonight. The jacket suits you." Brandon blushed. His lips twitched to suppress the excitement in his chest. "Thank you, Emily. I deliberately asked my mother to look for the best outfit. I want to look cool at this event." "Your mom has a good sense of fashion," Emily nodded before glancing to the side. "Louis, I think you should try a regular tie like Brandon. You're five years old. It's time for you to leave that bow tie behind. You should try somethin