"Daddy! You came to save me."The coldness and indifference in Cedric's chest were ruffled by the embrace and cry.Meanwhile, Sophie glanced at Tristan, who was now in Cedric's arms.The face in her memory had grown significantly, but the unsettledness and fear in his gaze were not typical for a child of his age.Thinking of the small hands that had pushed her into the ocean, she squinted. 'Vivienne is the person who's ruined her own son!'Seeing Sophie about to leave, Vivienne pulled her back. "Sophie Lucford, don't leave! Why would you do this to my son? Is humiliating me today not enough? Why can't you even spare a kid?"Sophie was kind enough to save the boy, yet she was being blamed now.She turned around and glanced at Vivienne's face coldly. "How dare you question me? Out of the two of us, who's the one who won't even spare the kid?!"Just then, curious onlookers began to gather, drawn by the commotion.Upon seeing the boy in Cedric's arms, they immediately thought of t
"My mommy doesn't have to say anything!" Just as Sophie was about to speak, a loud and clear voice echoed from the staircase, instantly drawing everyone's attention."Oh my, who's this pretty little girl?""I think she just called Sophie her mommy just now."Discussions once again blew up in the crowd.With people crowding the stairs, Cherry had no choice but to raise her head and yell, "Excuse me!"Her crisp and youthful voice, though filled with dissatisfaction, sounded particularly pleasant.Soon, a passage opened up in the crowded corridor.Sasha looked at Sophie helplessly as she followed behind Cherry. They had already arrived at the door of the room, but this mischievous imp had suddenly turned around and dashed backward. Everything had happened so fast that even she could not stop her!Cedric's eyes narrowed at the tiny face that was approaching, his gaze fixing on it intensely. The resemblance was uncanny as if he and the girl were carved from the same mold.The hands
"Ms. Luxford, even if I've disrupted your marriage, just come at me with what you want to do to me! Tristan is just a child. Can you please spare him?" Vivienne's gentle and pitiful tone deserved sympathy.Sophie was amused by this theatrical display, smiling faintly as she reached out. Her slender fingers delicately toyed with Tristan's soft hair, showing no sign of pulling away for quite some time.Only when Vivienne could no longer tolerate it did Sophie withdraw her hand. A hint of frost crept into her gaze and smile as she warned, "Take better care of your son. Otherwise, he won't just get locked up next time."'What's the point of me playing the saint when the boy's mother doesn't even care about her own son?' Sophie convinced herself inwardly."Mommy?" Cherry's eyes widened in disbelief.Did she mishear something? She had just stepped forward to help her mother, so why would she take everything onto herself?"Cherry, go back to the room with Sasha," Sophie instructed.As
In just a few minutes, the much-anticipated "Daddy" arrived at the scene.When the onlookers saw that it was Austin, they were all shocked.When Cherry emerged just now, her face bore a striking resemblance to Cedric's. Moreover, Sophie and Cedric were once a couple, leading everyone to presume Cherry was Cedric's daughter.However, with Austin entering the picture, things became a tad more complex."Daddy, someone bullied me and Mommy. You must avenge us!" Cherry said, throwing herself into Austin's arms. Her tone was pleading, and her posture sought protection, which only seemed to worsen Cedric's expression.Austin rubbed the little head in his arms, reached out to hold Sophie on one side, and gently pulled her into his arms. At that moment, his broad chest felt like the most powerful support, protecting the mother and daughter from everything."How did you get bullied?" Austin's tone softened, but his gaze toward Cedric and Vivienne became icy and stern.Sophie felt somewhat
Austin then stretched out his arms, and a sweet smile immediately appeared on Cherry's face. She wrapped her little arms around his neck and exclaimed, "Papa Austin, I knew you'd always treat Cherry the best!""Cherry, go up first. Mommy has something to say to Uncle Austin." Sophie got out of the car and caught up to Cherry. Her solemn tone made the little girl stick out her tongue, obediently getting off Austin and turning around to go upstairs.Austin took the initiative to speak first. "Sophie—"Before Austin could form his sentence, Sophie interrupted him, "Cherry was just being mischievous and didn't know any better. You don't have to take the entire incident seriously."Today's event would not make much difference to her no matter how it was handled. However, Austin's mention of his relationship with her and Cherry made it impossible for her to pretend like nothing had happened."Sophie, do we have to keep such a distance between us? It's been five years. Why can't you atte
Back in the room, Cherry snuggled into the pink bed, her big round eyes getting more and more bloodshot. Before long, tears started streaming down the sides of her face."Mommy scolded me! Mommy's so mean! Bad Mommy!" Her aggrieved voice sounded choked with tears. Large teardrops gushed down even more fiercely, wetting a large area of the pink sheets.After wiping away her tears, Cherry waddled over to the bookshelves, pulled out a drawing album from the corner where it was least likely to be seen, and sat down on the carpet.Opening the album revealed a collection of drawings, some appearing eerily chaotic. It was difficult to discern their meaning. The only recognizable features were human heads, encircled by dark streaks that vaguely resembled beards."You're the worst! I hate you! I'll never draw you again. Cherry doesn't need a daddy like you!" As she complained, she forcefully tore at the pages, ripping them into pieces. In a matter of minutes, the abstract masterpieces had t
It was such a delicious lollipop that everything would be forgiven.Seeing her daughter's satisfied expression, Sophie smiled and rubbed the little girl's head. However, her gaze could not help but drift toward the trash can again.Ever since she picked up a paintbrush, Cherry had never painted anything else, thinking she had been very secretive.Upon noticing Sophie staring at the trash can, Cherry's expression, though enjoying the taste, turned somewhat unnatural. It seemed like her mother had discovered her little secret."Cherry, you've figured it out, haven't you?" Sophie asked.It was said that mothers and daughters were connected by heart. With Cherry's intelligence and emotional awareness surpassing others her age since childhood, she had likely discerned Cedric's identity at a mere glance."What are you talking about? I don't know anything." Pulling the lollipop out of her mouth, Cherry turned her face away. She truly wished she hadn't discovered or witnessed anything.
"As for Cherry, you've got less ground to bring her into this. Have you forgotten your child passed away in the hospital and then tragically in the cold seawater five years ago? And you're the one who allowed all these to happen?!" Sophie refuted.'I went through hell to save Cherry, and then bring her into this world. She's got no connection to that.'The scab on Cedric's heart was mercilessly torn open. Cedric let go of her, looked at the hatred in her eyes, and stepped backward.'She hates me! And I deserve it!'"I won't let my daughter call anyone else 'Daddy'!" Leaving the message behind, he turned and walked into the elevator. His posture was still upright, but an indescribable loneliness shrouded his body.It was not until the number above the elevator stopped at 1 that Sophie propped her arms against the wall by the door.Five years may have passed, but she still felt a deep panic whenever she faced Cedric, no matter how composed she seemed on the surface.She then looke