“I was playing games. I haven’t done that in a long time.”Hayden frowned. Hugh quickly said, “Hay, I haven’t played games in forever. I’ve been so busy with work these days. Since I knocked off early today, I thought I could get a few rounds in. If not, I would be out drinking with my friends until I got wasted, and then you’ll beat me up again.”In the past, he was afraid of his twin “brother” the most. His “brother” had been stricter than their parents and controlled him a lot. Even after knowing Hayden was actually his sister, he was still scared of her. Switching from having a brother to a sister was not a big deal because Hayden’s personality never changed. Hugh had this thought, ‘Why is Hayden much more capable than I am when we were born only ten minutes apart?’Although they were raised and educated together, Hayden had always been the more excellent child. “I stopped beating you ever since you became an adult. Stop describing me as violent.”Hayden scolded Hugh,
Meanwhile, at Fortress Hotel, Liberty started a video call with Serenity as soon as she exited the bathroom. Serenity picked up her call quickly. Once the call connected, the first thing Liberty saw was Sonny’s face. “Mom.”Serenity’s phone rang just as Sonny was about to return to his room to sleep. She said it was his mother calling. Sonny knew his mother would only be free late at night. He missed her and decided to stay with Aunt Ser. He would only sleep after the video call. “It’s late, Sonny. Why aren’t you asleep yet?” Liberty asked softly with a gentle smile on her face. Excluding the one time Duncan brought Sonny over, she had only been able to see her son through video calls ever since she came to Jensburg. “I was waiting until you were free to have a video call with me. Have you finished working, Mom? Is it snowing there? Is it cold? You must wear more clothes. Don’t fall sick.”Only words of concern came out of the boy’s sweet mouth. Liberty’s heart warmed u
Serenity pinched Sonny’s face. “You were the one who wanted to come over to play, yet you’re blaming your uncle for it now?”Sonny laughed. Serenity entered the screen frame. She asked Liberty, “Is everything going well?”Of course, her words had a hidden meaning to it.“Mhmm, everything is still under control. There isn’t much going on. You don’t have to worry and enjoy the vacation with Sonny. He likes going to the zoo and theme parks. You can bring him to those places.”Serenity replied, “The zoo here is almost the same as the one in Wiltspoon. Sonny can’t go on many rides in the theme park either. He isn’t old or tall enough for them. Even if he went, he could only watch others play.“Jane and I are planning to bring the boys to a children’s park tomorrow. She said there are many facilities suitable for Sonny and Laurence to play there.”“Okay. You go ahead. Remember to be careful yourself when you’re outside. Don’t let the kids bump into you.”“I know. I’m not a child. I
Serenity followed the boys and watched on as they returned to their room and climbed into their beds. She tucked them in and left a dim light on. After turning off the main lights, she said, “Sleep tight. You’re not allowed to wake up to play or talk for the entire night, okay?“If I hear you two talking, tomorrow’s plan to the children’s park will be canceled.”Although Laurence and Sonny were young, they could talk all day every time they met, just like adults. Serenity was curious how many people would be deceived by their eloquent speeches once they were all grown up. Sonny and Laurence exchanged glances. They said together, “We’ll sleep now. We won’t talk anymore.”Although they loved chatting, playing outdoors sounded better.Serenity kissed the kids goodnight and said gently, “Good night. Have a sweet dream.”She caressed Sonny’s head. After doing so, she did not leave immediately but sat outside the room. She only walked away once she confirmed the boys were asleep
After a moment, Serenity exited the bathroom and sat back down on the bed. Unable to sleep, she recalled the dream she had about her parents. Had her parents reunited with her grandparents in the afterlife? Were they happy there? Were they watching over them and did they know of the situation with Liberty, Zachary, and the rest over in Jensburg?Serenity suddenly smiled bitterly. When a person died, it was like a light snuffed out—they could no longer sense anything. Even if her parents and grandparents were watching over them and knew Liberty and the rest might be in danger, they would not be able to help them at all. She dreamed of them perhaps because the situation in Jensburg and her grandparents’ tragic end was on her mind that day, as well as her parents perishing in a car accident. The more she thought about it during the day, the more she dreamed of it at night.Since Serenity could not sleep, she decided to change her clothes and wash up before heading for the kids’ room f
When Jane found him, he had not learned to speak. He probably had been taken care of by his nanny most of the time and likely held much of an impression of his biological parents. After having been under Jane’s care for about three years now, he had even forgotten the nanny he was closest to. Now, he was closest to the Johnsons. Children, in their infancy, were usually the tightest to their primary caregivers.“Aunt Seren, will Sonny really be fine?” Laurence turned to look at his friend who was snoozing soundly by his side, even reaching out to touch his forehead. Then, he touched his own forehead and realized they both had the same body temperature.“He’ll be fine. Sonny’s very healthy.”After a moment of thought, Laurence said, “If Sonny catches a cold, I’ll give him a check-up and prescribe him some medicine.”Serenity was speechless for a moment. “Have you already learned how to do that?”“No, but I’ve seen my teacher and Doc do it, and when I first stayed with him I caught a
The Johnsons would not make things difficult for them. They were effortless to work for."Good morning, Nigel. I woke up and couldn't fall back asleep, so I thought I'd take a walk. I'm not really hungry yet, so I'll have breakfast with Jane when she gets up."Still smiling politely, Nigel said, “Mrs. York, you should wear an extra layer. It’s quite chilly in the morning.”Serenity responded, “I’ve already put on an extra coat.”“Be careful while walking, Mrs. York. Come back once it gets light. Madam Jane usually sleeps until dawn breaks.”Jane's biological clock was utterly punctual.Serenity smiled and replied, “Okay.”Nigel escorted Serenity to the door and watched her go down the steps before turning and heading back. It was still very quiet on the manor grounds, though the lamps were lit. When the sun rose, the lamps would automatically turn off.FC Manor was enormous, about the same size as Wildridge Manor. Serenity had been here several times and was relatively familiar
However, it usually did not take long before the toys would be snatched from each other, and the twins would start fighting. Connor always lost to Chloe and would end up crying loudly. In the end, this would attract the attention of the adults.Occasionally, when Connor could not win against his sister, he would tackle her. The siblings could sit up now, but the moment they got even a bit unruly, they would topple over. Connor’s tactic of tackling always succeeded in knocking his sister down.Then, he would bite his sister. The two little ones, who had yet to grow teeth, would bite each other. Whether it hurt or not was something only they knew, but no matter if it was knocking his sister down or biting each other, it would always end with Connor crying loudly.When Chloe woke up and saw her mother still beside her, she would insist on staying with her mother. The little girl was quite clever. Although she was not particularly prone to crying, it did not mean she would not cry. When