It was already late when Sylvia finished the call. She put her phone down and went to the bathroom for a shower. After she came out from her shower, she saw her phone blinking. Someone texted her. She picked up the phone and saw the messages from Odell. The first message was a picture of Flint drinking a bottle of milk. “The kids are doing fine today. Isabel didn’t cause any trouble at school. Everything is fine at home.” It was followed by another text another minute later. “How about you? Are you doing well at the Stockton family’s place?” Sylvia frowned. She had the urge to text back but her fingers froze before they typed. She struggled for a moment before ultimately tossing her phone away. …The next morning, Sylvia snuck several buns from breakfast for Sherry again. John had gone to work. When Sylvia arrived at the living hall, Sherry was sewing on the couch but she looked weak. “Sherry?” Sylvia called her. Sherry’s eyes gleamed. “Syl! Did you bring a
The call lasted for quite a while as Sylvia had to cheer her kids up. When the call finally ended, she got up and prepared for bed. After cleaning herself up, she picked up her phone again to check on the message, but she got nothing. From when she left Westchester City, Odell had been texting her, updating her about the kids’ situation. ‘Is he busy? Or is he mad that I didn’t reply to him every time he texted me?’ Sylvia grunted and tossed the phone aside. She tried to sleep but for some reason, her mind was thinking about the text messages and her eyes were staring at her phone. She lay awake until midnight and still did not receive any messages on her phone. He should have texted her no matter how busy he was. Sylvia’s expression turned cold. Frustrated and annoyed, she covered herself with the blanket and slept. …On the next morning, Sylvia woke up around 9 o’clock. Maybe because she slept late last night, she woke up later than usual. It was way past breakfas
Odell nodded and then looked at Sylvia. Sylvia carried Flint into the cart. There were four seats behind the driver’s seat. Sylvia sat in the first row. Isabel immediately sat beside her. Liam calmly sat in the second row, just behind Sylvia. Odell was the last to get in. Instead of sitting beside Liam in the second row, he carried Isabel and put her beside her brother. He then took Isabel’s seat and sat beside Sylvia. Isabel pouted after her father snatched her seat. “Stupid Daddy!” The cart drove off. Odell looked at Sylvia, who refused to look at him. He shook the bag in his hand. “What’s this? Is it food?” Sylvia hummed a reply coldly. Odell furrowed his brows. “You didn’t have breakfast?” “I ate.” “Then what’s with the bag of food?” Sylvia ignored him. Odell stroked her hair. “Why aren’t you talking?” Sylvia answered angrily, “Why are you talking so much?” “I haven’t seen you for a week. I have a lot to talk to you about,” he stared at her with his
The ember of hope in the girl’s eyes died off. She put her hands on her hips and raised a brow at John. “So, you’re the jerk who has been bullying Aunt Sherry? Do you know you should love your girlfriend instead of bullying her?” John’s expression froze. Odell sternly said, “Izzy, stop it. Don’t be rude.” Sylvia immediately pulled the little girl behind her back. The girl pouted and sulked in silence. Madam Stockton, Queenie, and Julie’s expressions turned cold. Things got awkward until John chuckled. He looked at the girl with her puffy face. “I didn’t expect the girl to know so much about relationships at this age.” Isabel pouted. “Of course. I’ve seen almost all the romance dramas out there!” Sylvia was rendered speechless, and even Odell felt embarrassed. “Hmph. A girl her age calls a man a jerk because of romance drama? I think she’s learning all the bad things instead of the good ones,” Queenie voiced her grievance behind John. John turned around and glared
Sylvia carried Flint and held Liam’s hand as she followed them inside. They arrived at the living hall after going through a short corridor. Tea and snacks were prepared on the tea table. Odell and John went to the couch and sat opposite each other. Sylvia and the kids sat beside Odell, while Madam Stockton, Queenie, and Julie sat on the other end. Odell and John talked about work. Sylvia looked around the place. She believed it was Madam Stockton’s place judging from the retro designs and decorations. There were even two middle-aged maids outside the door. Sherry should be at her usual place. While Sylvia was wondering if Sherry had breakfast, Flint suddenly crawled out of her arms. Sylvia turned to the boy and saw him crawling toward the end of the couch. The boy crawled toward Queenie, who was the nearest, and looked up at her. Then he gurgled happily. Queenie did not expect the baby’s interest and she was awestruck by his adorable smile and voice. Madam St
There was an air of coziness in the living room. Sylvia could not sit still for long as she needed to look for Sherry. Grabbing the paper bag with food inside from Odell, Sylvia got on her feet. All eyes turned to her. Sylvia looked at Odell and John. “Carry on with your conversation. I’m going to check on Sherry.” Despite the emotions behind his eyes, John let out a smile. “Be my guest, Mrs. Carter.” Odell returned her a smile. “Go on.” Julie abruptly asked, “Mrs. Carter, do you need me to come along?” “It’s okay. I know the way. I can go there myself.” She kept her eyes on Flint and Isabel while replying. Flint was being his cute self in Madam Stockton’s arms. Detecting Sylvia’s gaze, Madam Stockton’s face fell as she clung onto Flint with reluctance to let go. Isabel was coiling Queenie’s hair around her finger, engrossed in styling her hair. Queenie shifted away from Sylvia’s gaze as she sat still for Isabel to do her up. Letting out a helpless grin, Sylvia
Sylvia let Sherry know about Odell bringing all three children over. Shocked, Sherry immediately swallowed the food that was nearly spat out. With her mouth no longer full, she pressed on with more questions. “So, Isabel and Flint are here too? Where are they? “They’re with Odell at Mrs. Stockton’s compound.” “Alright.” Meanwhile, Liam was returning from the loo. His face was drenched, and so were his hair strands in the front. Sherry remarked in surprise, “That was quick, Liam.” Liam replied, “All I did was wash my face and nothing else.” Sherry’s eyes widened. “Did you go to the loo just to wash your face?” Liam answered, “Yeah.” His straight face bore no other emotions. Sherry was reminded of the smooches she forced onto him moments ago. “…” Hurt, she munched on the bread. Once her belly was full, Sherry sat back down and went back to her needlework. Sylvia and Liam sat in company with her. To Sylvia’s surprise, Liam was fixated on Sherry’s embroidery b
Sylvia winced, and it showed in her lips. Unimpressed by Queenie’s appearance, Madam Stockton furrowed her brows and gave the former a look to wash up. Alas, Queenie’s full attention was on Isabel who was trying to run away. Unaware of the looks she was getting, Queenie picked Isabel up and pinned the girl down on the seat next to her. Isabel, held by the scuff of her neck, helplessly remarked, “Miss Lion, you can’t find a boyfriend if you’re so nasty and rough.” Queenie glared at her. “I might not get a boyfriend, but I’m still going to hold you down!” Madam Stockton averted her gaze, pretending to see nothing while extending hospitality to Odell and Sylvia. “Mr. and Mrs. Carter, don’t be a stranger. Make yourselves at home.” She was clearly trying to steer Odell and Sylvia’s attention away from Queenie’s hair. Sylvia courteously responded before placing a napkin over her lap. Apart from the occasional bickering between Queenie and Isabel, it was a pleasant lunch. At