Isabel and Liam were waiting for her at the door. Their smiley faces looked extra adorable under the sunshine. Sylvia smiled and kissed each of them on the cheeks before she brought them into the house. A day went by in the blink of an eye. The sky turned dark without noticing and Odell still had not come home. “Why is the Big Baddie not home yet?” Isabel pouted and asked. Sylvia pursed her lips and said, “Daddy might be busy with work.” “Hmph. I think he’s dating,” the girl grumbled. Sylvia looked disheartened. She stroked the girl’s head and said, “Daddy and Aunt Lily are engaged. It’s normal for them to go on dates.” Isabel pouted but did not say anything else. Liam, on the other hand, frowned. He clearly remembered his father tried to kiss his mother the other day and now he went out dating Aunt Lily? A while later, Odell was still not home and it was getting late. Sylvia got up and said to the kids, “Isabel, Liam, Mommy is going home for the day. I’ll come
On the second morning, Sylvia woke up punctually and had breakfast like usual. She then took a ride to the gynecology hospital in the city center. She waited for her turn in the public waiting area. All the other young mothers who were also waiting for their turns were accompanied by their husbands. One of the young mothers was having a difficult time and her husband pampered her by hugging and cheering her up. The other young mothers were also chatting with their husbands intimately and there was even a couple behind Sylvia discussing their child’s name. Everything felt heartwarming and yet it was a luxury that she could not afford. She looked down at her belly and said softly, “My dear child, Daddy isn’t here but I’ll be here with you always.” …Meanwhile, in the office on the highest floor of Carter Tower, the man was behind his desk working on his documents. Ding! His phone rang and the caller ID showed Lily’s name. The shared project between the Carter famil
However, she could still hear their voices from behind the divider. The waiter attended to them politely. “Welcome, sir, madam. This is our menu. What would you be having today?” Lily asked, “Master Carter, what do you want?” Odell said, “I’m okay with anything. You order what you like.” Lily said with a smile, “I came back to Westchester City for less than a year and I’m still having a hard time learning the local specialty. Why don’t you order for us? I’m okay with anything as well. I’ll have what you are having.” She sounded lively and gentle. Odell then said to the waiter, “All your signature dishes.” “Uh… Okay, yes sir. Right away, sir.” The waiter was slightly taken aback by his order. Lily was also stunned speechless. Sylvia was also surprised. Lily was his fiancée and yet he acted like he was having dinner with a stranger. For a moment there, she failed to hold back her urge and giggled. The atmosphere suddenly turned heavy. Sylvia anxiously covered her
Just when the situation started to get awkward, the waiter served their dishes. The waiter was also surprised by their demeanor, but he managed to keep his smile and said to them, “Sir, madam, your order is here.” Lily smiled at Odell and said, “Master Carter, we shouldn’t be disturbing Ms. Ross. Let’s go back and sit down.” Odell shot one last glance at Sylvia before he returned to his seat. Lily sat down opposite him. The waiter served their food as soon as they returned. The baby in Sylvia’s belly finally calmed down. She sighed a breath of relief and continued eating. She gobbled down everything as quickly as possible and went to the counter to pay for the meal. After making the payment, she strode out of the restaurant. Little did she know, Odell had been staring at her from the moment she got up until she left his sight completely. He felt disheartened as he watched Sylvia leave in a hurry as if she was being chased by something. Why would she react so anxio
Liam was reading his book on the other end of the couch. Isabel was writing her homework at the table. Her grumpy looks stated that she was forced or even coerced into doing her homework. Sylvia was surprised to find the father and children in the living room. The three of them turned to her as soon as she came in. “Mommy!” Isabel abandoned her homework and ran to her mother. Liam also put his book down and got up. Only Odell remained at his seat lazily. His eyes, however, were looking at her coldly. Sylvia carried Isabel and walked to Liam before she greeted the owner of the house, “Good morning.” Odell continued reading his newspaper and ignored her greeting. Sylvia pursed her lips and then said to her children in a small voice, “Isabel, Liam, why don’t we go back to the room and Isabel can continue doing her homework there.” Odell was obviously unhappy with her, so it would be better for her to disappear from his sight. Isabel hummed a reply and went to tidy up
Two days went by in the blink of an eye. In the past two days, Sylvia would run into him in the morning when he left for work but other than that, she did not see him at all. He probably waited for her to leave before he came home. Today, after her simple breakfast, Sylvia took a ride to Carter Residence as usual. Again, when the car stopped in front of the house, the familiar towering figure came out from the gate. He went straight to his black sports car as if he did not notice Sylvia’s ride stopping in front of the house. Sylvia hesitated for a second before she got out. She wanted to tell him that she would not be coming for a few days, so he did not have to avoid her for the time being. However, before she could catch him, he got into the car and drove off. Sylvia furrowed her brows as she watched the car disappear from her sight. …20 minutes later, the black sports car arrived at the boxing gym in another district. The man came down from the car and strode
The punching bag fell on the floor and he froze. Frustrated, he tossed the boxing gloves on the ground and strode toward the changing room. The owner was right. She was no longer her family, so why would he stay outside instead of spending time with his kids? He wanted to go home and if the woman avoided him, he would throw her out and stop her from seeing the kids anymore. …Back at Carter Residence’s spacious living room, the sun shone through the window and shed its brilliance on Sylvia. Sylvia was sitting on the carpet beside the window and she started to doze off as the sun warmed her up. Isabel was watching anime on her phone by her mother’s legs while Liam was on the other side reading his book. The scene felt heartwarming, but the peace and quiet were broken when the black sports car screeched to a stop outside. The screech woke Sylvia up immediately. She turned to the window and saw the black sports car driving into the porch. Sebastian and the two maids wer
Sebastian was just outside the door when Lily arrived. He wore a bright smile and welcomed her. “Ms. Springsteen, what brings you here?” he asked politely. Lily smiled. “It’s almost Christmas, so I was thinking of visiting the kids and Madam Carter.” Sebastian recalled Odell’s grumpy look when the man returned, so he begrudgingly furrowed his brows. Lily sharply noticed his reaction and asked, “What’s wrong, Sebastian? The kids aren’t around?” Sebastian thought about it for a moment. Odell was fine when he left in the morning but he returned with a grumpy look, so something must have happened outside. Sylvia was also inside with the kids, so things should be fine. He said, “The kids are home but their mother is here as well.” Lily’s expression changed. “Ms. Ross is here?” Sebastian said, “Yes. She’s here to accompany the kids, and I believe she’s leaving in the afternoon.” Lily recovered her frozen smile and said, “I see.” She then brought her assistant and walked