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Summer giggled at her appearance in the mirror. She looked so cool in her cowboy hat, blue plaid shirt, and leather vest that matched her brown boots. Plus, her pants were frilly, and her belt was shaped like a cow's head across her stomach. "Oh, this is the best outfit I've ever worn," she said, spreading her arms. Seeing her funny response, the clerk, who was helping her in the fitting room, smiled. "Our store is indeed the best in T City. But, Little Lady, you're not done yet. There's still a red scarf that you have to put on your neck." The young girl spread out the scarf that had been folded in half to form a triangle. With pleasure, Summer lifted her chin. "Please put it on for me, Miss," she asked politely. "With pleasure, Little Lady." As soon as the scarf was around her neck, Summer smiled proudly. She quickly ran outside, hoping to show Louis her appearance. But it turned out, Louis was still in the next fitting room. "Uncle Louis, why are you so slow? I'm alrea
"Are you afraid that paparazzi will take pictures of us?" Summer asked in a disappointed tone. Before Louis could answer, Summer sighed in resignation. Her head was lowered with a gloomy face. "Too bad. I really wanted to try it. This is my only chance to feel what Uncle Cayden felt," she muttered dully. Hearing that, Louis' eyebrows knitted together. "What did Cayden feel? Did he and Emily ever ride the Ferris wheel together?" Not getting an answer, Louis continued, "Summer, you can do it later when you're older, when you have a boyfriend. It'll be much more fun." Summer peeked out of the corner of her eye, her puffed cheeks making her lips look pursed. "Uncle Cayden didn't go there with Aunt Emily," she corrected. Louis blinked indifferently. "Then who?" "Uncle Cayden rode the Ferris wheel with his mom and dad. He said he was very young at the time, but he remembers it because it was so much fun." While Louis was stunned, Summer took a deep breath. "I thought I
Suddenly, Louis ran his thumb on the curve of Summer's lips on the paper. His gaze was sad. His heart was heavy. "I've never even made her smile properly," he muttered. "I've only given her tears since we met." Taking a deep breath, Louis looked out the window. Grace's annoyed face flashed through his mind again. But this time, he didn't chase it away. Instead, he faced it bravely. He let it stay while pondering. "I'll have a lot of time with Grace after this is over, but Summer .... I only gave her 24 hours. It should have been a beautiful memory, not a nightmare for her." After swallowing bitterly, Louis looked back at the little girl. Little by little, he clenched his hands. He realized that his regret was not too late. "Yes," Louis confirmed his thoughts. "Ace shouldn't be jealous over something like this. My concern for Summer means nothing. As long as this poor little human is still here, I have to comfort her." With a firm determination, Louis touched Summer's s
Summer's smile widened again. "Let's find a ride that we can both do. Oh, how about that train?" "That's called a roller coaster, Little Human. Too bad you're not old enough." "What about that one?" Summer pointed to the chairs hanging by ropes on a merry-go-round. "You're not old enough for a swinger either." Summer pouted. "Then, what's allowed for me?" Louis pointed his finger. "The cars over there. You can choose any car you like." "Can we ride that together?" Louis pursed his lips. "I think so." Summer's eyes lit up again. "Then, let's go there!" Summer walked beside Louis. The other children were still watching her. Realizing that, Summer smiled proudly. But then, the curve of her lips shrank. All the children she saw were holding hands with their respective parents. She was the only one who was walking without being held. While furrowing her eyebrows, Summer glanced at Louis' hand. Their distance was close enough for her to reach it. "Does Unc
"Oh no!" Louis shouted in his heart. His breath grew shorter and shorter. "What should I tell Sky? Should I admit that I neglected to look after her daughter? But there's no way I can say that Summer is missing because of my carelessness!" While staring at his phone, Louis considered. His thumbs went up and down, following his hesitation. Even though his phone stopped vibrating, he still hadn't made a decision. His body kept freezing until finally, he blinked. "Since when did I become such a coward?" With a sigh, Louis broke his stiffness. "I am Louis Harper. I never neglect my responsibilities. I promised Sky to look after Summer. That means I have to ensure her safety and security." After keeping his phone in his pocket, Louis straightened up his back. He took a deep breath, trying to clear his mind. "How can I find Summer now? Should I make a report and reveal my identity? If so, it would be useless for me to paint my face like this." Suddenly, Louis gasped. He rem
"Let's forget about Grace. Today, I am your father, and you are my daughter. Let's do fun things together," Louis sounded convincing. "Like making cotton candy together? Eating ice cream? And walking hand in hand?" Summer's eyebrows lifted in hope. Louis smiled sweetly and nodded. "Yes. Let's do what a father and daughter usually do." Laughter finally escaped Summer. Her face looked cheerful even though tears were still pooling on her eyes. "That sounds fun, Uncle Louis! If only we had done it since morning, this would have been the most memorable and fun day of my life." Summer jumped a little while giving two thumbs up. Louis could only smile sadly. "I'm sorry I failed to make today the best day for you." "It doesn't matter, Uncle Louis. We still have one night. Let's spend it together! Let's have fun! When we get home, we'll brush our teeth and wash our faces together. After changing clothes, you can read me a book. Then, we can talk until we fall asleep! We hav
"Okay, do whatever you want to pose like. I'll give you three chances," Louis said indifferently. "Does it mean I can use the first pose?" Summer's eyes were perfectly round. Right after Louis nodded, Summer cheered happily. She pinched her chin again, smiling sweetly at the camera. "Come on, Uncle Louis. Take a picture! We'll be at the top soon." Louis did what she said. After the first picture was taken, Summer suddenly stood up on the chair and put her arms around Louis' neck. "Hey? What are you doing?" Louis leaned away a little. However, Summer had already stuck to his shoulder. "Posing. Is this not okay? Are you afraid Grace will be angry again? But you promised to be my father tonight. A father and daughter usually pose like this when taking pictures," Summer said with knitted eyebrows. She was worried that Louis would change his mind again. Seeing the wrinkled face, Louis sighed in resignation. "It's not like that. I was just surprised because you suddenly
Looking at Summer's tired face, Louis smiled wryly. He whispered, "Summer, we've arrived. Wake up." Louis kept his promise. He patted her shoulder several times. However, the little girl still didn't wake up. "Summer?" Louis shook her arm. Instead of opening her eyes, Summer's hand fell down. The stuffed tiger had now completely slipped out of her embrace. "Don't you want to spend time with me anymore? You won't be here tomorrow," Louis asked, testing. Still, Summer didn't answer. Louis sighed in resignation. He could imagine how angry and disappointed the toddler would be when she woke up the next morning. "Please don't hate me, Summer. I tried to wake you up, but you didn't want to wake up. Maybe we weren't meant to play together any longer." In silence, Louis looked at Summer's little face. For some reason, sadness arose in his heart. "And please don't miss me too much. Your mother will be confused about how to entertain you, and so will I. We can't be close
"Sir, didn't you know? A child's eye color can be different from their parents' eye color," Summer replied while nodding cutely.Kendrick froze again. "Where did that myth come from?""That's not a myth, but a fact! There are many cases where a child's eye color is a combination of the eye colors of both parents. Green and blue can produce gray. All three lack pigment.""But I'm not your father! Why do you keep insisting on your ridiculous idea?" Kendrick was getting more and more annoyed."Why don't you admit it?" Summer replied, not wanting to lose. "Are you afraid that I'll sue you?"Kendrick's brows furrowed deeper. "You want to sue me? On what basis?"Summer pursed her lips. Her eyelids drooped slightly. "If you're really my father, that means you have to give Mommy a lot of money.""What money?" Kendrick's voice suddenly became shri
Summer sighed tiredly. Her shoulders dropped, her lips pursed. "I'm not making excuses. What I said is true. Just try walking with your eyes closed and your hands tied. You'll definitely be slow. Let alone me!"The toddler pressed her chest with her tied hands. "I'm only four years old. I'm still small. My steps are also small. If you're tall, your legs are almost three times longer than mine. If you're short, maybe only twice as long. But no matter how short you are, your steps are definitely bigger. I have to take three steps to match one step of yours.""Shut up!"Summer flinched again. Grimacing, she scratched her ears with the back of her hands."Sir, can't you speak more softly? It's already night. Time to sleep. It's rude if you keep making noise. It can disturb others living around here. Oh, by the way, is Mommy awake? How long will the drug last?"While the guy behind he
Seeing her mother's panic, Summer stopped peeking from behind the wall. She revealed herself, asking, "Mommy, what's wrong?"While shifting the couch to block the door, Sky shouted, "The bad guys are coming, Honey. Get in your room and lock the door. Call the emergency number!"Suddenly, a thud was heard. The door vibrated, pushed by something big. Worried that the lock would be broken, Sky held it with all her might. "Honey, hurry up!"Summer blinked in confusion. Instead of obeying, she climbed onto the couch and helped her mother to hold the door with her tiny hands. "What about Mommy?""Mommy will be fine. Call for help now!"Suddenly, a thud came from the window. Someone was apparently pounding the shatterproof glass with a gun.Knowing that time was running out, Sky shouted again, "Honey!"Summer finally ran away. She went into her
"You created the abyss yourself, Kendrick!" Louis replied firmly. "Don't blame me for what has happened to you. Once again you disturb me and my family, I will make you stay at the bottom of the abyss forever."Kendrick laughed evilly. "You're still arrogant, apparently. Alright. I accept your challenge. Let's see who reaches the bottom first. Me or that little girl?"Louis' eyes immediately widened. Red lines began to circle his pupils."This is our business. Why did you involve another person? She's innocent! She has nothing to do with this matter!"Hearing Louis' anger, Kendrick's laughter grew louder. "Isn't she the root of our problems? If she hadn't ruined your proposal, the truth wouldn't have been revealed. We're still friends and I would still live in peace.""We were never friends! I never have a friend as cruel as you!""Yes, you're right. I am ind
Omega came out of his tent. "There's nothing here.""What about the stuff?" Louis inquired with a serious expression."It's safe. I didn't bring any important stuff here. It's all in the car."Alice, who had just finished checking her tent, reported the same thing. "I don't think it was a robbery. Nothing was missing."Edmund's brows were furrowed even more. "Then what was he after? Did he leave any clues?" He entered the tent, checking among Summer's belongings.From the tent door, Louis' eyes fell on a small piece of paper that had been crumpled into a ball. He picked it up. Turned out, it was an ATM receipt for a withdrawal balance. The final amount was quite large."It seems like someone got paid for this task," he concluded with a serious expression.Alice gasped and covered her mouth. "You mean someone wants to hurt Summer? For what
Edmund's face turned sullen again. He wondered why his granddaughter had fallen for Louis so easily. In fact, he thought Freddy was more charming.As a result, he didn't talk much for the rest of the night. Even when they returned to the camping area, he just took Alice into the tent. He was disappointed because, up until that moment, Freddy still hadn't managed to attract Summer's attention."What else should I do? How can I make Sky and Summer like Freddy more?" he thought as he stretched out his sleeping bag.While Edmund was seriously contemplating, suddenly, Summer's scream was heard. As fast as lightning, he and Alice crawled out.Sky immediately let go of the chair she was setting up. She ran to Summer's tent too, followed by Louis and Freddy."Honey, what's wrong?" Sky asked spontaneously from the tent door.It turned out that Summer had been standing
"In two months, it will be autumn here. The air is too cold for Summer and Sky to wear beautiful dresses. They'll freeze. Besides, they prefer to be warm," Freddy stated.Louis' face turned stiff. "Do you think I will let them get cold? I can build a building with glass walls and a roof with a heating system. They can still dance in cool clothes while watching the aurora with me."Hearing the argument, Summer frowned. "I don't think you need to do that, Uncle Louis. That building must be very expensive. You'd be better off saving the money for something more useful. Besides ...."Summer moved to Sky's lap. "Mommy and I don't mind dancing outside. We can wear coats over our pretty dresses. We'll stay warm and still look stunning. Isn't that right, Mommy?"Sky smiled a little. She was proud of her daughter. "That's right, Honey. You're beautiful no matter what you wear.""Mommy too
Louis spontaneously laughed. He was amused to see how expressive his daughter was. However, realizing Edmund's cynical glance, he closed his mouth again and listened."After many efforts, Mommy decided to use a rope. I was in charge of holding it from above while Mommy tied the other end to the baby elephant's body. It was an important task because the rope must not fall. If it got wet, it would become slippery. It would be difficult for Mommy and I to pull it.""Your mom wasn't strong enough to push the baby elephant out of the hole. Wouldn't it be harder if you guys pulled it from above?" Freddy's voice suddenly caught all their attention. It was Louis' turn to have a sour expression."We weren't strong enough at first. I had used all my strength, though. The veins in my hands were sticking out."The toddler looked down, pointing to where the veins she meant. After a brief silence, she raised her h
"Summer," Freddy called loudly.The toddler, who was already a little ahead, turned around. "What's wrong, Uncle Fred?""Didn't you say you wanted to listen to the story of my adventure? How about I tell you about it now?"Summer glanced at Louis. Hesitation dimmed the light in her eyes. "Uncle Louis, do you mind?"Louis shook his head slightly. "Just do what you like, Summer.""Okay. Let's talk again later. Okay, Uncle?"Louis nodded. After that, he switched positions with Freddy. The path was narrow. There was no way he could force himself to walk side by side with Summer and the adventurer."Hey, what were you guys talking about?" Louis whispered when Sky arrived at his side.Sky took a deep breath, "He said he was jealous of you. He doesn't like seeing you close to Summer and me."Louis snorte