"Summer, you didn't listen either. You kept forcing Louis to accompany you, even though he was busy. You shouldn't bother him like that. That's why you have to go home with me now," Sky said firmly, even though her eyes were teary. Her breath was short, having difficulty suppressing the emotions raging in her chest."No, Mommy. If you want to go home, do it by yourself. I'll only go home if Uncle Louis takes me," Summer put her hands on her hips. Her shoulders also rose and fell to match the rhythm of her lungs.Seeing Summer's determination, Sky didn't know what else to do. She grabbed her wrist, her eyes narrowed."Summer Hills, I don't want to hear any more excuses from you. Like it or not, you have to go home with me. You've caused enough trouble here."Before her mother could drag her away, Summer began to struggle. "This isn't fair, Mommy. I want to be like other kids. I want a daddy too! Please don't separate me from Uncle Louis.""Summer, please! Don't be a naughty kid!" Sky wa
"How long are you going to stay here, Summer?" Sky asked, awkwardly. "Louis has more important things to do. There's no way he'll take care of you all day long."The toddler pouted again. "Mommy, I'm an independent child. I can take care of myself. If you don't believe me, just ask Uncle Louis. Since I arrived here, I've done everything by myself. Washing my face, brushing my teeth, changing clothes. I even prepared my own dinner when I first got here."A second later, Summer straightened her neck. After taking a deep breath, she continued, "Uncle Louis doesn't need to bother taking care of me. He just needs to let me accompany him to work. After his work is done, we can go out to play. That'll be fun."Sky sighed tiredly. She felt that Summer wouldn't listen to her. The only way was to ask for Louis' help. Maybe only he could conquer the toddler."Louis, do you mind if Summer keeps sticking to you?" Sky whispered while playing with her eyebrows. She hoped Louis would understand the co
"Thank you, Uncle Louis. You are so wise! I promise I won't be naughty. I will be a good child as long as we are together!" Summer said lightly."Not only when we are together, Little Human, but forever. Keep being a good child, so your mother doesn't get a headache."Summer chuckled. "Okay, I'll try, but I can't promise. Mommy is sometimes annoying."Beside them, Sky was stunned with her mouth slightly open. A sigh of disbelief escaped her. Not because of Summer's teasing, but because of Louis' decision."Louis," she moved closer to him, "you don't have to grant her wishes. Don't be influenced by her whining. It's just a trick. You don't have to sacrifice your time and energy for her."Summer immediately glanced at Sky with a cynical look. She didn't expect her mother to reveal her charade."Mommy, do you want me to cry again?" she threatened, too sweetly. She didn't look scary at all.Before they could fight again, Louis quickly said, "It's okay, Sky. I don't mind. Just think of it a
Sky and Summer stopped talking. They turned to the man beside them."Louis, Summer is still too short. Do you want to stack books on the seat so she can see the road? Then how will she step on the pedals? Do you want to equip her with a broomstick or mop?"Louis laughed at Sky's words. "No, Summer won't practice using a regular car. We can buy a mini jeep.""A mini jeep?" Summer's eyes were round like a doll's. "Isn't that very expensive, Uncle Louis? I don't think I have enough savings to buy one," she sounded worried."You don't have to pay for it, Little Human. It will be a gift from me," Louis said sincerely."Really?" Summer's voice peaked. Both of her hands clenched happily. "You will buy it for me?""Louis, you don't have to do that. You have sacrificed your time and energy for Summer, not money either," Sky whispered, embarrassed."Mommy, other people's kindness should be appreciated. Uncle Louis might be offended if we refused his gift. So, let's just accept it!"While Sky was
Louis snorted thinly. "You said that only applied if the one feeding was someone we loved? Your mother doesn't love me, Summer," Louis said thinly. He was afraid that his disappointment would come out if his voice was normal. Even though he had tried to forget it, he couldn't deny that it still remained."Mommy loves you, Uncle. Don't you realize it yet? Her eyes sparkle every time she talks about you."Sky's body froze. She didn't expect her daughter to say that."Honey, please don't make things up. I know you want Louis to be your father, but you shouldn't make up stories like that," she whispered even though they were sitting across from each other."I'm not making it up, Mommy. Isn't that the truth? Mommy even put up a poster of Uncle Louis in the bedroom. Every night, Mommy always looks at him."Sky was flabbergasted. The awkwardness was too thick in her lungs. Moreover, Louis' gaze was now full of questions about her. While forcing a laugh, she shook her head in denial."Honey, y
"Why do you think Summer needs to be pitied?" Sky sighed softly. She was worried that her voice had turned hoarse. Emily could read the truth right away. "Has my daughter seemed unhappy all this time?""That's not it, Sky. Even though Summer is a cheerful, independent, and spirited child, deep down, she must miss her father."Sky swallowed bitterly. "How do you know?""Trust me. I've been there before. Louis too. Therefore, Louis will understand if you tell the truth," Emily nodded, reassuringly.Sky blinked hesitantly. She wasn't sure whether she should accept Emily's idea or keep her secret.Meanwhile, Emily understood the meaning of her best friend's expression. Feeling sorry, she lowered her voice. "Sky, calm down. Louis will definitely take responsibility. He won't let the girl he loves and his own flesh and blood suffer.""Me? The girl he loves?" Sky shook her head vaguely. "Please don't make things up, Emily. He doesn't love me. Only Grace Evans is in his heart.""Do you dare to
"She said that you and Summer are like father and daughter," Sky muttered while glancing away.Receiving such an answer, Louis fell silent. After one blink, his head leaned closer to Sky."Then why are your eyes red? Have you been crying?" he asked.Sky flinched. She blinked quickly, hoping her tears would disappear. "No. Why would I cry?""Don't deny it. Your eyes are watery.""It's just because I didn't get enough sleep. My eyes feel sore from the wind," Sky fanned her face."You're in the car, Sky. How could you be exposed to the wind?" Louis replied."Don't you see? Your car window is open. The wind can come in and hit my eyes."Suddenly, Summer's sweet voice interrupted their argument. "Uncle Louis, did you forget about me? Get in the car quickly!"Louis turned his head. Seeing Summer kneeling on her seat with her hands on her hips, his lips curved again."Okay!" He rushed around the car and sat behind the wheel.Seeing Louis start the engine, Sky's eyes widened. "Where are we goi
"Summer!" Sky exclaimed as she stuck her head out the window. "Why did you go there?""I'm going to catch up with the horses, Mommy. Aren't we going to be cowboys after this? We can't lose track of them!" the toddler replied without turning around. Her voice grew softer as the distance between them grew wider."Is that the field where the horses were released?" Sky asked while Louis was parking the car at the side of the lane."I think so.""Then, we have to stop her. It could be bad if she meets a horse. She could get kicked or stepped on!" Sky said anxiously."Yeah, that's what I thought."Louis and Sky got out of the car and ran after her. Instead of stopping, Summer increased her speed. Her mischievous laughter filled the air."Come after me, Mommy, Uncle! If you can catch me, I'll treat you to ice cream!" Summer shouted in a very cute voice.Sky became even more restless. "We don't need your ice cream, Honey. Come here right now! Don't go anywhere else! You could get kicked by the
"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