Seeing Isabella's reaction, Isaiah was slightly surprised. He walked over to chat with her."What did Jojo talk to you about?" Isaiah asked."He invited me to watch a fireworks show, but we'll still be in Jiverton with Daddy Joshua at that time. So, I rejected him," Isabella replied straightforwardly as she looked at the hairpins in her box, contemplating which one to choose.A bit puzzled, Isaiah inquired, "Isn't Jojo your favorite playmate?""I can play with Jojo when we come back. But this is the first time we're going to Jiverton to visit Daddy Joshua," Isabella replied logically.Isaiah simply acknowledged her response, not delving further. Sometimes, he was unsure if Isabella enjoyed being with Joshua because he treated her well or because she thought he was handsome."By the way, Isaiah," Isabella called out, suddenly remembering the elementary school discussion. Isaiah looked at her and asked, "What's up?""Which elementary school do you want to go to? Jojo asked if I
"If you're still worried, we can go to Jiverton in a couple of days to check on them. Travel is convenient now, and it'll only take half a day to get there," Matthew reassured Cynthia, understanding her concerns."No need. Let them enjoy their trip," Cynthia replied as if she had suddenly changed her mind. Early the next morning, Joshua arrived. His arrival time surprised Cynthia and Matthew since, based on the expected schedule, he should not have been there yet."I got here around ten last night. I didn't come earlier because it was too late," Joshua explained as if he knew they were wondering. "Have a seat," Matthew offered.Joshua complied with a nod. When Isabella heard his voice, she dashed downstairs and hugged him tightly, calling him, "Daddy Joshua!"Sitting on the couch, Matthew playfully teased his daughter, "So, you really like Daddy Joshua this much?"Isabella giggled and replied, "Yes!""How much do you like him?" Matthew raised an eyebrow."I like him a lot,
Isaiah nodded, a silent promise between the father and son. Matthew ruffled his hair.Isaiah initially thought about resisting, but he stopped just as he was about to lift his hand. He knew he would feel guilty if he did not let Matthew ruffle his hair since Joshua, Matthew's love rival, was here to take them away for the winter break.If Matthew knew what he was thinking, he would likely turn it into a daily ritual, making Isaiah offer his head to be ruffled.Cynthia and Matthew exchanged glances and headed home after seeing the twins and Joshua off at the airport. Over the next few days, Isaiah and Isabella stayed at Joshua's place. On the day they arrived, Joshua introduced them to the Neal family, and everyone instantly liked the handsome and well-behaved little darlings.Considering that he had to take the two children out to play, Joshua stayed at the Old Neal Manor for just one day before taking them out again.The following afternoon, as he watched Isabella thoroughly
Fresh from her bath and dressed in clean clothes, Isabella looked at Renee with wide, innocent eyes and asked, "Auntie Renee, do you like Daddy Joshua?"Her expression softened as she chuckled slightly. She playfully touched Isabella's nose and replied, "You're just a little kid. Do you even know what 'like' means?"Isabella answered earnestly, her adorable features displaying her childlike wisdom, "I do. My mommy and daddy got together because they liked each other. You like Daddy Joshua, right?"Careful not to reveal her true feelings, Renee stated, "I used to like him, but not anymore."Isabella tilted her head curiously and inquired, "Why don't you like him anymore?" "Because he doesn't like me and even rejected me," Renee replied, speaking candidly without knowing if the child fully understood.Isabella shrugged it off with an innocent smile, praising Renee, "It's okay. If someone doesn't want you, you'll find someone even better next. You're so pretty, Auntie Renee. It's h
After Isabella finished speaking, she seemed to recall something. Her eyes welled up with tears, and she asked, "Daddy Joshua, has your heart... stopped racing?"Joshua remained silent, contemplating his response.Isaiah, who had been silently observing them from a corner of the room, could no longer stay quiet. He set aside his book and walked over. "Uncle Joshua meant that 'heart racing' is an emotional feeling, not a physical one. You won't understand this now, but it will become clear one day when you know how to solve equations."Isabella looked puzzled. "What are equations? Are they difficult to solve?"Isaiah replied calmly, "It varies from person to person."Isabella asked innocently, "If I can't solve them, can I use scissors?"Isaiah responded, "You'll understand when the time comes."Isabella simply replied, "Oh, okay.""It's getting late. You should go back to your room and sleep," Isaiah urged her, not wanting her to discuss matters of feelings with Joshua. "We hav
Snap!A sharp sound cut through the air as the man struck the young boy's body. The boy lowered his head; his forehead was sweaty from the punishment, and a bright red handprint marred his cheek.Isabella was drawn to the commotion, and she could not see the boy's face from her angle. However, she saw the man continue to strike the boy repeatedly."Stop it!" Isabella rushed over.Joshua and Isaiah followed her voice and found her approaching the middle-aged man and the boy.Isabella shielded the boy behind her, lifted her small head, and addressed the middle-aged man, "Uncle, if you keep hitting him, he'll get hurt.""What's it to you?" The middle-aged man, Albert Brooks, remained unkind and yelled, "Who do you think you are, little brat? Get lost!" "Who are you telling to get lost?" Joshua's cold and commanding voice suddenly sounded, exuding a strong sense of pressure."I'm telling..." When he saw Joshua's face, he stopped abruptly and changed his tone, saying, "M-Mr. Neal..
"Take him to the hospital," Joshua told Albert."Those are only minor injuries. A couple of days' rest will do," Albert, anxious about potential complications, said with a hint of unease.Joshua remained silent, his gaze fixed on Albert, who was beginning to sweat nervously."Thank you for your concern. I'm fine, and there's no need to go to the hospital," Luther spoke again, his expression devoid of emotion. With that, he turned and walked toward his home.Isabella called out, "Hey!"Luther did not turn back, leaving her with his distant and indifferent back.Albert breathed a sigh of relief, offering a forced smile as he told Joshua, "You see, he doesn't want to go. I can't force him as his dad.""Daddy Joshua..." Isabella was obviously worried."Mr. Neal, I'll head home now," Albert said before quickly disappearing from their view.Isabella did not fully grasp the complexities of adult matters, but her persistence led her to ask, "Daddy Joshua, are we really not taking th
Someone knocked on their door."Go answer the door," Albert said, suppressing his anger.Luther obediently left the table, opened the door, and hesitated when he saw Isabella outside, smiling broadly.Isabella grinned, radiating a big smile. "Hello, may I come in?""No," Luther replied, suppressing his emotions and promptly closing the door.Isabella was confused but continued knocking on the door.However, Luther paid no further attention to her and returned to the table. He knew exactly what would happen if he invited Isabella into their home. Albert would act courteously while they had guests, but Luther would face his tirades and beatings as soon as they left."You just want to make me a fool, don't you? Should I call the police to arrest me?!"Luther knew Isabella could help her now, but not for a lifetime."Who is it?" Albert asked."The girl from earlier and that man," Luther replied truthfully, leaving the choice to him.Upon hearing this, Albert immediately got up