"Thank you very much, Honey. Thank you for calling me Papa on my birthday. This is the most beautiful gift I've ever received in my life." Edmund kissed his daughter's head.
Instead of being happy, Sky's eyebrows knitted together. "That's not a gift. That's just a calling. The real gift is in the car. Wait a moment. Let me get it."While Sky ran towards the driver waiting in front of the car, Edmund turned to Alice. The curve of his lips changed meaning."Did you purposely dress up to celebrate my birthday?" He put his arm around her waist.Smiling faintly, Alice nodded. "Is it strange? This is the first time I have worn a dress in my memory."Edmund shook his head. "You are very beautiful. Green is your color. This dress is lucky you chose it, just like me."Alice cupped Edmund's cheek, giving him a gentle stroke. "I'm glad you like my dress. In the future, I will try to please you more often.""You"How is it, Papa? Is the cake delicious?" Sky asked with chocolate stain on her mouth. "Very delicious. Did you make it?" Sky raised both hands even though one of them was still holding the spoon. "Yes! I helped Mrs. Klein pour the raspberries into the mixture. I stirred them too." She made a spinning motion, demonstrating how to do it. "Then I helped Mama arrange the cake layers and the decorations on top. Mrs. Klein said, Papa likes raspberries. So I put a lot of raspberries." Chuckling, Edmund wiped away the chocolate cream that stained his daughter's cheek. "No wonder this cake is so delicious. Next time, how about we make it together?" Sky nodded firmly. "Good idea, Papa. Now, since you have finished eating, how about you start opening those gifts? After that, I'll take out the special gift." "But you haven't finished your cake yet." Sky looked down at her plate. She only ate one bite of the sec
Edmund took out the scrapbook very carefully from the box. After stroking the picture of a character that was very similar to Sky, he checked the first page. A bitter laugh escaped his mouth. The image of a crying baby had torn his heart. The date written there immediately evoked memories. At that time, Edmund had no idea that his little daughter had come into the world. He was still busy grieving and punishing himself in regret. "This is your birth date?" Edmund sighed, hoarsely. Sky nodded. Her lips folded inwards, not knowing what to say. "Let's celebrate your first birthday next year," Edmund promised. "It's not my first birthday, Papa. I'm already five next year." Edmund laughed in pain. "Yes, I know. But it will be your first birthday party with me, the first time I can celebrate your birthday. Sorry for missing four of your birthdays." Sky walked over to Edmund. She gave him a hug, patting his
Seeing the father and daughter hugging each other, Alice took a deep breath. Happiness colored her heart. After closing the door slowly, she turned around. That's when she was startled. Elizabeth had stood up with an expressionless face. "Is Edmund asleep yet?" Alice shook her head stiffly. "He's accompanying Sky to sleep." Elizabeth sighed heavily. "I want to wish him a happy birthday." "Do you want me to call him out?" Alice offered.To her surprise, Elizabeth shook her head. "No, just let him have fun with his daughter. It's his birthday. I have no right to ruin his happiness." Alice was stunned at the answer. After one blink, Elizabeth handed her something. "Please give this to Edmund. I'm already sleepy. Give him my best regards and prayers." Alice accepted the small box with a doubtful expression. "Okay. Thank you, Mom." As Elizabeth turned and walked to her room, Alice l
"Papa Lucas! Canis!" Sky jumped up and down while waving her hands. Recognizing the voice, the German Sepherd dog barked. A second later, it ran like an arrow. "Canis!" Sky greeted her beloved friend with teary eyes. Her mouth kept laughing. When Canis arrived in front of her, she immediately bent her knees to give a warm hug. "Canis! How are you? I really miss you. Did you come alone? Aren't you with anyone else? Felis, Gigi, and Gusi must be jealous of you." Then, while stroking Canis' head, Sky looked at him longingly. "Oh, why are you so skinny? Don't you eat much? Did Uncle Green and Mr. Arai feed you too little? You should ask for more if you don't have enough food. Bark and go circle around the plate. They'll understand." Canis seemed to be listening carefully. His gaze didn't leave Sky for a second. His lolling tongue and rapid breathing conveyed excitement. Seeing that, Sky hugged him again. "Oh, Canis.
"Don't you miss me? Why do you want to hug Canis but don't want to hug me?" Lucas said.Sky widened at the question. She looked back. Doubt filled her lungs. "Papa, can I hug Papa Lucas?" A part of Ed's heart felt relieved hearing that. Didn't it mean Sky understood and cared about his feelings? "Yes, Baby." Sky's smile widened again. "Thank you, Papa." When Sky hugged him, warmth immediately enveloped his heart. Those little hands had often hugged him back then, but why was the impression different now? Her laughter, too, felt tickling and aroused sadness. "I miss you too, Papa Lucas. But Papa Edmund said we would visit you later when you weren't angry anymore. So, I wasn't sad. I patiently waited until you or Uncle Green invited us to the forest house. Every night I always pray. I want to meet Felis, Gigi, and Gusi too. How are they? Are they skinny like Canis?" Lucas' eyes filled with tears when he
"Don't you feel guilty towards Rachel?" Alice raised her forehead. "You said you really loved her, but why did you replace her so easily?" While Lucas froze, Alice lowered her gaze. Her eyes suddenly became droopy and dim. "All this time, I felt guilty towards her. I felt like I had stolen her husband's attention and affection." "No, Alice. Don't feel that way. I—" "So you don't feel bad about her?" Alice interrupted with shaking eyes. Lucas fell silent again. Cold sweat beaded on the back of his neck. "You make me even more afraid of you, Lucas," Alice continued quietly. "Rachel is your legal wife. Even though she is gone, you should still respect her, but why are you chasing me—someone else's wife?" "Rachel died a long time ago. It's been over five years." "Your love is that shallow?" Lucas's denial was again refuted. He turned around for a moment, put his hands
Realizing Sky's fear, Canis walked over to her. He stood near Sky, hoping that the little girl would feel safe again. But when Sky was just stroking him, Lucas shouted, "Canis, let's get out of here." He walked quickly towards the yard. Unexpectedly, the brown-black dog did not follow. Realizing that, Lucas stopped and turned around. "Canis?" Instead of approaching Lucas, the German Sepherd dog sat beside Sky. Seeing that, Alice was flabbergasted, Sky bit her lip, while Lucas sighed in disbelief. "Canis? Seriously? You too?" The man laughed bitterly. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he closed his eyes. His head shook in disapproval. "Even Canis chose to leave me. Why? Why doesn't anyone want to stay with me?" Hearing the muttering, Sky started to pout. She looked at Canis for a moment, then looked up at Alice. As expected, her mother was also at a loss for words. Her face showed pity. "Mama, should I
Sky flickered for a moment. "Let's stick to the plan, Papa. I don't want to postpone any agenda. So later, when we meet Canis again, I'll have a lot to tell." Edmund nodded slightly. After rubbing Sky's cheek, he stood up. "Well then, wash your hands and face again. You just hugged Canis. We don't know when he last bathed and where he's been in the last few days. He could bring a lot of germs." "Okay, Papa." While Sky ran towards the back door, Edmund turned to face his wife. "Are you okay?" Alice took a deep breath and slipped into Edmund's arms. "I feel bad for Lucas. I owe him a lot, but I can't give him anything." "There's nothing we can do, Alice. That's his fate. Let's just pray that he'll be strong and can move on from you quickly. He needs to learn to make peace with himself and reality." Alice nodded in agreement. When their eyes met, Edmund stroked her cheek. "And thank you for staying by my side. I promise, I will always app