"Here are all the supplies for tonight's party. Blanket, pillows, books, emergency lamps, binocular, bread for hungry stomach ...." As Sky checked out her luggage, Edmund chuckled amusedly. "You're like you're gonna move, Sky." "I did my best to prepare, Uncle. Tonight has to be the best night ever!" Sky gave a small jump, expressing excitement. Her behavior succeeded in stirring feelings in Edmund's chest. "Uncle, why do you stay still? Come on, help me carry these things. They are heavy." Sky tugged at the edge of the blanket in her tiny grip. Instead of helping, Edmund smiled faintly. He turned around and bent his knees. "Then get on my back. I'll take you to the tent." He patted his shoulder. Sky gaped in disbelief. "You want to carry me around the house? What if you sweat? You'll catch a cold if you shower at night." Edmund frowned. "Not around the house, just towards the tent. Don't you want me to carry you?" "Actually, I was just joking, Uncle. But if you want to carry
Edmund closed the book and put Sky into her sleeping bag. While the toddler was asleep, he lay on his side, supporting his head with one hand. "Thank you for growing into a good and smart kid, Sky. I'm very proud of you." Edmund stroked her hand gently. His smile was faint, his breathing heavy. His eyes never looked away from that cute face for a second. "I'm sorry that we have to separate. Sorry that I haven't had time to give you much. If only I had the chance to make amends, I would definitely be the best father to you." Edmund kissed Sky's hand, then pressed it to his cheek. He thought it could reduce his burden. But it turned out that the pressure in his chest actually increased. "If only I didn't kick you out ...." A single tear fell down Edmund's face. Afraid that Sky's hand would get wet, he quickly wiped his face with his shoulder. Then, without making a sound, he pulled Sky closer. While hugging her, he closed his eyes remembering their very short beautiful moment. Un
"Once again, thank you for everything, Sky. The last few days have been the happiest days of my life," Edmund said in a sad tone. "Me too, Uncle. The last few days have been the most exciting days of my life." With her little legs, Sky stepped closer to Edmund. Looking up, she wore a threatening look. "After you leave, don't ever forget me. I'll be very angry if you do that." Edmund smiled slightly. "What will you do if that happens?" "I will look for you and keep bothering you until you won't remember anything else besides me." Feeling amused, Edmund laughed softly. "Don't laugh, Uncle. I'm serious. I will give you a lesson if you forget me." With a deep sigh, Edmund bent his knees. He reached for her shoulder, smiling. "Calm down, Sky. You are my favorite kid. How could I forget you? I'm actually afraid you'll be the one who forgets me." "That's impossible, Uncle. I have drawn you in my journal, even stuck your photo in there. You've also taught me a lot of things. You're al
"Oh, my child. My beloved child ...." Edmund closed his eyes and kissed Sky's head repeatedly. His hands kept stroking her curly hair. "Remember that I always love you, hmm?" Sky could no longer answer. Her mouth was too full of sadness. Only her head nodded faintly. Her little arms wrapped tightly around Edmund's neck. Rachel quietly looked down and wiped her eyes. It was impossible for her not to cry when she saw the two people part. Even Hunter looked away, afraid of being carried away by his feelings and guilt. When their emotions were back under control, Edmund planted one last kiss on Sky's forehead. After releasing her from his embrace, he approached Alice. "Mrs. Palmer," his voice faltered again. Doubt weighed on his tongue. "May I hug you?" Hunter instantly raised an eyebrow. He glanced at Rachel, curious about the response. "You ... want to hug me?" Rachel asked awkwardly. Tension coated her face. Edmund nodded. "If you don't mind. Just once, for the first and last ti
"You ...." Edmund pointed his finger at Lucas who was lying on the ground. "I've been trying not to hurt you since earlier. I don't want to be rude in front of Rachel and Sky, but you keep testing my patience." While Lucas stared at him angrily, Edmund put his hands on his hips and took a quick breath. "Come to your senses, Mister Palmer. Rachel and Sky love you very much. They don't want to part with you. You should respect them." After a breath, he lowered his tone. "Don't think nonsense because it will only ruin your happiness. Learn from my experience. I have lost the person I love most because of my stupidity. You should not follow in my footsteps. Trust your wife." After lecturing Lucas, Edmund walked over to Sky. He bent his knees, checking her condition. "Are you okay?" he whispered. Sky nodded with a confused face. "Yeah, are you hurt?" Edmund shook his head with a wry smile. "That kind of blow couldn't hurt me. I'm sorry I had to show violence in front of you. Please
Everyone rushed over. Edmund was holding his head with one hand. A small moan escaped his mouth. "Mr. Hills, how are you?" Rachel asked, worried. Edmund grimaced. His eyes blinked slowly. "A little dizzy." "Can you walk?" Hunter took Sky's place, helping Edmund sit up. Unfortunately, Edmund shook his head. With Arai's help, Hunter supported him. Without wasting any more time, they went to the foundation clinic. *** Tiara said that the effects of the anesthetic would wear off soon. However, a few minutes Sky watched Edmund's eyes, they were still closed. "Come on, Uncle Ed. Wake up. Don't make me worry," Sky whispered as she stroked Edmund's pale cheek. Sky had done whatever Rachel usually did whenever she had a fever. She had kissed Edmund's forehead, giving him so many hugs. After praying for the umpteenth time, finally, Edmund began to move. "Oh? Uncle Ed? You're awake?" Sky brought her eyes closer to Edmund's face, observing carefully. When the man opened his eyes, her la
"You got hurt because of Lucas. He should be responsible. Since he couldn't possibly take you there, let us do it," Rachel said carefully.In an instant, Sky's eyes widened like the full moon. "Does it mean we're going to town, Mama?" Rachel nodded. Sky immediately jumped up happily. "Hooray! I still have time with Uncle Ed." A moment later, she hugged the man. "Sorry, Uncle Ed. I'm not happy that your head is leaking. It's just that we have more time to chat." Edmund looked at Sky and Rachel alternately. He hesitated. He had been trying to let them go, but why were the two people reluctant to stay away from him? That way, his defense could collapse. His thoughts could change. If that happenned, bigger problems would come. “I appreciate your good intentions, but—” "Mama, why don't we go home now?" Sky interrupted with a burst of enthusiasm. “We have to watch Uncle Ed for 48 hours, right? I have to add more supplies to my backpack." Seeing the big smile on that little face, Edmun
Rachel gasped. Her eyes widened and her lips trembled. Her breath was even held back. "Honey, why is it so sudden? Can't we postpone it to tonight. Now I have to —" "You prefer him over me?" Lucas raised an eyebrow intimidatingly. Rachel swallowed the unspoken words. While forcing her lungs to work again, she tried to reduce the stiffness. "Of course not." "Then sleep with me. Just once. After that, I will believe that you are indeed a faithful wife." Rachel didn't know what to answer anymore. She was afraid that her worries would be revealed. When Lucas started touching her, she could only bite the inside of her lips. When the man started squeezing, she could only blink and control her expression. "Kiss me," Lucas asked in a voice mixed with moaning. Rachel's breath hitched again. The tension in her nerves was no longer inevitable. All this time, it was Lucas who initiated their kiss. Something always stopped her from starting or welcoming. "You don't want to?" His tone im