Meredith sighed relievingly and nodded. "Yeah. Old Madam Shelby is the one who treats me the best among the people in Shelby family. That's why I want to spend more time with her while I still can.""So…" She paused, and asked, "let's bring Nia to the old residence to have a new year's dinner with her, shall we?"She continued before Charlie could respond, "You stay at home first. I'll go to fetch Nia now."Yet, Charlie remained silent. Meredith took it as he had acquiesced to the plan. She then patted his hand while holding it, stood up, and walked to the door.When Meredith arrived at Nia's school, she saw Josiah unexpectedly."Why are you here?" Meredith looked puzzledly at him and said, "I didn't ask you to pick up Nia today, did I?"Josiah smiled helplessly. "Do you notice that every time we meet, your first sentence will be 'why you are here'?""Yeah, so why are you here?""I'm here to talk out my work with the school manager. Does this sounds reasonable to you?""Just
"Daddy happened to come here for his work, so surely he'll go back on his own."Meredith pulled Nia's little hand back from Josiah's grip. "Nia, let's go.""Goodbye, Daddy." Nia waved at Josiah.Josiah was initially looking at Charlie in the car, but when he heard Nia saying goodbye to him, he hung his head low and smiled at her. "Okay, see you, Nia."When Meredith led Nia into the car, Josiah looked at Charlie again.Although he seemed calm, his smile gave people a strange and insincere feeling.Perhaps he had never gotten through the loss of his ability to walk on his feet.After watching them leave, Josiah turned around and returned to his car."When did Charlie arrive?" he asked Walter."About five minutes ago," said Walter.It seemed to Josiah that Charlie and Meredith did not come together.Meredith was also very curious when she saw Charlie, so she asked, "Charlie, didn't you say you wouldn't come with me to pick up Nia? What changed your mind?"Charlie replied calml
Old Madam Shelby patted Mrs. Larson's shoulder to reassure her. "Alright, enough. Don't let Charlie see you like this, or else he will be even more upset."Mrs. Larson sniffed and said, "Mrs. Shelby, I need to calm myself down in the room..."The old lady composed herself, and walked to the door. "Charlie, Edith, Nia, you all are here finally. I am so worried that you will not come."Nia was sensible enough as she was helping Charlie to get out of the car with Meredith. She raised her head and said hello to Old Madam Shelby, "Great Grandma, I came with Papa Charlie!""Oh, Nia has always been a good kid." Old Madam Shelby caressed Nia's hair, then took Charlie's hands, and said, "Charlie, how have you been doing recently? You haven't come to have dinner with me for so long. I think I'll not be used to seeing you if you don't come today."Charlie smiled at her, "Thank you, Grandma. It's good to have Edith to take care of me.""Really? That's good." Old Madam Shelby went to shake Mer
"It's okay, let me do it." Penny came over immediately to clean up."Oh, so sorry to trouble you, Penny." Meredith then held Nia's hands and said, "It's fine, honey. Now you know you should be careful when you're holding a glass, right?""I know." Nia apologized apologetically to Old Madam Shelby, "Great Grandma, I-I didn't do it on purpose.""It's okay. Everyone slips their hands every now and then." Old Madam Shelby did not mind at all."Grandma, I'll take Nia upstairs to change clothes first," Meredith said."Sure, darling."Meredith led Nia upstairs afterward.Old Madam Shelby noticed that Charlie was staring at the back of Meredith and Nia as they walked up to the second floor. She smiled at him and said, "Meredith has always been very sensible and well-behaved, and it is a blessing that you got to marry her…"Mrs. Larson nodded to agree with Old Madam Shelby but deep down she was filled with indignation. "Mrs. Shelby has a pair of discerning eyes."Old Madam Shelby then
"Wait, what did the bastard mean? He doesn't have the nerves to come home or he wants us to sit and wait until he gets home?""The traffic is usually at its peak at this hour, I suppose he is still stuck in a jam," Charlie's mother replied."Let me go make a call to Sir." Penny then went to get the phone.When the call was answered, the expression on Penny's face started to change before she could even say a word. After a while, she stuttered, "What…what…what did you say? Sir…he was in an accident?"Even though Penny was stuttering, everyone heard her loud and clear.Josiah had a car accident!Meredith who was walking down the stairs with Nia heard the news. She froze in her steps, nearly tripping over the staircase.With one hand holding Nia, Meredith quickly put the other hand on the railing.It was inappropriate for her to rush to the phone to ask the person on the call whether it was true that Josiah was in a crash, nor could she show that she was too worried. All she could
Meredith hurriedly added, "Grandma, don't take it to heart about what Charlie said. I'm sure Josiah will be fine."Josiah's grandmother nodded but she grabbed Meredith's hands and said, "Edith, I understand what you guys are trying to say but I still want to go see him. Would you please come to the hospital with me?""Grandma…""Stop. I will not change my mind." Josiah's grandmother started crying.At the sight of her tears, Meredith nodded. "Okay, I will go with you."Was Meredith reluctant to go deep down?No. She did want to go visit Josiah.Even though Josiah and she were already divorced and Josiah did let her down many times, he was after all Nia's father and he had been of great help to her lately.She was a human with feelings after all. Right now, Meredith prayed that Josiah would be okay and she too wanted to check on him.Meredith looked at Nia, wanting to explain the situation to her when she realized that Nia was staring at her with tears welling up in her eyes.
"Yeah, you're right that we are cousins. But we didn't grow up together nor were we ever in touch," Charlie smiled and went on, "and this is why when I got into the accident back then, Josiah didn't even blink an eye, and neither did he once visit me.""Oh wait, he did, just that one time. I remember he came when you were around." Charlie paused then added, "We'll go see him once he is moved out from the ICU."Meredith was rendered speechless.Charlie was right that Josiah did not go to see him right away after he got into the accident. And it was because of this that Meredith suspected that it was Josiah who was behind the accident.But Josiah did ask about Charlie's condition. He just thought that it was inconvenient for him to visit Charlie."Edith, do you want to eat something?" Charlie asked.Meredith replied, "It's alright. I'll go upstairs to check on Nia.""Okay. I hope she'll feel better soon." Charlie then put away the dessert.Meredith walked upstairs.Nia was cryin
There was a flicker across his face. He then called out to her, "Edith.""Hmm?" Meredith came back to her senses and put her phone back into her pocket. "What's wrong?"Charlie replied gently, "Dinner is ready. Let's eat first.""I don't think that it's a good idea," Meredith pointed toward the door and said, "Grandma and your mom are not back yet.""Don't worry. Josiah is admitted to Crest Care Hospital. I'm sure they'll be taken good care of and dinner will be prepared for them." Charlie patted Nia's head and said, "Besides, it's already getting late. Nia and you must be hungry."Meredith did not feel hungry at all. She did not even have the appetite to eat because she was too worried.But she was worried that Charlie was hungry, so she listened to him and started setting the table.The dining table used to be lively but it was just the three of them tonight.After putting some food on Nia's plate, Meredith started eating without tasting or enjoying the food.Charlie placed
Back in the bedroom on the second floor, Liam pulled Ivy into the bathroom to take a bath together.Ivy allowed him to take off her clothes and pulled her to stand under the water.Liam helped her take a bath and asked, "How is it? Is everything okay?""It's not bad." Ivy said, "I didn't expect your parents to welcome me so warmly."Liam looked at her proudly, with the water still flowing down from his head. "Of course! You should thank the guy that has good taste. How can they dislike a girl of my choosing?"Ivy smiled and said, "Okay, previously...""Don't mention the previous things, let them pass." Liam interrupted her.Ivy was stunned for a moment, then nodded. "Okay, it's all over.""Yes. From now on, there is only happiness." Liam lowered his head and whispered in her ear, and kissed her lips……Meredith and Josiah listened in shock to Liam and Ivy's story, while watching the three children chasing and making trouble outside the floor-to-ceiling window.They were all
Ivy raised her hand and touched the top of Siena's hair. "God treated me well, and gave me back my daughter, and also gave me the child's father.""No, you're wrong." Liam smiled and said, "God treated me well and sent the child and the child's mother back to my arms.""Oh, spare me." Madam Sheldon shook her head unbearably.Madam Sheldon finally believed that Siena was her own granddaughter.She excitedly hugged Siena into her arms, and she burst into tears with joy. "Great, our Sheldon family finally has a granddaughter! Great!""Grandma, you like Siena, right?" Siena asked sweetly."Nonsense! Of course, Grandma likes Siena. Grandma has always dreamed about a little grandson or a little granddaughter." Madam Sheldon choked as she said.Liam and Ivy looked at each other and smiled.After hugging Siena excitedly for a while, Madam Sheldon released her, and looked at her again. "Now that you mentioned it, she looks a lot like Liam. Look at her nose, her ears...right? Am I righ
"You even helped me get dressed before you left!" Liam pinched her chin. "Ivy, aren't you embarrassed saying these things?""You asked me.""...""If I didn't help you get dressed, you might be so stupid that you don't even know that you slept with someone, right?""Ivy!" Liam gritted his teeth. "You stole my seed, and you dare to laugh at me for being stupid?""Isn't it stupid?" Ivy was not afraid of him. She raised an eyebrow at him deliberately. "Liam, think about it. Were you being stupid that night?"Liam was silent.Yes, he was really stupid.He was so stupid that he was too embarrassed to admit it. He did not even have the face to mention it in front of Josiah.Looking at the woman in front of him, he wanted to laugh and be mad at the same time.He did not want to say anything. He just wanted to use actions to prove how angry he was, how excited, happy, and...Countless emotions were intertwined in his body, causing him to bow his head and kiss her lips fiercely.Ivy
"Okay, I'm sorry." Ivy got up and walked around in front of him, sitting on his lap and hugging his neck with a smile. "Do I need to make up for you as well? Say sorry to you?""Yes, of course.""I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I was wrong. I shouldn't have kept it from you for so long. I shouldn't have kept the news about Siena's from you until now, okay?""Do you think I'll let you off with just that?" Liam was not satisfied."Then what do you want?""The rest will be paid in the evening.""Okay, double compensation," Ivy responded generously.Hearing her say that, Liam was extremely satisfied.He did not mind his daughter's presence at all. He instructed her, "Siena, turn around, I'm going to kiss Mommy.""Why can't I see you kiss Mommy?" Siena was puzzled."Because your Mommy will be shy.""Oh, okay then." Siena turned around wisely."I'm not shy, it's you who is shy." Ivy held Liam's handsome face and kissed him on the lips.Liam was moved for a second, and when he tried to dee
The adoptive parents expressed their understanding. They waved their hands and said, "It's alright. If it were me, I'd be crying happy tears too.""Anyway, thank you very much," Liam said."Mister Liam, you don't have to be so polite. Otherwise, we will be even more embarrassed," the adoptive father said.The adoptive mother held Siena, who seemed a little lost. She pulled Siena in front of Ivy and said softly, "Siena, I'm sorry, Mommy never told you that Ivy is your biological mommy."Siena looked at her in shock. "Really? Is Mommy Ivy my biological mother? Did she give birth to me?""Yes. Mommy wouldn't just pass you to a random stranger, right?" The adoptive mother smiled and said, "Siena, you will be able to spend time with your biological mommy in the future. Isn't that great?"Siena nodded, then stretched out her palm and gently stroked Ivy's face. "Mommy, why are you crying? Don't you want to be my biological mommy?""Siena!" Ivy suddenly pulled Siena into her embrace."
Siena's adoptive parents expressed that they understood. They waved their hands and said, "It's fine. If it were me, we would cry happy tears too." "Anyway, thank you very much," Liam said."Mister Liam, don't say such a thing. If not, we will be even more embarrassed," Siena's adoptive father said.Siena's adoptive mother pulled Siena, who did not know much about what was happening, over to Ivy's side and gently said, "Siena, I'm sorry. I have never told you that Ivy is your real Mommy."Siena looked at her in shock. "Are you serious? Mommy Ivy is my real Mommy? The one that gave birth to me?""Yes, if not, how could I simply give you to any other person?" Siena's adoptive mother said with a smile, "In the future, you will be living with your real Mommy. Are you happy?"Siena nodded before reaching her hand out and touching Ivy's face. "Mommy, why are you crying? Don't you want to be my real Mommy?""Siena!" Ivy suddenly hugged her."Darling, I have been looking for you for s
Siena's adoptive parents looked at each other and smiled.The kitchen was calling them to take their seats.Liam got up and said, "Come, let's eat and talk."Then, he said to Siena, "Siena, go get Daddy and Mommy to eat. They must be hungry."Siena happily brought her adoptive parents to take their seats. The dinner was in the garden. They ate and talked at the same time. The entire process was pleasant.Toward the end, Siena's adoptive mover suddenly got up and walked over to Ivy. She looked at her deeply and said after a while, "Ivy, there is a secret I have been hiding from you for a very long time.""What is it?" Ivy saw how serious she was. She could not help but feel the severity of it."Siena…" Siena's adoptive mother paused for a while before saying, "Siena is the baby that you have been looking for all these years."Ivy was stunned. Liam was stunned too.Ivy was feeling uneasy. Blood was rushing to her head. Shock, delight, surprise, excitement, all of the emotions ga
Ivy heard what Liam said and looked out at the door.When she saw that it was Siena's adoptive parents, she was instantly stunned."They are the guests that you mentioned?""Yes." Liam stood next to her and smiled. He said, "They said they hoped that they could see Siena one more time.""Is that so? That's great." Ivy held Siena's hand and walked out.Outside the door, Siena's adoptive parents were extremely friendly. "Hello! Ivy! Haven't seen you in a while!""Hello." Ivy welcomed them. "Welcome."They looked at Siena behind Ivy. "Hello, Siena. It's been a while."Siena was so anxious she was almost in tears. She said with reddened eyes, "I don't want to go back! I don't want to!"Seeing how Siena was against them, they looked awkward. From there, one could infer how irresponsible they were of their adopted daughter previously.Ivy ruffled Siena's head and said softly in her ears, "Siena, don't be afraid. Your adoptive parents are here to send you off because you're about to
Ivy cleared her throat. She ruffled Siena's head. "Don't listen to your Daddy. How could I be tired? Furthermore, taking care of you is the happiest and proudest thing I have ever done.""Really? Mommy, you really like me that much?""I do."Siena laughed happily."Let's go. We'll head home." Ivy held Siena's hand and they walked under the sycamore tree."Mommy, has Daddy gone back?""Not yet," Ivy said, "Daddy said he wants to give us a surprise.""Oh, that's great. I don't want Daddy to leave us.""Why? Do you like Daddy?""I do." Siena nodded. "Also, with Daddy here, you will be much happier. I like to see you being happy."Ivy saw Siena's face under the sun. She could not help but be moved. Siena was too understanding and caring.She suddenly thought of her own daughter. If she was still around, she would be Siena's age. She wondered whether she was as caring as Siena.At that thought, the smile on her face faded a little."Mommy, look! There are two birds!" Siena sudd