Bad guy! Stinker! She could not see her mom! He was a big liar! Mark got up to change a spot, now sitting opposite Charlotte and coaxing her with patience. “Open your mouth.” Charlotte’s eyes reddened like a poor little bunny. She felt Mark was annoying. Her two little hands slapped indiscriminately, only to hear a clang as the bowl dropped to the floor and broke into pieces. And the hot porridge in the bowl was all spilled onto Mark’s arm, his pants, and shirt. Maria had just cooked the porridge, and it was still steaming. Mark’s arm was fiery red from the burns. Maria was shocked and hurried over. “Here is the towel, Mr. Valentine.” Charlotte knew she was in trouble, her body curled up tightly in the settee’s corner, as she was too afraid of looking at Mark. Mark took the towel, but he did not clean up the spilled porridge on his body. Instead, he picked up Charlotte and moved her to a clean spot. “Are you hurt?” he asked. He was not angry, his voice deep, but gentle.
Maria was struck dumb, not knowing what Mark was doing. A huge German Shepherd was squatting in the living room, baring its teeth and growling. Mark was sitting at the dining table with Charlotte on his lap. Charlotte was in fear, her two hands clenching on Mark’s clothes in front of his chest. Mark then delivered a spoonful of porridge over, and Charlotte opened her mouth and ate. She no longer resisted. Maria was even more dumbfounded. She had asked Mark to coax Charlotte, not to frighten her like this. Mark brought out a big dog instead of talking to Charlotte nicely and coaxing her. Even Maria was frightened at seeing the big dog, let alone Charlotte. But she could understand that; few men knew how to coax children. This method obviously worked well. Charlotte had finished an entire bowl of porridge. Handing the empty bowl to Maria, Mark carried Charlotte back to the room, put her on the bed, and took off her shoes. “Go to sleep.” Charlotte peeked at the dog in t
"Wipe your tears first..." He took out his cell while staring at his cutie.The moment the little girl saw it, she wiped her tears away quick as a flash, sitting still like an obedient little puppy, waiting for him to dial the number.With his gaze fixed on her, Mark dialed the cell, and the line was connected after a few seconds.Before he could react, Charlotte immediately snatched the cell away from him and pressed it to her ear. She yelled in a mild yet aggrieved tone, "Mommy, I miss you so much. When will you bring me home?"The moment Summer heard her cutie's tender and soft voice, she felt as if her heart was lifted in an instant. "Mommy will bring you home soon. Have you taken any meal?" She sounded gentle and affectionate.Initially, when she saw his number on the caller ID, she had wanted to decline the call as she thought of the humiliations she had gone through in the afternoon. Luckily, she did not do that!"I did, Mommy. I had a bowl of mushroom soup..." What Charlo
Charlotte, with her little pink tongue stuck out, was looking at Kaka in curiosity. She then imitated Mark as she called Kaka.Kaka was wagging its tail happily as if it knew she was its young master. It gently bit her clothes, then rolled on the ground with its belly facing upwards.Charlotte giggled as she felt it was funny. She stuck out her little butt and gave Kaka a good pet.Not until she had enough fun did Mark take her back to the room. After setting her on the bed, he laid his willowy body next to her."Can I play with Kaka again tomorrow?" She tilted her head."Can..."Upon hearing his approval, she pushed her luck a little bit further. "But I want to go to the park with Mommy tomorrow, is that okay?"Mark raised his eyebrows and said nothing.Despite being at young age, Charlotte knew how to please others. She leaned over and kissed Mark on the cheek. "Uncle, please?" Her voice was tender and soft.Mark was slightly startled; his heart melted the second he felt the
Fortunately, Charlotte did not have difficulties sleeping on a different bed in a different room. She did not take long to fall into her slumber, likely because she had been worn out by her sobs and the ruckus she raised for the day.Suddenly, Mark's cell emitted a dim blue light, followed by vibration. He bent his arm to pick it up, got up, walked to the French window, and answered the call, "Mom..."He purposely kept his husky voice down as he was afraid that the little one on the bed would wake up from her slumber."Why are you speaking so softly?" Yvette, of course, noticed it.His thin lips moved. "I've just woke up. What makes you call me at this hour?" said the man in a casual tone."Mark, how's your Grandma's recovery lately? I'm thinking of visiting her in Athana," Yvette said."You don't need to go to Athana. She is almost fully recovered and will return to Norwood in a few days."Mark's words took a weight off her mind. "Oh good. I was kept in the dark because I could
The little girl who was drowsy and could not wake up no matter what he tried just now was now energetic. She held a handful of kibbles in each hand and said, "It's meal time, Kaka." Her voice was sweet and tender.Kaka wagged its tail briskly. It was much taller than Charlotte. The ferocious and majestic dog lowered its head while licking her little palms, quietly enjoying the kibbles."Wow, Kaka is awesome!" Charlotte's smiling eyes became crescent like, her rosy cheeks full of excitement. Series of loud clapping sounds were heard as she was brushing her two little hands together.Upon seeing this, Kaka was also excited. It leaped, resting its front paws on Charlotte's shoulders, her tongue licking her small face.The little girl was playful. Maria was left with no choice but to squat in front of her while holding her breakfast plate and patiently fed her.Charlotte did two things—playing with Kaka and having breakfast—simultaneously, without neglecting any.Mark's deep eyes fil
Mark could read all her thoughts on that little face of hers. Her eyes were obviously telling him, 'Hurry up and leave already!''You are not going to work?' Charlotte's heart was a little distressed. She was thinking about complaining to her Mommy and badmouthing him. There was no way she could do that if this Uncle Rascal refused to leave."Uncle, isn't your partner looking for you today?""He is not coming...""Uncle, do you have other things to do?""No...""So you must tag along?""Yes...""Uncle, Mommy and I are girls, and Uncle is a boy. That's very inconvenient.""It's okay...""Oh!" Charlotte's little head drooped with a wilting look. She stopped asking.As for Mark, his handsome countenance turned grave. 'Just how much you wish me to leave. Don't you want my company?'Suddenly, Charlotte's eyes lit up with joy. All her gloominess fled. She happily tapped the car window with both hands and yelled softly, "Mommy! Mommy! I'm here! Here!"Apparently, Summer saw her t
Yvette frowned and looked at her. “Why are you here?”“I have been assigned here by Mr. Valentine.” Maria knew that she was Mark’s mother.“Impossible, Mark disliked having maids!” other than places that required cleaning, Mark was never pleased with anyone else that showed up at his apartment.“I’m not serving Mr. Valentine but Ms. Valentine.”Yvette was baffled by her words. “Who is this Ms. Valentine?”“She is the daughter of Mr. Valentine…”Yvette couldn’t believe her ears. “Whose daughter did you say she is?”“The daughter of Mr. Valentine…” Maria repeated herself.Yvette felt it was ridiculous. When did Mark ever had a daughter!Then, she suddenly remembered Summer. Her heart began to race. Could it be…‘Could it be that Summer gave birth to a daughter?’Yvette’s heartbeat palpitated and suddenly felt her throat dry up. She asked Maria, “How old is the child?”“She’s three years old; a very cute and sensible child.” Maria answered honestly.‘Three years old. When Mar