Renee arrived at Adie's wards with those doubts in her mind. Leia and Abby were in the ward with Adie, but Adie was lying in bed listlessly without interacting with them much. He also seemed more aloof with Abby. Abby tried to hold his hand a few times, but he shook her hand off. "Adie, why are you sad? Just smile—you look the best when you smile. Can you smile?" Abby wasn't upset even though Adie ignored her. She tried to make funny faces at him to make him laugh."I told you I don't want to. You're annoying. Get lost!" Adie looked more unhappy and pushed Abby away. Renee happened to see that scene when she opened the door, and immediately shouted at Adie, "What are you doing, Adie? You're her elder brother!" She walked to Abby and hugged Abby, trying to pacify her. "Are you hurt? It's okay, I'm here now." "No, I'm not." Abby shook her head and whispered, "Adie is just playing. I'm sure he's scared because someone bullied him, that's why he's not smiling." "I'm not scared!"
Adie's expression became pitiful when he heard that, and he shook his head. "No, I'm not. I like you the most, Mommy. You're the best in the world. I won't be mad at you no matter what happens.""Then, why didn't you want to come back? You've always been very sensible, so you should have known that everyone was worried about you, right?" Renee asked in frustration. She didn't mind him being naughty sometimes or having his own opinions, but he shouldn't play around with his life or trouble people who loved him."I didn't come back because I thought that maybe… you didn't want me to!" Adie finally admitted. "I'm sure you love Abby and Daddy more than me, and I'm not that important to you either. You won't be sad even if I'm gone.""What are you talking about, Adie?" Renee asked in surprise, not expecting her open-minded son to be so delicate. "You're my child. Of course, I love you. I would risk my life for you!" The one thing that mattered most to her was her children's safety. Her c
Renee sincerely apologized to Adie, hoping he would give her another chance. "You know, this is my first time being a mom, so I'm quite inexperienced. If you think I'm wrong, you should tell me, and I'll try to rectify it.""Mommy, don't do this..." Adie got scared seeing Renee being so gentle with him. "You're not acting like yourself. It's like you're possessed…" Renee was stunned, and she tried to suppress her urge to grab a feather duster and hit him. She forced a smile onto her face. "What do you mean? It's still me… but gentler. I'm usually very tender but I've got to be strict sometimes so you both will listen to me. Since you don't think that's good, I'll be sweeter to you. What do you think? Is a gentle mommy the kind of mommy you like?" Her whole face was stiff trying to maintain her smile. She hoped she could be the kind of mother Adie wanted."No, Mommy, please act normal. I was wrong to ask for too much—your past self was already good," Adie begged. Renee was never thi
"W-What did you say?" Renee's smile immediately disappeared, and her expression turned fierce. "I'm not sure I heard you. Be clear.""Mommy, you said you wouldn't get mad or hit me." Adie knew Renee was about to lose her temper, and calmly continued, "If you're mad, I'll stop. You can hit me too if you want, you don't have to hold yourself back.""Hey, no. I'm not mad!" Renee touched Adie's head forcefully, almost hurting him. She gritted her teeth and said, "I promised that I wouldn't get mad. I won't break my promise!""Okay!" Adie nodded and started explaining his plan. "Honestly, I'm not happy here in Beach City. I loved the free life we lived on Sun Island. I miss the ocean, the beach, the manta ray I fed, and my mysterious small house… Beach City is so boring, and the kindergarten is so childish. I've already learned the entire elementary school syllabus, and everything is so boring. What's the difference between staying in a classroom every day and going to jail?" Adie had wa
It was not the first time Adie had wanted to return to Sun Island. He had seriously considered the pros and cons of living there, and felt like it wouldn't be too difficult at all. "I can buy the things I want at the market, and if I really miss being around people, I'll come back on a plane. But I don't really like crowds." Although he could get along with people, he preferred being alone. It took so much effort to socialize, and it wasn't even fun at all. He preferred being in a quiet environment doing whatever he wanted to do, which was why he was best friends with Tiffany."Do you want to go back there?" Renee asked hesitantly. Since Adie had considered a lot of things, it was clear that this was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. "It's possible for you to go back there."Adie's eyes lit up. "Really? Are you willing to let me go back to Sun Island?" Adie didn't expect to get Renee's approval at all—in fact, he had been prepared to get beaten up by her."Yeah!" Renee nodded casua
Sadness overwhelmed Renee. Quinton was a dignified and powerful man who hated expressing his emotions. He had been separated from his real family from a young age, and was forced to live in an abusive and oppressive family after that. He had never experienced family warmth, not to mention the charms of love. After he started living with them, he became more optimistic and calm. He had just begun facing his feelings and connecting with other people, but now, they would leave him alone again… The thought of it broke Renee's heart."Nothing's been decided yet. Kids change their minds all the time, so we might not go at all," Renee said casually, trying to lighten the atmosphere."But Adie isn't like that. I'm sure he's thought it through. You don't have to console me, I'm just..." After a pause, Quinton forced a gentle smile onto his face. "I just want to prepare myself. After all, you and the kids are the family I never knew I had. I've gotten used to being around you." Quinton was inf
"You can't think like that." Quinton rested his hands on Renee's shoulders, and said dotingly, "Just let me handle things like this. You have to lead a happy life with Adie and Abby. I'll earn money, get revenge, and revive our family.""I can't let you do everything, that would be selfish. We should do this together!" Renee said agitatedly, her eyes watery. She was too impulsive. She had only thought about her happiness and had forgotten about her responsibilities. To live a good life, she needed to take revenge and rebuild her family."I'm the one at fault here. I brought this up just when you made up your mind to leave, and it feels like I'm guilt-tripping you. Listen to me—just go live on the island with the kids and stay away from all of these conflicts. The further you are from this place, the less affected you'll be by that heartless man!" Quinton regretted bringing up their family honor. He was reluctant to part with her, but he felt like he had broken Renee's wings by forcin
Quinton jerked back, his eyes wide in indignation. "You're being rude. How could you make fun of me like this? Why should I get a girlfriend?""Calm down, Quinton. We're of the same age, but I've got two kids now. Isn't it normal for you to have a girlfriend by now? It's simple biology," Renee said cheekily, trying to persuade him. If Quinton found a lover, he wouldn't be so lonely, and she would feel reassured even if she and the kids decided to move back to Sun Island one day. "Nonsense! I refuse to get married or have children. I have no interest in women," Quinton scoffed. He had never considered such a thing over the years, and the only woman he had ever loved was Joanne. "You're not interested in women?" Renee raised her brows and thought about it, then nodded wisely. "So, you like men."Quinton stared at his sister, speechless. When had he said that? His sister might be the only person alive brave enough to insinuate that the infamous Night Demon liked men. "It's okay—yo