Chapter 15
Nancy had been prepared for rejection, so she was taken aback by Carter’s request. She paused for a moment, delight flickering in her eyes: “Sure. Let’s go now.”
At Jensen Villa, Carter looked at the little boy holding a teddy bear by the window. He couldn’t help but feel sympathetic. He’d seen a lot of kids while in the other world.
His own daughter, Harper, had never been deprived of love, so she always looked happy and bright.
Even though the children at the orphanage didn’t have parents, they still had the directors and
week,
caregivers showing them love. Every volunteers would also come to the orphanage to
play with them. Therefore, they, too, were not deprived of love.
None of them looked like this little boy in front of him. His eyes were dull, and he shrunk against the wall timidly as he clutched his teddy bear tightly.
Remnants of fatherly love still lingered in him, and Carter’s eyes softened.
Nancy, too, sounded sad as she introduced him, “His name is Maddox Jensen. He and his parents were in a car accident two years ago. His parents shielded him with their bodies, so he survived.
“However, the trauma of witnessing their deaths devastated him. He’s refused to talk to people or go outside ever since and has been so anxious that he needs constant supervision.”
As she spoke, she opened the door of the villa.
As soon as she entered, Maddox ran over to her. “Mommy!”
However, when he saw Carter beside her, his expression immediately changed to one of terror. Screaming, he darted back to hide inside his tent.
“It’s alright, Maddie. I’m here. Uncle Carter won’t hurt you,” Nancy said gently, crouching
down by the tent.
Carter followed suit and said, “My name is Carter, Maddox. I have so many stories I want to share with you. Would you like to hear them?”
After a while of coaxing, Maddox finally pulled open the tent and poked his head out cautiously. Once he saw the reassurance in their eyes, he reached out and let Nancy hold him.
That night, he finally got to hear his bedtime stories from both his “parents“. It was the first night after the accident that he had slept peacefully.
Carter didn’t immediately agree to marry Nancy He’d only just gotten to know Maddox, after all, so he wanted to make sure he was comfortable with him first. They could talk about marriage when they were sure that Maddox liked him.
Nancy fully understood and supported his decision.
From then on, they would bring Maddox out to the city every so often and spend time with
him.
They went on the Ferris wheels, watching fireworks bloom from the top, and took walks down at the beach, collecting seashells as the sun set.
They visited restaurants and ate their fills at buffets.
In just two months, under their love and care, Maddox began siniling more.
Nancy’s parents were deeply moved by his improvement.
One day, after a family dinner, Nancy’s mother, Elena Williams, sat Carter down on the couch. and took his hand, her eyes rimmed with red. “Thank you so much, Carter, for taking such good care of Maddox.
“He’s suffered so much. I thought he would never get through his trauma, but thanks to he’s smiling again.”
you,
To show her gratitude, Elena took out an emerald necklace that she had owned for a long time and attempted to give it to him.
“No, Mrs. Jensen, I can’t take this.”
“Just take it, Carter. It’s a token of my gratitude.
Nancy came over with Maddox in her arms and patted him on the shoulder. “Just take it, Carter.”
Carter took the necklace and put it on.
Maddox wiggled out of Nancy’s hold and threw himself into Carter’s arms. “Daddy.”
Carter embraced him. The room was enveloped in a warm atmosphere–though it was soon interrupted.
