Camb
Chapter 2
“Daddy!” Harper clung to Carter and gave him the bouquet. “What were you talking about with the delivery man just now?”
Carter looked in the direction the delivery man had walked off to and replied dismissively, ” It’s nothing.
Selene came up to Carter and gave him a gentle kiss on his cheek. She handed him the bouquet and said apologetically, “I’m sorry, Carter. I came back late because I had to take care of something urgent today. Please don’t be upset with me.”
Carter scoffed inwardly.
Something urgent? Wasn’t it because she had to bring Harper to the seaside villa to spend time with Adrian? Well, he could understand. They had two homes now. It was only natural for them to be this busy.
He looked down at the flowers for a while. Then, he said flatly, “Work is important. I won’t get
I upset over something like this. Let’s head inside first.”
As soon as they entered the house, Selene and Harper were momentarily stunned by the sight
before them.
The villa looked rather empty and desolate. Moreover, the things that were missing seemed to. be the gifts Carter had received from them.
Selene had a flustered look on her face. “Carter, why have all the things we’ve given you gone missing?”
Even Harper, who stood beside him, tugged at the hem of his shirt since she was surprised. That’s right, Daddy. Have you thrown away everything?”
Carter let go of Harper’s hand and sat on the couch. “No. I had the delivery man deliver those things to someone who needed those things more.”
After having Harper, Carter became increasingly soft–hearted. Every year, he would pick out several things from home and donate them to the orphanage.
Selene didn’t think much of it after hearing his explanation. She thought that Carter had simply donated those things to the orphanage again.
She let out a small sigh of relief. Then, Selene and Harper sat on either side of him and looked at him endearingly. “It’s a good thing you’ve given those things away. I now have valid reasons to buy new things for you.”
Harper giggled and hugged him tightly. She praised him in a sweetly innocent tone. “Daddy, you’re the best! You’re the kindest daddy in the whole wide world!”
may
Carter wondered If he was kind like she said. Perhaps he was since he was kind enough to give his wife and child away to someone else.
When the hour hand of the clock pointed to six, Selene brought the last dish out of the kitchen and placed it on the dining table. Even though they had hired maids and helpers at home, Selene preferred doing things for Carter herself, including cooking his meals.
Harper held his hand and led him to the dining table. She the chair out for him and
also m
served some food on his plate.
Selene took the other empty seat beside Carter and did the same. “Have some of this, Carter. It’s good for your stomach.”
Harper nodded. “That’s right. You should eat more of this to be healthy, Daddy. You know, a kid from our kindergarten is a picky eater, and they…”
Feeling chatty, Harper started recounting funny anecdotes about the people and her time at her kindergarten.
Sadly, Carter felt like he could hardly taste the food in his mouth. He lifted his gaze and watched Selene, who listened intently to the amusing stories Harper was sharing and gave her remarks now and then.
He couldn’t help but find the situation ironic. Selene and Harper had most likely done the same thing and shared the same stories with Adrian before coming home. He couldn’t understand why they would want to do the same things with him again.
At night, only a small night lamp was left on in the bedroom.
Three people were lying close to each other on the bed. Selene clung to Carter’s arm, and Harper copied her. Both of them wanted to sleep next to him that night.
“Mommy, you’re already old enough. Why do you still need to sleep next to Daddy at night?” Harper asked, trying to sound like an adult.
“What do you mean I’m already old enough? Your daddy is my husband. I have the right to sleep next to him. As for you, you’re already four Why are you still asking to sleep in the same room as him?”
Selene and Harper were bickering. They were about to ask for Carter’s opinion but found that
he had dozed off at some point.
Just then, the phone Selene had left at the side vibrated. The window for a video call popped up.
Selene’s expression hardened when she saw Adrian’s name on the screen. She turned and checked that Carter was still sound asleep. Then she grabbed her phone and went out of the
bedroom.
Harper, who saw everything from the other side, climbed out of the bed and left the room too.
Standing next to the bedroom door, Selene adjusted the volume to the lowest level before pressing the answer button. Adrian’s voice could be heard on her phone the next instant.
“Selene… Harper… What should I do? You guys left just a while ago, but I already started to miss you two. I feel so lonely staying in this big house. Can you two come over and stay with me?”
Selene cast a glance at the door behind her. Then, she patiently coaxed Adrian.
“Don’t be silly. It’s really late now. We’ll come and meet you tomorrow.”
Adrian didn’t want that, of course. His eyes were red. “I know that Mr. Grant will always be the most important person to you in your hearts. I’m not asking for much. I just hope that you two can spare some time for me and give me just a tenth of your affection. Is that too much to ask?”
Harper immediately tugged Selene’s sleeve when she heard Adrian’s choked voice. “Mommy, let’s go. I want to see Uncle Adrian. Let’s go, Mommy! Won’t you take me there, Mommy…”
Selene started to waver as she listened to them pleading desperately and persistently. After a while, she leaned down and put a finger over her mouth.
“We’ll leave quietly, then. Don’t wake your daddy up.”
Inside the room, Carter’s eyes were open. Tears streaked his face and stained the pillow under his head. However, he didn’t wipe his tears off or make a sound. He just lay there silently and listened to Selene’s and Harper’s receding footsteps.
