Trouble in Paradise

Nicholas's sudden appearance shattered the delicate hint of romance that had formed between Pete and me.

Once the moment dissolved in the air, it was impossible to restore. Some topics were no longer suitable for a second discussion.

He dropped me off at the Jones residence. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "Aren't you going to invite me in for a bit?"

"I just got back too. No one has lived here for a long time, so I'm not sure how Wendy has arranged to clean up the place. Can we do it another day?"

I reached across the wide center console to take his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. When I released it, Pete smiled helplessly.

He grabbed my hand again, looking at me with a smile. "You still treat me like a child."

He leaned closer, propping his hand above my head while holding my hand against his cheek. His deep voice enveloped me as he asked, "How much do I still look like I did as a kid?" His palm was warm and soft, and I couldn't help but look up at him.

Pete had indeed changed a lot. I never imagined that one day I would be cared for by Pete. I used to hope not to be bullied when we were kids.

I teased him on purpose, "You look just like you did as a kid!"

Pete let out a sigh. Reluctantly, he let me out of the car, and I watched him turn around at the intersection and head back toward the Shelman residence.

I believed that the Shelman residence would be brightly lit tonight.

Wendy was sitting in the living room with Tabitha, watching cartoons. When she saw me return, she patted Tabitha's little butt and exclaimed, "Look who's back! It's Mommy!"

I casually set my bag aside and squatted down with open arms. "Tabitha, did you miss Mommy?"

Tabitha stared at the TV screen and mumbled slowly, "M-Mommy." Her pretty face showed no emotion.

I clenched my fists tightly, gritting my teeth to swallow my tears. I stood up and turned to Wendy. "What cartoon is this? Does Tabitha like it?"

The doctor said watching cartoons

could help Tabitha become more aware of the outside world and

develop her focus. So, I specifically asked Wendy to select a few shows that she reacted positively to

Swno

Wendy shook her head silently. Her gaze clearly said that Tabitha wasn't really watching the show. She was just staring blankly at the direction of the TV. She picked up and set down her dolls over and over again,

ring them in a circle around

her.

She seemed lost in her own world, pondering something unknown.

I sighed and put on a smile again as I crouched down in front of Tabitha. "Tabitha, Mommy is going to take you for a bath and it's bedtime."

Tabitha slowly nodded her little head. "M-Mommy."

I pinched her little chin. "When you talk, you need to look at Mommy, okay? When you talk to anyone, you should look at them. That's how a good baby behaves." "Tabitha, this is where Mommy lived when she was little. Do you like it here?"

Tabitha cutely repeated, "You.. Like... Here..."

"Wendy said you were very good today. Can you tell Mommy what you did today?"

"What... You... Did..."

After coaxing Tabitha to sleep, the night had grown deep. I sat tiredly in the living room, letting the darkness engulf me.

While bathing Tabitha earlier, I asked her if she wanted a daddy, and she surprisingly didn't repeat what I said. "Pete, daddy! Pete, daddy!"

I initially thought she wanted Pete to

be her dad. But later, when I asked Wendy, I tearned that she had been shouting "Daddy" while spinning around in excitement after seeing

the news about my banov

Tabitha was beautiful, but I couldn't take much credit for it. Her two dark, shiny eyes were a perfect replica of Nicholas'.

Just as I was lost in thought, a sudden knock at the door startled me. I thought it was Pete returning. After all, our families lived so close to each other.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

But when I opened the door, a dark figure loomed before me, startling me so much that my heart skipped a beat.