Perhaps to Summer, it was indeed a battle. Her streak of independence was way ahead of the curve, and she was soaring to greater heights.
If Macy were able to see her, she would be proud.
After Anthony turned off the lights and got into bed, I instinctively curled up to him.
“Marcus said he would only consent to the treatment if I married him.”
“His illness is caused by radiation. Nicolas wanted to use it on me back then, but he secretly replaced me with Nathaniel’s help.”
Although Anthony didn’t ask about my relationship with Marcus, it didn’t mean he wasn’t curious. He was only refraining from asking to avoid putting more pressure on me.
“Immature,” he growled in the dark. Evidently, he was miffed.
Tightening my arms around him, I shifted into a more comfortable position. “I said the same thing to him, but what could I do? Patients are usually irrational.”
Anthony cradled my cheek in his big palm, his thumb stroking it. “Did he anger you?”
“No,” I said lightly. “Only you could elicit such a response from me. If you don’t anger me, then all is well.”
Suddenly, he tittered as he recalled an old memory of the distant past. “I was young and childish back then to bully you and make you angry. Sometimes I couldn’t even understand myself, but now my goal is crystal clear. I only want you to be happy and never cry again.”
I let out a long, contented sigh, my brain foggy with sleepiness. The sentimental words slid off me as I replied mindlessly, “You’re such a sweet-talker. It’s unlike you.”
I dimly registered Anthony leaning in closer, murmuring into my ear in a low voice, “We have too little time together as it is. If I don’t say it at least twice or thrice a day, I wouldn’t be able to make up for the lost time.”
I could feel his breath on my ear and neck. That night, I fell into a deep slumber.
I woke up at six in the morning, Marcus’ illness still lingering in the back of my mind.
Remembering that I hadn’t made the kids breakfast in a while, I padded to the kitchen and started preparing with Mrs. Eriksen, including Marcus and Camelia’s portion to be brought to the hospital later.
Although parenteral nutrition could help sustain one’s life, the damage to the body would still be inevitable if solid food was not consumed. The housekeeper’s cooking might not be to Marcus’ taste, but he would never outright reject food specially prepared by yours truly.
While the chicken soup was simmering, Tobias had come downstairs dressed impeccably, standing guardedly by the kitchen door and looking to lend a helping hand. “Ms. Stanhope, can I help?”
“Why didn’t you sleep in a little more?” I yawned widely and led him out to the living room. “Take a seat here. When the food’s done, we’ll have breakfast together before heading to the hospital to visit your dad. Sounds good?”
“Yes,” he answered obediently and settled on the couch.
Afraid that Tobias would be bored, I had the maid bring out the set of Legos the kids enjoyed. “Do you know how to play with these?”
He gave a clueless shake of his head.
After all, he had been moving from one city to another with Camelia these few years and probably never had the chance to have fun like a normal kid. Needless to say, toys were a foreign concept to him.
“Come, I’ll show you how. See, every piece of Lego has a serial number. Assemble them all according to this diagram into a complete model. Then you’re done.” I crouched down and picked up two pieces, fixing them together, and gestured. “Just like this. Understand?”
“Yes.” A slight smile finally appeared on his face. He immediately started piecing a few segments together.
“Looking great, kid.” I tousled his hair and showered him with praise before returning to my tasks.
About twenty minutes later, the silence in the living room was disrupted by Audrey’s giggles.
“I want a bunny!”
“A dog! A big bad dog! Woof!”
“You liar! This isn’t a parrot. It’s a little bird! Stop lying and make another one for me. This time, I want a tiger!”
The entire house would be roused awake by Audrey’s loud voice at any minute.
“Audrey Stanhope!” I rushed out and barked, “Summer was working late last night. Quit shouting so loudly.”
Audrey stilled and responded with an exaggerated O-shaped mouth, putting her index finger to her lips.
Thinking she was taking me seriously, I planted my hands on my hips exasperatedly when a giggle escaped her a second later.
What’s so funny?
I headed over to both of them and noticed that the Lego pieces of a plane model were fitted together to create shapes of a bunny, a dog, and a parrot. Though the angles were a little off, the general structures were there.
“You did all this?” I didn’t think Legos could be played this way and was a little surprised.
“Yeah.” Tobias nodded, his fingers nimbly assembling Legos into a rough shape of a tiger.
This kid is creative. He’s going to accomplish something in the future.
Audrey held a dog in one hand and a parrot in another, having them attack each other.
Seeing Shaun halfway down the stairs out of the corner of her eye, Audrey called to him, “Come here, Shaun! This person is so good at playing Legos.”
“Okay,” came his mild response. He made a beeline toward the living room, took a seat in an empty spot beside Audrey, and picked up the bunny Tobias made, casually studying it.
There was undeniably inequality in the world because, in front of Audrey and Tobias, Shaun’s precociousness was especially apparent. His demeanor and gaze looked like they were of a grown-up.
“Don’t be rude, Audrey. He has a name, and it’s Tobias White. Remember that and address him properly next time, okay?”
Instead of replying to her mother, Audrey exclaimed, “Both of you share the same family name?”
Tobias and Shaun exchanged a glance without saying a word.
“Since it’s fate, all of you have to get along well with each other. I’ll finish up breakfast. Remember, do not fight.”
Leaving the kids to their own devices, I went back to the kitchen.
During breakfast, Audrey held on to a candy-shaped Lego and didn’t let it go throughout the meal.
“It’s not a real candy, and no one is going to snatch it away from you. You could ask Tobias to make you a few more later. Now, put it down and eat your breakfast,” I joked in a mirthful tone.
“No,” Audrey said while spooning chicken soup into her mouth. “Shaun made this for me, and there’s only one in the world. No one can touch it. I’m bringing it to school!”
I jolted in surprise and shifted to peek at Shaun, who was sitting in a corner.
Tobias put so much thought and effort into crafting those clever Lego models, but a mere candy took precedence over all of them?
John interrupted, “So can I have the rest of the Legos in the living room?”
“No! I’m not done with them…” Audrey raised her spoon defiantly at John’s impudent grin before realizing that he was teasing her. She pouted. “Bad Uncle John! Leave me alone!”
John made a slight grimace and pretended to dab his tears with a napkin. “Goodness, she’s going to grow up to be a heartbreaker and snub me, her dear uncle. I’m so sad. I don’t want to be here anymore. I’ll move away tomorrow.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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