Chapter 24
Nina shifted her gaze away from Yvonne, her expression turning complicated as she looked at Kelvin. Then, with a sigh of resignation, she said. “To be honest. Mr. Adler, Yvonne was originally the child we planned to adope
“But something happened on the day we were supposed to take her in. Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be
Yvonne in Jeremy’s arms posted, looking aggrieved, and nestled her head against his shoulder.
Jeremy immediately sensed her disappointment. Supporting her small frame, he felt an unpleasant tightness in his chest. His gaze swept over Nina before he lowered his voice. “Do you want to go to the Yates family
What’s so great about them anyway? Jeremy thought
Yvonne shook her head at once, her arms tightening around his neck. Her soft, childish voice sounded pitiful “No. Jeremy
Jeremy seemed distracted. He absentmindedly ran his fingers through her fluffy hair, but then suddenly felt an intense gaze directed at them. His eyes flicked over.
Marian, the little girl Nina had brought along, was staring at Yvonne with a sharp, almost hostile look–both threatening and full of disdain.
Jeremy’s stomach twisted. Right then, Marian must have noticed too because she shrank back slightly, quickly averting her gaze.
Marian and Yvonne were the same age Jeremy couldn’t understand how a three–year–old could have such an expression And why was she looking at Yvonne like that?
They were both from the same orphanage. Did Marian bully Yvonne back then? The more Jeremy thought about it the more likely it seemed.
Meanwhile, Nina had already explained everything about Yvonne and their past connection. There was nothing to hide.
Truth be told, she still liked Yvonne. But Nina had accepted that the Adler family had adopted her, and she didn’t see a problem with it
Some things j
just weren’t meant to be Thinking about why she had come today, Nina found the coincidence rather amusing.
Nina smiled. “Marian and Yvonne already know each other. Marian says they were best friends at the orphanage. Since they’ll be going to the same school, they can look after each other. I even asked the teacher to place them in the same class.”
Oliver, who had been quiet until now, added. That preschool is right next to our school. Jeremy and I can drop them off on our way in the mornings”
Hearing this, the Yates family members nodded in satisfaction. And Kelvin remained silent.
Yvonne clung to Jeremy’s neck even tighter, resting her head against his chest. From where everyone stood, all they could see was the small, round curve of her back–like she was trying to shut herself off from the whole scene.
The Yates family didn’t notice anything off. They already knew from their phone calls with Yvonne that she was a shy child. Maybe she was just overwhelmed by all the people.
and
Only Jeremy realized that her little hands were shaking. She didn’t like Marian. Then he shot back at Oliver, Tim not taking your sister to school, and you’re not taking mine.”
Jeremy couldn’t talk back to the Yates elders, but Oliver Oliver was fair game. They were used to messing with each other at school. Oliver just brushed it off, assuming Jeremy was being his usual overprotective self.
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Chapter 21
Just then Marian who had been sitting beside Nina, suddenly spoke up in a soft, pitiful voice “Mom Dad. I don’t want to be Back at the orphanage, the director liked her the most, so she had a bad temper. I was scared of
Hearing this, the Yates family members froze. They glanced between her and Yvonne, momentarily stunned.
Na was the first to react. Quickly, she asked. “You mean the director who came to our house asking for money last time
Marian nodded. “Yeah that was her
“Oh my God” Nina’s face paled with shock and concern Turning to Kelvin, she explained hurriedly. “Mr. Adler, you might
know, but a while ago, the orphanage director came to our house demanding money from Marian. No one was home at the time, and the scared Marian to tears”
At that moment, Yvonne’s head snapped up in disbelief. Her wide, clear eyes locked onto Marian’s tearful face, her small voice trembling with anger. “You’re lying Ms. Harrison isn’t like that”
Marian wasn’t backing down and replied. “Of course, you’d say that! She always liked you best”
“That’s not true Yvonne was so upset she was nearly in tears. Her big, dark eyes shimmered with frustration. “You’re lying” Ms. Harrison was kind to you too!”
The adults in the room were taken aback by the sudden argument. It was obvious that these two were not friends. If anything they were like those feuding sisters in TV dramas, always at each other’s throats.
Yvonne was on the verge of tears. She couldn’t believe Marian was twisting things like this. Dani never showed favoritism. In fact, she didn’t believe what Yvonne said last time.
When Marian sa Yvonne’s distressed face, a flicker of something dark passed through her eyes. Now, we’re both kids. I can
try too, she thought.
Marian pinched herself secretly, and in an instant, her eyes welled up with tears. Then, with a choked sob, she buried herself into Nina’s embrace. “Mommy. I’m scared. *
Marian’s voice trembled as she whimpered, “Dad, Mom, she has such a bad temper. I don’t want to be around her.”
Nina comforted her quickly, frowning in embarrassment. She had hoped the two girls would get along, but somehow, they had ended up as enemies instead. Now what?
Nina, Robert, and Oliver rushed to console Marian, whose soft cries tugged at their hearts.
Yvonne was crying too–but she was silent, her tears simply falling down her cheeks.
A crying child gets sympathy. But when two cry at the same time, the louder one wins. Jeremy lowered his voice, leaning down to whisper in Yvonne’s ear, “Cry louder.
Yvonne blinked, lifting her tear–streaked face to look at him in confusion.
Seeing the sadness in her big, innocent eyes, Jeremy thought Marian’s expression, his irritation flaring again.
This was what a real three–year–old should look like–clear–eyed, if a linle dumb. But right now. Marian was crying too loudly. The Yates family had already taker her side, probably assuming Yvonne had bullied her.
Jeremy knew that wasn’t true. He had spent enough time with Yvonne to know she wasn’t that kind of kid. If anything, with the bruises she’d had when she first arrived, she was the one who had been bullied.
The problem was that Yvonne was too quiet–even when crying. Jeremy exhaled, lowering his voice further. “When I put you down, go to my dad and cry. Make sure you’re louder than Marian, got
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Chapter 21
Yvonne’s red–rimmed eyes filled with confusion. In a small, hesitant voice, she asked, “Go to Kelvin
“Idiot, Jeremy muttered. “Don’t call him Kelvin. Call him Dad. Cry while you do it. He’s obsessed with daughters”
Huh?” Yvonne looked baffled.
Jeremy said firmly, “Trust me”
Before Yvonne could process what was happening, Jeremy set her down on the floor.
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