“Daddy, you’re bad!” Ellie complained as she pouted. “You’re a man. You should be protecting Mommy.
How could you let Mommy protect you instead?”
“Ellie’s right,” Jamie agreed.
“I want to protect her too, but your mommy was adamant about playing the hero. Before I could do
anything, she had rushed headlong into the situation.”
At that, Zachary cast a disapproving look at Charlotte.
“You—” Charlotte was furious. She did not know why he was telling the children that.
“Mommy, don’t play the hero next time. You have to protect yourself first and foremost,” Robbie said to
her. “It pained us to see you hurt.”
“Yes, yes.” Ellie then grabbed Charlotte’s hand and gently blew on it. “Mommy, the bandages are
wrapped around your hand tightly, so I’m sure it must hurt a lot.”
“It’s fine. It doesn’t hurt,” Charlotte answered lightheartedly. Seeing her children had lifted her spirits.
“Mommy, who’s the one who hurt you?” I’ll beat them up for you,” Jamie exclaimed as he swung his little
fists. “I’m going to teach the naughty person a lesson.”
“It’s okay. We’ve dealt with the person.” Charlotte pinched his cheek. “Okay, it’s time to go back to your
room. It’s late now.”
“Yes, go back to your rooms. I’ll read you the bedtime stories,” Zachary chimed in.
“Daddy, are you not going to leave tonight?” Jamie asked, excited, as he held Zachary’s hand. “Are you
going to be staying here tonight?”
Even Robbie and Ellie were looking at him.
“I’ll leave after reading the stories to you.” Zachary ruffled their hair. “Hurry upstairs now.”
“All right,” the children replied, crestfallen.
“Aunt Charlotte! Aunt Charlotte!”
Just then, Danrique’s children rushed out of their room with bottles in their hands and diapers around
their waists.
When they spotted Zachary, they skidded to a stop before watching him with wary eyes.
“Why is this Angry Uncle here?”
Alpha then quickly hid her bottle behind her as if Zachary was there to snatch that from her.
“Maybe he’s here to see Robbie, Jamie, and Ellie,” Beta quietly replied. “He’s their daddy.”
“Hmph!” Gamma then stepped forward and pointed her bottle at Zachary. “Meanie, why are you here?”
“Alpha, Beta, Gamma, don’t be rude to my daddy.”
Ellie stepped out from behind Zachary’s legs before solemnly replying, “Daddy’s here to tell us bedtime
stories.”
“What?” The other three children widened their eyes. “This fierce meanie is going to tell us bedtime
stories? Really?”
“Duh!” Jamie grinned smugly. “My daddy tells great stories.”
Alpha sniffled before answering dumbly, “Oh. So is he going to tell us stories too?”
“Can we listen to your stories?” Beta tilted her head back to look at the tall man.
“I-I want to hear stories too.” Gamma’s face was red. and her hands were clenched into fists as she
nervously looked at Zachary.
“All right, come on.” Zachary then motioned to them to go up the stairs.
“Yay!”
The three smaller children hurried behind Ellie their bottles. Like a line of kindergarten children, they
entered the room.
In the meantime, Charlotte smiled when she saw the scene.
Zachary was rather skilled at taking care of the children; he was even getting along well with the three
more difficult children.
“Ms. Lindberg, let me help you back to your room.” Once they were back in the room, Lupine said, “You
haven’t had a good dinner, so I’ll get the kitchen staff to make something for you.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m not hungry.” Charlotte tiredly leaned back on the sofa. “Pour me a glass of water
instead. Then you can leave. It’s been a tiring day, so you should rest earlier.”
“What about yo—”
“I’m fine by myself.” Charlotte wanted some time alone.
“All right.” Lupine then poured her a glass of water. After putting it beside her, she left.
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