This was the trauma left by the incident five years ago.
Duke said in a low voice, “If I had a choice, I wish our first night together had not caused so much
damage.”
Adina lowered her head. The corners of her mouth stretched into a bitter smile.
How much did she wish that night had not happened?
How much did she wish she had gotten married and had children like everyone else?
How much did she wish her four children were born into this world normally? How much did she wish
they were born into a complete and happy family? “Daddy, Mommy, what are you doing?”
Harold’s voice suddenly came from beside them.
Adina snapped out of her thoughts. She turned around and saw the children and their fluffy heads
peeking through the kitchen door. Each child’s face was filled with bemusement.
She quickly took a step back and curled her lips up into a smile. “Dinner is ready. Come in and help
serve the food and set the table.”
George led his three siblings in, and each child took a
plate of food out.
Adina put down her apron and walked out after them.
CE
Duke pursed his lips and suppressed the emotions in his eyes before he sat down at the dining table,
pretending as if nothing had happened. “Wow! Your cooking has gotten even better today, Mommy!”
Harold took a bite of the roasted pork. He found it so tasty that he squeezed his eyes shut in bliss. If he
had a tail behind him, he would have been wagging it.
Melody followed his example as she put a piece of roasted pork into her mouth. Then, her eyes were
squeezed shut with a happy look on her face.
Adina said with a smile, “Have some more if you think they are good.”
Her smile did not reach her eyes. After she said that, she lowered her head and started eating. Her
expression remained indifferent.
Duke sat by her side. He put a piece of roasted pork into her bowl. “You are too skinny. You should
have more meat.”
“My mommy doesn’t like roasted pork.”
Alden took out the roasted pork from her bowl and put it into his own bowl.
He could tell that his mother was in a bad mood. Something unpleasant must have happened in the
kitchen.
He bit into the roasted pork and stole a glance at Duke, seemingly unintentionally.
They finished the dinner under the sound of Harold’s chattering
It was already dark, so Adina grabbed her two children and said goodbye.
“Mommy, please stay, okay?” Harold hugged her arm and shook it. “Our house is very big. We have
many rooms. Just stay for the night, Mommy!” George said calmly, “Mr. Brown prepared three
bedrooms last night. Mommy, Al, Mel, you can stay for the night.”
“That’s right, Ms. Daugherty. It’s already dark. It’s not safe on the road. It’s better for you to stay the
night.” Mr. Brown smiled and said, “Besides, it’s Saturday tomorrow. You can take the three young
masters and the lady to have some fun tomorrow. It will spare you from the trouble of traveling back
and forth.”
“That’s right. It’s a holiday tomorrow. Why don’t we go to the amusement park?” Harold clapped his
hands in joy.
Duke stood at the side. A shadow loomed over his body.
He, too, wanted to ask her to stay with the children, but
when he thought of what she had just said in the kitchen, he felt like a bucket of cold water had been
poured on his head.
He stood at the side in silence; he did not say a single word.
Harold did not notice that there was something wrong with the atmosphere. He walked over and pulled
on Duke’s sleeve. “Daddy, ask Mommy to stay now. Ask her. Come on.”
George keenly felt a strange vibe between the adults that he could not put his finger on.
He tugged at Harold and said indifferently, “Let’s not force Mommy to stay. Besides, Mommy and Mel
don’t have any spare clothes here.”
“Alright, I should go home now. Georgie, Hal, bye-bye.”
Adina waved to the two children as she walked out of the Winters family’s villa, holding Alden and
Melody’s hands.
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