The phone call had ended, but Dolores remained frozen by the window, clutching the phone in her hand. The darkness outside obscured her view, leaving her unable to see anything.
“Mommy,” Samuel called out to her.
Dolores turned around, a smile forming on her face as she saw her handsome son. “Why are you calling me?”
Samuel set down his tablet PC, ran over, and hugged her legs, acting cute. “Mommy, Simona has fallen asleep. Can you help me take a bath tonight?” Dolores pinched his cheeks affectionately and agreed with a loving tone, “Of course.”
Samuel’s face lit up with a wide smile, and he tugged at Dolores’ clothes, feeling a sense of excitement. With his clingy sister not vying for attention, he could finally have some alone time with his mother.
Whenever Simona was awake, she would cling to Dolores, leaving no room for Samuel to be alone with her.
Dolores turned on the lights in the bathroom and the tap, filling the bathtub with hot water. Samuel had already undressed himself, standing there completely naked. “The water is ready…” As Dolores turned around, she caught a glimpse of Samuel’s fair and clear body.
Samuel noticed her gaze and was left speechless. He quickly covered himself and blushed. “Mommy.”
Dolores playfully teased, “Oh, is my son feeling shy?”
Samuel blushed even more, lowering his head in embarrassment.
He was truly flustered at the moment.
Dolores stopped teasing him and walked over to lift him into the bathtub. Samuel submerged himself in the water, leaving only his head exposed. Dolores squeezed some shampoo into her hands and gently massaged his hair.
Samuel remained well-behaved, squatting quietly in the water as Dolores washed his hair. Looking at the gentle Dolores, he called out, “Mommy.”
“What is it?” Dolores inquired.
Samuel didn’t reply, simply smiling to himself.
In his heart, he had made up his mind to find a good man who could take care of his mother in the future.
Deliberately putting some foam on his nose, Dolores thought he had been mischievous earlier by calling her without revealing the reason. Little did she know that her son had made a firm decision to find a good man for her.
However, finding a good man wouldn’t be an easy task.
On the last day of July, Dolores returned to China with the two children.
Everything had been arranged in China, so all she needed to bring were a few clothes and the children.
Unlike Simona, who openly displayed her joy or bad mood and became very excited upon learning that they would be taking a plane, Samuel remained composed. It was Simona’s second time flying, as she had taken a plane once before when she was three, although she didn’t remember it.
The little girl was curious about everything, her hands exploring everything within reach.
Dolores couldn’t do anything but let her play in her embrace. Thankfully, Jessica and Samuel were sitting next to her, so they didn’t bother the other passengers.
“Mommy, I want juice.” Simona reached out her hand upon seeing the flight attendant serving juice to a passenger.
Today, she wore a baby blue dress and had her black hair styled in pigtails. Her fair and tender skin, along with her bright and clear eyes, gave her a charming appearance.
“What kind of juice would you like?” The flight attendant stooped down to look at the adorable girl, speaking in a gentle voice.
Simona blinked her eyes and pointed to the glass containing green juice.
“This is kiwifruit juice. It might be a little sour,” the flight attendant explained.
Simona didn’t mind the sour taste and nodded in agreement.
The flight attendant handed her the kiwifruit juice, charmed by Simona’s cuteness. “Little girl, what’s your name?”
Simona beamed, showing her white teeth. “My name is Simona Flores. My mommy and grandma all call me Simona.”
“What a lovely name,” the flight attendant praised.
Dolores affectionately stroked Simona’s hair.
“Your daughter is so beautiful,” the flight attendant remarked with a smile.
“Thank you,” Dolores politely nodded in response.
Samuel glanced at his sister and then turned his head to gaze out the window, seemingly uninterested in the flight attendant’s conversation.
Shortly after the flight attendant left with the refreshment cart, the captain’s voice came over the intercom, “Ladies and gentlemen, we will be arriving in B City, China. Please prepare for landing. We will touch down at DH International Airport in ten minutes.”
Ten minutes later, the plane landed at the airport. Dolores carried Simona, who was sleeping in her arms, while Jessica held Samuel’s hand. As soon as Samuel stepped off the plane, he looked around, taking in his surroundings.
“So, this is the place where Mommy was born,” he thought to himself.
“I’ll go get the luggage,” Jessica said, putting down Samuel’s hand. “Wait with Mommy at the exit.”
“Alright.” There was no need to worry about Samuel; he was quite thoughtful.
“Lola!” Samson approached them, with Theresa by his side.
They had come together to pick up Dolores.
Samson had stayed in China since Maria’s engagement ceremony was canceled, taking care of his younger sister, who had been in a somber mood.
When he called Dolores and learned that she was returning, he decided to come and pick her up with Theresa.
“Are you tired? I can carry her,” Samson offered, reaching out to take the child from Dolores’ arms.
Dolores shook her head. “No need. I’m not tired. Let’s go.”
Samson fixed his gaze on Dolores for a couple of seconds before retracting his hand. He hadn’t smiled upon hearing that Dolores was coming back to China.
She had been in Country A for a long time and never expressed a desire to return. Initially, she was reluctant to come back.
However, after encountering Matthew, she made the decision to return to her home country.
She claimed to hate that man, but her actions suggested otherwise.
And Matthew had also broken off his engagement with Maria.
Samson believed that the two events were somehow connected.
But at the same time, he harbored a sense of fear.
As Samson lost himself in his thoughts, his gaze involuntarily fell upon the two children, and his hands, placed beside his thighs, clenched tightly.
If Dolores were to discover that he had hidden the truth from her, would she despise him?
Watching the children grow little by little, his emotions became increasingly complex, filled with both ambivalence and guilt.
The two children were undeniably adorable, charming anyone who laid eyes on them.
If he hadn’t lied all those years ago, perhaps Matthew would have accepted Dolores for the sake of their children. Given Matthew’s recent actions, especially canceling the engagement ceremony after encountering Dolores, it was evident that he harbored some feelings for her.
Had Samson not concealed the truth, the children would have had a complete family.
“Sampson, what’s on your mind?” Samuel lifted his head to gaze at Samson, who seemed lost in thought, and tugged at his clothes.
Snapped back to reality, Samson hastily replied, “Oh, nothing. I wasn’t thinking about anything.”
He looked down at Samuel, reaching out to hold his hand, and said, “Let’s go.”
Samuel withdrew his hand, saying, “I can walk on my own.”
He didn’t despise Samson, but he didn’t particularly like him either.
Feeling a bit awkward, Samson rubbed his fingers.
“Samuel Flores.” Dolores noticed his behavior and called out his name. “Don’t be impolite. Sampson is showing concern for you.”
Samuel looked down at the ground and replied, “I understand.”
It was just that he didn’t want his hand held by Samson.
“Alright, it’s not the right time to discuss this here. Let’s go,” Samson said, walking over and taking the luggage cases from Jessica.
Jessica asked with a bright smile, “How have you been?”
“Quite well.”
Jessica held a favorable impression of Samson.
They exited the airport, with Samson pulling the luggage cases. Dolores got into Samson’s car, while Jessica and Samuel got into Theresa’s car and followed behind.
Samson glanced at Dolores through the rear-view mirror. She was gazing tenderly at her sleeping daughter.
He tightened his grip on the steering wheel, intending to say something to her, but ultimately remained silent.
Theresa had arranged a place for Dolores to stay. It was located close to the store, making it convenient for Dolores to commute.
After arriving at the residence, they brought the luggage inside. Samson suggested they celebrate Dolores’ return by dining at a restaurant since the furniture and kitchen supplies were all new and they couldn’t cook at home.
Before Dolores could object, Jessica readily agreed on her behalf.
Thus, Dolores couldn’t refuse.
They set down the luggage and drove to the restaurant that Samson had booked.
Samson had reserved a spacious private room in the restaurant. The table was large enough to accommodate all six of them with extra seats to spare.
“I need to use the restroom,” Samuel said as he slid down from his chair.
“I’ll go with you,” Jessica offered, concerned that he might get lost.
“No need. I know the way,” Samuel waved his hand and ventured off on his own.
He approached a waiter and quickly found the restroom.
Once inside, he realized there were no child-sized urinals, and the regular ones meant for adults were too tall for him.
Furrowing his brows, he looked visibly troubled.
“Hey, little boy,” a playful voice echoed from behind Samuel.