Randolph?
What was he doing here?
Dolores swiftly opened the door and stepped out. She hesitated for a moment, then turned to face Matthew. “Go back now. I’m afraid your presence will upset my mother.”
Matthew also noticed the people ahead. Since he was the one who had brought up the divorce, Jessica had every reason to dislike him. Moreover, Randolph was present too, so it would be inappropriate for him to follow Dolores.
He nodded, his gaze shifting to the little girl in Jessica’s arms. She had black hair neatly styled into two ponytails, with a fair and innocent face. Her curly eyebrows framed a pair of bright, large eyes. She resembled a delicately crafted doll-a true angel.
Then he looked at Dolores. Almost involuntarily, he tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
He had to admit that Dolores had two beautiful children.
The boy was intelligent, and the girl was adorable.
“You’re not so unlucky,” he said, acknowledging that despite being abandoned by her father, Dolores still had her mother. And now she even had two lovely children.
“What?” Dolores looked at him with confusion, not understanding his meaning.
Matthew reached out and gently moved a strand of hair from her brow and tucked it behind her ear. “Nothing. Go ahead.”
Dolores paused for a moment, then nodded. “Okay.”
She closed the door and hurried towards Jessica. Dolores pulled Randolph away, who had been pestering Jessica. She stood before Jessica and glared at Randolph. “What do you want?”
“Lola…” Randolph glanced at his daughter. His hands, which had been hanging by his sides, now clenched together. “Your father was wrong.”
Six years ago, when the company faced a crisis, Annabelle stole the money and ran away. Beulah was still in prison because of her actions back then.
During the crisis, it was Dolores, who had always been neglected by Randolph, that had come to his aid.
But now, Dolores didn’t want to argue about right and wrong anymore. She had let go of the past. With a sense of peace, she said, “Don’t come looking for us again.”
Then she lifted her son into her arms, and Jessica carried Simona.
Randolph tried to catch up, calling out, “Lola.”
“If you keep pestering us, I will call the police,” Dolores’s face darkened.
Randolph looked at Simona in Dolores’s arms, his eyes slightly red. “Are these your children?”
“Yes.” Dolores’s patience was wearing thin.
“They’re beautiful, just like you.” Randolph tried to continue the conversation. “I mean no harm. I saw your mother today…” He then looked at Jessica, “and found out you were back. Call me if you ever need my help.”
He quickly pulled out a business card from his pocket and handed it to Dolores.
Dolores hesitated but eventually accepted it.
Randolph smiled and quickly stepped aside, his actions humble. He looked like a child who had made a mistake, carefully trying to make amends.
It would be a lie to say that she felt nothing for him.
After all, he was her father by blood.
The same blood ran through their veins.
“Liar.” Jessica pulled Dolores’s hand. “Let’s go. Don’t be fooled by his act.”
Jessica felt nothing but hatred towards Randolph.
She would never forgive him.
Dolores turned around with a hint of sadness and resignation and followed Jessica inside.
As they climbed the stairs, Dolores asked, “How did you encounter him?”
“I took the kids to the aquarium. While we were waiting for the bus by the road, he ran into us. He pestered me, wanting to talk. He asked if Samuel and Simona were your children. I didn’t want to engage with him, so we took a taxi back. But I didn’t expect him to follow us.” Jessica’s face was devoid of a smile as she spoke about Randolph-only hatred remained.
Dolores understood the pain Randolph had caused Jessica, so she didn’t try to persuade her. After all, she harbored some resentment towards him as well.
In these years, with her two children by her side, Dolores had devoted all her attention to them. As for the past, she had let go of much of it. Beulah was in prison, and Randolph’s once-favorite daughter had betrayed him.
He had gotten what he deserved.
“From now on, you mustn’t contact him,” Jessica commanded Dolores, concerned that Dolores would become soft-hearted after seeing Randolph in such a state.
“He heartlessly abandoned us and asked you to marry…”
“Mom, stop,” Dolores interrupted her, mindful that the two children were listening to their conversation.
In that moment, Jessica realized it too and quickly fell silent. She lovingly tousled Simona’s hair. “Simona, were you scared by Granny?”
Simona shook her head, not comprehending what Granny meant. She only knew that Granny seemed to dislike that old man.
But Samuel had heard everything and understood clearly.
That man was Granny’s husband, Mommy’s father, and his grandpa.
But Granny didn’t want to forgive him for what he had done.
“It’s getting late. Are you hungry?” Dolores asked.
Simona vigorously nodded her head. “I want pizza.”
This little one was the happiest person in the world. She didn’t have to think about anything else except food and toys.
“Okay, let’s have pizza tonight,” Dolores said affectionately, reaching out to pinch Simona’s cheek. “Simona is the boss of this family.”
“What about me?” Samuel asked.
“You are the second boss,” Dolores replied seriously.
Samuel felt a little disappointed. “Why? I am her brother.”
“Then tell me, have you admitted your mistakes now?”
“…,” Samuel fell silent, realizing why she was still holding onto it.
He regretted his question. He shouldn’t have asked her that before.
Samuel felt like he had dug a hole for himself to jump into.
Once they arrived home, Dolores helped Samuel and Simona change their shoes at the door. Jessica was feeling down and retreated to her room.
Observing Jessica’s retreating figure, Dolores knew that Jessica was suddenly feeling upset because she thought of Jeremy.
Since giving birth to these two children, Jessica had been preoccupied with taking care of them. Being busy every day, Jessica didn’t have much time to dwell on the past.
But seeing Randolph today might have stirred up old memories for Jessica.
Dolores held the hands of her two children and led them to the living room. She took out her phone. “What toppings do you want?”
“Durian,” Simona grabbed Dolores’ arm and pleaded, “I want durian pizza.”
“Okay,” Dolores selected the durian pizza and then turned to Samuel. “And what about you, Samuel?”
“Cheese,” Samuel looked at Dolores. “Mommy likes it.”
Dolores looked up at her son. “What? Are you trying to bribe me? Don’t think I’ll let it slide just because you’re buttering me up. If you don’t admit your mistakes, I won’t give your things back.”
Samuel let out a sigh. It wasn’t working. His scheme had been exposed within a minute.
Dolores placed the pizza order and put her phone down. “Samuel, play with your sister in the living room. I’ll go check on Granny in her room.”
“Okay,” Samuel responded, well-behaved.
He pondered when Dolores would return his belongings to him.
“Mummy, can I have a cup of juice first?” He was feeling a bit thirsty.
“Wait,” Dolores went to the kitchen and poured two cups of juice. The juice in their house was homemade, free of additives, and healthier.
She handed the cups to the children and then made her way to Jessica’s room.
She grasped the handle and slowly turned it. The door creaked open. And there she saw…