It was the first time Adrian had spent time with Albina and there was no one around, it was quiet.
He dutifully introduced Albina to the flowers and plants in the house, speaking in detail and in childish language.
Albina showed no impatience and listened attentively with a smile on her lips the whole time.
The glow of the sunset poured over her as if it had gilded her whole being, making her seem incredibly gentle.
Adrian was a bit entranced when he saw this.
She wasn’t as bad as Diana said, she was as kind as his mother, and there was something about her that he liked very much.
-What’s wrong? Why is Adrian gawking?
Albina’s smiling voice echoed in his ears.
Adrian instantly serenaded himself, his cheeks flushed slightly at the thought that he had looked at her in a daze, and only after a long moment did he gather the courage to say:
-Are you really back this time without trying to take something from Diana? Are you trying to get her out of the house?!
This boy was very direct and didn’t know how to beat around the bush.
Albina felt helpless, but her eyes looked at him seriously.
-Adrian, I don’t know who gave you that information, but I keep saying that the reason I came back this time was because my brother told me that my parents missed me and that they had been looking for me for more than twenty years. I didn’t want to covet anything from the Espina family, I just wanted to be by their side, I just wanted to introduce myself to you and tell you that I was alive. I didn’t want you to fall into guilt and regret, that’s all.
When she spoke, her eyes were clear and even Adrian, a little boy, could easily see that she was not lying.
A torn look appeared on his small face.
“Should I believe her or not!”
Albina saw the sadness overflow on his tender little face and rubbed his little head in amusement.
-Enough of the rest, have you seen how your brother-in-law loves me?
Adrian froze for a moment at the word and nodded.
He knew his father loved his mother, but Umberto’s relationship with Albina seemed even better.
-My adoptive parents in Sogen City loved me too. Everyone in the Santangel family loves me and frankly, I live a happy life. Whether it’s affection or economic status, I actually have it all, so why would I have to compete with one of the adopted daughters of the Espina family? -Albina asked.
Adrian thought long and hard about it too.
If she was looking for affection, her parents and Hector had shown from the beginning that they loved and adored her, so let alone Diana, he couldn’t even compare to the affection Albina received.
Even if she wanted money, her parents had already divided the property before she found it, so there was no point in fighting.
If it was Javier’s marriage contract ….
“No, no, no.”
Adrian shook his head gravely.
Javier was nice, but already Albina was pregnant. Even he, a little boy, knew that Umberto was better than Javier in every way.
It seemed a bit more complicated.
To put it mildly, Diana’s presence posed no threat to Albina.
Albina was relieved to see that this boy had thought things through. It seemed that, although this chubby boy was young, he was actually very sensible and understood everything he should.
-Besides, you were saying before that he was coming back to cause unrest in the house…..
Adrian’s cheeks flushed.
-No, that’s not what I meant. I was just thinking, thinking…
He couldn’t say that he saw Diana wronged and felt that Albina was ruining his original life.
“But if I think about it, Albina is supposed to be a member of the Espina family and has done nothing but return home to identify with her parents.”
Adrian scratched his head with a quizzical look on his face. Why did he think Albina was a nuisance and disturbing his peaceful life?
Albina slowed her pace and waited for the little boy who had fallen back into contemplation.
After a while, Adrian caught up with her in embarrassment.
-I’m sorry, sister, I said something I shouldn’t have. My words must have been very sad to hear.
Putting his mind to it, Adrian remembered all the things he had said to Albina, and if anyone else had said that to him, he would have been angry and upset.
Albina nodded.
-I wasn’t really sad. I guess I was a little uncomfortable, but I was in a good mood. I didn’t really think much of you at the time.
She said it so flatly that Adrian’s eyes widened.
When Albina saw his expression, she let out a laugh.
-It’s okay, I’m just teasing you. I was really upset, but since you apologized, I forgive you.
It was then that Adrian’s little face broke into a smile.
He looked up into the darkness of the sky and took Albina’s hand as he asked her to follow him.
-Sister, I have a lot of fun games in my room, do you want to go see them?
Adrian’s eyes sparkled, as if he were a child sharing his treasures with his best friend.
Albina nodded in response.
-Yes, it’s been a long time since I’ve played with something.
Seeing him agree, Adrian’s eyes lit up even more.
He didn’t grow up with many people his age. Hector was too old to play with him and although Diana was nice, they didn’t seem to like each other much, so they couldn’t play together.
Adrian didn’t expect Albina to be so kind and the smile on her face didn’t stop.
The two left the garden before Umberto slipped out from under the big tree.
A soft smile curved the corners of Umberto’s lips as he watched their backs.
“Good boy!”
Bianca couldn’t help but smile when she saw the two brothers walking up the stairs together.
She was worried that Adrian and Albina were still arguing, but she hadn’t expected them to be so close so soon.
She was in a very good mood and baked cookies, made juice and milk and took them upstairs. She was even happier to see them getting along so well.
Albina played with Adrian for more than an hour, going through his collection of toys and models, computer games, etc.
She too had a cheerful disposition and loved games before her adoptive parents died, and it had been a long time since she had had so much fun.
It was only when Umberto went upstairs to call her to get ready for bed that she put her things down and said goodbye to Adrian.
Adrian looked down at his bulging belly and suddenly looked puzzled, rummaged through his toys and handed two to Albina with great difficulty.
-One for my sister and one for my sister’s baby.