Cierra still had tears on her face, but this time she remembered not to ask Daddy for help and instead handed the jelly to her brother. He was such a good person, even willing to give up his own food for her.
Oliver opened the jelly and gave it to his little sister. When he saw her go from crying to laughing, he couldn’t resist teasing her as they walked past Kelvin.
“You’re so weak!”
Kelvin just sighed in frustration at their immaturity. He couldn’t believe that a piece of jelly was more important than him being their father.
Thankfully, his miserable morning finally came to an end when he heard some good news after breakfast.
Cheyenne put down her utensils elegantly and placed both hands on her knees with a warm smile in her calm eyes.
“Benson, thank you for your hospitality these past few days. Kelvin and I are leaving today back home. Take care.”
Going back home was what Kelvin had been waiting for these past few days. Even though he wanted to say it himself earlier, it meant much more coming from Cheyenne. His happiness knew no bounds!
If they didn’t leave now soon enough, they might forget who their biological father even is! As expected, Cierra didn’t eat anything else; she just cried as she went over for Benson’s embrace.
Kelvin took a deep breath; why did she need Benson’s comfort when he was right there?
Despite his anger, Kelvin clenched his fists tightly and silently repeated in his mind. “This is my daughter – I cannot hit or scold her.”
However, out of the corner of his eye he noticed Oliver standing up slightly. He immediately looked at Oliver coldly.
“Hmm?”
The prolonged tone made the little boy hesitate before sitting back down straight-backed on the chair again clearing his throat saying, “I felt pasta on my chair earlier but now it’s gone.”
Hearing this made Kelvin smirk as if teaching him like an instructor. “How have I taught you at home? You should pay attention to etiquette especially in front of elders.”
“Even if there were nails on your chair, you should sit properly.”
“Okay, I knew I was wrong,” Oliver replied weakly without any expression showing that he learned anything from this experience.
“Okay then continue eating,” said Kelvin dismissively while Cheyenne knew better than anyone else what really happened here…
Growing up under Kelvin’s threat, his son had developed a heavy-hearted demeanor at a young age. Even though Oliver was lively and mischievous when he first learned to walk, he seemed to have changed completely after starting kindergarten.
Cheyenne glanced at Oliver thoughtfully and winked at him. The implication was clear. if you’re being threatened, just blink your eyes.
Meanwhile, Benson held Cierra in his arms and chatted with her while feeling sad about their impending departure. “Cheyenne, why are you leaving so soon after arriving here? I’m sorry that I haven’t had the chance to show you around since I just recovered from my illness.”
“Don’t feel bad about it, Benson. We’ll see each other again soon enough. When you’re feeling better, come visit me in Akloit and I’ll treat you to a nice meal!” Cheyenne said gratefully.
For years Benson had been taking care of her; it was rare for Cheyenne to invite him out for dinner.
“Cheyenne is right; we’ll see each other again soon enough. For example, next month is your wedding day! We can meet then,” said Kelvin with excitement.
Next month…
Upon hearing the good news, Benson’s heart no longer felt as resistant as before. Perhaps it was because of the adorable Cierra in his arms. If Cheyenne hadn’t ended up with Kelvin, there would be no Cierra and Oliver today.
“Well, in any case, Uncle will come to visit you soon,” Benson said. As Kelvin was about to say his goodbyes, Cierra spoke, “Uncle, Cierra has a request for you. I want the little doll in your study.”
Benson had a cherished doll in his study that he had handcrafted a long time ago. The doll was made to resemble Cheyenne, and he held it dear to his heart. Originally, he had planned to give it to Cheyenne on her 18th birthday, but his shyness had stopped him, and he hadn’t been able to give it to her until now.
Now that little Cierra wanted it, it seemed like a fitting choice to give it to her but there was another problem. There were two children but only one doll! It wouldn’t be fair if he gave it only to Cierra without giving anything to Oliver. So, Benson turned towards Oliver sitting beside them and asked what gift he might like before they left town. “Since you’re leaving soon anyway, do you have any gifts ideas or things that Uncle could give you?”
Who knew that Oliver’s response would be that he also wanted a doll.
“Well…” Benson was a bit hesitant.
Cheyenne had been his close friend for many years, how could she not know what he was thinking?
Just by looking at his expression, she knew, “Is there something bothering you, Benson?”
“It’s not really a big deal,” he replied. “It’s just that there is only one doll left and if Oliver wants it, we’ll have to wait another two days.”
Another two days? Kelvin didn’t want to stay even one more day.
He immediately glared at Oliver with the tone of an authoritarian father scolding his child. “What do you need a doll for as a grown man? Are you trying to embarrass yourself? When I was your age, I could walk myself to kindergarten!”
He had intended to tell his son not to ask for gifts anymore but he didn’t expect himself to lose control of his emotions and speak too loudly and harshly towards the child.
Even Oliver who usually never cried or showed any emotion started tearing up and choking on sobs. “Mommy, does Daddy not like me? Am I really your biological child?”
Upon hearing this, Cheyenne coldly glanced at Kelvin before throwing a silver needle which sliced through the air with a sharp sound before embedding itself into the table in front of him.
“How dare you scold my son! Be careful of my needles!”
Kelvin suddenly broke out in cold sweat on his forehead as Cheyenne’s needle seemed deadly but actually landed far away from him.
According to Cheyenne’s ability with needles, there couldn’t possibly be such an error in her aim.
So Cheyenne was just threatening him with words while being soft-hearted inside.
As for Oliver although there wasn’t any smile on his face right now, when he looked up at Kelvin, he revealed a faint smirk on his face which made Kelvin furious because how could this four-year-old kid dare mock him?
Kelvin grabbed onto the collar of Oliver’s clothes, lifting him up and saying. “Cheyenne, don’t believe him; he’s just pretending.”