Although he didn’t like the village chief’s family, the children were still very cute. Seeing Stone, he was reminded of his own cold-hearted son and the adorable daughter Cierra at home.
Cierra always came to him when she woke up, holding her clothes and asking him to dress her instead of finding her wife Cheyenne. Because of this, Cheyenne was jealous, saying that their daughter was her love rival, perhaps a lover from a past life.
When he didn’t smile, he exuded an icy demeanor that kept others at a distance, but when he did smile… the two dimples on his face instantly added a touch of warmth.
It turned out he could smile. And when he did, he looked quite handsome.
Kiara was enthralled, forgetting what she had wanted to say moments ago. Meanwhile, the bold Stone gazed up at Kelvin with innocent eyes and in a childish voice said, “Mom, this uncle is handsome. Can he be my dad?”
Kiara felt a sweet warmth, realizing that her son also liked Kelvin very much. Kelvin’s lips twitched slightly, rare that he wasn’t angry, and calmly patted Stone’s little head.
“No, Uncle is just Uncle, he can’t be Stone’s dad. Besides, Stone already has a dad. Don’t believe me? Ask your Mom.”
The man’s direct and cold rejection enraged Kiara – he shouldn’t have spoken to the child like that, even if he was unwilling.
Little Stone looked at Uncle Kelvin with disappointment but quickly brightened up at the mention of having a “dad.”
Turning to his mother, he asked, “Mom, Uncle Kelvin said I have a dad, where is my dad? Will he buy me toy cars and take me to the city for burgers?”
“Yes,” Kiara lovingly embraced her son, whose lips were still a bit dark from the potato he had just eaten, planting a kiss on his forehead.
“Of course, Stone has a dad, but your dad went far away and will take a long time to come back.” Stone’s father passed away when he was still in her womb, so he was born without a father.
Kiara naturally favored her younger son, forgiving him as long as the mistakes he made weren’t major. Stone was obedient and adorable, except for occasional bedwetting and lack of appetite.
Kiara had observed how Kelvin interacted with the child, surprised that a man as aloof as him could enjoy the company of children. Stone, oblivious to the adults’ thoughts, was simply happy to have a dad.
“How wonderful, I’m also someone’s dad now. When Dad comes back, I want to ride on horseback.”
Riding on horseback meant sitting on his father’s neck, a treat many children in the village enjoyed, and Stone wanted it too.
“Okay, for now take this potato and eat outside. Mom will dry your pants for you.”
“Okay. Goodbye, Uncle Kelvin.”
Before leaving, Stone waved goodbye to Kelvin enthusiastically.
Kelvin sighed lightly, nodding slightly, “Take it slow… be careful not to fall.”
After Stone left, only Kiara and Kelvin remained in the hall. Kelvin unabashedly placed Stone’s wet pants on the fire pit to dry, adding a new scent to the rising temperature.
Kelvin’s eyes twitched at the sight. Oliver and Cierra would occasionally wet the bed, but the next day everything would be quickly cleaned up and tossed into the washing machine for a wash. Never would they continue to have the child wear the urine-soaked pants like they were doing now. It might be easier for the adults, but wearing pants stained with urine was not safe for the child, as it could breed bacteria.
He wanted to remind her but felt his position was inappropriate. So, he decided to let it go.
Kiara, however, didn’t see anything wrong with it, as many adults in the village did the same. She looked at Kelvin’s back with a pitiful gaze while roasting the pants and said, “Mr. Foley, you must have noticed that my little son Stone really likes you.”
“I know,” Kelvin replied without turning around, his voice deep.
The woman behind him bit her lip, suddenly feeling irritated. “Stone is very pitiful. His father died right after he was born. For all these years, I’ve always told him that his father is still alive and someday will come back, just to spare him from sorrow.”
“Just now, Stone simply wanted to call you ‘dad,’ why did you refuse a poor child who has no father?” Even if it’s just to comfort him, a casual acknowledgment would suffice!
He outright refused, showing a harsh indifference. Yet, his initial fondness for Stone was unmistakable.
Kelvin didn’t expect her to accuse him over this matter, finding it somewhat perplexing. While having a soft spot for Stone was one thing, he had his own children. Kelvin was only Cheyenne’s husband, Oliver and Cierra’s father, and nothing more… He didn’t want to get involved with anyone else, no matter who it was. His little princess would get jealous and upset if she found out.
Of course, Kiara couldn’t know the truth. Kelvin then turned around, looking at her earnestly and saying word by word, “Miss Kiara, your child and I share no blood relation. I can’t bear it if he calls me ‘dad.'”
“I do empathize with Stone’s situation about his real father, but… lies are still lies. You can hide it from him now, but sooner or later the child will find out when he’s older.”
“You!” Kiara’s eyes instantly reddened with anger. His clear refusal made it evident that he couldn’t be Stone’s father and her husband. Kelvin saw her reaction but had no intention of apologizing for it.
At the peak of the awkward atmosphere in the lobby, Alisha woke up. She wore a long black dress today, with a white knitted sweater draped over her shoulders and elegantly walked out in high heels.
“Oops, I slept until now. Honey… I hope I didn’t delay our plans?”
Kelvin glanced at her lightly, his lips slightly parted, his tone softened a bit. “No, since you’re awake, go freshen up quickly. Let’s go find Camren soon to see the child.”
“Okay.”
Just an ordinary conversation between a married couple, but Kiara couldn’t help but envy it greatly. How good would it be if she were the one cared for by Mr. Foley! They wanted to see the child? In her dreams! Without her permission, Camren wouldn’t dare sell the child to them. Breakfast was had at the village head’s house, after which Kelvin suggested going to see Camren about the child.
Kiara’s eyes lit up at this, and she quickly called her eldest son Aden, whispering a few words in his ear sneakily. Shortly after, Aden slipped out through the back door of the kitchen.