“Mommy, what’s wrong?”
Ranita came back, and Ayaan happily hugged her, looking up with his fair and tender face. “Are you unhappy?”
“No! I’m not unhappy.”
“Mommy…” Ayaan’s big eyes looked at Ranita. “Mommy, can we go home?”
“Go home?”
“Yes… I want to go back and see Uncle Pearson and Jenny…” Ayaan held her hand, speaking softly and tenderly. “Mommy, you used to be happy.”
Though young, Ayaan was sensible.
Ranita felt touched in her heart and hugged the little one, smiling. “Ayaan, I’m not unhappy! Didn’t I tell you before? Uncle Pearson went to find Yasmin, so he can’t meet you for now. And Grandpa is not feeling well, so I have to stay here to help.”
“So we have to stay here for a while.” Pausing for a moment, Ranita said, “Once everything’s settled, if you still want to go back to Slovenia, I’ll take you back.”
Ayaan nodded, seeming to understand.
“Okay!” Ayaan pouted and said, “I’m a little man, and I want to stay here to protect Mommy, Grandpa, Grandma, and Uncle! Mommy, please don’t be unhappy.”
“Okay!” Ranita felt better. She sat down with Ayaan, had dinner together, and then asked him, “Ayaan, do you like Daddy?”
“Um… Do you like him?” Ayaan asked.
In the adult world, it wasn’t as simple as just liking someone.
Ranita’s lips turned bitter, and after hesitating for a moment, she nodded and said, “I will tell you a secret. I like your Daddy.”
“Wow! I know now!” The little one lowered his voice, clearly excited but trying to restrain himself. “Just like on TV, you fell in love and got married, and then I was born?”
“But… Mommy and Daddy can’t be together. Will you be sad, Ayaan?”
Ayaan frowned, and after a while, he said, “Mommy, I feel a little sad, and I don’t want to lie to you!”
Ranita reached out and hugged him, patting his back to comfort him.
After a while, Ayaan suddenly said, “Mommy, I’m not sad anymore because I’m happy when I’m with you.”
In his little heart, Ayaan still envied having a Daddy, but since Mommy said they couldn’t be together, he had to obediently listen.
Ranita knew that adult matters shouldn’t involve children, but some things couldn’t be hidden forever. Besides, Ayaan was a smart child who couldn’t be easily deceived.
They hadn’t eaten much when Jedidiah returned.
Jedidiah didn’t mention what he had done, quietly accompanying Ayaan for dinner, playing games and reading with him. He was patient and spoke gently.
By a little after eight, Ayaan was already tired and fell asleep.
Ranita walked Jedidiah to the door. Suddenly, Jedidiah took out a bank card and handed it to her. “Ranita, there’s one million in here, a gratitude payment to Brendon.”
Ranita looked at Jedidiah for a long time before accepting it. “I understand.”
“Ranita, both our parents and I want you to move forward.” Jedidiah sounded somewhat pleased.
Ranita lowered her eyelashes and made a sound of acknowledgment.
Accepting this bank card meant determining her position and decision. From now on, her relationship with Brendon would only be based on gratitude, without any feelings.
“However… I don’t need this card!” Ranita handed the bank card back. “I have my own money.”
Jedidiah pursed his lips. “Listen to me!”
“I am your family.”
Ranita’s eyes welled up with tears.
She held the bank card, ultimately accepting it without refusing.