“Neo Boy, what are you doing?” Walking to the kitchen door, Clara looked at Neo, who, with the help of the servant, was standing on a small bench and carefully stirring the porridge in the pot.
“Mom, you’re up!” Seeing Clara, Neo happily jumped down from the bench. “Mom, did you sleep well? Where have you been these days?”
Picking up Neo, Clara poked his little face and said, “An old lady is sick, so I was in the hospital to take care of her. How are you going these days?”
After coming back, Clara had not introduced Neo to Helena. On the one hand, Clara didn’t want Horace to know Neo. On the other hand, Helena cared for nobody but Laura, so Clara also wanted to hide Neo from her.
“Then is that old lady cured?” Neo asked with eyes wide open.
“Yes.” Clara smiled and gently poked his forehead. “She is fine now. Can you tell me what you’re cooking?”
“I’m boiling porridge for you,” Neo broke away from Clara and ran back to the pot, staring seriously at it. “It’s said that porridge is very good for health. I think you will be hungry when you wake up, so I want to boil some for you.”
Clara nodded with a smile. Neo’s consideration gave her a warm feeling in her heart and drove away all her annoyance caused by Helena and Laura.
Walking to the pot, Clara lifted the lid, looked at the boiling porridge, and said, “It seems that the porridge is ready. Neo, please bring me two bowls. I want to taste how good it was.”
“Okay.” With an excited face, Neo hurried to the cupboard.
The servant turned off the heat and said, “Miss Hutchinson, you can go wait at the table, and I’ll serve you later.”
“No need,” Clara said with a smile, “I’ll do it myself.”
This was the first time Neo cooked for Clara, so she decided to take it seriously.
After a bow, the servant left with a smile on her face. The servant did admire Neo and thought he was more considerate than many other kids.
“Mom, here you are.” Neo quickly brought the bowls to Clara.
“Neo, go to the table and wait for me. You are too small to hold it,” Clara said while pouring the porridge into the bowls.
“Okay.” With a nod, Neo ran to the table and sat down as instructed.
Seeing this, Clara felt she was lucky enough to have such a thoughtful child.
“Mom, is it good?” Watching Clara put the spoon into her mouth, Neo asked nervously.
“Wow!” Clara said with a surprised smile, “It’s so delicious. You are a genius at cooking. I almost can’t believe this is your first time cooking.”
“Really?” Hearing this, Neo gave a satisfied smile and hurriedly took a bite of the porridge with his spoon.
“It’s really good! Mom, just enjoy it!” Neo was pleased with the porridge and hurriedly said to Clara.
Caressing Neo’s head, Clara lowered her head and began to drink her porridge. Clara’s eyes gradually got moist. Clara was very touched.
“Mom, may I ask you a question?” Seeing that Clara was in a good mood, Neo said carefully.
“Of course.” Clara looked up at him and smiled. “What do you want to know?”
“Mom, how are you going with Dad? Can I… can I go see dad?” Neo asked nervously.
Clara froze. The next second, she was overcome with guilt. She got up and walked to Neo, Clara holding him in her arms.
“Neo Boy, do you really want to see him?”
“Yes!” Hearing this, Neo nodded desperately. “I even want to see him in my dream!”
Looking at the eager look on Neo’s face, Clara felt very sorry for him. Like the other kids, Neo deserved a happy and parental childhood, but he was not even allowed to see his father.
Clara wondered whether Horace would believe her if he was told that she gave birth to the child in her belly abroad rather than had an abortion.
On second thought, for the sake of Neo, Clara decided to give Horace a chance to explain what he did back then.
“Mum! Are you trying to make up with dad?” Wrapping his arms around Clara’s neck, Neo excitedly asked in her ear.
Looking Neo in the eyes, Clara said seriously, “Baby, I can’t guarantee that I’ll make up with him, but I’m willing to give him a chance. I left him back then because he did something that disappointed me. And now my attitude depends on his explanation. Can you understand me?”
“Yes.” Neo nodded happily. “I believe there must be a misunderstanding between you and Dad. He couldn’t have done anything that disappointed you. Mom, you must give him a chance.”
“I hope so”, Clara looked at Neo and thought to herself.
After Neo fell asleep, Clara walked to the living room and made a call to Horace.
“Clara, what’s up with calling me so late?” Horace was naturally happy to receive Clara’s call. Nonetheless, he was afraid that Clara would call him because she was in trouble.
Horace was clear in his mind that she couldn’t call him because she missed him.
“Nothing serious, I just…” Clara said with hesitation, “Thank you for helping me so much these days. Are you available tomorrow? I wanted to thank you in person and, by the way, I have something to tell you.”
“Yes, “Horace agreed without hesitation, “I’m always available for you.”
Clara was somewhat by Horace’s words. She didn’t even know what to say next. Clara remembered that Horace was not very good at saying this before. He did change a lot. Clara admitted that she was pleased with what Horace said.
Clara fell silent, but Horace could imagine the shy look on her face. With a chuckle, Horace asked gently, “Clara, where do you want to meet tomorrow? I’ll come to you.”
“What?” Clara recovered from her thoughts and got even shier. She said embarrassedly, “My mother will be discharged tomorrow, so I have to send her home. You can pick me up at her house after work. You should still remember, right? ”
“Of course.” Horace said softly, “Then it’s settled. I will pick you up tomorrow.”
“Okay, see you tomorrow.” Hardly had Clara finished her words did she hang up the phone. She took a few deep breaths before her heart beat returned to normal speed.