Quincy watched as Lillian turned around and eagerly crouched down to talk to Jasmine. Seeing her radiant smile, he suddenly spoke up to Ethan, who was in the driver’s seat, “Dad, why did Mom leave? Isn’t she coming home with us?”
Ethan thought for a moment before answering, “Your mom found a treasure she had lost. We should be happy for her, respect her decision, and wish her well.”
“Jasmine is Mom’s treasure? Then what about me?” Quincy asked, confused.
For a five-year-old, this was too much to understand.
“You’re also your mom and dad’s treasure. That’s something written in our blood-it’s fate. We love you more than anything.”
Quincy stared out the window at the passing cars. “So, Jasmine is really Mom’s daughter? That means… she’s my little sister?”
Ethan smiled gently. “Yes.”
“But… but Jasmine already has a dad. And Mom is just one person. How can she be your fiancee and Jasmine’s dad’s wife at the same time?” Quincy’s little brain was completely tangled.
Ethan was briefly stunned before chuckling. “That’s not something for kids to worry about.”
“Wow, Dad, you always say that when you don’t know how to answer my questions. Just because we’re kids doesn’t mean we’re not part of the family. I think I have the right to know. Dad, are you going to break up with Mom again?”
“I don’t know,” Ethan admitted. “But I think what matters most is that your mom is happy. That’s more important than anything, because she wasn’t just there for me during the hardest times of my life-she’s also my very, very good friend. Her happiness means more than our relationship.”
Quincy blinked. “Dad, what if Mom isn’t happy?”
Ethan stopped at a red light and said firmly, “Then no one can take her away.”
“Quincy, remember this-whatever life gives you, whether sorrow or joy, accept it as the best arrangement. It’ll make things much easier.”
“Hmm, I like that. I’m going to tell Jasmine tomorrow. Do you think she’ll yell at me?”
“Is she that fierce?”
“Fierce? She’s super bossy! She always bullies me when Mom’s not looking.”
“So… do you not like her?”
“Well… I guess I kind of like her…” Quincy scratched his head awkwardly.
******
Meanwhile, upstairs, Conrad was pacing anxiously. He checked the elevator countless times within a minute. The employees in the CEO’s office were so unsure whether they should leave that they just kept pretending to work.
Who was that little boy?
Why was he calling that woman “Mom” too?
And Princess Jasmine called her “Mom” as well!
Wait… if you round things up… holy shit!
Did Mr. Conrad actually have a pair of twins?!
The office group chat had never been so silent. No one dared to gossip there anymore-they were all just exchanging intense glances, trying to telepathically discuss the scandal.
Just as Conrad was about to storm downstairs, the elevator doors finally slid open.
Jasmine bounced out, happily holding a box of her favorite cake. Even better-she was holding Lillian’s hand.
Conrad’s face darkened. “Jasmine, did you forget what the doctor said last time? Your cavities still haven’t healed, and you’re eating sweets again?!”
Jasmine instantly ducked behind Lillian, her big, teary eyes full of grievance. “Mommy, did you hear that? Daddy won’t even let me eat cake at home. If you don’t come home with me, I’ll never get to eat cake again!”
As if to add to the drama, she sniffled loudly, her little shoulders trembling.
Lillian hated seeing her upset. “What are you scolding her for? It’s just cake! Kids losing their baby teeth is perfectly normal.”
Conrad, “…”
He shot Jasmine a glare. “Just this one piece. No more sweets for the next month.”
“Waaah, Mom is the best! Now that Mom is back, Dad is finally letting me eat it. Otherwise, he would’ve thrown it in the trash already.”
“…Don’t make me sound like the bad guy. I just don’t trust the ingredients in store-bought frosting. If you want cake, you can ask Nanny to make you a sugar-free one.”
Jasmine stuck her tongue out at him behind Lillian’s back, then dashed off to the coffee table and opened the cake herself.
Conrad watched her stand there and asked, “The boy went back?”
Lillian nodded. “Ethan picked him up.”
“You’ve been with him all these years?”
“Yes.”
Conrad swallowed down the bitterness in his heart. “I’ll call Nancy and have her clean up the house. It’s full of Jasmine’s toys. And we have a few dogs now-I don’t want you to be scared.”
“I… I’ll stay at a hotel tonight. Can Jasmine stay with me?” she asked tentatively.
Conrad didn’t respond.
Jasmine’s little ears perked up. Upon hearing that, she suddenly flopped onto the couch, hugging a pillow as she whined, “Waaah, I have always been picky about where I sleep! I can’t sleep anywhere new. I couldn’t even nap at kindergarten!”
As she spoke, she frantically blinked at Conrad, her tiny face full of exaggerated emotion.
He got the message loud and clear. He was honestly a little surprised-he had never noticed just how terrible this little drama queen’s acting was before.
“She’s right. She’s very particular about her bed. And no matter how high-end a hotel is, the linens can still be rough on a child’s skin, and there’s always dust mites.”
“Mommy, Jasmine wants to sleep with you. In five whole years, Jasmine never got to sleep with Mommy.”
Lillian hated it when she said things like that. “Alright, alright, don’t cry, okay? Mommy doesn’t want to leave Jasmine either.”
Jasmine immediately pounced into her arms, snuggling against her while sneaking a wink at Conrad. “Mommy is the best! Yay! That means Mommy can help me with my bath and tell me bedtime stories tonight!”
Lillian stroked her hair, holding back the urge to tear up. “Mm.”
Conrad felt like he was dreaming.
He had imagined this moment countless times-her staying by their daughter’s side, waiting for him to come home from work.
Then the three of them, as a family, driving home together-he would be at the wheel, and she would be in the backseat, chatting with Jasmine.
It had always been a dream. And every time he woke up, the dull ache in his chest would stretch through the long, empty nights.
But today, that dream had come true.
And the feeling… it was impossible to put into words.
“I’ll carry her.” Seeing Lillian preparing to lift Jasmine, he reached out to take her.
“I want to hold her,” she insisted.
He withdrew his hand. “Alright.”
Jasmine stuck her tongue out at him again. “Mommy, you smell so nice! Mommy, am I heavy?”
“Not at all. My little Jasmine isn’t heavy one bit. Mommy can carry you for a long time.”
As they walked out, Ford immediately pressed the elevator button for them. “Mr. Conrad, I’ve canceled all your meetings and events for tomorrow.”
Conrad hummed in acknowledgment, stepping into the elevator and waiting inside for Lillian to join him.
Ford watched them disappear as the elevator doors closed. Then, out of nowhere, he clenched his fist in triumph. “Yes!”
Everyone in the CEO’s office had been secretly peeking toward the door. Seeing Ford’s reaction, they couldn’t help but ask, “Assistant Ford, is that our boss’s wife? And… how many kids does Mr. Conrad actually have?”
“Of course, there’s only Miss Jasmine,” Ford replied. Then, in a rare burst of generosity, he announced, “But today, I’m in a great mood! Dinner’s on me-order whatever you want!”
After five years, he could finally breathe easy.
He no longer had to worry about Conrad suddenly losing the will to live.
He no longer had to nervously make up excuses for Jasmine, explaining where her mother had “gone on a business trip” this time, or why she hadn’t come back.
Year after year, the lies had piled up.
But kids grow up. And someday, there would have been no way to hide the truth anymore.
Jasmine had been raised by everyone in the company. No one could bear to see her hurt.