Grape was not shy and interacted joyfully with the butterflies attracted by the flowers in the yard.
When the butterflies flew away, she ran after them, trying to keep them, but fell into a warm, broad embrace, her nose filled with a faint sandalwood scent.
A pair of large hands steadied her. She looked up and saw an expressionless face. She giggled and reached out, trying to make him smile.
“Uncle, you are so scary.”
Mollie felt a chill down her spine. “Maybe we should take her away. She’s too much trouble here.”
Nelson’s gaze was deep as he stared at the child in his arms. “A child just over a year old can’t cause much trouble.”
“What’s your name?” he asked, holding her hand.
“Mommy says my eyes look like grapes, so I’m called Grape.”
How casual.
Nelson slightly closed his eyes. “Where is your mommy?”
“She went to work.”
“She left you alone?”
“No way! Mommy said she has to earn a lot of money to find me a daddy. So she’s doing it for me, not abandoning me,” Grape said, tilting her head.
Mollie laughed. “Most kids over a year old don’t speak so clearly. She’s quite smart.”
Nelson’s lips curved into a faint smile, thinking of someone.
“Where is your daddy?”
“Mommy says daddy is in Ylosea, but he’s very busy and can only come to see me when I’m eighteen. I’m just one and a half now!” Grape sighed, looking troubled. “So many years to go.”
The adults understood immediately. It seemed likely that the child’s father was no longer around, and the mother had lied to her.
Nelson’s voice was a bit hoarse as he coughed and turned away from the child.
Anthony, feeling uneasy, pulled Aliyah. “I’ll go with you to look for her.”
Aliyah didn’t want to delay either. Without waiting for Malakai’s response, she decided to go out and search. “Okay.”
But halfway through, she worried about the child. “… Grape…”
Nelson remained calm. “You go ahead.”
Grape was brave enough. Sitting on the man’s long legs, she couldn’t help but laugh. “Uncle, you’re so handsome.”
Nelson’s lips slightly curved; he had never been complimented by such a young child before.
“So young, and you know what handsome means?”
“Of course! My mommy is very beautiful, and you’re very handsome. On TV, good-looking people always end up together. It’s… it’s a match made in heaven!” Grape said loudly and innocently. “Can you be my daddy?”
Mollie watched Nelson’s expression, feeling he might throw the child out any second.
“I haven’t even met your mommy. How can I be your daddy?” Nelson was in a rare good mood because she was so adorable.
“My mommy is very pretty and smart. You won’t lose out.” Grape waved her little hands. “I can take you to meet her!”
She tried to jump down and pull Nelson’s finger.
He wasn’t interested and remained still, saying calmly, “What if your mommy doesn’t like me?”
“Impossible. My mommy likes all handsome men.”
“But you are the most handsome I’ve ever seen, so she will definitely like you.”
Mollie couldn’t help but laugh. “First time seeing a child matchmake for her mom. So cute.”
Nelson absentmindedly played with her hair. From this angle, he had an illusion…
He snapped out of it, his lips curving downward.
Grape winced in pain and looked up. “Uncle, you hurt me. You need to apologize.”
Nelson’s gaze turned much colder as he looked up again.