Aveline couldn’t resist Joyce’s pestering any longer. “Fine, I’ll tell you. Yes, I like Orion, and I’ve agreed to be his girlfriend.”
“But you haven’t told me yet-what does it feel like to like someone?” Joyce pressed further.
“Liking someone is when you think about them when they’re not around, and when you see them, your heart feels warm. You just want to stay with them forever.”
For instance, right now, just thinking about Orion’s face made Aveline feel incredibly sweet, as if the whole world had gotten a bit brighter.
Noticing Joyce dazing off, Aveline asked, “What are you thinking about? Do you like someone too?”
“No, I don’t!” Joyce, usually sharp-tongued, suddenly stammered, which immediately piqued Aveline’s curiosity.
“Joyce, who is it? Do you like Hugh?” Aveline, who wasn’t usually one to gossip, suddenly felt intrigued. Who could have captured Joyce’s attention?
Hugh was a boy from their kindergarten days. Back then, he was a loner, avoiding contact with anyone. Joyce had taken the initiative to approach him, and over time, Hugh became her good friend. To call him a friend might be an understatement-he was more like her follower or protector.
Later, when Aveline returned to Clothville for school, Joyce stayed in New York, and Hugh ended up in the same elementary school as her. They were always in the same class.
They were childhood friends, and given Hugh’s loyal personality, it wasn’t surprising if Joyce had developed feelings for him.
“Hmph, you’re so nosy. I’m not telling you!” Joyce turned away, avoiding the subject.
Aveline chuckled softly. Her sweet but naive little sister clearly had her own thoughts now. Everyone has their secrets, so Aveline decided not to press further.
The two drifted back to sleep. Two hours later, the door burst open, and someone came running in.
“Joyce, you’re here too!” Nash’s tiny feet pattered across the room.
“Little Nash, I’m here! Did you miss me?” Joyce instantly perked up upon seeing Nash and playfully pinched his soft, rosy cheeks.
“I did! Nash misses you every day. Promise you’ll stay with me for a few more days before leaving.”
“Okay!”
“My darling little ones, it’s time to get up. There’s something big happening today.” Julian strolled in with a playful tone. It had been a long time since the three children had been together.
“Daddy, I missed you so much!” Joyce leapt off the bed and threw herself into Julian’s arms.
Aurora, standing by, laughed. “You’re so grown up now, and still acting like a child.”
“I don’t care. No matter how old I get, I’ll always be Daddy’s little girl.” Joyce hugged Julian’s neck tightly and planted a kiss on his cheek.
Julian looked at the little face that resembled Aurora’s so closely, though Joyce’s dimples and lively personality set her apart.
“Alright, enough of that. Your mommy made breakfast for you all. Go wash up and come downstairs to eat,” Julian said with a smile.
“Okay, Daddy! I haven’t had Mommy’s cooking in so long. I’m so happy!” Joyce couldn’t contain her excitement.
At the dining table, Asher sat quietly, his face serious. Compared to before, he had grown much more mature and composed over the years.
“Ashy, you’ve worked so hard all these years. In a couple more years, Joyce will be old enough to attend boarding school,” Aurora said gratefully.
Truthfully, Joyce was already old enough to board at school, but Aurora couldn’t bear to let her go just yet. Joyce had always been cared for by Asher, and she had refused to live with her grandmother. Once Joyce made up her mind, no one could change it.
The family spoiled her, but Asher spoiled her even more.
Asher understood Aurora’s good intentions. She worried that Joyce living with him would scare off any potential partners. But the truth was, it wasn’t because of Joyce-it was because he simply couldn’t accept any other women in his life.
Over the years, Asher had tried to date, even with women who didn’t mind helping him care for Joyce. Yet, every relationship ended in less than a month. Even when things seemed to be going well, the moment a woman tried to get closer, he felt nothing but revulsion.
He even doubted himself. If he ever had certain needs, he’d rather handle them alone than touch someone he didn’t care for.
A psychologist had assured him that there was nothing wrong with him. He just didn’t like those women, and perhaps he’d feel differently when he met the right one.
After a few attempts, Asher stopped caring. Life without romance was just fine-his days were fulfilling enough.
Hearing Aurora’s suggestion now, he couldn’t help but think about the day Joyce might leave him. The idea of returning to his old loneliness left a hollow feeling in his chest.
“There’s no rush. Joyce is still young. We can talk about it later,” he said quietly.
“Mommy, why are you always trying to push me away from Ashy? Hmph.” Joyce pouted, clearly unhappy.
“Because you’re so naughty! I heard you caused trouble at school recently. Poor Asher has to clean up your mess every time,” Aurora teased, pinching Joyce’s cheek.
“No, Mommy, it wasn’t my fault. She started it!” Joyce defended herself.
“And what about your studies? I heard you’ve been doodling during class instead of paying attention,” Aurora continued. “If only you were half as obedient and sensible as Aveline, I’d have nothing to worry about.”
“Mommy, I hate studying. I love drawing! I want to be just as brilliant a designer as you someday,” Joyce declared, her eyes sparkling.
“Oh, by the way, I signed up for next month’s design competition. If you’re free, you have to come cheer me on.”
Aurora chuckled lightly. “There’s no reasoning with you. Fine, as long as you grow up healthy and happy, I won’t interfere too much with your hobbies.”
Their family already had enough geniuses. They didn’t need Joyce to be another one.
Even little Nash, barely six years old, already knew all the common characters and spent his days reading in the study. If word got out, no one would believe that a child not yet in first grade was already reading books.
It was all thanks to the family’s exceptional genes. Joyce wasn’t stupid-she just didn’t care to put effort into academics, preferring to pour her energy into drawing. Aurora chose not to force her.
The last time Aveline had lied to Joyce about Aurora caring deeply about her grades, it had only been a playful tease. In truth, even if Joyce didn’t perform well academically, Aurora and the others wouldn’t be angry. As long as Joyce didn’t stray down a bad path, that was enough.
“Aveline, you have to come too! I’ll definitely win the championship!” Joyce said confidently.
“Alright, alright, we’ll all come. But if you lose, don’t blame me for teasing you,” Aveline teased.
“I won’t lose!” Joyce declared with determination.