Linford smiled and stretched his arms, taking her in. His breath was hot and minty against her cheek, “It’s a bad habit, Cristelle. You have to trust Cody with his own issues.”
“Let me go,” Cristelle felt her knees getting weak, face as red as a tomato, “I…I need to take a shower right now.”
Linford chuckled softly and withdrew his arms.
Cristelle sprinted towards the bathroom as if a monster were chasing her.
****
They finished breakfast together the following day, sending the babies to school together.
Before they could enter the gate, however, Candace suddenly stopped, looking up at her Mom. She didn’t want to go to school anymore.
“What’s wrong, honey?” Cristelle ruffled her hair, “Are you feeling uncomfortable?”
Candace pouted, shaking her head slowly.
Cody sighed, “Come on, Candace. You need to be a brave girl.” Saying that, he grabbed his sister’s hand.
However, Candace pulled away. Her eyes were filled with tears. She didn’t want to be called “little mute” anymore. In fact, she didn’t want to face anyone at school.
She ran toward Cristelle, burying her face in her Mom’s bosom.
Amy and Thomas just stood there, watching. They wanted to help their best friend, but they didn’t know what to do.
Linford knew the reason, so he wouldn’t push his little girl, “Cody, get in with your friends now. Candace didn’t feel comfortable today. She can take a rest today.”
Candace nodded eagerly.
Cristelle finally noticed that something had gone wrong. She wrapped her arms around Candace, kissing the top of her head, “It’s okay, honey. Don’t cry. We’re not going to school today.”
Candace nodded, sniffing.
Cody suddenly got so mad deep inside. He knew how difficult it was for Candace to face the outside world. And now, she was deeply scarred. The boy didn’t say anything, stomping into the kindergarten, flanked by Amy and Thomas.
Linford and Cristelle decided to bring Candace to their work.
Cristelle seemed a bit pissed off upon climbing into the car. She knew it was not a simple minor accident that happened yesterday, judging from Candace’s reaction at school this morning. She wanted to ask Linford why he had lied to her. But Candace was still around. She didn’t want to scare her daughter.
Linford knew Cristelle must have noticed it, sighing, “Cody had a fight with other kids yesterday. Candace was scared.”
Candace was eating a bag of chips. Hearing that, she budged toward her Dad and grabbed his finger, begging him silently to stop talking.
She didn’t want her Mommy to know those kids called her “little mute.” It would make Mom sad if she knew the truth.
“What? Cody had a fight? To whom?” Cristelle went anxious instantly, “Cody is a good kid. He won’t fight for no reason!”
Linford cast her a glance, “No one said he’s not a good boy. But he also has his tempers. He just seldom shows that side of him to you. He pushed the two kids into the pond. Who knows what would’ve happened if the teacher didn’t get there in time? Candace just happened to be there. She was scared after witnessing the fight.” Linford leaned forward and left a kiss on Candace’s head.
Candace nodded timidly.
Cody had taken the whole blame now.
Candace felt bad for her brother, but she knew Cody wouldn’t mind.
“But there’s gonna be a reason. Why would he push those kids?” Cristelle fidgeted, eager to know the reason behind the fight.
“It was because of some game he engaged in. He got into a fight with another competitive kid. Mrs. Weston scolded him. He won the fight, by the way. See the way he walked into the school just now?”
Cristelle let out a deep breath, “I knew it. Candace wouldn’t be so scared if it was just a minor accident. But how could Cody hide it from me? He should have told me yesterday.” Cristelle didn’t like to be lied to.
“The boy has his pride,” Linford shrugged his shoulders.
He noticed the look in Cristelle’s eyes. It seemed like she had let it slide.
****
Meanwhile, at Darwin’s house.
“What? That Wayne boy really said that? He said that to my grandchildren?” Darwin exploded, slamming the table, “Do those people have a death wish?”
His assistant was trembling, “Even that little girl from the White House also joined the boy. Candace’s too popular in school. Those kids are jealous. I guess that’s the reason why they started the fight. But Cody is a brave boy. He beat those kids up. The whole thing only subsided when the seniors of the two houses showed up.”
“Good for our Cody boy. But Candace… I knew this would happen,” Darwin let out a long sigh.
Tanya happened to be back from outside. She thought for a second and decided to stir some shit, “I heard what happened yesterday. Those little bullies should never have done that. But what they said had a root. If Candace could talk and if her mother was a more responsible woman, this problem wouldn’t happen. Our poor grandchildren wouldn’t be made fun of inside the school.”
Darwin turned to look at her, “Where’s that expert cousin of yours?”
“Father has sent him to school. He could use the chance to make Candace talk. But based on what happened yesterday, we probably need to wait for a couple of days before the session officially begins.”
“Why should we wait?” Darwin’s face darkened, “Call your cousin here and take Candace here. And that Cristelle, bring her here too. I have something to tell her too.”
Tanya just nodded and hastily went out to do the task.
“So, you’re gonna see Cristelle by yourself?” Clara overheard the conversation and followed Tanya before she could leave the house.
Tanya nodded, “Yeah. Darwin sent me to do it.”
Clara looked concerned, “Tanya, remember this. Don’t say anything harsh to that woman. Linford’s currently in love with her. He’ll be so mad at you if you say something bad to her. Just let Darwin say all the stuff. Even if Linford got mad, he would only be mad at Darwin.”
Tanya had never wanted Linford and Darwin to be on good terms. As Linford’s stepmother, she knew she would get nothing if the father and the son got along together. She thus had been deliberately trying to cause conflicts between these two.