Chapter 891 Unable to Move on Part Five
Natalie was taken aback and stared at Sophia with mixed emotions.
“Sophia, I…” Natalie was speechless.
“Mommy, when will Daddy come to visit us?”
…
Natalie was unable to answer the question.
She refused to tell her children that she was abandoned by their father.
At the same time, Natalie had no idea how to ease the situation.
Presumably noticing Natalie’s hesitation, Sophia asked softly, “Is my question that hard to answer?”
Natalie was harsh on her sons, but when it came to Sophia, she had a soft spot for her. If it were Franklin, Xavian, or Clayton who asked the question, they would be lambasted almost immediately. Nonetheless, instead of feeling enraged at Sophia’s question, Natalie felt guilty and ashamed.
“It’s not hard.”
“Really?” Sophia’s eyes lit up with hope.
“Yes.” Natalie nodded. “Since when did Mommy lie to you? But Daddy is really occupied with work right now. It will not be convenient for him to travel to Loang. However, he will take time out from work to video call you when he is free.”
“That’s great!”
Just the thought of speaking to Samuel via a video call was enough to put a smile on Sophia’s face.
Natalie carried Sophia back to her room.
After the five children fell asleep, Natalie quietly exited the bedroom and headed toward the study.
Having made a promise to Sophia, Natalie was determined to keep it.
Natalie pulled out her phone and started browsing for Samuel’s number. She took three deep breaths before calling.
“Ring…”
He did not pick up the phone.
Just when Natalie wanted to put down the phone, she heard a familiar voice from the other end of the call.
“Hello.”
His voice, like how it had always been, was magnetic and unique.
“It’s me.”
“I know.”
“I’m not bothering you and Ms. Garcia, am I?” Natalie chuckled.
“No.”
“All right. I’ll keep this short.” Natalie was trying to portray a nonchalant attitude. “I found a kindergarten for the children in Loang, and their applications have already been submitted for processing. They’ll be able to start school next week. Also, I have a favor to ask. Can you at least speak to the children for half an hour every week? That way, they won’t miss you as much.”
Natalie acted naturally. Little did Samuel know, Natalie was unable to move on and she was shielding herself from the pain that would ensue, should she continue to be entangled with him.
“Sure.” Samuel agreed without hesitation.
“Thank you…”
Natalie heaved a sigh of relief.
“Okay, that will be all. I’m hanging up.”
Natalie wanted to put down the phone quickly, but Samuel stopped her in her tracks. “Wait!”
“What?”
“Did you tell the children about my marriage with Luna?” asked Samuel.
“No,” said Natalie. “I don’t plan to tell them anytime soon. I understand the pain of not having a father figure, and I don’t want them to go through what I experienced when I was small. If you are still aware of your responsibilities as a father, I hope you can cooperate with me on this. The longer we can keep this from them, the better.”
“I’m sorry…”
“I don’t need this.” Natalie smiled bitterly. “You know what I need.”
“I cannot give you what you want.”
Perhaps that was the conundrum faced by two intellectual individuals with their own distinct thoughts.
Despite knowing that the marriage proposal was a red herring, neither of them took a step further.
After putting down the phone.
Samuel replayed the recording of the call again and again, until a notification popped out, reminding him that his phone’s battery was low.
He initially thought that he was able to conceal his feelings, but it turned out to be harder than expected.
