“Daddy came back after that and worked on it the whole night,” Robbie added.
“I know he fixed my invention too. One of the screws went missing so I couldn’t put everything together, but when I looked at it just now, everything was intact. It must be Daddy. He must have found that missing screw.”
“Daddy…” Jamie began to sob.
Robbie did not say a word but lowered his head. He looked at the model he invented. His eyes turned red and a tear dropped from his eyes.
He quickly turned away so Charlotte would not see him crying, but it was too late.
Charlotte felt guilty looking at her children.
She knew all they ever wanted was a complete family, but that was what Charlotte could not give them.
It was not just about holding the family together in a superficial sense. They needed a lot of reconciliation on the emotional level too.
The only thing Charlotte could do now was to minimize the hurt she would bring to them.
She bent down and smiled at them. “Daddy loves y’all a lot. Y’all should be grateful for that.”
Jamie nodded and went out to look for Zachary.
Robbie had his back to Charlotte as he stood before the study table in his room, looking at the model in his hand.
Charlotte went over and ruffled his hair. “You can stay with Daddy if you want to, Robbie. Mommy’s fine with that.”
She knew full well that the children would not be happy around her. They should be given a choice.
“I won’t change my mind, Mommy,” Robbie said, turning toward her, “I just miss Daddy.”
Words failed Charlotte. She did not know what else to say.
“It’s okay, Mommy, Daddy can still find us in Erihal. You’ll bring me back to H City to see Daddy, right?”
“I might never come back to H City again, Robbie,” Charlotte said softly, “But I will not stop you from seeing Daddy.”
“Mommy…” Robbie surveyed her expression before he asked the burning question. “Are you marrying Sir Louis?”
Zachary’s hand stopped just as he was about to knock on the door.
“Maybe,” Charlotte said vaguely, “But I still love all of you. Nothing can replace y’all in my heart.”
“What about Daddy?” Robbie looked at her in the eye. “Do you still love him? Not even the slightest bit?”
Zachary cocked his head and looked at Charlotte with mixed feelings.
He had always wanted to ask this question, but Robbie beat him to it.
Despair grew in Charlotte’s eyes, but she finally got a grip on herself. A bitter smile curved on her lips. “Things will never be the same between us again.”
There was resignation and regret in her voice.
Zachary lowered his gaze. He felt his heart was gripped and shattered.
“Daddy…”
Robbie spotted Zachary at the door.
Charlotte whipped her head around in alarm. She would be lying to say that she felt nothing when she saw his dejected face, but this was for the best. She should snuff out every lingering hope he had as soon as possible.
“Robbie, I’ve made some pizza. Do you want to go grab some with Jamie and Ellie?” Zachary quickly put on a smile.
“Alright.” Robbie put down his stuff and put on his shoes before running out.
“Wash your hands first,” Zachary reminded him as he walked out.
“Yes, Daddy.”
Robbie cleaned his hands and joined his siblings in the dining room.
“You should eat a bit too. Lunch is almost ready,” Zachary said to Charlotte before going back to the kitchen.
