Chapter 385
Chapter 385
“Stella, there seems to be a lively scene over there. Let’s go check it out.” I decided to ignore Karina’s tiring chit-chat and headed off with the baby stroller.
Stella must have realized that Karina was no pushover. Any verbal jabs were like water off a duck’s back to her, and to continue was a waste of breath.
Our group, with the children in tow, bypassed Karina, heading towards the other side of the beach.
There were some kids’ games nearby. Stella and Barbara took their little ones to play. And even Cooper, the group’s lone bachelor, went in to help watch the kids.
Little Serena and Brandon were still too small. So, I stayed outside, occasionally teasing them and snapping a few photos for memories.
“Mommy, I want to play too!” Suddenly, Hiram’s voice rang in my ears. I turned to see him staring longingly at the playground. His voice was filled with excitement.
Karina held Hiram’s hand, a gentle smile on her face, “Sure, but some of the games seem a bit dangerous, and the other children have their fathers with them. Hiram, you’re a brave boy. You don’t need your father to accompany you, do you?”
I saw a brief flash of coldness cross Karina’s face. Despite her smile to Hiram, I felt an unsettling chill.
Neil stood on the other side of Karina, unable to see the subtle expressions on her face. He merely observed the children in the playground, and his cold demeanor contrasted sharply with the bustling scene.
“Of course, I’m a brave little man, I don’t…” Hiram spoke as he slapped his chest to express his bravery, but then paused, as if understanding something. He then quickly ran to Neil, “Daddy, can you go with me? I’m a bit scared to go alone.”
I shifted my attention away from them, pushing the baby stroller towards the side.
After a while, I saw Neil accompanying Hiram into the playground. He had agreed to Hiram’s request.
It made sense. He was desperate to have a child of his own, and then there was Hiram, right in front of him. Despite missing the past few years, blood was thicker than water. He still loved his child.
I couldn’t help but look at Serena and Brandon in the stroller. Their biological father was nearby, not holding them, not talking to them, but playing with another
child.
Suddenly, Brandon started crying. I had no choice but to pick him up and comfort him, but he was inconsolable.
Feeling helpless, I walked around with him, trying to soothe him, but to no avail.
We were near the end of the beach, surrounded by parents with their children. Distracted, I wandered a bit farther away. My sole focus was to calm Brandon.
But my eyes were still fixed on the stroller, ready to rush over at the slightest sign of trouble.
“Someone’s child is drowning over there! Everyone, be careful! Watch your children!” Suddenly, someone shouted.
Startled, I quickly scanned the surroundings. Many people were running over.
The crowd thickened, and I rushed to the stroller. Although it was only a few meters away, I was knocked aside by the crowd. I saw someone push the stroller, sending it hurtling towards the edge of the beach.
“Serena!” I screamed, holding Brandon tightly and chasing after the stroller.
Suddenly, another figure appeared ahead. With swift agility, he caught the stroller just before it could hit the water.
To my surprise, it was Neil.
My heart pounded with relief. I couldn’t imagine what would have happened if Serena had fallen into the water or if the stroller had tipped over.
Serena, frightened by the ordeal, started crying loudly.
Neil caught his breath and reached out to pick up Serena from the stroller. But when he saw me approach, he withdrew his hand, and his face returned to its usual cold expression, “If you can’t take care of your own children, then don’t go out.”
“Thank you!” My mind was occupied with nothing but gratitude. Even though it was Neil, I was genuinely grateful.
“Where’s your husband?” Neil suddenly asked.
I placed Brandon in the stroller and picked up the terrified Serena. I managed to smile at Neil, “He had to step out for a bit.”
Neil’s gaze cooled at my reply, “Oh, I almost forgot that Russel Dawson’s father hasn’t been well and that he went back to Rosemont.”
He had accepted and acknowledged that Russel was my husband and the father of Serena and Brandon.
I was too busy calming Serena to respond to Neil’s comment.
“Neil, what’s going on?!” Karina arrived, Hiram in tow. Her face stiffened when she saw me and Neil standing together. But she quickly relaxed, “Ah, you’re catching up with Ms. Finch. Hiram said you suddenly left him and ran off. I thought something had happened.”
Neil glanced at me. His voice was impassive, “Her stroller rolled over here. I just helped.”
“I see. It’s only right to help. Are the babies okay? They weren’t scared, were they?” Karina feigned concern, first looking at Serena in my arms, then at Brandon in the
stroller.
I felt her gaze linger on Brandon for a few seconds longer.
I put Serena back in the stroller and started to move away, “The kids are fine. The stroller got knocked away in the crowd, but thanks to Mr. Whitmore’s help, things didn’t go south. Thanks again!”
Neil didn’t respond, just watched me impassively.
Karina, on the other hand, was much bubblier. She advised me, “When you’re at places like this, as fun as they are, they can also be full of unexpected incidents. just heard there was a little one who nearly drowned over there. So, us, parents, must keep a close eye on our kids, Ms. Finch For your twins, you’ll need at least two adults. Where’s your husband? Didn’t he come with you?”
They sure knew how to hit a nerve. They were both asking about my husband.
I merely shook my head “He’s not home. I’ll be heading out now. See you.”
With a casual wave, I pushed the stroller away, eager to leave. The recent events left me shaken, and all I wanted was to head home and rest.
