Chapter 403
Chapter 403
When I got home, my mom had already prepared dinner, and my dad was tinkering with the plants in the yard. Seeing Russel and me return, he waved, “Russel, can you check out this tree for me?”
Russel immédiately stepped forward to investigate with my dad. He was a doctor, but not a botanist of any sort, and my dad loved to ask questions that were way out of his field of knowledge.
Fortunately, Russel was very patient with those inquiries. No matter what my dad asked, he seriously studied it alongside him.
My parents were increasingly pleased with Russel. Their only concern was that I wasn’t going to be able to have children anymore. If I did end up with Russel, that would have meant sacrificing his chance of having a family.
“All right, enough with the tree! Come in and eat!” my mom called out after she finished cooking.
My dad and Russel washed their hands and joined us at the table.
During dinner, I mentioned running into Ryan and Faith today, and my parents’ faces immediately changed. They were deeply worried about the situation.
Their concerns were similar to Russel’s. The better Ryan and Faith were to me, the more inappropriate it was.
“Dad, Mom, don’t worry too much. Neil has done many wrong things, but his parents have been really good to me. I can’t completely ignore them, but I won’t initiate
contact.”
“How long are they planning to stay here?” my dad asked.
“I’m not sure. Maybe they’ll leave once Neil and Mitch finish the project they’re working on,” I responded. I hadn’t asked Ryan and Faith about their plans.
My mom sighed and said, “Rena, don’t let them drag you back into Neil’s life, okay?”
I nodded.
Fortunately, I didn’t get any calls from Faith after that day. I was genuinely worried that she would have come to find me.
J
Russel went back to work, leaving me, my parents, and the nanny, Norah, to take care of little Brandon.
“Don’t worry. Norah and I can handle it. We will get back quickly after we buy the clothes; help me take care of Brandon,” I said, preparing to take Serena out for a bit to buy some clothes. The weather was growing hot, and the kids needed some new outfits for the season.
I left Brandon with my parents at home and went out with Norah and Serena.
Because of the kids, I rarely went shopping, so I only planned to stroll around the nearby pedestrian street, buy some clothes, and then return home.
“Do you have this onesie in a boys’ version?” I asked the saleswoman, pointing to a yellow duck onesie that I wanted for Brandon.
“Yes. Just one moment, please,” she politely responded.
Just then, I heard a familiar voice that made my heart sink. “Grandma, I like that one!”
It was Hiram’s voice.
I turned around and saw Ryan and Faith entering the store with Hiram. Faith was holding Hiram’s hand, and they both had loving smiles on their faces. They hadn’t noticed me yet and were just coaxing Hiram. “All right. Whatever clothes you like, Grandma will buy for you, and Grandpa will pay, okay?”
“Okay! Grandma and Grandpa are the best!” Hiram clapped his hands happily.
That warm and happy scene was probably what Ryan and Faith had been hoping for all those years. Since it was finally happening, they were certainly considering Karina more seriously and wouldn’t have rejected her as easily as they did Bonnie.
“Miss, here is the boys’ onesie you asked for. Would you like me to wrap it up?” the saleswoman handed me the boys’ onesie and asked.
Her voice caught the attention of Ryan and Faith, and they seemed surprised to see me there.
Faith immediately approached me, “Irene, you’re shopping here, too? What a coincidence!”
“Yes, I’m here to buy some clothes for Serena. I’ve already found what I need, so I was just about to leave,” I responded, not wanting to linger there any longer.
“I brought Hiram here to get some clothes. His mom is always busy with work, and his dad is the same. They don’t really have time for him. Since it’s getting hot, I thought I’d bring him to get some new clothes,” Faith explained. Her words were full of affection for Hiram.
Hiram seemed to behave better around his grandparents. He stood obediently next to Faith. His round eyes shifted between me and Serena, who was being held by
Norah.
Suddenly, Serena started to cry, seemingly out of hunger.
Norah quickly prepared a bottle of formula for her. Ryan and Faith watched. Their eyes filled with tenderness.
After Serena finished her bottle, Faith couldn’t help but reach out to touch her, saying, “Oh, I wish I could have a granddaughter.”
When Serena was done eating, Faith asked, “Can I hold her?”
reluctantly agreed, “Sure,”
Norah handed Serena to Faith, who gently rocked the baby in her arms, humming a lullaby. It was a peaceful scene.
Just then, I noticed two figures entering the store out of the corner of my eye. It was Neil and
Karina.
Karina’s expression changed slightly when she saw Faith holding Serena, but she quickly composed herself. She walked briskly into the store, explaining, “I was in surgery, so I got here late. Neil just finished a meeting and rushed over.”
Seeing Karina, Faith’s expression wasn’t exactly warm, but it was much better than how she used to treat Bonnie. It was probably because of Hiram.
“You two are always so caught up with work. What about the child? Look at how scrawny Hiram is!” Faith exclaimed. Her tone was slightly irritated as she spoke to
Kanna.
“Hiram’s digestion has always been a bit weak. I’ve been trying to nurse him back to health. He’ll start to gain weight slowly.” Karina responded. Her tone was neither too submissive nor too defiant, standing her ground in front of Faith.
Hiram was quite adept at defending his mother. He quickly grabbed Faith’s hand and shook it, “Granny, please don’t blame mommy. It’s my fault for being a picky eater. Mommy takes really good care of me!”
Seeing her little grandson defending Karina, Faith’s stern expression softened a bit. She managed a small smile at Hiram, “Hiram, Granny isn’t blaming your mom, I’m just worried about you.”
