Chapter 414
Chapter 414
Seeing the two little ones, Ryan and Faith broke into smiles.
Faith, in particular, seemed overjoyed as she went over to the stroller and lifted Serena into her arms. Her eyes were brimming with affection.
Serena seemed content in Faith’s arms, too, not crying or fussing. Her big round eyes watched Faith, and she’d occasionally babble something incomprehensible Faith was delighted, cooing back at her, “What a lovely little girl you are! So adorable!”
Both Neil and I looked on, not quite sure what to say.
Finally, Neil stepped forward and took Serena into his arms. “She’s not your granddaughter. Stop bothering Irene with this.”
Neil had almost picked up Serena a few times before but was constantly interrupted. Never did we imagine that today, under such circumstances, he’d finally hold
her.
Serena, dressed in a pink onesie with tiny flowers printed on it, looked incredibly soft and delicate in Neil’s arms.
The contrast between the burly man and the tiny baby was striking.
“Be careful! Babies have weak necks. You need to support it!” Faith immediately pointed out, noticing Neil’s awkward hold on Serena.
L
His eyes flashed with panic, and he quickly adjusted his grip. But his inexperience was evident, and his hasty movements only made things worse. Finally, he ended up holding Serena upright, even though she couldn’t yet support her own head.
I was startled and quickly took Serena from Neil’s unsure grasp.
Under normal circumstances, Serena would have started crying if someone held her awkwardly.
But it was different with Neil. Despite his clumsy handling, she remained calm.
I couldn’t help but feel a strange sensation in my heart, one I couldn’t express.
“I’m not good with babies,” Neil said, looking a bit helpless. “I’ve only held a baby a few times at Mitch’s place, so…”
He looked genuinely regretful. Especially since he’d almost hurt the baby.
Faith slapped Neil lightly, looking frustrated. “What’s the matter with you? Can’t even hold a baby? Your father learned to do it when you were born. You really are…”
She didn’t finish her sentence, leaving an awkward silence hanging in the air.
I had already stated that Serena wasn’t Neil’s child, so why did he need to learn to hold a baby?
Faith apparently thought of Serena as Neil’s child.
“Mom, we should go,” Neil interrupted, his voice colder than usual.
Faith looked at me with a complex expression. “Irene,” she said earnestly, “consider what Ryan and I have said. If you agree, you can ask us for anything.”
Just as I was about to refuse, Hiram suddenly shouted, “My mom is here!”
I was surprised, then saw him holding up his wrist. He was wearing a smartwatch, one that could make calls. He was yelling into it, “Mom, I’m opening the door for you!”
Seeing that, Ryan and Faith were stunned.
Had Hiram been on the phone with Karina during our conversation? Had she heard everything we’d said?
Even though Ryan and Faith didn’t like Karina, I didn’t think they wanted to hurt Hiram.
When the gates opened, Karina appeared. Her face was calm, showing no emotions. After seeing Hiram, she walked in, holding his hand.
“Ryan, Faith, I apologize. Hiram didn’t hang up the call, so I came over,” Karina said as she approached us, sounding apologetic. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop on your
conversation.”
So, she had heard everything.
I was speechless. Was Hiram her little spy?
Ryan and Faith exchanged glances, both remaining silent.
Karina had already brought them a grandson, yet they’d come to me, insisting that my children were also their grandchildren, even after my repeated refusals. It was indeed awkward.
I could understand their feelings, but I wasn’t sure if Karina could.
“Ms. Finch, if your children truly have no relation to Neil, why don’t you agree to a paternity test and let Ryan and Faith see the results for themselves?” Karina said, surprisingly siding with Ryan and Faith. “That way, they can finally let go.”
“Yes, that’s exactly what we want, Faith agreed, finally finding common ground with Karina. “We just want closure, no matter the results.”
I had my doubts.
Faced with Ryan, Faith, and Karina, I fell silent for a moment.
“Enough.” Neil finally lost his patience. “This ends now. Do you all really want to make a spectacle out of this? No one is to bother her about this matter anymore!”
I was taken aback. Did Neil believe even more deeply that the children weren’t his?
Ryan was angry at Neil’s words. “You ungrateful child! Look at the mess you’ve made! We’re done with you. We’re going back to Springvale, and we’re taking Hiram with us. We can’t leave him here to be corrupted by you two!”
Upon hearing that, Hiram immediately clung to Karina’s leg “No, Grandpa. I want to stay with Mommy!”
Karina looked down at Hiram and gave a faint smile. “It’s okay, Hiram. You can go with Grandpa and Grandma.”
“No way. Mommy, I want to stay with you!” Hiram insisted, but somehow, he suddenly darted over and grabbed Faith’s hand, “Granny, can’t you stay here too? Hiram wants to be with you and with Mommy and Daddy too!”
What a talker he was.
Faith seemed to waver in the face of her grandson’s plea. She didn’t give a straight answer, just sighed, “Hiram, don’t cry. We’ll think it over.”
“Okay, Granny, don’t leave me behind, and don’t let me be separated from my Mommy Hiram said, wiping away his tears.
Neil stepped forward and picked up Hiram, then glanced at me, “We’re going now.”
“All right, I need to watch the kid. I won’t see you out.” I breathed a sigh of relief, eager to end this awkward situation.
Ryan and Faith shook their heads in disappointment, and without further fuss, they left with Neil.
