Chapter 972
She knew how hard it was.
Unlike ordinary children, the educational style Zaid received from Kurt ruined all the innocence of a child.
Fortunately, Zaid met Karina, a little girl who gave him warmth and a sense of attachment.
Except for Karina, Zaid would not let anyone else into his heart.
However, Zaid was worried about her and Jonathan after he saw the news. She wondered if this was a sign of him slowly letting them into his heart.
Perhaps one day, Zaid would fully accept them.
Rosalie approached Zaid, crouching at his eye level, and her gaze was almost level with his. She said, “I’m happy you came to see me and your daddy.”
A trace of confusion flashed in his eyes as he did not understand why this person he should call Mommy was happy.
He thought, “Isn’t she injured? Shouldn’t she be sad?”
He raised his little hand and reached for Rosalie’s neck. Karina wanted to stop him, but it was too late. He grabbed Rosalie’s neck. His little hand pulled at the bandage around her neck, inadvertently tugging at her wound. Immediately, she furrowed her brows in pain.
Upon seeing this, Jonathan reprimanded, “Zeki, let go!” He knew that Zaid was hurting Rosalie.
The little guy seemed startled by Jonathan’s stern tone, and his body tensed up.
Rosalie hurriedly comforted him and said gently, “Jon, Zeki is just concerned about my injury.”
She gently held Zaid’s hand and guided his fingers away from her neck bandage, encouraging him to place his hand gently on her neck.
“Look, I don’t feel pain this way,” Rosalie smiled and said. “Zeki, my injuries will heal soon. It doesn’t hurt much if you don’t touch the wound.”
He fixed his eyes on Rosalie and asked, “It doesn’t hurt?”
“Yes, it doesn’t hurt,” Rosalie said.
Then, she saw the corners of his lips curved slightly. His previously indifferent face suddenly seemed to have a hint of warmth.
Jonathan, on the other hand, had been lost in thought while watching Zaid.
Half an hour later, Jonathan ordered his subordinate to escort Karina and Zaid back to the Burton residence. Finally, the ward returned to quiet.
Rosalie asked Jonathan, “What were you thinking about earlier when you looked at Zeki?”
Jonathan lightly pursed his lips, surprised that she had noticed.
Upon seeing the hesitation on Jonathan’s face, Rosalie said, “Jon, we’re a married couple. You can speak your mind.”
Jonathan finally spoke slowly. “Zeki… He is growing to look more like that woman, except for his eyes…” Rosalie was briefly puzzled but soon understood that he was referring to Kaylie, especially her appearance before she was disfigured.
She had seen a photo of her when she was young. Zaid did indeed resemble her. In a few more years, the resemblance might become even more pronounced.
“Jon, no matter how much you’resent Mrs. Smuckler, Zeki is our child. Don’t…” Rosalie’s voice trailed off, and she hesitated over her selection of words.
Jonathan spoke up first. “Don’t worry. I won’t take it out on the child. Zeki is the child you brought into this world. To me, all three of our children are precious.”
Upon hearing this, Rosalie finally felt relieved. After a moment of hesitation, she said, “Mr. Smuckler and Mrs. Smuckler have seen the news and called to express concern. She even wants to return to Strico to see
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you, regardless of the consequences, Jon, I think she has been regretful all these years. She might even hope to atone for her past mistakes with her life.”
“She can’t make up to it even if she dies.” Jonathan’s voice suddenly turned cold.
Rosalie understood that some things could never be atoned for. Even if Kaylie was suffering, she could never undo her past mistakes.
She knew he did not like discussing Kaylie, but the matters between them two needed closure.
“Jon, how do you plan to deal with Mrs. Smuckler?” Rosalie asked nervously, clutching the hem of her hospital gown. She could not imagine what might happen to Kaylie if he intended to deal with her ruthlessly.
“In this lifetime, I won’t allow her to step into Strico again,” Jonathan said slowly.
Rosalie’s face showed a hint of surprise and disbelief. She thought, “Does that mean… he’s planning to…” “Are you going to spare Mrs. Smuckler?” She was stunned, her voice trembling.
In his eyes, there was conflict, struggle, and finally calmness. “Yes, I’m letting her go. But I never want to see her again in my life. I’ll consider her dead.”
Tears welled up in Rosalie’s eyes.
Jonathan asked, “What? Do you think it’s too ruthless for me to do so? You don’t want me to…”
Rosalie shook her head and interrupted, “No, I understand… I know that what you’re doing is already a significant concession. Thanks, Jon. Really!”
She knew how deep the wounds Kaylie had inflicted on him were and how difficult it was for him to let her off.
Jonathan raised his hand and gently wiped away the tears at the corner of Rosalie’s eyes. Everything he did was for her.
If he wanted to take that woman’s life, Rosalie might not have interfered, but it would weighed on her conscience for the rest of her life.
“I can only say that she’s lucky. She once showed kindness to you and Jen, and now that favor has saved her life,” Jonathan said. “But from now on, you must never mention your mentor Connor or that woman
to me.”
In response, Rosalie nodded solemnly.
“All right, let’s consider this matter settled. Smile, Rosie. I want to see you smile.” He wanted to see her happy face, not her sad face.
Rosalie wiped away her tears and smiled, leaning in to kiss Jonathan. “Jon, you are the man who loves me the most in this world!”
He accepted her kiss, gently embracing her waist. If they weren’t injured, he might have done the deed with her right there.
When it was over, Jonathan’s voice was hoarse as he said, “Rosie, you are also the woman who loves me most in this world.”
