Chapter 8

She had only played a harmless little prank with her father. She would go back and explain everything to him, and everything would be fine.

“Rachel, come here, quick!”

Stephen waved at her from afar.

Rachel’s gloom was swept away in an instant. She hopped over, then grabbed Chloe and Stephen’s hands. She was bounding with joy, a bright smile on her face.

After Lydia came back home after buying groceries, Joseph was finally released from the bedroom.

There were no records of incoming calls on the phone.

Half an hour ago, Stephen posted on his page.

[Just experienced the joy of being a father. Children are adorable.]

All nine photos he posted were of him, Chloe, and Rachel in all sorts of heartwarming and goofy poses. Anyone who saw the photos would lament how happy they were as a family of three.

Joseph felt not a trace of emotion. He guessed that he was probably the only one who could see the post.

At slightly past seven in the evening, the mother-daughter pair finally came back.

“Rachel said that you’re not feeling well. Do you feel better now?” Chloe asked.

“Daddy, I saw you stuck in your room for so long and was worried that you were having heart problems again and needed rest. So I asked the driver to send me to the kindergarten instead. So sorry I forgot to ask you in the rush,” Rachel said.

She intertwined her fingers, looking sensible yet remorseful at the same time.

“It’s okay, I don’t blame you,” Joseph said as he caressed her head. “I just feel a little sad I didn’t get to attend your graduation ceremony.”

Clearly, Rachel had deliberately locked him in the room so that Stephen could attend her graduation ceremony instead.

However, he didn’t even care about what Chloe was doing to him. Why would he count it against a six-year-old?

“Daddy…” Rachel hugged him tight. “I knew you wouldn’t blame me. You’re the best daddy in the whole wide world!”

“You’ll be going to grade school soon, and you’re still so mischievous.” Joseph shook his head, looking helpless.

Chloe’s lips were a small smile as she watched them.

The sky had turned completely dark. After telling Rachel a bedtime story, Joseph went back to his bedroom to wash up.

When he came out of the washroom, he felt a warm woman’s body against him.

“Joseph, it’s been a long time…”

Her tender voice sounded in his ear.

“I feel a little faint today,” Joseph said flatly.

Chloe’s breath caught as she gradually let go of him. “Are you alright? Shall I bring you to the hospital to get it checked?”

“No need, I’m fine.”

Joseph threw the covers back and laid on the bed.

He felt the other side of the bed sink in as Chloe’s voice sounded close. “Your mother’s death anniversary is coming soon.”

“Yeah,” Joseph hummed.

His mother had always been poor in health and died of sickness two years ago.

“I’ll go visit her grave with you this year,” Chloe said as she hugged him from behind. “Okay?”

She had been busy the previous times and couldn’t make it.

“Sure,” Joseph said.

Warm sunlight seeped into the room.

Although Rachel had graduated from her kindergarten, there was still some time before grade school started. During this period, Joseph would bring her for piano and taekwondo classes.

When he returned home at three in the afternoon, he received a letter.

Joseph entered his bedroom and locked the door.

His visa was enclosed in the envelope.

Immediately, he booked a flight for Dameer that would depart the next afternoon.

-

Joseph didn’t have many things to bring with him, and he was all packed and ready a long time ago. He took out his marriage certification and placed it under the table lamp.

After he left, Stephen would be able to officially join the family.

Joseph was sure Chloe would be pleased with their sixth wedding anniversary surprise.