"This is a really cool room, Honey. Do you like it?" Alice rubbed her daughter's head.
"I really like it!" Sky jumped a few times before pointing down. "Mama, look at this."Alice looked down. It turned out that they were stepping on a brown carpet that curved to form a path."If we follow it," Sky walked quickly, "we'll come to the wardrobe, bookshelf, study table, tent, and my bed! I really can't wait to climb up there."Sky pointed to the top level where a folding table and a small window were located."Then if we continue, we'll come to a special window for scouting, a toy box, and a giant map."Sky stretched out her arms on the side of the wall where all the continents lay."This is my favorite part, Mama. Uncle Ed and I plan to mark all the cool places with stars, just like what we did with my globe. Only, this one is bigger! I really like my room!"Sky pressed herself against the wall, spreading her arms as wide aAlice shook her head. While expanding her lungs, she straightened her shoulders. "I'm not sad, but touched. I just found out that you really love me. I regret doing something stupid and disappearing for five years." "Hey," Edmund moved to touch her arm, "it has passed. There's no point in regretting. The important thing is, you're here. We can be together again." Sky nodded with pouting lips. "Uncle Ed is right. The important thing is, we are together again. Stop crying, Mama." Alice took a deep breath, trying to relieve her tightness. When her breathing calmed, Edmund asked, "Do you want me to hug you?" Alice blinked. After a brief moment of contemplation, she nodded. Edmund embraced her very gently. "It's okay, Alice. Everything is fine." Alice could only close her eyes, soaking in the warmth that she had always avoided. At that moment, Sky got out of the chair and hugged her too. "Don't be sad, Mama. We are much luck
Either because he didn't hear or he was already asleep, Edmund didn't answer. Alice had to call louder. "Ed?" Edmund finally opened his eyes. "Yes? Do you need anything?" "Why are you sleeping there?" Edmund blinked. "I think you will feel more comfortable and safe if we sleep separately." Alice bit her lip. Her eyes darted around looking for the right angle. "This bed is wide. I think it won't be a problem if you sleep here too. We can make a barrier out of pillows." "Are you sure? I don't have a problem sleeping here. This couch is also comfy." "But your space is limited," Alice interrupted awkwardly. After gulping, she began to build the barrier. "Sleep over there." Edmund considered it for a moment. "What if I accidentally move the pillow and hug you? I might dirty your pants again." Edmund said the sentence casually. However, Alice felt awkward. "N-no problem. I can wash it tomorrow." Edmund
"What do you want to do?" Alice pretended to be innocent. Edmund's eyes narrowed. He brushed away the hair covering her shoulder. The hairs on her nape bristled at his light touch. "Can I taste you a bit?" "A bit?" Edmund smiled mischievously. "Yes, but I won't give Sky a younger sibling yet. Is that okay?" Alice's heartbeat quickened. She could no longer count them. If she allowed Edmund, would her blood still flow to the brain? Could she maintain common sense? "Okay." Alice was startled by her own answer. She was about to say no, but why did her lips say yes instead? Before Alice had time to correct her decision, Edmund had already approached her. Not knowing what else to do, she finally closed her eyes. Her hands were clenched tightly in front of her chest, ready to face the big explosion in her heart. But when Edmund's lips arrived, her tension faded. Warmth had mixed with confusion. When she opened her eyes
Edmund and Alice gasped when they heard the whistle. They immediately crawled out of the tent. The tension only faded when they saw Sky standing with her hands on her hips. "Mama, Uncle Ed, come on, get up. We have to go to the office this morning. We can't be late. Let's get ready!" She blew the whistle again. Her style was like that of a scout troop commander. Alice and Edmund smiled amusedly at her behavior. "Honey? I think you're getting too excited. It's still too early." "Is it true?" Sky glanced at the wall clock. Not understanding the meaning, she pursed her lips. "But I've been up since earlier, Mama. I've washed my face and brushed my teeth. That means it's not too early." Alice widened her eyes at that confession. "Who helped you?" "No one. I did it myself. The ladder that Uncle Ed provided was very helpful. I like that ladder." Edmund smiled slightly at Sky's chatter. "You're really independent, apparently."
"Sorry, Mom," Alice said firmly. "I'm not pretending. I was able to recognize you because Ed showed me your photo." "Nonsense!" Elizabeth was furious. She hated every time she saw her son holding hands with Alice, and she couldn't accept Alice daring to argue. "Stop your acting. Tell me what brought you back? You need money? You just realized that living in this house is much more comfortable than out there?" "Mom, that's enough. I've just been reunited with my wife. Don't ruin my happiness. Just once I fell for your provocation. I don't want to be separated from Alice anymore." Elizabeth flinched at those firm words. "You defend your wife over your mother?" "I'm defending myself. Don't you get tired of seeing me live in misery?" Elizabeth fell silent. She didn't want to give an answer that could backfire. "We are lucky that many parties are willing to support me. Otherwise, I would have lost the company and gone bankru
Sky blinked innocently. "Yeah, I managed to fix the buttons on my shirt. Look, Mama. There are no missed buttons now. I'm cool and neat." Alice smiled faintly. "What about your grandmother? What were you talking about earlier?" "Grandma is not fierce, Mama. She didn't praise me. She accepted the brooch I gave her and thanked me. I think that's a good start," Sky raised her eyebrows and smiled sweetly. "Is it true?" Alice stared in disbelief. Sky nodded lightly. "Yeah, we even plan to play together if she has time later." Alice secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She was actually worried that Elizabeth would treat Sky harshly. "Well, I'm glad your mission was successful. Now Mama and Uncle Ed still have to prepare. How about you wait inside?" "Okay, Mama." Sky entered the room cheerfully. Unbeknownst to her, the special brooch she had given Elizabeth was already lying on the floor. The servant who saw it quickly picked i
Unfortunately, Giselle was not afraid. She kept staring at Alice, patting her own chest. "I'm Giselle, your best friend. You can't possibly forget me, right? We've done a lot of things together." Edmund snorted lightly. "Friend? If you really considered Alice a friend, you wouldn't have the heart to stab her in the back." While Giselle sighed in disbelief, Alice shook her head in confusion. "What do you mean, Ed? What did she ever do to me?" Edmund glanced over his shoulder. "She conspired with my mother to separate us." "I never conspired with your mother!" Giselle argued firmly. "I really don't understand why you accused me of that. Even until this moment, I'm still wondering why you fired me. Weren't I the perfect secretary? What did I do wrong?" "You were Edmund's secretary?" Alice sighed thinly. Giselle moved her gaze again. "Yeah. Did you forget? The four of us spent a lot of time together growing the company. You two, me
"Because of that, Mama, you can't be sad anymore." Sky stroked Alice's face gently. "Uncle Ed and you have been back together. Don't worry about that evil woman. If she comes again, I will throw a stone at her." Hearing Sky's steady voice, Alice shook her head swiftly. "No, Honey. You can't do that. What if the stone hits her head? You could go to jail." Suddenly, Sky chuckled in amusement. "Don't worry, Mama. I can't be that bad. I'm a good kid. At most, I'll scold her and throw her out like Uncle Ed did earlier." Alice smiled wryly realizing that she had been fooled by Sky's play. But thanks to her daughter's prank, the pain in her head reduced a lot. Edmund was also amused with Sky. However, there were more important things to discuss than that. "Sky, can you help Mama?" Edmund rubbed her little shoulder. "Please get her a drink from the dispenser over there. Press the blue button and be careful. Don't spill it."