Mag-log inWinter's eyes widened in shock, her heart fluttering wildly.Alistair was too young to speak like that. His view of the world was obviously skewed.But she knew he only said it because he cared about her. She couldn't blame him.Terence, however, looked as if someone had shot an arrow straight through his spine. He froze, and his little face went white with fury. He could barely breathe.He thought it was unbelievable that neither of them had the slightest shame."Alistair, that's out of line." Ezekiel's voice dropped low and cold.Alistair lowered his head, tears welling."Mr. Stroud, Alistair spoke out of turn because he likes Ms. Everhart."Ezekiel's eyes went flat as he glanced at Joshua's stormy face. "Still, kids say whatever pops into their heads. You're not seriously going to hold a grudge against a five-year-old, are you?"Alistair's words kept crashing inside Joshua's head. The noise pounded so fiercely that his temples started aching.Was he really that pathetic?
"Dad!" Alistair's voice shook with hurt, his eyes glistening as if he was about to cry."Alistair! She is my mom. You're not allowed to take my mom away!" Terence stormed over, still holding an ice cream cone in his left hand—until Jessica grabbed it from him.Joshua's eye muscles twitched sharply. "Terence, what are you doing?"Jessica hurried to stand in front of Terence and explain. "Joshua, I lapsed in my attention to Terry. Please don't blame him.""Dad, I need to teach this bird brain a lesson for trying to steal my mom!" Terence was so furious he could barely talk straight."Bird brain? Who are you talking about?" Ezekiel's eyes went cold instantly, the pressure in his gaze freezing Terence in place. Ezekiel was even more intimidating than Joshua. "Terence, you have gone too far!"Even someone as patient as Winter was shaken. "You will apologize to Mr. Fulton and Auro right now!""No! They are the ones who did wrong. Why should I apologize?"The anger Terence had bot
Because Winter joined them, Alistair had the warmest little birthday of his life.Every year, Ezekiel celebrated with him and gave him gifts. It always made Alistair happy, but this year's joy felt different from all the others.Alistair looked at Winter, then at Ezekiel, smiling so wide his cheeks nearly cracked. He smiled so hard his cheeks almost cracked. Inside, he whispered his wish again, hoping that his dad would always have Winter by his side and that he could spend every birthday with Winter from then on.Ezekiel picked up the plush toys on the table. He handed the little fox, Hook, to Alistair and held out the bunny, Judy, to Winter."Ms. Everhart, this one's for you.""Oh… Thank you."She loved little toys like this, and she couldn't resist the pull. Without thinking, she accepted it. Suddenly, Alistair giggled. "Dad, you look like Hook!""If I look like Hook, what does Winter look like then?" Ezekiel asked, a slight smile in his eyes."Um… Judy!"Alistair's eye
Winter's thoughts drifted, and her eyes grew heavy with emotion. "I'm not hungry. You eat, Auro."Alistair pushed a full box of fried chicken toward her. "Winter, you're way too skinny. You need to eat more so you can get chubby!""Thank you, Auro." She couldn't help but say, "But you should eat less fried food, and soda isn't good for you. Try juice instead."The words barely left her mouth before regret hit her.She had slipped into mom-mode again—always fussing when kids ate unhealthy food. Furthermore, Alistair wasn't her child, so she probably sounded overbearing.Instead of getting annoyed, Alistair brightened. "Thanks for reminding me! If you don't want me to drink it, I won't! Dad already changed my soda to orange juice!"Winter blinked in surprise. "I'm this strict with you, and you don't think I'm annoying?"He shook his head earnestly. "No. Dad says being cared for is a blessing. It means someone worries about me and loves me."Warmth rushed into Winter's eyes, and h
Ezekiel spoke in a light, casual tone, as if the invitation barely mattered.Before Winter could answer, Alistair clapped excitedly. "Yay! Anything is fun if Winter is with us!"Winter opened her mouth to respond, but Alistair added, "Dad, you should hang out with Winter more. That way, people won't say you and Wesley are a couple!"George, sitting up front, instantly lost control and snickered. Winter's eyes widened as she kept a calm face but mentally choked on the biggest gossip of her life.Was Ezekiel gay? No wonder Alistair never had another parent showing up at events. If a second father suddenly appeared beside him, the whole school would explode.But if he liked men, where did Alistair come from? Was it surrogacy? Adoption? Or a marriage of convenience?Her brain overheated. She was way too innocent for this. If a hardcore BL fan had been here, they'd already be writing a scandalous love saga filled with wild plot twists defying all common sense.Ezekiel narrowed his
Winter's nose prickled as she pulled out a tissue and gently wiped the dirt from Alistair's backpack.She moved with the quiet care of a mother.Alistair was so young, yet far too mature. His sensibility broke her heart. It also pulled her back to her own childhood—when Victoria died and she lived in the Lynch residence under Steven's cold neglect and the cruelty of Ruth and Jessica."Mr. Alistair!" George hurried over, out of breath."George!" Alistair bounced with excitement."Sorry, Mr. Alistair. Traffic was terrible. I'm late." Sweat dotted George's forehead as he sighed with relief."It's okay! Winter picked me up!" Alistair beamed like a little sun, still clutching Winter's hand tightly. "George, this is Winter! She's the one who helped me win the race!"Winter, this is my dad's secretary, George!"Winter nodded politely. "Hello, I'm Winter Everhart.""Ms. Everhart, what an honor. I'm George Barton, Mr. Fulton's secretary."He then gestured toward the street. "It's not







