**On the Day of the Festival**
Mila was surprised to receive another call from Adrian. Lately, the frequency of his calls had been unusually high.
She had thought that after their last argument, Adrian wouldn’t speak to her for months.
Quite unexpected indeed.
Adrian’s voice on the line was a bit subdued, Mom, school starts tomorrow. Can you take me?
Mila was taken aback, Are you sick? You sound so down.
There was a moment of hesitation before Adrian replied, Yeah, I’m not feeling well. I really miss you, Mom.
Mila paused for a moment, then asked, How did you get sick? Hasn’t your dad been taking care of you? Hand the phone to him, let me speak with him.
Adrian instinctively glanced at the man sitting across from him, sprawled out confidently on the couch. Without thinking, he called out, Dad, Mom wants to talk to you.
Mila: …
Lysander: …
Lysander shot a glance at the dejected Adrian, then took the phone with a smile, Darling, are you feeling better?
What do you mean by this? Mila had no interest in small talk.
Our child’s matters are our matters too, aren’t they? He wants you to take him to school. Isn’t that natural? Lysander chuckled.
Mila remained silent.
No matter what, being there for Adrian was indeed a basic parental responsibility, but now wasn’t the right time.
The court date was approaching, and the more Lysander acted this way, the more uneasy Mila felt.
She couldn’t understand what he was thinking. If he was so fond of Giselle, why keep her tied down?
What benefit could this bring him?
I’m in the hospital recovering. If I passed the illness to him, that wouldn’t be good. You’re his father, and it’s your responsibility to take him. I’ll spend time with him once I’m better.
He had originally wanted Giselle to take him to school, but his dad insisted on calling his mom. Dad had threatened to send him to his great-grandfather’s house for a few more days if he didn’t.
He still remembered vividly the last time he was at his great-grandfather’s, kneeling in the snow until he fainted. There was no way he wanted to go back, which was why he made the call.
Even though his mom’s refusal left him a bit disappointed, he was more upset that she didn’t seem to care about him.
If not for Dad, he wouldn’t even bother with her!
…
Mila spent the festival in the hospital, yet it was quite lively.
Eugene had brought several differently styled candles and ordered a table full of dishes from a hotel. Miranda, caught up with a case back at the law firm, couldn’t make it, so it was just the three of them having a small celebration.
Mila took one of the flower candles and, with a pen, drew little animals on each petal, giving it a lively touch before gifting it to Julian. The child was thrilled, snapping a picture to send to his uncle.
Eugene teased that he wanted one too.
Though Mila teased him for being such a grown-up yet still liking these things, she nonetheless drew a chubby, cute yellow dog on another candle and gave it to him.