Ben stared at the plate of orange slices.Jamie instinctively reached out to take the plate away. Your Uncle Ben doesn’t eat-Thank you, Charlie. I happen to feel like having some oranges, he interrupted smoothly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Jamie froze for a moment.Wasn’t Ben known for being picky, never touching food that didn’t look perfect? And he rarely ate anything prepared outside his own kitchen.While Jamie stood there, still surprised, Ben casually ate two pieces of the unevenly cut orange slices and even went as far as to compliment Charlie. You cut these very well.As Charlie beamed with pride, Jamie could only look at the plate of roughly cut orange slices in disbelief, unable to muster a single word of praise.*A little while later, after sending Charlie off to play in his room, Jamie sat down across from Ben. You’re here for something, aren’t you?You don’t have to treat me so coldly, Ben replied.And how should I treat you? Jamie shot back sharply, her gaze unwavering.Ben’s expression darkened.Sorry… I didn’t mean to make this difficult, Jamie muttered, lowering her eyes.Charlie’s ready to start school now, Ben said, shifting the topic. Wilfred came to see me yesterday and mentioned it specifically.Jamie’s eyes lit up with surprise and excitement. Charlie can go to school? A child with a congenital heart condition wasn’t necessarily barred from school, but it came with its risks. Schools weren’t as controlled as home, where every bump and bruise could be avoided. Jamie had always been overly cautious, even after Charlie’s surgery, and found it hard to break those long-standing habits.She had been so terrified of something going wrong.Ben handed her a few printed documents. These are the options. Take a look and see which one you like. We can contact them for enrollment.Jamie took the documents andreviewed them carefully. It didn’ttake long for her to notice that Ben had already pre-screened the schoots, each one meticulously selected. It was impossible to miss the effort he had put in.Her heart softened slightly, and without realizing it, her tone became gentler. This one looks good. Let’s go with it.After deciding on a school, lunchtime was just around the corner.Ben lingered, talking a bit more about the preschool’s qualifications and staff. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ Find_Nøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.Jamie found it a little odd. Weren’t all those details already listed in the documents?As the meat hour approached, Ben finally stood up. You’re about to eat, so I should head out. Once you’re ready, let me know. I’ll take Charlie to his first day at preschool. Jamie stood as well, hesitating briefly before nodding. She didn’t object to his suggestion. After all, Ben was Charlie’s biological father.Just then, Charlie came running out of his room.Uncle Ben, are you leaving? Stay and eat with us! Charlie tugged at Ben, refusing to let him go.The room wasn’t far from the living room, and the door had been open. Charlie must have overheard their conversation.Ben glanced subtly at Jamie, then said gently, Charlie, Uncle Ben can’t stay.Why not?Because I have work to do. I’ll come back and play with you next time, okay?Charlie’s eyes turned misty, and he shook his head, pouting. No! You always say that, but then it takes so long before I see you again. You do it, and Grandma does it too!Jamie’s heart tightened at his words.For a moment, she questioned if she had mademistake.She had thought her companionship was enough to make Charlie happy, enough to fill any gaps. But was he quietly yearning for more people in his life? Perhaps blood ties really were hard to sever.Ben looked at Jamie, waiting for her response. Her gaze flickered before she finally said, Stay. It’s just one meal. It won’t take much of your time. Almost as soon as she agreed, Ben sat down on the couch with Charlie in his arms, his demeanor casual and relaxed, already settling in to wait for lunch.
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