Chapter 813
“Hmm, I got it.” Dorian acknowledged, his lips pursed slightly in a thoughtful pout.
Fitch heaved a silent sigh of relief. Thankfully, Lysander did not scold him.
Atticus, finally recovering from his surprise, looked past Lysander but did not find Thalassa. His small face, full of displeasure, turned up to Lysander. ‘Where’s Mom?”
Elowen and Sophia, at the mention of ‘mom, seemed to have their switches turned on. Their innocent eyes blinked in surprise before they dropped their building blocks, scrambled up from the floor, and shuffled over to Lysander.
Elowen, the braver and more joyous of the two, tugged at Lysander’s pants leg. Her chubby face tilted up in anticipation, and her large, innocent eyes were filled with expectation as she asked, “Daddy, why did Mom not come home with you?”
Sophia trailed behind, too shy to approach Lysander. She stood behind Elowen, her gaze timid. Clearly, she missed her mother, too.
Lysander took in the expressions of his children and said, “She’s at your grandma’s.”
“Hmm, I miss Mom. I want to see her,” Elowen said, her large, watery eyes filled with tears, her little mouth pouting in sadness.
“I miss Mom and Grandma too.” Realizing his mother was not home, Dorian’s voice dropped to a pitiful whisper.
Lysander replied, “Clean up and rest well. I’ll take you to see her on Saturday.”
“Saturday? That’s two days away! We can’t see Mom for two whole days?” Atticus’ accusing gaze was fixed on Lysander.
“Hmm, two days is too long,” Elowen sobbed, tugging at Lysander’s pants. “No, I want to see Mom now.”
Sophia’s lips quivered, tears welling in her eyes.
Lysander looked sternly at Atticus, who was usually the instigator of these emotional outbursts. As the eldest, his ability to rally his younger siblings was
uncanny.
Dorian, who was just happily playing moments ago, was now crying for their mother, thanks to Atticus.
Atticus lowered his gaze under Lysander’s reprimand. He just missed their mother. Was that so wrong?
“Daddy, will you take us to grandma’s house? Please?” Elowen pleaded, her chubby fingers clutching at Lysander’s pants leg.
Lysander bent down, lifted Elowen into his arms, and wiped her tears away with his thumb. “Stop crying. You don’t look pretty when you cry.”
“But I can’t help crying when Mom’s not here,” Elowen mumbled, her voice teary, then buried her face into Lysander’s chest, smearing snot on his shirt.
Fitch watched, his body freezing in horror, his face ashen.
Oh no, little princess Elowen had smeared snot on Lysander’s immaculate black shirt. Lysander was a clean freak, and his clothes were spotless. How could he tolerate snot on his shirt?
Fitch feared for Elowen, expecting Lysander to drop her like a hot potato.
However, to Fitch’s surprise, Lysander did not get angry. Instead, he gently patted Elowen’s back, his deep voice soothing her. “How can we go if you won’t stop crying?”
Elowen did not immediately understand what Lysander meant, but the other three understood right away.
Atticus’ face lit up, and Dorian’s saddened eyes sparkled excitedly. Sophia’s teary eyes cleared, her lips curving into a happy smile, a bubble of snot. popping out of her nose.
Elowen, still sobbing in Lysander’s arms, finally understood what he meant after a moment. She paused, then lifted her face to look at him, her large, bright eyes sparkling. She hugged Lysander’s face and leaned in to plant a wet kiss on his cheek. “Daddy, love you the most.”
The little girl’s kiss smeared more snot on Lysander’s face, but he did not seem to mind at all