Francis gripped his walking stick, seemingly unable to respond for what felt like an eternity.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?”
Caroline’s face darkened as she interrogated him coldly, “Don’t you want to? You and another woman have a child together! Don’t forget, I’m your fiancée!”
She shook off his arm and turned to leave.
“Caroline!” Francis hurriedly grabbed her.
“Why are you holding me? Let go!”
“I promise you!” Francis blurted out, “I promise you everything!”
Caroline whirled around, her face lighting up with joy, “Really? You’re not just placating me?”
“Really…” Francis nodded, hesitantly adding, “It’s just, our wedding, we were already planning it, and I thought, waiting until we’re officially husband and wife… that would be showing you respect.”
“It doesn’t matter!” Caroline said, tiptoeing excitedly and launching herself into his arms, with hers around his neck. “Francis, I don’t care! As long as I know you love me, that’s all I need!”
She looked up at him with a smile, “How about coming over to my place tonight?”
Francis barely opened his mouth, the word ‘okay’ stuck in his throat, when his phone rang.
It was Sylvia.
Caroline reluctantly let go of him. “You better take Sylvia’s call.”
“Okay.” Francis swiped the screen. “Hello, Grandma…”
“Francis!” Sylvia’s voice was urgent, “Where are you? Hurry back! James has a fever! He refuses to take his medicine and keeps crying for his dad!”
Upon hearing this, Francis immediately agreed, “Alright, I’m coming back right now…”
After hanging up, Caroline grabbed his arm. “You can’t go! Francis, I won’t let you!”
“Caroline…” Francis frowned deeply, “James has a fever, he’s looking for me.”
Caroline’s eyes reddened instantly, gripping his arm tightly, “But you promised me, you’d stay with me tonight! Which child doesn’t get sick? What are you going to do there? You’re not a doctor. I won’t allow you…”
“Caroline!” Francis frowned and scolded, looking into her eyes with shock and disappointment, “Do you realize what you’re saying?”
Caroline paused, suddenly coming to her senses, realizing she had misspoken. “Francis, I…”
“Caroline…”
Francis pushed her hand away, “James’ existence is a fact, and it’s where I’ve wronged you. But if you I
you!”
truly can’t accept horce
With that, he turned and got into the car without another glance.
“Francis…” Caroline stood there dazed, suddenly realizing what his words meant. Was he breaking up with her?!
“Wah, no, no…”
“James, be good! Daddy will be back! Oh dear, this Francis, making the child cry like this, why isn’t be
bet? If he keeps crying like this,
what will we do?”
The moment Francis entered, he heard James crying and hurried his steps.
“Grandma! James!”
“Oh dear!” Sylvia exclaimed, quickly handing James over, “Baby, look, Daddy’s back!”
While speaking, she swiftly passed James to Francis.
“Wah…” James wriggled into Francis’ embrace.
Francis felt a heart-wrenching pain holding the little guy, “James, I’m sorry, Daddy is late.”
“Daddy.” James sobbed in his father’s arms, “James has a fever, James feels bad!” “Daddy knows.”
Francis held him, placing him on the
small bed, “Daddy will give James
medicine, and after taking it, the
feve will go away, and James will feel better, okay?”
“Daddy’s feeding?”
“Yes, Daddy’s feeding.”
James sniffled, “James will take the medicine.”