Chapter 75
Adeline was touched. She held Lily in her arms, using one hand to smooth her hair, which had become tousled from rolling around under the covers.
"My sweet girl, would you like Mommy to tell you a story tonight?"
"Yes, yes!"
"But we have a deal—no matter what story I tell, you can't keep asking 'why.' After the story, you'll go straight to sleep."
Lily nodded obediently.
Mother and daughter snuggled under the blanket. Edward returned, wearing long sleeves and pants, his skin still damp from the shower. He silently walked to Lily's other side, pulled back the covers, and lay down.
Adeline had never dreamed they could lie together so peacefully like this.
No bitter history between them, no mutual hurt, and none of that intimate tension.
Just two people, their eyes meeting briefly.
Both looked away at the same time.
Adeline patted Lily's back and began softly, "Once upon a time, there was a big bear and a fox who fell in love and got together. They had a baby fox."
Lily listened intently.
"That baby fox must have been super cute."
Adeline smiled. "Yes, very cute. The baby fox was soft and fair, and incredibly smart—she inherited her father's brilliant mind."
"Wow, that bear must have been really amazing."
Adeline gently stroked Lily's cheek, her voice especially tender in the quiet night.
Like a sweet melody.
The story unfolded.
"But one day, the bear and the fox had a fight. Because of certain things, they couldn't live together anymore and decided to separate."
"What things?" Lily asked immediately.
Adeline replied, "Didn't you promise Mommy you wouldn't ask why?"
Lily pouted reluctantly.
"Anyway, they decided to part ways. But the baby fox didn't agree. She felt like she would lose both her daddy and mommy."
Lily nodded. "I wouldn't agree either."
Adeline kissed her forehead. "But later, the baby fox came to understand. She stopped trying to keep her parents together because she realized they weren't happy together. The baby fox cared deeply for her parents. She also discovered that even though her parents weren't together, their love for her never changed. In fact, they felt guilty about separating and loved her even more than before."
Lily remained silent for a long time after hearing this.
Edward had been staring at the ceiling, but at some point, his gaze drifted to Adeline's face.
She seemed to have accepted the "reality."
As she told the story, her entire being radiated a serene, accepting glow.
"But what if the baby fox wants her mommy and daddy to stay with her all the time?" Lily asked in a small voice.
Adeline answered patiently, "That's certainly possible. The baby fox has the right to express what she wants. Her parents might agree for her sake. But think about it—if Mommy and Daddy aren't happy together, wouldn't that make the baby fox sad for them?"
Lily fell silent.
At her young age, she couldn't fully grasp such complex concepts or understand why people who loved each other would eventually separate.
But she understood one thing.
"I don't want Mommy and Daddy to be sad."
Adeline knew Lily had absorbed the message. "My clever girl. Just like you don't like green onions and wouldn't want someone forcing you to eat them, Mommy and Daddy don't want to be forced to do things they can't do. Don't you agree?"
Lily nodded reluctantly and buried her face in Adeline's embrace, her little bottom pushing hard against Edward behind her.
She wasn't happy.
But she couldn't bring herself to blame Adeline.
Edward patted her bottom through the blanket. "Picking on Daddy, are you?"
Lily felt a little guilty and wiggled into position between Edward and Adeline.
"Goodnight, Daddy. Goodnight, Mommy."
She finally stopped forcing them to hold hands. Though she didn't fully understand what "going separate ways" meant, she knew she didn't want to force her mother.
Her mom was wonderful and deserved the best.
"Goodnight, sweetheart."
Adeline kissed her forehead. In the soft lamplight, her smile was especially gentle, her gaze lingering on Lily's face.
As if she couldn't get enough of looking at her.
Edward felt a moment of sympathy. No one could remain unmoved by such a scene.
"I'll sleep in another room."
He was about to get up when Adeline stopped him.
"Don't bother. Lily just fell asleep. Let's not wake her."
Edward ultimately stayed put.
The night slipped away quietly.
After that night, Lily seemed like a different person. She no longer insisted on her parents being together and stopped asking them to stay with her.
But after breakfast the next morning, Lily made a very serious request.
"For Mommy's last birthday, only Olivia and I celebrated with her. I want Daddy to help me throw Mommy a belated birthday party."
"Lily..."
Adeline didn't want to put Edward in an awkward position.
She didn't think her birthday was worth celebrating again.
But before she could finish, Edward agreed. "Alright."
The most excited about the belated birthday was undoubtedly Lily. The little girl was enthusiastic, actively planning the party. But she didn't want too many people interfering with their family time.
So she invited just two people.
Olivia and Aaron.
Mainly, Olivia—Aaron were a package deal.
No one had invited him; he invited himself, thick-skinned as ever.
That day, Edward personally prepared a special birthday pasta dish for Adeline, while Lily stayed busy baking a cake with her father's help.
Lily acted like a little host, not allowing Adeline into the kitchen, insisting that Edward help instead. Olivia and Adeline sat in the living room.
Olivia sighed, "Every parent wishes for a child like Lily."
Such a thoughtful child.
Adeline smiled too. "Olivia, you know what? The one thing I've never regretted in my life is having Lily."
Even when faced with hardship—during the most difficult, exhausting, and painful times—she never regretted her choices.
Because Lily was worth it.
She was a little angel.
"Olivia, I bought a gift. The delivery should arrive soon. I need to take a call—could you grab the package for me?" Aaron said.
Olivia didn't suspect anything and went outside.
Aaron moved beside Adeline. "Do you remember what you promised me before?"
"I haven't forgotten."
"Then what are you doing now?" Aaron looked at the father and daughter busy in the kitchen. "Some bonds that can't be kept shouldn't exist in the first place."
Everything seemed peaceful now, their family of three looked wonderful together. However, Aaron found it terrifying.
The last time Edward was hurt by Adeline, he nearly lost his life, barely surviving his prison sentence.