Stuart shot her a comforting look but kept quiet.
They made their way back to The Clarence Family's entrance, and Josephine let Jeffery go in first.
Stuart then said, "Don't stress, I used to think the same way when I was a kid. Now, I'm totally head over heels for you."
Josephine chuckled, "Head over heels for me? I don't see it."
Stuart grinned, "Wanna see it? Then come home with me."
"Alright, I believe you," Josephine said. "Now I'm relieved. I thought he didn't like girls."
"It doesn't matter if he doesn't like girls. What Jeffery likes or dislikes isn't up to us. As parents, we just need to give them a normal living environment. How they turn out is really beyond our control. Don't stress about it, okay?"
Josephine nodded, "Got it."
Stuart didn't want to leave but knew Josephine needed more time with Nicole. He gently touched Josephine's hair and playfully pinched her earlobe, "You go in."
Josephine waved, "See you tomorrow."
Stuart nodded with a smile. "Yep, see you tomorrow."
Later that night, before bed, Josephine got a message from another parent.
This parent didn't usually chat with her much but seemed nice enough.
Seeing the message, Josephine was shocked.
The parent subtly mentioned that some parents in the class were gossiping about her having an affair.
An affair? Josephine was baffled. When did she have an affair? With whom?
She hadn't even been to work recently, and the only men around her were family and Stuart. How could she have an affair?
After asking, the parent sent over a photo. Looking at the photo of Gerald, Josephine was both amused and annoyed.
She replied: [He's my brother!]
The other person cautiously asked: [What?]
Josephine: [My biological brother! Same mom and dad!]
The parent immediately called her.
She said, "I just felt you weren't that kind of person, so I thought I'd give you a heads-up. I didn't expect it to be a misunderstanding."
Josephine asked, "Who sent out this photo first? Was it Callie?"
The parent said, "Yeah, it was her. She mentioned it in the group first, and then a lot of parents knew about it."
Josephine thought, no wonder the parents looked at her weirdly when she picked up Jeffery today.
The reason she guessed it was Callie was simple. Callie was the only familiar face she saw at the hot spring resort that day. That photo could only have been taken by her.
After understanding the situation, Josephine thanked the parent and hung up the phone.
She got out of bed, tidied up her loungewear, and then went out of the bedroom to knock on Gerald's door.
Gerald hadn't slept yet, hadn't even changed his clothes, and was still wearing glasses.
"Josephine? What's up?"
Josephine didn't plan to go in and said at the door, "Gerald, can you find time to pick up Jeffery tomorrow afternoon?"
"Do you have something to do tomorrow? What about Stuart? He's not going?"
"He is," Josephine said. "I'm going too. We're going together."
"What's going on?" Gerald asked. "Did Jeffery request it? Does it need the whole family to pick him up?"
"No," Josephine smiled helplessly. "There's a misunderstanding that needs you to be there to clear up."
"A misunderstanding? What kind of misunderstanding?"
Josephine briefly explained the situation.Gerald frowned, "This is ridiculous! How uncivilized!"
"Don't get worked up. It's nothing. Tomorrow, you and Stuart go together. Once Jeffery calls you Uncle, the rumors will be squashed."
Gerald nodded, "Alright."
The next afternoon rolled around quickly, and it was time to pick up Jeffery. Gerald showed up early on purpose. He came straight from work, even earlier than Josephine.
Callie also arrived early today. Seeing Gerald from the photo, she was shocked. He dared to come to the kindergarten? Wasn't he afraid of being seen? Or did Josephine become so blatant?
Just then, Anita also arrived. Callie quickly pulled her over and pointed at Gerald, "Look, that's the guy I saw that day, the one in the photo, Josephine's lover!"
Anita looked at Gerald, "Why do I feel like he looks familiar?"
Callie said, "Of course he looks familiar. You've all seen the photo."
"No," Anita shook her head. "The photo doesn't show his exact features. I feel like I've seen this person somewhere before."
"Impossible," Callie said. "But speaking of which, Josephine is quite something. Her husband is so good-looking, and this guy is also handsome."
Anita interrupted her, "Stop talking. Let me think!" Where had she seen Gerald before?
Callie could only stand quietly to the side. Then, she saw Josephine.
Josephine and Gerald stood together, chatting and laughing.
Callie rolled her eyes disdainfully, but soon she was shocked because she saw Stuart. Stuart came too? Did Josephine think Stuart wouldn't come today, which was why she dared to call Gerald over? But Stuart did come! This was going to be interesting!
However, Callie didn't expect that when Stuart arrived, he also joined the conversation. The atmosphere among the three looked very harmonious.
How could this be?
But Callie quickly figured it out. It seemed that Josephine's lover knew Stuart.
So, Stuart was still in the dark, completely unaware that his friend was with Josephine. That was why he could still smile.
Callie had the urge to expose Josephine. She wanted all the parents, especially the men, to see Josephine's true colors!
Just as she was about to step forward, the children came out. Callie had to go see her child first.
But many parents who had seen the photo of Josephine and Gerald in the group didn't plan to leave after picking up their kids. They were all waiting to see the drama unfold.
When Jeffery came out and saw Gerald, he was very surprised. He ran over and loudly said, "Uncle, why are you here to pick me up?"
Uncle? What?
Gerald said, "Grandma is waiting at home. I happened to have time today, so I came to pick you up."
Josephine also spoke, "Gerald, what did Mom cook?"
If Jeffery calling Gerald "Uncle" still left some people doubting their normal sibling relationship, the word "Mom" cleared it all up.
Everyone was stunned. So, they were really siblings?
The parent who contacted Josephine yesterday came over and said, "Josephine, is this your biological brother?"
Josephine knew she was here to help. She smiled and said, "Yes, this is Jeffery's uncle, my big brother."
Hearing this, everyone realized they were indeed siblings! So, about that photo...
Everyone turned to look at Callie, who didn't expect things to turn out this way.
Suddenly, Anita spoke up. "I remember now!"