Chapter 74
Edward was impressive.
He'd always had a knack for these things. With just a glance, he spotted the pattern in the puzzle. But instead of solving it directly,
He explained to Lily how to recognize the patterns.
Though Lily hadn't been interested at first, she gradually became absorbed and started learning seriously.
Adeline watched them, hugging her knees.
Father and daughter were getting along more smoothly and naturally than before.
They truly shared a connection.
Lily became so engrossed in the puzzle that she inadvertently ignored Edward and Adeline.
The two adults sat quietly watching.
Their gazes remained fixed on Lily by unspoken agreement, neither looking at the other, as if Lily were the only thing that mattered in their world.
But there were some truths they didn't understand.
Sometimes, deliberate avoidance happened precisely because of what matters most to the heart.
By noon, Edward called a halt, "That's enough playing. Time for lunch."
Lily was obedient. Though reluctant to put down her toy, she stood up. Before leaving, she carefully arranged the puzzle pieces and set them aside.
But as they headed out, Lily took Adeline's hand in one of hers and Edward's in the other.
"Let's go eat!"
The image of a perfect family.
The housekeeper, who was setting the table downstairs, smiled at the sight.
"Mr. Thomas, Mrs. Thomas, lunch is served."
Adeline froze. "I..."
"Let's eat." Edward cut off her attempt to explain.
Adeline felt uneasy and confused. Shouldn't he have been the first to clarify?
Why...
Lily couldn't see through the undercurrents between the adults, but she sensed that Edward wasn't objecting. Taking advantage, she pulled Adeline to sit beside Edward.
Only Lily truly enjoyed the meal.
Edward remained composed.
Adeline alone felt confused and anxious.
After lunch, Lily needed to take her medicine. She joined their hands together. "Wait for me here. I'm going to the kitchen to take my medicine. I'll be right back. Daddy, watch Mommy and don't let her leave. Mommy, watch Daddy and don't let him go to work."
Clever Lily gave her instructions and ran to the kitchen before either could refuse.
Adeline and Edward immediately separated their hands.
They sat at opposite ends of the sofa, neither looking at the other.
Until Edward suddenly said, "You can probably guess what Lily wants."
Adeline gave a soft acknowledgment.
"I didn't object because Lily isn't well right now. I don't want to upset her. For a child, having both parents around is more important than anything."
Adeline responded with a gentle "Mmm."
She knew Edward was about to get to his point.
"I just went along with it for the child's sake. It doesn't mean anything."
Adeline nodded. "I understand."
Even if she were foolish, she wouldn't presume too much. What right did someone like her have to hope for a fresh start? Her debt remained unpaid.
The air suddenly felt suffocating.
She stood up. "I need some fresh air."
But as she rose, perhaps too quickly, her head spun, and she swayed. At the next moment, Edward caught her.
She looked up hazily and thought she saw concern in his eyes.
But looking more carefully, she saw only coldness.
"If you're not feeling well, go rest. Don't wander around here. It'll worry Lily if she sees you like this."
Adeline awkwardly stepped out of his arms and rubbed her uncooperative head.
"I'm sorry, I..."
She was afraid he'd think she did it on purpose.
"I'll take you to rest." Edward lifted her into his arms.
"There's no need. I can manage."
"Hold tight."
Adeline was startled.
Edward looked down. "If you fall, that's on you."
Adeline finally wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She didn't want to fall. After all, her health was already poor now, and her wound hadn't healed yet.
If she fell, it would terrify Lily.
Little did they know that Lily had witnessed everything from her hiding spot in the kitchen.
The housekeeper asked her, "What are you looking at? You seem happy."
"I'm watching Mommy and Daddy."
Lily stood with her hands behind her back, her little head tilted upward. Even after drinking a bitter bowl of medicine, she didn't feel so bad now.
She had no idea what her parents had said to each other. If she'd known the content of their conversation, she probably wouldn't be smiling.
But her elation didn't last long.
That evening, Lily clutched Adeline's soft hand and refused to let go.
She insisted on sleeping with Adeline.
It had been so long since she'd fallen asleep in Adeline's embrace.
Adeline naturally couldn't refuse Lily, but what made the situation more awkward was that Lily wanted not just Adeline but Edward to join them, too.
Adeline tried to reason with Lily.
"Mommy knows you want to sleep with both of us, but Daddy and Mommy are separated. We can't share a room."
"Why not? Parents are supposed to sleep with their children."
"Because Mommy and Daddy are separated."
"But you're together now! You're under the same roof. You hold my hands. You're my Daddy and Mommy. You're the people I love most."
Adeline fell silent.
Edward fell silent.
When a child was too clever, it was challenging—her arguments were so reasonable they couldn't be refuted.
Finally, Edward said, "You go with Mommy first. Daddy will take a shower in my room and come find you later."
"Okay, hurry back, Daddy!"
Lily pulled Adeline back to the room, thoroughly satisfied.
Adeline watched her hiding under the covers, secretly smiling. She reached out and patted her gently. "Happy now?"
Lily's little head peeked out from under the blanket.
"Yes! I've never slept with both Mommy and Daddy before. I really want to lie in the middle, holding Daddy's hand with my left and Mommy's with my right, being hugged by both of you, listening to Daddy tell me stories."
Adeline felt a mixture of emotions.
What Lily asked for was so simple and ordinary—the life every child should naturally enjoy from birth.
But she didn't have that.
It wasn't Lily's fault. Nor was she being greedy.
It was Adeline who had failed as a mother.
"It's Mommy's fault for never giving you this kind of life."
Lily felt she'd said something wrong.
Because Adeline looked sad.
"No, no! Mommy, you've been so good to me. Having you with me has always been enough. It's just that I see other kids with daddies, and I don't have one, so I was curious. But it's okay if I don't really have a daddy!"
Edward was wonderful, tall, handsome, and wealthy.
He could buy her lots of toys, let her live in the biggest, nicest house. The clothes she'd been wearing lately were obviously prettier than her old dresses.
But, Lily burrowed into Adeline's arms.
"But for me, Mommy is still the most important."