Chapter 19
Layla and Logan's heads snapped up, a flash of excitement in their eyes quickly replaced by tension.
They had never told their mom about Heidi's art exhibition on Thursday.
The whole situation had been giving them headaches for days.
Heidi herself had come to request their absence from school that day, but their mother knew nothing about it.
In the past, they would have definitely told their mom beforehand. Going behind her back this time—they understood the gravity of what they'd done.
Layla was terrified. She'd never seen her mom look so serious before.
"Mommy, we're sorry," she blurted anxiously. "I shouldn't have said those things to other people, and we shouldn't have hidden the school absence from you. Please don't stop loving us."
Layla was afraid her mother would give up on her.
Even though Heidi was her favorite person, without her Mommy, Layla would never be happy.
Logan caught Caroline's gaze in the rearview mirror and flinched.
"If we'd told you," he said, his voice small and defensive, "you wouldn't have let us go. Besides, I just don't like other people touching you, and I don't want you liking other kids either."
Caroline's grip tightened on the steering wheel, but she remained silent.
The car drove across a bridge, the water below shimmering with ripples of light.
Caroline stared at her blurry reflection on the water's surface and let out a soft sigh.
"My love can be shared with many people," she finally said. "You're my children, so of course I love you most. But seeing well-behaved children—everyone appreciates them, just like you do."
Caroline continued patiently, "You love me because I'm your mother, but you also love Ms. White. Would it make sense for me to argue and fight with her just because you care about her?"
Layla hung her head, sniffling quietly.
"I don't want to see something like this happen again, okay?"
Everyone makes mistakes, especially children. Caroline had already decided to forgive them and not tell Isaac about the incident.
Layla nodded vigorously. "Don't worry, Mommy. I'll never do it again, and I'll apologize properly to that girl tomorrow."
Seeing Layla's response, Logan reluctantly apologized too, though he still felt somewhat defiant inside.
As the car pulled into the villa's parking area, Caroline spotted Isaac having tea in the garden and knew it was time to compose herself.
Caroline hit the brakes and saw Isaac under the wisteria arbor, leisurely sipping from a purple clay teacup.
The golden sunset filtered through the vines, casting a warm glow on his silver-white hair, softening his usual stern demeanor.
"Great-grandpa!" The children bolted toward him like unleashed puppies, their backpack straps flying behind them.
Logan reached Isaac first, burying himself in the older man's embrace and looking up with a mischievous grin. "Great-grandpa, did you hide any snacks for us today?"
Isaac chuckled, pinching Logan's cheek affectionately. "Always thinking about food, aren't you?"
His gaze shifted to Caroline trailing behind, his smile fading slightly. "You're back?"
"Yes," Caroline nodded, gathering the children's scattered backpacks. "Just picked them up from school."
Isaac set down his teacup and gestured toward the stone bench. "Layla, Logan, go to the study and start your homework. I need to speak with your mother."
Layla reluctantly agreed, making a quick face at Caroline before leaving.
Once the children disappeared down the corridor, Caroline sat on the stone bench, fingers absently smoothing the creases in her skirt.
"Did you go to the company today?" Isaac asked directly, his eyes lingering on her slightly swollen eyelids. "How was it?"
Caroline's fingers tightened around the teacup. The warm liquid scalded her palm, but couldn't chase away the chill in her heart. She'd expected Isaac to ask, just not so soon.
"I just walked around the lobby," she said softly, keeping her tone deliberately casual. "It was livelier than I expected."
"Lively?" Isaac raised an eyebrow, clearly dissatisfied with her answer. "Since when did the Windsor Group become a marketplace? Tell me more."
Caroline hesitated before slowly continuing, "There were many flowers and plants in the lobby—hydrangeas, roses, and some greenery I couldn't name. It looked quite pleasant."
She paused, her lips curving slightly as if remembering something. "Even the receptionist was all smiles—very welcoming."
"Flowers?" Isaac's brows furrowed sharply, his voice rising. "Since when does the Windsor Group keep those things in the lobby? Aren't you allergic to pollen? How did you manage in that environment without having a reaction?"
Caroline felt a sudden warmth in her chest, as if something had gently stung her. Arthur had never paid attention to her pollen allergy, but Isaac remembered it perfectly.
"Don't worry, Grandpa. I'm fine," she said with a smile, deliberately lightening her tone. "Arthur thought of everything—there's allergy medication at the reception desk, and the path from the lobby to the elevators only has non-flowering plants, specifically for employees with allergies."
Isaac stared at her silently, a complex emotion flickering in his cloudy eyes. After a long Mommyent, he sighed heavily. "You always defend him."
He set down his teacup with a dull thud against the stone table. "Just wait until he gets home—I'll have words with him!"
"Please don't scold him, Grandpa," Caroline quickly interjected. "He was just looking out for the employees. Besides, I was only browsing briefly—I didn't stay long."
"Enough now. You've had a long day—no need to make dinner. Go to your room and rest," Isaac waved dismissively, cutting her off. "Nina will supervise the children's homework, and we'll call you when dinner's ready."
Caroline wanted to say more but stopped at the sight of fatigue in Isaac's eyes. She rose silently, glancing at the cold tea on the stone table as she turned away, her heart feeling strangely heavy.
When she returned to her room, the sunset was just spilling over the windowsill, casting a long band of light across the floor.
Caroline had barely tossed her coat on the sofa and picked up a neurology journal when she heard the door lock turn.
Arthur walked in, still carrying the chill from outside. He glanced at her without a word, just a slight sigh, before heading straight to the desk and opening his laptop.
The sound of typing filled the quiet room, like an invisible line keeping them apart.
Somehow, Caroline felt Arthur's typing was unusually forceful today. Understandable—she'd gone to the company without telling him; he must be upset.
Caroline lowered her head, pretending to read while her peripheral vision followed his movements.
He wore a dark gray suit today, his tie hanging loosely around his neck, his profile looking particularly hard in the lamplight.
Seven years, and he hadn't changed much—still maintaining that same distant demeanor.