Chapter 78

"No, Tiffany will wake up, trust Mommy!" Julia gently patted their little heads. "But Tiffany's illness will take some time to heal, so we need to be patient."

"Okay, Mommy."

When it was bedtime, Julia kissed Joseph and Stephen goodnight and sent them off to their rooms.

Just as she had lulled Tiffany to sleep, the doorbell rang downstairs.

Yawning, Julia went to open the door. It was Henry.

Julia asked, "Why are you back again?"

"I brought some medicine for Tiffany. Could you help apply it?" He handed the ointment to Julia.

Julia took it, recognizing that it was an expensive ointment, particularly effective for treating bruises.

Well, at least Tiffany's dad was being responsible.

"Alright, I got it." Julia accepted it without inviting him upstairs.

Henry didn't seem to want to leave either.

Julia could tell he was worried and wanted to check on Tiffany.

She opened the door wider. "Come on, let's go up together."

Tiffany shared a room with Julia.

She opened the bedroom door, and the dim wall lights made the room feel cozy.

Tiffany's serene little face looked so adorable in the soft light.

Julia was afraid of waking her, so she moved very gently.

Henry watched his daughter sleep soundly, her scent sweet and comforting, and he longed to kiss her.

Standing a few steps away, his fatherly love was evident.

He watched Tiffany for a long time before reluctantly looking away.

Julia applied the ointment to Tiffany's bottom as Henry had instructed.

Seeing that Tiffany didn't wake up, she felt relieved.

"All done." She turned and met Henry's gaze.

Their eyes locked, and both were momentarily stunned.

Henry was the first to look away. "Thank you."

"No problem."

Henry turned to leave, and she followed him downstairs.

After seeing Henry out, she thought about closing the door and heading back to bed.

Taking care of three kids every day was exhausting, and she needed rest too.

Henry stepped back. "I've already spoken to the preschool. If you don't mind what happened before, Joseph and Stephen can go back to school anytime."

Julia nodded. "I know. I'll send them back to school, and I'll take Tiffany too. I think being around other kids every day will help her condition."

A bunch of kids should be more effective than just Joseph and Stephen.

Which child didn't like to play at that age?

Henry agreed readily. "Alright, we'll do as you say."

As Tiffany's biological mother, she had that right.

Julia was momentarily surprised. Why did it feel like Henry trusted her unconditionally when it came to Tiffany?

Was it because Tiffany was so attached to her?

Julia thought about it for a while and could only come up with that reason.

She replied, "Okay."

Henry left.

Julia went upstairs to sleep.

Early the next morning, Julia started her busy day.

She had to take them to preschool.

As they stepped out of the villa, they saw Henry at the door.

It was unclear if he hadn't slept all night, but his dark circles were noticeable.

"You've already been helping take care of Tiffany. I wanted to do something too, so I'll drive you to preschool." He spoke softly, his sincere tone and demeanor surprising Julia and the boys.

Joseph and Stephen, who had previously disliked Henry, now eagerly wanted to ride in their dad's car to school.

They had never ridden in their dad's car to school before.

Joseph and Stephen turned to Julia in unison, waiting for her decision.

Tiffany, with a blank expression, clung tightly to Julia's clothes as soon as she woke up. Julia had no reason to refuse.

She nodded in agreement.

Joseph and Stephen happily got into the car.

Stephen occasionally glanced at his dad through the rearview mirror, his emotions complex.

He should dislike his dad, but he couldn't bring himself to. Now, he was especially happy.

But would Mommy be sad?

On the way, only Julia and Joseph kept talking to Tiffany.

Stephen pouted, lost in thought.

Henry focused on driving, not saying a word.

Before long, they arrived at the preschool.

The teacher, seeing Joseph and Stephen return, was happy but also a bit awkward. "Ms. Kennedy..."

Julia noticed the teacher's helplessness and smiled, pretending nothing had happened. "Joseph and Stephen will be in your care again."

"It's no trouble at all. It's my job as a teacher... and Joseph and Stephen are very well-behaved."

Julia hadn't blamed the teacher last time.

Her issue with Vivian had indeed caused a big misunderstanding.

She added, "Also, Tiffany's been a bit off lately. Please keep an extra eye on her."

She didn't mention Tiffany's autism directly.

But the teacher could tell that Tiffany was different today.

"Of course, don't worry."

The teacher, as usual, took Joseph and Stephen by the hand. Joseph and Stephen helped Tiffany, and they followed the teacher into the classroom.

Seeing this, Julia felt a warm sense of comfort.

"Please take good care of Tiffany!" she reminded, still worried.

As the three little ones disappeared from sight, she turned and saw Henry.

He hadn't said a word the whole time, watching the kids go.

Julia thought his focus must be entirely on his daughter now.

"I'm worried about Tiffany," Henry said.

Julia's eyes widened. "Worried? So you mean we should go in and sit through a class?"

"I want to."

"Then go! What's there to hesitate about?"

Henry asked Julia, like a child, "Would it be too abrupt? Or scare the other kids?"

Julia found Henry oddly endearing.

She wanted to laugh.

Thinking of Tiffany, she held back. "Really? The great Mr. Hearst of the Hearst Group, afraid of scaring kids? When did you become so humble?"

"If you were me, would you go?"

He was trying to gauge Julia's opinion.

"I'd definitely go. It's my kid, why wouldn't I?"

Henry looked at her seriously. "Alright, then come with me."

Julia was puzzled. "Why do I need to go with you?"

"Because you look gentle. The kids will like you. They'll ignore me."

Julia was speechless.

For Tiffany's sake, and since Henry had complimented her.

She nodded. "Alright. I'll go with you."

They walked towards the preschool classroom.

The teacher was leading the kids in morning exercises. Seeing them enter, she smiled. "Mr. Hearst, Ms. Kennedy, is there something you need?"

Julia glanced at Henry. His eyes were fixed on his daughter, not hearing a word the teacher said.

She smiled warmly. "We don't want to interrupt. We just want to check on Tiffany. If she's not doing well, we'll take her home."