Chapter 289

Chapter 289

Since having children, Katherine rarely had any free time to herself. Even with Michael helping to care for the kids, she couldn't shake the feeling that nothing compared to being there personally.

"Is Barry still at the hospital? You should head back soon," Katherine reminded him.

Howard considered this for a moment. "Barry's improving every day—he's already working on his software designs on the computer. Why don't we bring all three children along?" 

He turned the car toward the hospital. From there, they could swing by Katherine's house to pick up the kids and enjoy some evening entertainment together.

Katherine didn't object. The three children loved playing together, and more playtime could only be beneficial.

Barry's face lit up when Howard and Katherine arrived at the hospital. He stood immediately and threw himself into Howard's arms. "Dad... Dad," he whispered with effort, his pronunciation still imperfect.

Arabella, sitting on the small sofa, scowled darkly. "So you really can talk now. I spent hours trying to teach you, but you wouldn't say a word in front of me."

Barry ignored her, wanting to say more but unable to form the words. He still needed time to recover his speech, likely requiring rehabilitation therapy as well. When Barry had first awakened calling Katherine "Mommy," Arabella hadn't been present—if she had been, it might have shattered her completely.

Katherine pulled a casual outfit from a small bag. "Barry, put this on. We're going to pick up Edward and Flora, then go out for some fresh air. How does that sound?" 

Barry's face brightened, his eyes crinkling with genuine happiness. He took the clothes and carefully dressed himself, then put on his shoes.

Seeing the three preparing to leave together, Arabella stood as well. "Where are you going? Can I come along? Barry hasn't fully recovered yet, and I'm still worried about him."

Katherine was about to refuse when Howard spoke first. "The three children are having a playdate. If you don't want to stay at the hospital, go home. We'll take good care of the children." 

With that dismissive comment, he tugged Katherine's arm and carried Barry out.

Watching their harmonious departure, Arabella kicked the chair beside her. The chair legs scraped against the floor with a harsh screech. She pulled out her phone with an almost twisted expression and sent a message.

She murmured, "If you are making things hard for me, don't think you'll have it any better!"

Katherine settled into the car and glanced at Barry in the backseat. "Treating her like that—won't Arabella get angry and do something reckless?"

"She barely has patience caring for Barry. He wasn't raised by her side, after all. If she had to deal with Edward and Flora too, we'd end up managing her emotions instead. It's not worth it." Howard's tone held no concern whatsoever.

Since he'd made his decision, Katherine had nothing more to say about it.

After picking up Edward and Flora, who had been well cared for by Michael, Howard led the group of one adult and three children to a family entertainment center. Only black card members could enter at any time.

The children's play area was adjacent to adult relaxation zones where parents could choose massage chairs, foot baths, and help themselves to various foods and beverages.

Despite their above-average intelligence and maturity, the sight of diverse entertainment equipment awakened the playful desires buried deep within all three children. Hand in hand, they headed to the play area while three dedicated babysitters followed closely behind.

Katherine's gaze tracked the children constantly. Howard waved his hand in front of her face and took her dangling hand in his. "Relax. Besides these babysitters, I have security positioned throughout the area. The children are completely safe here. Now just focus on unwinding."

"Sometimes I realize it's not that the children can't live without me—it's that I can't live without my children." Katherine smiled wistfully and squeezed Howard's hand in return.

She seemed to have accepted Howard from the bottom of her heart, though certain mysteries remained unsolved, preventing them from living peacefully together.

They walked toward the adult relaxation area, where two familiar figures came into view. A man lay in a massage chair while a woman sat nearby, apparently trying to persuade him of something.

Katherine pulled out her phone and zoomed in to confirm she wasn't mistaken. "What are Elijah and Stella doing here?"

As she turned, a large hand gripped her wrist. Howard pulled her to a position where they couldn't be seen but could observe the other pair through a wooden lattice window.

"No idea. Those two have been scheming together for ages—probably cooking up another brilliant plan." He seemed unconcerned, focusing on arranging the tea service on their table.

Katherine's attention remained fixed on Elijah and Stella. She almost wished she could fly over and eavesdrop on their conversation. Reading lips from a side angle proved impossible.

Howard handed Katherine a tablet. "Stop staring. Weren't you worried about the children? This shows the kids' area surveillance—you can monitor them and even communicate remotely."

"This is so convenient. How did I never know places like this existed?" Katherine accepted the tablet with fascination.

"Barry actually developed this software. He thought it would be fun, so he wrote the program. The entertainment center ended up purchasing it from him." Howard's smile carried unmistakable pride.

Katherine stared at his expression, momentarily transfixed. This subtle way Howard bragged about his child perfectly matched her ideal of a devoted father.

"Barry's incredible. With proper nurturing, that boy will achieve great things!" Katherine praised.

Just then, unpleasant arguing erupted from Stella's direction. After exchanging harsh words, Stella threw down whatever she'd been holding and stormed off. Elijah remained unfazed, simply closing his eyes in his massage chair.

Howard barely glanced over. "Those two have fundamental conflicts of interest—actually, they always have. Sometimes they temporarily unite against a common enemy, but they'll self-destruct soon enough."

With no more drama to observe, Katherine relaxed her twisted posture and settled into her massage chair. "I don't think it's that simple. Their alliance might not be purely about interests—they could share the same financial backer. We should keep watching and prepare for whatever they're planning. It's definitely aimed at me again. I'm becoming a walking target."