Chapter 23 He Came Out of the Johnson Family Bathroom
The next day.
James and Michael quickly got ready and headed straight to the guest room.
William had a rare night of good sleep. He was thoughtfully staring at the incense burner on the nightstand, its smoke long gone.
The kids entered just as he emerged from the bathroom, freshly showered and dressed in clean clothes Tony had brought over early in the morning.
James and Michael each clung to one of his legs, visibly relieved to see he was okay.
Emily was a step behind them.
She looked at her brothers clinging to his legs and realized, with dismay, that he only had two legs and none left for her to hold.
After a moment's hesitation, Emily extended her hands towards William. Her freshly washed face was rosy and endearing.
"Pick me up," she murmured.
William thought for a couple of seconds before lifting her into his arms.
If their dad had picked up any other kid, James and Michael would have been jealous, but since it was Emily, they didn't mind.
Emily wrapped her arms around William's neck and reminded him, "James and Michael need to go to school and eat breakfast."
Sophia stepped out just in time to see William holding Emily. She had taken great care to handle Emily's background, but she still worried something might slip. She quickly took Emily from his arms.
Seeing her so guarded, a thought crossed William's mind: Was Sophia hiding something from him?
He focused on Emily's adorable face. If he looked closely, she did bear a slight resemblance to him.
Before he could think further, Sophia had already taken Emily to the dining room.
James hurried after them.
Michael hesitated, recalling how Sophia often overlooked him. He needed someone to give him courage.
"Dad, can I go with you?"
After breakfast, Sophia got into the car with Emily, James, and Michael to take them to school.
Next to the black Maybach, Tony glanced at the lone William and quickly opened the back door, feeling guilty about the previous night and avoiding eye contact.
As soon as he got in the car, William let out a frosty chuckle.
Tony was relieved when he didn't hear any threats about docking his pay.
At the kindergarten entrance, James and Michael proudly introduced Emily to their classmates as their sister, with Sophia watching them warmly from behind.
"James, your mom and sister are so pretty!"
"Michael, your mom and dad are the best-looking parents I've ever seen."
"Your sister is so cute! I wish I had a sister like her."
Emily responded to the compliments with a bright smile and took out candies from her little bag to share with everyone.
As she handed out the candies, she said, "Hi, hi."
Pointing to James and Michael, she proudly announced to the other kids, "My brothers."
Unable to resist the lure of candy, the kids promised to be nice to James and Michael.
Emily was pleased.
Emily was there to protect James and Michael's friendships!
Sophia watched Emily with amusement, surprised at this outgoing side of her. She had wondered why Emily had packed so many candies in her little bag before they left the house.
It turned out it was for James and Michael.
James and Michael were touched.
Emily had saved her favorite pink candies for them.
For the first time, James and Michael didn't want to go to kindergarten.
Emily waved to them at the entrance, blowing kisses.
After dropping off James and Michael, Sophia prepared to take Emily home.
Before getting in the car, Emily ran over to William and waved at him.
William, puzzled, crouched down.
Emily felt that since she had kissed James and Michael, she couldn't leave out William.
Feeling the soft kiss on his cheek, William stiffened, unsure how to react.
On the way to the office, William felt something in his pocket. He reached in and found three pink candies.
Leaning back in his seat, he stared at them for a long while, warmth slowly spreading in his eyes, the coldness fading.
William slipped the candies back into his pocket, a small smile playing on his lips.
Time flew by.
As soon as the school bell rang, James and Michael, with their bags already packed, dashed to the kindergarten entrance.
In the waiting area, Sophia and Emily were already there.
Seeing James and Michael, Emily let go of her mom's hand and ran towards them.
This time she jumped into Michael's arms, surprising him. "Emily?"
Looking up, Emily's smile was brighter than a sunflower's. "Michael."
James was happy to see Michael and Emily getting along. He took each of their hands and walked towards Sophia.
Today's pickup went smoothly.
Across the street, in a red sports car, Alice glared at James and Michael being close to Sophia.
Ungrateful brats, after raising them for two years!
If that's how it is, don't blame her for being ruthless!
Eight o'clock in the evening.
William arrived on time to pick up James and Michael.
Back at the Smith Mansion.
James took out something Sophia had given him from his backpack and handed it to William. "Dad, Mom said this would help you sleep."
They followed the butler to their rooms to bathe and sleep.
William sat on the couch, staring at the box of incense for a long time.
The next evening.
When Sophia went to pick up James and Michael from school again, James took a velvet box out of his backpack and handed it to her.
"Mom, this is a gift from Dad for you."
He added shyly, "Dad said it's a thank you gift or something... I didn't really remember."
Sophia understood immediately.
The incense she had asked James to give him yesterday was one she made herself, designed to help with sleep and relieve stress-induced anxiety.
Sophia had recalled the panic and helplessness on James's face that day and decided to help for the sake of the children.
She had looked into William's situation over the past two years.
He hadn't lied.
In the past two years, he had indeed been hands-on with James and Michael, balancing work and spending time with them, fulfilling his role as a father.
That was why she chose to help him.
She couldn't bear to see the children go through that again.
Sophia opened the velvet box to find a blue diamond necklace, exquisite.
Just like every other gift she had received during their five years of hidden marriage.
All from the same jewelry designer.
William had a habit of gifting jewelry, having Tony choose pieces based on the recipient's status.
He did this for female clients.
And for her, his wife.
Sophia smiled bitterly. To him, she was no different from those female clients.
She patted James's head. "James, thank your dad for me."
She accepted the gift, and that settled their debt.
Michael, his hands behind his back, looked nervous. "Mom, I have a gift for you too."
Hearing Michael call her "Mom" touched Sophia's heart, but she didn't respond immediately.
"I'm sorry for what I said before."
Michael opened the box. "I made this bracelet myself. It's my apology gift."
His eyes were filled with anxiety, fearing rejection.
Over the past few days, Michael's feelings had shifted towards Sophia and Emily.
He hadn't thought of Alice in a long time.
Michael's apology was sincere.
After all, he was her child. If he could recognize his mistakes and change, there was hope.
Sophia ruffled his hair. "Mom forgives you for now, but you're on probation. If you make me sad again."
Michael interrupted, "I won't! I'll be good to you from now on."
Finally, he felt Sophia's embrace again, happier than receiving any toy.
It was Friday again.
Sophia took the three kids out for dinner. As soon as they entered the restaurant, they saw William and Alice, accompanied by the Rivera family elders, chatting and laughing.
Michael's eyes lit up. "James, look, there's Dad!"