Ch. 1001..1005
Chapter 1001 It was already late when Sylvia finished the call.
She put her phone down and went to the bathroom for a shower.
After she came out from her shower, she saw her phone blinking. Someone texted her.
She picked up the phone and saw the messages from Odell.
The first message was a picture of Flint drinking a bottle of milk.
“The kids are doing fine today. Isabel didn’t cause any trouble at school. Everything is fine at home.” It was followed by another text another minute later.
“How about you? Are you doing well at the Stockton family’s place?”
Sylvia frowned.
She had the urge to text back but her fingers froze before they typed. She struggled for a moment before ultimately tossing her phone away.
The next morning, Sylvia snuck several buns from breakfast for Sherry again.
John had gone to work.
When Sylvia arrived at the living hall, Sherry was sewing on the couch but she looked weak. Chapter 1001
“Sherry?” Sylvia called her.
Sherry’s eyes gleamed. “Syl! Did you bring anything for me to eat?!”
Sylvia gave her the bag of buns she snuck over.
Sherry jumped on the buns like a hungry wolf.
She gobbled the buns while cursing John behind his back.
After eating and cursing, she continued sewing.
Sylvia sighed. She sat on the couch and watched her friend sew.
Three days went by peacefully.
It was a Friday. Sherry was carried away by the sewing. She only spent five minutes on lunch and the day went by peacefully. When John came back in the evening, Sylvia got up and went back to her room.
After dinner, she video-called the kids like usual. 1
The kids’ adorable faces once again appeared on her screen.
Sylvia asked how they did at school and chatted with them.
Isabel complained about being scolded by the teacher for falling asleep in class
Flint giggled silly as he did not understand what his sister said.
Liam remained silent throughout the call and it caught Sylvia's attention. “Liam, do you have anything to talk to me about?” Chapter 1001
Liam paused for a moment and asked, “Mommy, when are you coming home?”
Sylvia was taken aback by the question. She pursed her lips in silence.
Isabel pouted. “Mommy, you’ve been away for six days now. We missed you.”
Flint protruded his lips and tried to reach out to his mother as though he understood his sister now. “Mommy, Mommy...”
Liam put his brother’s hands down to prevent him from toppling the phone. Sylvia’s chest tightened as her kids looked at her with teary eyes. She wished she could go back right away and hug them in her arms.
However, the terrible memories rooted themselves in her brain and she kept replaying the horrible scene over and over again in the past week.
Even though Odell would text her every night, even though she knew he was no longer the same person, it was still a lot to digest and it was difficult for her to simply forgive him for what he did in those three years.
Along silence later, Sylvia said softly, “Aunt Sherry needs me now. I'll go back in a few more days.” She shifted the topic to Sherry and coincidentally, it was also the truth.
Sherry seemed to have made John angry in the past few days. She did not get breakfast or dinner and all she got were the buns Sylvia provided her in the morning.
If Sylvia left her, she would probably starve to death. Isabel pouted. “Oh...”
Flint started to gurgle.
Liam asked, “Is Aunt Sherry in trouble?”
“Yeah. | have to stay by her side for now. You guys go to school on time and behave. When Aunt Sherry is getting better, I'll go back home,” she said.
“Okay,” Liam answered. Isabel stayed quiet.
Flint continued to gurgle.
Chapter 1002 The call lasted for quite a while as Sylvia had to cheer her kids up. When the call finally ended, she got up and prepared for bed.
After cleaning herself up, she picked up her phone again to check on the message, but she got nothing.
From when she left Westchester City, Odell had been texting her, updating her about the kids’ situation.
‘Is he busy? Or is he mad that | didn’t reply to him every time he texted me?
Sylvia grunted and tossed the phone aside.
She tried to sleep but for some reason, her mind was thinking about the text messages and her eyes were staring at her phone. She lay awake until midnight and still did not receive any messages on her phone.
He should have texted her no matter how busy he was.
Sylvia’s expression turned cold. Frustrated and annoyed, she covered herself with the blanket and slept.
On the next morning, Sylvia woke up around 9 o’clock. Maybe because she slept late last night, she woke up later than usual. It was way past breakfast hour. Sherry must be starving.
She bolted up, washed her face, and went to the living room.
The maid assigned to take care of her said, “Mrs. Carter, please wait for a moment. I'll bring breakfast over, *
Breakfast was served after a while,
Sylvia simply ate some and stuffed some of them into the bag for Sherry
When she walked out of the door, she saw a cart with loaded passengers coming toward her.
She had a glance and saw the man with the familiar deep gaze.
She was stunned on the spot.
In his handsome black suit, Odell carried Flint in his arms and sat in front of Isabel and Liam.
Sylvia locked eyes with him when she looked over.
He curled his lips and smiled gently at her.
Isabel and Liam also saw Sylvia when she came out. Before the cart completely stopped, the girl jumped off and ran toward her mother,
“Mommy!”
The girl jumped into her mother’s arms.
Liam got off the cart with his father and brother.
Sylvia stared at the man blankly, “What..What are you guys doing here?”
Odell smiled. “The kids missed you, and it’s the weekend, so | brought them over.”
Sylvia’s gaze shifted. She blushed for some reason but quickly concealed it by looking down at Isabel. “Mommy, | missed you.” Isabel hugged her mother tightly.
Sylva’s expression softened up. She patted the girl’s head and hugged Liam into her arms. “Mommy missed the two of you as well.”
“Gur...” Flint also tried to reach out to his mother despite being in his father’s arms. He looked anxious and eager to hold his mother.
Sylvia stuffed the bag of food into Odell’s arms and carried Flint.
“Mommy, Mommy...” Flint giggled and tried to kiss her.
The unique baby odor enlightened her mood. She kissed the boy on the forehead. “Hmph!” Isabel suddenly grunted.
Sylvia turned to the girl and saw her pouting.
“Mommy, you didn’t kiss me and Liam.”
Sylvia held the urge to laugh. She quickly bent over and kissed the two of them on the cheeks. A bright smile replaced the girl’s grumpy look while Liam smiled conservatively “Ahem.”
Sylvia turned to Odell.
The man wore a gentle but mischievous smile and looked at her
with a hint of anticipation. It was as though he wanted a kiss from her as well. Sylvia squinted at him.
The butler, who drove them into the premise, said, “Sir, Madam, my master is waiting. Why don’t we go in first?”
Chapter 1003
Odell nodded and then looked at Sylvia.
Sylvia carried Flint into the cart.
There were four seats behind the driver's seat.
Sylvia sat in the first row. Isabel immediately sat beside her. Liam calmly sat in the second row, just behind Sylvia.
Odell was the last to get in. Instead of sitting beside Liam in the second row, he carried Isabel and put her beside her brother. He then took Isabel's seat and sat beside Sylvia.
Isabel pouted after her father snatched her seat. “Stupid Daddy!”
The cart drove off.
Odell looked at Sylvia, who refused to look at him. He shook the bag in his hand. “What's this? Is it food?” Sylvia hummed a reply coldly.
Odell furrowed his brows. “You didn’t have breakfast?”
“late.”
“Then what's with the bag of food?”
Sylvia ignored him.
Odell stroked her hair. “Why aren’t you talking?”
Sylvia answered angrily, “Why are you talking so much?”
“| haven't seen you for a week. | have a lot to talk to you about,” he stared at her with his deep and gentle gaze as he explained. Sylvia blushed and looked away. “I don’t want to talk to you.”
His expression remained gentle. “I know.”
“Then why are you talking?”
“| can’t help myself when | look at you.”
“Then don't look at me.”
“I can't.”
Sylvia was rendered speechless.
The man felt like a whole new person.
Sylvia turned her back on him.
Odell pursed his lips in silence.
The cart drove them to the rear yard but not the one Sherry was in.
This particular yard was decorated meticulously, and it seemed like the main building of the premise.
The cart stopped and the family of five got out.
Madam Stockton and John stood at the entrance to welcome them. Queenie and Julie were behind them. “Master Carter, welcome to my humble abode.” John reached out for a handshake.
Odell shook his hand. “It’s me who's bothering you.”
“Not at all. I'm honored by your presence.” John smiled. He then glanced at Sylvia and the children.
His glasses usually concealed his emotions but he could not hold his surprise when he saw the kids. He smiled. “You guys must be the young master and young miss of the Carter family.”
Odell looked at the two little ones. “Liam, Isabel, this is Uncle John, Daddy’s friend.”
Liam politely greeted John, “Uncle John.”
Isabel sized up John with her crystal clear eyes. “Hello Uncle John. I’m Isabel, you can call me Izzy.” Isabel's bright smile was more adorable compared to that of Liam's.
John was stunned by the dazzling smile for a second. “Hello, Izzy.”
Isabel curved her eyes and lips. “Uncle John, how old are you? Do you have a girlfriend?”
Everyone was left speechless by the girl’s question.
Two seconds later, Liam said, “Isabel, | believe Uncle John is Aunt Sherry’s boyfriend.
Chapter 1004 The ember of hope in the girl’s eyes died off.
She put her hands on her hips and raised a brow at John. “So, you're the jerk who has been bullying Aunt Sherry? Do you know you should love your girlfriend instead of bullying her?”
John’s expression froze.
Odell sternly said, “Izzy, stop it. Don’t be rude.”
Sylvia immediately pulled the little girl behind her back.
The girl pouted and sulked in silence.
Madam Stockton, Queenie, and Julie’s expressions turned cold.
Things got awkward until John chuckled. He looked at the girl with her puffy face. “I didn’t expect the girl to know so much about relationships at this age.”
Isabel pouted. “Of course. I’ve seen almost all the romance dramas out there!” Sylvia was rendered speechless, and even Odell felt embarrassed.
“Hmph. A girl her age calls a man a jerk because of romance drama? | think she’s learning all the bad things instead of the good ones,” Queenie voiced her grievance behind John.
John turned around and glared at her. “Shut your mouth if you don’t know how to speak.”
He sounded rather cold and stern.
Madam Stockton and Julie immediately signaled Queenie to stop causing a scene.
They were unhappy with the girl’s remarks but dared not offend Odell.
Queenie’s gaze shrunk and sulked in silence.
John then turned to Odell. “Please excuse my sister for being a spoiled brat, Master Carter.”
Odell glanced at Queenie. He maintained a polite smile and said, “It’s my daughter who's being rude.”
John smiled. “Young miss is just being straightforward, it’s okay. | think it's cute of her to express herself frankly.” Isabel furrowed her brows when she was called cute. “Stupid uncle, are you calling me cute? Do you mean it?” John smiled. “Of course, | mean it.”
“Okay. You might bully Aunt Sherry but you’re also a handsome guy.”
“Hahaha.” John burst into laughter.
His bright laughter somehow gave Madam Stockton, Queenie, and Julie chills.
John then introduced the ladies to Odell. “This is my mother, my sister, Queenie, and my sister-in-law, Julie.” Madam Stockton and Julie smiled politely when being
introduced, only Queenie looked lowered her head in silence.
Odell smiled at them. He then looked at Liam and Isabel. “Liam, Izzy.”
Liam was like a lifeless robot when he greeted them.” Grandmother Stockton, Aunt Queenie, Aunt Julie.”
Isabel repeated the greetings like a machine before she looked at Queenie. “Aunt Queenie with the yellow hair, why are you looking at the ground? Are you looking for something?”
Queenie looked at the girl. She tried her best to hold her anger back and said, “My hair is blonde, not yellow.”
“Yellow is blonde,” Isabel said as she protruded her lips. It was as if the girl wanted to provoke Queenie, and she continued , ” Why did you dye your hair yellow? You look like a lion.”
Sylvia almost burst into laughter.
The others were rendered speechless and things got awkward again.
Queenie flushed. She was angered by the remark.
Just before she could shout at Isabel, Madam Stockton cleared her throat to signal her not to cause any trouble.
Queenie was forced to stay quiet, but she continued to glare at the girl.
Isabel stuck her tongue out and made faces at her.
John saw the faces the girl made and it amused him. He then said to the couple, “Master Carter, Mrs. Carter, I've prepared some snacks. Why don’t we go inside?” Odell nodded and followed the host inside.
Isabel followed him in and looked around like a curious cat.
Chapter 1005
Sylvia carried Flint and held Liam’s hand as she followed them inside.
They arrived at the living hall after going through a short corridor.
Tea and snacks were prepared on the tea table.
Odell and John went to the couch and sat opposite each other.
Sylvia and the kids sat beside Odell, while Madam Stockton, Queenie, and Julie sat on the other end.
Odell and John talked about work.
Sylvia looked around the place. She believed it was Madam Stockton’s place judging from the retro designs and decorations. There were even two middle-aged maids outside the door.
Sherry should be at her usual place.
While Sylvia was wondering if Sherry had breakfast, Flint
suddenly crawled out of her arms.
Sylvia turned to the boy and saw him crawling toward the end of the couch.
The boy crawled toward Queenie, who was the nearest, and looked up at her. Then he gurgled happily.
Queenie did not expect the baby’s interest and she was awestruck by his adorable smile and voice.
Madam Stockton and Julie were beside her and the baby’s gurgle caught their attention.
Madam Stockton’s stern expression was immediately replaced by a kind smile. “Hey little guy, do you want a hug?” Flint widened his eyes at her and murmured, “Grandma...”
Madam Stockton’s heart was melted by Flint’s adorable voice. She wore a gentle and caring expression and said, “Come here, you adorable thing.”
Flint raised his tiny hands at her. Madam Stockton carried the boy into her arms and held him like a precious treasure.
Sylvia’s gaze shifted. At the same time, she held Isabel from going over. She said in a small voice, “Grandma Stockton will take care of Flint. Don’t worry.”
Isabel grumbled. “The boy really knows how to win hearts.”
Sylvia chuckled.
Flint was not afraid of strangers. He welcomed anyone who wanted to hug him.
Isabel could not stay idle. She snuck to Queenie’s side and widened her innocent eyes at her.
Maybe because she was bored or deemed Queenie a bulliable target, she asked, “Ms. Lion, can | touch your hair?” Annoyed, Queenie glared at Isabel. “Who are you calling Ms. Lion, kid?”
“You, pretty girl,” Isabel said adorably.
Queenie’s annoyed expression froze. She did not expect the naughty girl to call her pretty after teasing her.
She also found the girl to have beautiful eyes.
Before Queenie could say a word, Isabel continued, “Can | touch your hair, Ms. Pretty Lion?”
Queenie’s gaze changed. She turned away arrogantly and feigned ignorance at the girl. “You can only touch once and don't call me Ms. Pretty Lion.”
“Okay, Little Lion.”
“Don't call me Little Lion!” Queenie turned to her immediately.
Isabel played with a lock of her hair. “Okay, Big Lion.”
Sylvia chuckled uncontrollably.
Her chuckles caught Flint’s attention and he, too, chuckled happily in Madam Stockton’s arms.
The boy’s adorable smile amused Madam Stockton. She did not even care about Isabel calling Queenie a lion because of her blonde hair.
Odell and John were distracted from their work-related chat. They turned to the ladies and saw a heartwarming scene. It put a warm smile on their faces.
Julie noticed John looking at her, so she feigned a smile and pretended that she was teasing Flint with Madam Stockton.