After these words, the two of them fell into a long silence again.
The silence in the air seemed so profound that even the sound of a needle dropping on the ground could be heard. Get full chapters from novelꜰire.net
A wall clock hung on a nearby wall. The tik-tok of the second hand was magnified numerous times by the quietness. Their faint breaths stood out conspicuously against this backdrop.
Charlotte Thompson leaned against the wall behind the bench, with obvious exhaustion showing on her face; fatigue had also seeped into her eyes.
She yawned and teary eyed.
The hands Adam Ross had on his knees trembled slightly, after seconds of thinking, he spoke with some concern, "It’s getting late, you should rest a bit. Don’t worry, I’ll be here."
Upon hearing this, Charlotte who was pretending to sleep, opened her eyes and glanced at him sleepily.
With a lowered voice, she said, "I must be here to ensure Annie comes out safely. If Oliver Hudson shows up, I cannot let him see Annie under any circumstances."
After saying this, she cast a glance at Adam, then turned her head again and continued to pretend to sleep.
The suit jacket draped over her body began to slip down, and Adam caught it swiftly, pulling it up a bit.
Charlotte did not open her eyes but simply tightened her jacket following his actions.
Adam looked at her, his eyes deep as the night.
After a while, he turned and went to the room where the children were. He gently pushed the door open,
The door opened quietly, the children heard him, but none of them moved.
Only Hank Thompson, who was groggy from sleep, rubbed his eyes and yawned.
As he saw more clearly who the visitor was, his eyes gradually brightened. He nudged Chad Thompson, who was reading next to him, in the elbow, whispering, "Chad, look."
Hearing this, Chad followed Hank’s gaze and saw Adam’s familiar yet unfamiliar face.
His heart skipped a beat, he closed the book he had been reading—one third of the way through.
It was a medical book he happened to see in the bedside table and got out of boredom.
Though he was having difficulty understanding the professional terms, he was reading it page by page, trying to comprehend its meanings.
Jack Thompson, who had been looking out of the window, also turned his head, exchanged a glance with Chad, and they both stood up together.
Adam saw two children, not even as tall as his waist, walking slowly towards him, a soft spot within him was touched.
He bent slightly, touching their heads, and asked, "Are you doing well lately?"
"We’re fine." Chad raised his head and peeked outside through the door crack. He saw Charlotte, sitting alone on the bench not far away, he asked, "Did you upset Mummy earlier? She didn’t look well."
Choked by the question, Adam scratched his nose with a guilty conscience and didn’t say anything.
Chad guessed it right; he looked at the handsome man before him, and began seriously, "You have to be nicer to my mum if you want to pursue her. You have to sweet-talk a girl. Your way is not gonna work."
Adam was taken aback by his words, but Chad didn’t seem to be joking, he was entirely serious.
... This little brat.
Adam touched his face, somewhat torn between laughter and tears, not knowing what to say.
As he was talking, he lifted his head inadvertently and found another child who was talking to Chad, staring at him with vigilant eyes, as if he had heard Chad’s words.