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    “Other kids are raised by both Dad and Mom together. Only me, I was raised by Mom alone, through all the mess and toil.”

    After saying that, Ethan looked at Geoffrey with teary eyes, “Daddy, you must first apologize to Mom and say sorry.”

    Apology…

    Geoffrey looked at Maureen, for some reason unable to

    say olliit. /li/ol

    Ethan lowered his voice: “Uncle, you’re not going to back out, are you?”

    “If you do this, no one will y with you in the future.‘

    Gotta admit, kids are surprisingly good at goading adults.

    Geoffrey turned to Maureen again, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly as he parted his thin lips. “I’m sorry.”

    Maureen stared back, momentarily stunned.

    It took her a while to find her voice. “It’s alright.”

    Ethan had finally made his deadbeat dad apologize in his own way.

    “Dad, it’s so boring being stuck here alone every day. Can you and Mom take me out today?”

    When it came to wheedling, Ethan was unmatched.

    Geoffrey couldn’t refuse him. “Alright.”

    After agreeing, Geoffrey arranged for them to take Ethan to a nearby amusement park.

    Given Ethan’s health condition, many rides were off–limits. Maureen kept close watch, terrified something might go wrong.

    The trio drew constant stares at the park.

    After walking awhile, Ethan grew exhausted. He nced at Geoffrey, who showed no

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    intention of carrying him. This guy would never find a wife without his looks or money.

    “Dad, look at that other dad.”

    Ethan pointed to a father hoisting his daughter onto his shoulders nearby.

    Geoffrey followed his gaze, then scowled at Ethan. “No.”

    “But Daddy, I really want you to hold me and cuddle.”

    Ethan looked at Geoffrey and stopped walking.

    “No kicking.”

    Geoffrey warned before picking him up.

    This time, Ethan didn’t cause trouble. He sat obediently in his arms, pointing here and there.

    He wanted to y with this, then that.

    “Daddy, catch that giant panda for Mommy!”

    “Daddy, you’re amazing.”

    “Daddy, Mommy and I want that…”

    “Daddy, you’re the best, the coolest Daddy…”

    Once Geoffrey held him, Ethan refused toe down.

    And Geoffrey, amid the constant “Daddy” and ttery,pletely lost himself, nearly forgetting Ethan was Gareth’s son.

    He held Ethan from afternoon till dusk, only ending the game when the boy fell asleep on his

    back.

    “Let me take him?”

    Maureen reached out.

    All afternoon, she’d tried to hold Ethan, but he kept refusing.

    Maybe it was their blood bond–Ethan seemed glued to Geoffrey.

    What she didn’t know: Ethan meant to exhaust Geoffrey, to make him suffer alone.

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    “No need.”

    Geoffrey refused.

    Maureen’s raised hand froze mid–air, lingering before she finally withdrew it. “Thank you for indulging him in such childish games.”

    Geoffrey walked ahead but suddenly halted. Bathed in the sunset glow, he loomed evenrger.

    “If our child had lived… would they have been like him?”

    Maureen’s eyes flickered as she hastily avoided his gaze. “Perhaps.”

    Geoffrey mistook her reaction for grief and dropped the subject.

    After returning Ethan to the estate with care instructions, Geoffrey and Maureen rode back to Pearl together.

    Karaville’s weather shifted abruptly–swinging from highs above thirty degrees Celsius to barely above ten. Howling winds battered their car during the journey.

    As Maureen stepped out at Pearl, the gale threatened to knock her over.

    Geoffrey strode forward, blocking the wind from her side.

    “Maureen.”

    She paused, meeting his questioning look.

    “I want a child.”

    Chapter Two Hundred and Two

    The surroundings were so quiet that only the rustling of leaves in the wind could be heard.

    Maureen stared at Geoffrey’s all–too–familiar face, unsure how to begin. Finally, she managed, “I’m sorry, but right now I might-”

    Before she could finish, Geoffrey cut her off.

    “Not with you.”

    Maureen’s pupils instantly contracted as his voice, harsh and icy, struck her again: “Do you think any man would choose to continue having children with a woman who betrayed him

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    and gave birth to another man’s child?”

    Without waiting for her response, Geoffrey strode quickly toward the house.

    Once in his room, he flung his coat aside in frustration.

    Just moments ago, when he’d mentioned wanting a child, he’d realized how ridiculous he was only after hearing Maureen’s hesitation. It dawned on him how absurd he’d been today.

    To actually agree to y father to that child for a day…

    How desperate for a child must he be to willingly father someone else’s?

    Outside the vi.

    Maureen stood alone in the wind, Geoffrey’s words echoing in her mind.

    “Do

    you think any man would choose to continue having children with a woman who betrayed him and gave birth to another man’s child?”

    Her expression calm, she walked step by step into the living room.

    The living room was empty except for her, making her involuntarily recall five years ago.