CHAPTER 82: CHAPTER 82: LONELY ELDER

At first, Seraphina was listening seriously, but the moment Desmond said the last sentence, her face flushed instantly, and she immediately retorted: "Wait a minute, what do you mean bride price? Desmond, I never said I wanted to marry you!"

Bride price... Seraphina never even considered these matters; she had no idea that Desmond was thinking so carefully.

"Honey, I think you’re a bit forgetful. You agreed to everything in front of Grandma and admitted we’re a couple. Do you want me to remind you what you said? Huh?"

Seeing Seraphina’s flushed face, Desmond couldn’t help himself. He immediately leaned over to her ear and whispered these words.

His voice had a magnetic hoarseness to it, which made Seraphina’s heart race uncontrollably.

"It was you who asked me to give you some face and placate Grandma!" Seraphina immediately retorted.

"Mommy! Dad, what are you doing?"

Jude suddenly appeared, giving Seraphina quite a start.

Seeing her son come over, Seraphina immediately broke into a smile and quickly took two steps towards Jude, gently asking: "Jude, had enough fun? Where’s Great-grandma?"

"Great-grandma went to the kitchen to help Grandma Rhea."

Jude had just finished speaking when he sneakily stared at the two of them, then said: "Mommy, I saw it all earlier. You and Dad were doing something not suitable for children!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Seraphina’s face felt like it was burning, and she looked at Jude with helplessness in her eyes.

She really doesn’t know who Jude gets his precociousness from; he seems to understand everything at such a young age.

"Alright, Mommy, I’m done teasing you. I have something to discuss with Dad alone."

Jude saw Seraphina shy from his words and wisely stopped, immediately expressing his intention.

Actually, he came back suddenly because he needed to talk to Desmond alone.

After all, during this period, he would be staying at Great-grandma’s, so Jude felt it was necessary to talk to Dad privately about some things regarding Mom.

"What’s the matter that you have to say it behind my back? Can’t Mommy be present?"

When Seraphina heard Jude say he wanted to talk to Desmond alone, she understood but still couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed.

She had cared for Jude alone since she was young, relying on each other, and couldn’t believe this rascally boy would learn to whisper secrets as soon as he found his father!

Does that mean from now on he’ll lean more towards Desmond?

"It’s just a small matter. I trust my Mommy isn’t so narrow-minded, right?"

Jude knows Seraphina very well; he knows Mommy hates being called narrow-minded. Sure enough, his soul-questioning hit the mark, leaving Seraphina unable to probe further.

Despite that, Seraphina still felt a bit uncomfortable, and she immediately reached out and gently pinched Jude’s cheeks twice. "Alright, since you put it that way, what can Mommy do? I’ll go help your Great-grandma in the kitchen; you two can have your father-son talk."

After speaking, Seraphina turned to look at Desmond, her eyes full of discontent, turning into a sour lemon!

Seeing the unavoidable jealousy in Seraphina’s eyes, Desmond couldn’t help but grin a bit more.

Sometimes, he really felt that Seraphina and Jude, these unexpected appearances in his life, were more of a gift to him.

After Seraphina left, Jude took two steps forward to stand before Desmond.

Looking at the little guy who wasn’t even half his height, Desmond’s eyes softened rarely, and he immediately crouched to maintain balance, then softly said: "Tell me, what do you need to discuss with me?"

Jude first looked around and, seeing no one, still felt uneasy, so he tiptoed closer to Desmond and opened quietly: "Dad, this opportunity is really rare, and you must seize it! But you have to watch Mommy’s mental state; I’m afraid she’ll react poorly upon suddenly learning your identity."

Usually, when Jude is home, Seraphina spends much of her time on Jude, but now that Jude is staying with Old Mrs. Fairchild, it naturally gives them a lot of time to be alone together.

After all, Austin is already grown and doesn’t need Seraphina to care for him.

Therefore, calculating it, the time Jude stayed at Old Mrs. Fairchild’s was actually precious private time for the couple.

After hearing what his son said, Desmond couldn’t help but be amazed, looking at him with a bit more surprise in his eyes.

Although he always knew his son was exceptional, often saying unexpected things, Jude’s detailed consideration for them both was indeed extraordinary.

After all, the child is so young, he shouldn’t be thinking so comprehensively.

Seeing his father’s surprise, Jude reached out with his right hand and patted Desmond’s shoulder twice, "Dad, this is your best chance to win over Mommy; don’t miss it, okay? I’ve said all the reminders; I trust you know what to do?"

As the father and son met eyes, Desmond’s mouth couldn’t help but curl into a smile as he reached out and gently stroked his son’s head twice, "I got it. I promise not to disappoint my son’s expectations."

"Pinky swear, hang it up, a hundred years no changes!" Jude extended his little hand and stamped a "man-to-man" seal with Desmond.

Clearly a childish gesture, it suddenly made Desmond feel an unprecedented sense of responsibility.

Perhaps this is the heavy feeling of being a father? Desmond couldn’t help but sigh.

That evening, Old Mrs. Fairchild was really happy and prepared many signature dishes for Seraphina and them; she even personally cooked some snacks, being so enthusiastic that it made Seraphina a bit uncomfortable. Ever since her father passed away, she hadn’t felt the warmth of a home for many years.

Seraphina and Desmond stayed at the Fairchild family’s old house until very late before going back. Before leaving, Seraphina thought Jude might feel somewhat sad, but unexpectedly, this rascal showed no change in emotion, and he even proactively waved goodbye to Seraphina.

"Mommy, be careful on the road!"

"You rascal!" Seraphina gritted her teeth, stuck out her tongue, held her breath, and left with Desmond without looking back.

"Why are you fussing with the kid?" Desmond looked at Seraphina’s sulky appearance and couldn’t help but find it amusing.

"What do you mean fussing with the kid? Obviously, it’s you, the father, who split Jude’s love for me. Ah, from now on, I’ll be a solitary elder, an empty-nester crying online." Seraphina feigned lightheartedly, shrugging her shoulders.

"You still have me. Jude will eventually have his own world." Desmond, rare in his tenderness, wrapped his arm around Seraphina’s shoulder.

Who knew Seraphina would roll her eyes and bluntly say: "Get lost."

After a busy day, Seraphina indeed felt somewhat tired. After returning, she showered and fell asleep deeply without arguing more with Desmond.