Araceli POV
Ten minutes later, I was downstairs with Essel in my arms.
"Krish, Essel wants to wear your T-shirt. Do you mind?"
Krish nodded and said, "Essel, this shirt suits you. Consider it my apology gift to you."
Essel turned her head away and wrapped her arms around her chest, still looking like she didn't want to talk to Krish.
She had just told me when she was in the room that she didn't want to wear a dress. I gave her a couple of T-shirts to choose from. As it turned out, she picked one of Krish's favorite Marvel T-shirts. She said that "Ms. Marvel" was her favorite anime character because she wanted to be that strong of a woman too.
After I told her it was Krish's shirt, she said she didn't want to wear Krish's shirt at all. However, if she didn't, she would have to be naked or wear Valeria's dress. In the end, she decided to wear the T-shirt.
I stroked Essel's head.
"Baby, Krish has apologized to you. So, what should you say to him?"
Essel grunted softly, then her face turned red. She pouted and looked embarrassed.
She hesitated for a moment, looked at me, and reluctantly said, "It's okay, Krish. And, I also want to say sorry to you."
Krish nodded. "It's fine. I already know you can't dry your hair. I'll help you next time."
Essel squinted slightly, looking like a cute puppy dog.
I giggled. Children's feelings were always so pure that right and wrong could be recognizable. In the world of adults, many things were not solved by saying sorry once.
Essel crawled over to Valeria and rubbed against her, talking to her. They were holding a picture book and joking around.
I sat down next to Krish and said, "Krish, I know you don't like Essel."
"I don't..."
Krish had just uttered the words when I interrupted.
"I'm your mommy. I can more or less guess what you think. Essel is really just a simple little girl, and she really likes Valeria. To my surprise, Valeria doesn't reject her either. Krish, baby, don't you want one more person in the world to like valeria? "
"Of course I want Valeria to be loved in countless ways."
Krish said, looking over at Essel and Valeria.
Krish looked at Essel and Valeria, who were reading the picture book, and pursed his lips. After that, he looked down and was silent for half a second before saying, "Mommy, I see what you mean."
I rubbed his hair, smiled, and said, "Don't worry. Baby, you and Valeria are the most important people in this world to me. Don't look so sad. Go over and read picture books with Valeria and Essel, okay?"
Krish nodded, walked over to the carpet, and sat down.
As soon as he sat down, Essel hugged Valeria warily.
Krish whispered, "I'm not a bad person."
Essel rubbed her nose awkwardly and hummed softly, "Who knows?"
Krish didn't say anything else and sat down beside Valeria.
Essel glanced at him and hugged Valeria and sat down towards her side.
I smiled and shook my head.
At that moment, the doorbell of the villa rang.
I got up and opened the door.
Raphael was standing outside the villa.
He was still wearing the well-tailored suit, and his face was cool and indifferent.
When I opened the door, he could just see the living room.
The three children were sitting on the floor cushion reading picture books together under the warm light.
Raphael visibly froze for a moment and then looked at me.
I smiled in front of him in a rare moment of relaxation.
He pursed his lips, frowned, looked down, and saw the laptop in my hand.
I understood what he meant and looked up at him, setting the laptop down on the table.
I looked at the man in front of me, coughed twice, and said, "Mr. Lancaster, this is the second time your daughter has come to see me."
Raphael didn't say anything.
How many times had Rafael and I met because of these kids?
He stood in the doorway and said coldly, "Essel, come here."
By the time the doorbell rang, Essel was already hiding under the table.
She hugged the table leg and said stubbornly and aggressively, "No!"
I thought Essel was mentally prepared. However, Raphael didn't get angry, just said calmly, "If you want to play with them a little longer, I can give you another thirty minutes, but after that, you have to come back with me."
Thirty minutes was short, but it was better than just leaving.
Essel was finally a little happier. She got out from under the table and stared warily at Raphael, who was walking in.
I said reassuringly, "Essel, it's okay. You can play with Valeria and Krish a little longer. I'll talk to your dad."
I felt a little hilarious after that comment.
What did Raphael and I have to talk about?
I smiled, went to the kitchen and poured two glasses of warm water over and handed one to Raphael.
"Mr. Lancaster, please sit down and have a glass of water."
Raphael took the glass of water and took a sip.
"Did you receive the coffee machine? I had my assistant send it over immediately after the other day."
"Yes, Mr. Lancaster. When you are free, you can come back for coffee."
I sat down across from him, not knowing what to say to him for a moment.
The atmosphere was a little awkward.
I looked at the three children and was about to ask about Essel's birthday when Raphael suddenly spoke up, "Since I'm here today, let me try."
I froze.
"Try what?"
"Try to get Valeria to talk and tell us if she can see things."
Raphael put down his glass of water and glanced over to the living room carpet, his voice cold yet gentle.
"Valeria, come over here."
He waved at Valeria.
Valeria, who was having fun with Essel, looked up. Her eyes, which had always been devoid of any emotion, lit up at once, glowing in this warm light.
Valeria rarely responded to outsiders' voices, but now, not only did Valeria respond to Raphael, but there was a clear sense of anticipation.
My face was calm, but my heart was shocked.
I gripped my glass tightly and stared at Valeria without moving.
What would she do?