Araceli POV
My heart suddenly skipped a beat.
I took a deep breath and then said flatly, "Krish, Mr. Lancatser is just a partner of mine."
Krish looked at me with mixed emotions in his eyes. I didn't know what he was thinking, only puzzled.
He asked, "Valeria has called Mr. Lancaster daddy several times. Mommy, have you ever thought about getting together with Mr. Lancaster and making him really our daddy?"
I looked at him incredulously.
"Krish, why would you think that?"
I admitted that I probably did have a slight crush on Raphael, but so what?
"Krish, I never thought about that. valeria hasn't had much exposure to the world and doesn't understand what daddy means yet. I'll take my time and tell me. I have nothing but gratitude for Mr. Lancaster."
Krish said in a low voice, "Mommy, what are you going to do if Valeria's and my daddy finds us again?"
I frowned slightly.
I took care of the news quickly that morning, so Krish wouldn't know that Ramon was their father, but if Krish was asking, he must have some information.
I said in a gentle tone, "Honey, I have no intention of be with your real father. What's more, he won't be bothering us anymore. I promise."
My heart was actually a little troubled. I knew that if the children wanted to identify with their biological father, I couldn't stop them.
Krish pursed his lips.
"What if Mr. Lancaster is our real father?"
I breathed a sigh of relief.
Krish said that, proving that he didn't know that Ramon was their real father.
I walked over, stroked Krish's soft hair, and whispered, "Baby, that's not possible. Even if he is, there's no way anything could happen between me and him."
Krish's eyes were somber. He continued washing dishes and stopped talking to me.
That night, I tossed and turned and didn't sleep well.
The next day, I picked up Valeria and Krish after work and went home to cook dinner, and did not go to Royal Pack.
After the meal was ready, I sent Maddox to Royal Pack with the thermos box containing the food.
Since I had promised to make dinner for Essel, I would not back out.
After washing the dishes, I sat on the couch, watching TV and kept lost in thought.
I hugged a pillow and my mind kept going to Essel and Raphael, and I don't know what was wrong with me.
I picked up my phone several times and put it down again. The fifth time I picked up the phone, I finally made up my mind to dial out.
I just wanted to ask Raphael if Maddox had delivered the lunch box. It was kind of one of my responsibilities.
Yes, I wasn't worried about them.
The phone was answered after two rings.
"Mr. Lancaster."
Raphael didn't say anything.
He paused for a moment and said, "Ms. Chancey, the food you sent over was delicious, and Essel loved it. Thanks."
I was relieved, but didn't know what to say.
I thought about it, clutched my phone, and said, "That's good. Excuse me, Mr. Lancaster, I have some things to do. I have to hang up..."
I was about to hang up the phone when I heard Essel call out.
"Daddy, is that Ms. Chancey? You have to apologize to her! Say you're sorry!"
Raphael coughed twice and said, "Shh. I got it."
I listened to the male voice on the phone and inexplicably blushed.
Essel muttered, "It was your fault in the first place. Is it so hard for you to apologize?"
Sensing Raphael's embarrassment, I hurriedly said, "Mr. Lancaster, I have to hang up now. Let's talk about it some other time."
After I hung up, I felt a little better, but I felt a little uneasy when I thought about what Krish had just said.
Would Ramon come back to me? What if he came back to cause trouble?
Could I still go to Raphael to help me?
These questions swirled in my mind.
...
The next day.
I drove up in front of my house and before I got out of the car, I saw Maddox.
Essel took Maddox's hand and looked at me.
I pursed my lips and pushed open the car door.
"Ms. Chancey..."
Essel stood still and blinked, with caution.
Every time we met in the past, she would jump over and hug me.
But this time she didn't even dare to move, as if she was afraid that I would be angry.
Some sour pain in my heart slowly dispersed.
"Essel, you..."
I had just opened my mouth when Essel interrupted.
"Ms. Chancey, will you bring Krish and Valeria over to my house every night? You don't have to cook dinner for me. I just want to see you."
Her voice held a hint of thirst.
I sighed and said, "Essel, what are you doing here so late?"
"I missed you..."
Essel's tears flowed down uncontrollably.
"Ms. Chancey, can you hug me?"
She couldn't control the tears but didn't dare to cry out loud, biting her lips and suppressing her sobs.
Valeria, who was sitting in the car, did not know why, jumped out of the car quickly and ran to Essel's side, raising her hand to help her wipe her tears away.
"Vallie..."
Essel grabbed Valeria's hand, and there was finally a slight light in both eyes.
"Essel, would you like to come in for a drink? I made some really good lemonade."
I stepped forward and took Essel's hand. "Let's go inside."
Essel watched as I took her finger and kept tearing up.
"Mommy, let me take Essel to the bathroom to wash her face."
Krish ran to me and took Essel's hand.
I saw Essel's eyes filled with tears, stroked Krish's head, nodded, and turned to go into the kitchen.
Not long after, I came out of the kitchen, carrying two glasses of lemonade.
I didn't see Essel anywhere and asked Krish, "Where did Essel go?"
"She went back," Krish replied in a low voice.
My brow furrowed.
Normally, Essel would never have left so easily if she had come.
I looked over at Krish. "Baby, did you say anything to Essel?"
"I just told her the truth," Krish said, pursing his lips, "She should know the truth."
I fell silent.
After a few seconds, I sighed, "Sweetie, can you stay with Valeria and play with the puzzle for a while? I'll go make dinner."