Beryl's time went by pleasantly, as she cheerfully spent most of it playing with the maidservants. Having so many people around her to play with was indeed a rare occurrence for her. Emily's heart melted at the sight of Beryl laughing heartily.
"Mommy, are you here to take me home?" asked Beryl.
Emily crouched down and stroked Beryl's hair. "Beryl, are you happy here?" she asked.
"Yes! I never have so much fun before," answered Beryl. Beryl reached out her arms around Emily's neck and begged, "Can I stay here just a bit longer? Please, mommy! Look! There are rabbits here as well. Baby loves playing with those rabbits."
The cute puppy ran over to them while they spoke. Emily was moved by Jacob's thoughtfulness of bringing Beryl's puppy to his home.
Emily didn't have the heart to turn down Beryl, as she looked at her mother with eager eyes. Emily sighed and answered, "Okay! You can stay here as long as you want, but you have to promise me that you will behave yourself.
Mommy has some important matters to take care of. Be a good girl, okay?"
While Emily was here to bring Beryl back with her, she changed her mind after she realized that Jacob's home was the safest place for her daughter to be in.
"Yes, mommy!" answered Beryl. Beryl was so delighted, she jumped and kissed Emily on the cheek, when she accidentally, noticed some red marks on her neck. Beryl asked, "Mommy, why do you have red spots on your neck?"
"What are you talking about?" asked Emily, as she ran her hands over her neck subconsciously. All of a sudden, Emily's face flushed red. "Maybe it's because of mosquitoes," she answered.
"What kind of mosquito does that? There are so many red marks on your neck. Don't forget to use mosquito-repellent incense tonight, okay mommy?"
"Okay! Mommy will keep that in mind."
All the while, Jacob stood right next to Emily, trying to hide his laughter with his hand over his mouth. Emily glanced at him angrily, implying with her facial expression, 'This is your fault. Now I've got hickeys all over my body. And how dare you laugh like this?'
"I will keep your mommy safe from mosquitoes next time," said Jacob.
He bent over, picked up Beryl in his arms and said, "It seems that you put on a little weight. Beryl, you are growing up."
Beryl answered proudly, "I have been a good girl. I always eat my meal on time."
Emily got excited about what Jacob said, and she exclaimed, "Really?"
"Perhaps you haven't noticed it because she's always around you," said Jacob.
Jacob passed Beryl to Emily, carefully placing her into the arms of her mother, and smiled. "I can tell the difference, as I haven't seen her for days," he said.
Emily took Beryl in her arms and carried her on her hip. She also felt like Beryl had perhaps put on a little weight.
Beryl's growth was slower than other children of her age because of her dysplasia, which made her look like a three-year-old at the age of four. Emily was afraid that her daughter would stop growing up.
So, Emily was definitely happy to hear the good news.
After she spent some time with Beryl, Emily took Jacob away to have a word with him in private. "What happened to Leona after you came and rescued me yesterday?"
With an ominous look flashing in his eyes, Jacob asked, "What would you have me do to her?"
Emily lowered her eyes and nodded her head slowly at Jacob.
"She needs to take responsibility for what she did," said Emily.
She knew what kind of punishment Jacob would bestow upon her, but she didn't feel sorry for such a wicked person as she did before.
"And what about the kidnapper?" asked Emily.
"We caught him. He took five million from Leona to kidnap you," answered Jacob. Jacob paused for a moment and then said, "It was for his wife's cancer treatment."
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