Lost Me, Gained Regret (Jane and Bryant Ferguson) novel Chapter 424

Little Ike looked to be around three or four years old, dressed in trendy clothes, and with a face so adorably sculpted it could melt hearts. He looked up at me with those big, innocent eyes, and I couldn't help but feel a tug at my heartstrings.

I was slightly puzzled and gently patted his tiny head, “Auntie?”

“Yes, Auntie! My name's Ike Taylor. You can just call me Ike!”

The little guy introduced himself with a soft, youthful voice, looking every bit the picture of sweetness.

I couldn't help but chuckle softly, squatting down to his level and saying gently, “Alright, Ike, but...”

I paused, turning to Gregory, “Ike is your nephew?”

“Edith's son.”

Gregory lazily lifted his gaze, speaking in an indifferent tone, “She's off to Europe for a trip tonight. Ike has school, so I'm stuck looking after him for a while.”

“Really?” I glanced at his legs, questioning, “Are you sure... you can handle a kid?”

Ike then hugged my neck, peppering my face with kisses, his voice muffled, “Auntie, you can play with me!”

I must admit, I was completely won over by his charm, but still, I turned to Gregory, asking again, “Auntie?”

Gregory seemed unfazed, “Kids, they like to say whatever.”

I held Ike's tiny shoulders, correcting him, “Ike, can you call me 'Jane'? Auntie is not something you can just call someone.”

He tilted his head, confused, “Why?”

“Well...”

I pondered how to explain this in the simplest terms, “Auntie is like your uncle's future wife. Your uncle and I are just...”

“I get it now!”

Before I could choose my words carefully, Ike jumped up excitedly, clapping his chubby hands, “Then you are Auntie! Mommy said if two people like each other very, very much, they can become husband and wife. So, that means Uncle really, really likes you...”

He was cut off mid-sentence by Gregory, who quickly covered his mouth.

“Kid, what do you know about liking someone?”

Ike glared at him, “Uncle, I know!”

Gregory chuckled, “Oh yeah? Explain.”

“Like, Ike really, really doesn't like you!”

Saying so, Ike cuddled into me like a koala, pleading softly, “Auntie, I like you. Can I go home with you?”

My heart melted, but it didn't seem right to take someone else's child home.

I thought for a moment, then declined gently, “Sweetie, I’m staying in a hotel right now. It's not as convenient as a home, you know.”

Gregory frowned, “Why don't you stay at the Elmwood Villas apartment?”

I made up an excuse on the spot, “Forgot the password.”

The Elmwood Villas apartment, the one he gifted me two years ago.

Because of what happened two years ago, there's been a distance between us, and I felt guilty.