"You came here so suddenly. Why didn’t you tell me ahead of time?" Mary said, looking at Barry.
"I just got here," he smiled. Barry felt the bitterness dance on his lips and tried to suppress it. "I'll be leaving soon."
"Have you been busy with work recently?" Mary asked sheepishly. "I know I haven't been to the company in days."
"Don't worry about it. I'll just deduct your bonus. " Barry joked.
"Hey there! What are you two talking about?"
William walked over, carrying the twins, and came to a stop beside Mary.
"Daddy Barry!" Alick exclaimed. The boy's eyes sparkled as he wiggled out of William's embrace and ran to Barry. "I missed you so much!"
"Alick!" Barry spun the kid around, grinning. "I missed you too!"
"Daddy Barry, I want a hug too!" Elissa said, stretching her arms out impatiently.
"Good girl!" Barry picked her up. His arms now hanging empty by his side, William's face darkened.
"Daddy Barry, why haven't you visited me recently?" Alick pouted, looking up at him with puppy-dog eyes.
"Sorry, Alick. Daddy Barry’s been very busy these days," Barry said. He leaned over and kissed the child's rosy cheek lovingly.
"Daddy Barry, sleep with me tonight!" It was rare for Alick to act like a spoiled child.
"Of course, sweetie," Barry said. His eyes watered.
He had worried that the relationship he built with the twins for four years would crumble against the blood relation between them and William. Upon hearing Alick's request, however, Barry was instantly flooded with relief.
"Daddy Barry, I want to sleep with you too!" Elissa whined. Clinging tightly to Barry's neck, she rested her head on his shoulder. "Alick sleeps on the right, and I sleep on the left."
"Sure! Sounds like a plan." Barry nodded with a smile.
William sighed internally upon hearing their conversation. Jealousy and resent brewed in his chest. He knew he had no right to feel either.
Unlike himself, Barry had been with them since they were born. They formed a strong bond and loved each other very much. William would just have to deal with the consequences that came with his actions.
"All right, all right." Mary glanced at the hospital staff that was waiting by the gate and urged, "We can talk later. Let's get out of the hospital first."
"Okay, let’s get going," Barry said. He adjusted the twins in his arms and walked to the exit.
Mary turned to follow him when William suddenly grabbed her hand.
"What are you doing?" She tried to tug herself out of his grasp to no avail and gave him a look. "Let go of me."
"Barry has taken away two of my babies from me. I want to at least take care of my other baby," he said seriously. He gave Mary a gentle tug forward and approached the vice president of the hospital. Nodding at him, William said, "Doctor, thank you. We'll be off now."
"Take care, Mr. Lan."
"Goodbye, doctor. Thank you for your help." Mary thanked the man, not wanting to seem rude.
"Anytime, madam," replied the vice president.
With that, William and Mary walked out of the building. Barry's eyes fell on their intertwined hands. He resisted the temptation to comment and instead said, "Mary, will you have lunch at the villa today?"
"Hmm... Sure, that sounds lovely!" She beamed.
"What about me?" said William, pitifully.
"Dad, come with us!" Elissa climbed into the car and sat down, waving her little hand to him.
"Mr. Lan, if it's okay with you," Barry said with a warm smile, "why don't you have your first meal after leaving hospital at our house?"
Barry's frown deepened. "It sounds like someone wants to hurt Mary. Could this be related to the kidnapping of Alick and Elissa?" he asked.
"Probably, yes. I'd say there's an 80% chance the events are related." William gazed at the trio joking around with each other in the car, unsuspecting of the plans against them. "Those people are aiming for Mary."
"Why Mary, though? She's never offended anyone!" Barry said. It was hard to imagine anyone wanting to harm the kind woman. "You know what she's like, she'd never hold a grudge against other people."
"Yes, I know what you mean," William said.
"Humph," Barry suddenly snorted, "could it be because of you? You might have made Mary an enemy for others over the past four years. If there's a jealous woman from your history, they might do something extreme."
William pursed his lips and did not respond, his gaze cast downwards.
"Really?" Barry picked up on the man's uneasiness. He strode closer and gripped William's collar tightly. "Is that true? It's true, isn't it?"
"Well... Yes, I believe it is."
"I'm warning you," Barry snarled. "If Mary gets hurt because of something you did, I'm not letting you go. I haven't given up yet. It certainly seems like Mary is better off with me!"
"I have children with her. How exactly would you compete with me? Don't get too over-confident!" William snapped back. "The kidnapping won't happen again. I'll be able to protect them!"
"Why haven't you two gotten in the car yet?" Mary stuck part of her head out the window and shot them an exasperated look.
"In a minute!" Barry swiftly let go of William's collar.
"We'll be getting in the car now," William said. He forced a gentle smile at her before turning back to Barry. "Mr. Gu, thank you for your hospitality."
"You're welcome." Barry shrugged. "I heard you would hold a banquet for the 10th anniversary for the AJ Group tomorrow evening. Mary and I want to thank you as well, Mr. Lan, for your own hospitality." "It's my pleasure." William felt his eyes narrow ever so slightly. With his jaw clenched, he climbed into the car and slammed the door.
Candy EffiliEQ
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