Charlie let out a laugh, shooting Jonathan a teasing look. "How exactly are you going to settle that score? If you dare go after Xavier, Estelle will definitely go after you."
Jonathan frowned. "Are you saying my wife cares more about him than she does about me?"
"I didn't say anything. Don't project your jealousy onto me!" Charlie turned his attention back to Kya, holding up his hands in a clear gesture of washing his hands of the drama.
A flash of irritation crossed Jonathan's face as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette.
Charlie glanced back. "Are you actually going to smoke that?"
Jonathan paused, then coolly replied, "Just looking at it."
Charlie was speechless.
"Uncle Jonathan, Uncle Charlie!" Henson Lamont walked over.
Charlie smiled in approval. "Look at you, Henson. You've gotten taller!"
"And you've gotten even more handsome, Uncle Charlie!" Henson grinned.
Charlie burst out laughing. "You're much better at talking than your uncle!"
"People say my personality is exactly like his," Henson shot back.
"Impossible," Charlie chuckled. "You're way more likable."
Jonathan shot him a dark glare.
"Henson!" Kya scrambled off the swing and ran toward the teenage boy.
Henson looked up at Charlie. "Can I take Kya to go play with my friends?"
Kya looked up at Charlie with giant, hopeful eyes.
Charlie smiled warmly. "Go ahead. Just make sure you bring her back before Norah cuts the cake."
"Don't worry, I'll take good care of her," Henson promised instantly.
They had just read an article in school about the old cultural practice of raising a girl to marry the son of a wealthy household.
Henson's face darkened. "Shut your mouth. Don't make stupid jokes."
He quickly changed the subject. "Is everything set up?"
The boys dropped the jokes and nodded eagerly. "All good to go. We were just waiting for you!"
"Let's move."
Henson led Kya toward their secret base.
Kya looked up at him, whispering softly, "Henson, what's a child bride?"
Henson, with his bright, handsome features, threw a look of absolute disgust at his friends walking behind them. He smiled down at her. "Don't listen to them. They're just talking nonsense!"
Another boy jogged up, throwing an arm around Henson's shoulder and grinning at Kya. "Hey little cutie. What's your name? I'm Conrad. You can call me Conrad!"

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Thank you for the updates....
I love it, I love it! Thank you for the updates....
Dear author Lucy, may we please have updates. Thank you....
There's a song currently playing via YouTube and TikToc by LowDii "Touch Me Softly" that makes me think of Norah and Xavier (Gonzalez). Please, I'm looking forward to updates. Thank you for your writing....
May we please have updates. Thank you....
As the plot thicken. Adrian is done for and he can't try to control Norah, so he'd probably tattle to Janice who's gone for two weeks. Thank you soooo much for the updates....
These updates were too funny. Thank you so much for the updates....
I forgot to add Amy to the group of pregnant women,since she was the first. Emily and Sylvia better be careful since pregnancy is in the air....
Wow! This is great, both Estelle and Magdalen are pregnant at the same time and I hope that Xavier is Norah neighbor. Thank you for the updates....
Author Lucy you're a blessing. Thank you so my for the updates. I hope that Norah's neighbor is Xavier she gets her memory back....