His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 503

A second later, a little girl in a short pink puffer jacket with her hair in two little space buns placed her hand in his and hopped down.

The little girl was bundled in a white knit scarf and an adorable bunny beanie.

The moment her soft cheeks met the winter wind, they flushed a rosy pink.

She didn't walk forward right away; instead, she stood rooted to the spot, tilting her head and staring unblinkingly at Gemma up on the steps.

Gemma's fingers unconsciously curled into tight fists inside the pockets of her camel coat.

"Go on," Archer murmured, his large hand gently ruffling the back of the little girl's head.

Cindy shuffled forward on her short little legs, stopping just two paces away from Gemma. She tipped her head back and stared for a long time.

Then, her little mouth formed a pout, her voice crystal clear, albeit carrying a hint of hesitation.

"Are you my mommy?"

The moment she heard that, Gemma's heart clenched violently. It wasn't the tearing, physical pain in her head, but a dull, overwhelming ache that made her eyes burn.

She didn't answer because, in her current state, she couldn't even confirm her own identity, let alone figure out how to respond.

Archer stepped forward, standing right beside his daughter. His tall frame effortlessly blocked the harsh winter wind whipping in from the side.

"She is Mommy," he spoke up, his voice raspy but definitive. "Mommy got sick, so she doesn't remember us right now."

Hearing this, the confusion in Cindy's big eyes cleared up a bit. She reached out with her pink-gloved hand and bravely grabbed Gemma's right hand where it rested by her side.

Even through the thick gloves, Gemma felt the undeniable warmth radiating from the little girl's palm. It felt incredibly soothing.

"It's okay. Grandma Helena said that when you're sick, you just need to take your medicine. Even if you aren't Mommy, it's okay. The moment I saw you, I really liked you."

The winter sun broke through the clouds, casting a pale golden glow over the roofs of the pirate ship and the carousel.

Cindy held onto Gemma's hand, practically dragging her forward.

The little girl wasn't shy in the slightest, chattering away happily the entire time.

Archer walked half a step behind them.

The man kept his hands shoved in his pockets, his gaze never once straying from the slender silhouette in front of him.

He watched her transition from stiff and guarded to voluntarily shielding the little girl as she slid down the slide, right up to this moment where she was crouching down to wipe the sweat off Cindy's forehead...

Archer didn't interrupt. He simply turned and walked over to a nearby concession stand, returning with a coconut hot chocolate, a warm milk, and two fresh, buttery ears of corn.

When ordering the hot chocolate, he specifically requested absolutely no whipped cream or milk cap.