Mom, Don't Cry! Here comes a new Daddy! novel Chapter 150

< Chapter 134

Chapter 134

(Ethan’s POV)

The drive to pick up Sabrina and Jake takes twenty minutes that feel like hours.

My mind keeps replaying the video. Jake’s voice. His observations.

My Granny isn’t angry. She’s just strict.

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Is he right? Have I been so focused on expanding the family that I missed what Jake saw?

That Gran might be more than she shows.

The idea itself sounds funny. There’s nothing more important than status and family standing to Gran.

The Hale name and its reputation carry more weight and importance in her life than anything

less. Yet what I saw in those videos…

They could not be faked.

That side of Gran was true and sincere.

I pick up Sabrina first. She gets in the car looking like she’s heading to her own execution.

“This is it. Your Grandmother is going to kick me out of your life.”

I chuckle. “It won’t be that serious.”

Sabrina gives me a look. “Are you sure?”

That shuts me up. Because I’m not. For all I know, Gran might just sue Jake for invasion of

privacy.

“That’s what I thought.” Sabrina scoffs and looks out the window.

We drive to Sophia’s in silence.

Jake is waiting on the front steps. Sketchbook under one arm. Tablet under the other.

He sees us and walks over with complete confidence.

Like he didn’t just post a video that might end everything.

“Hi, Dad. Hi, Mom.” He gets in the backseat. Buckles himself. “Are we going to see Granny Kate?”

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“We are,” I say. “She wants to talk to us about your video.”

“Okay. Is she mad?”

“I don’t know. How do you feel about what you posted?”

He thinks about this. “I feel I didn’t do bad thing. I showed everyone the truth. But…”

“But?”

He hangs his head. “I didn’t ask Granny Kate for permission before posting her video.”

Despite myself, I laugh.

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I can’t maintain a stoic expression where this kid is concerned. Sure, he takes action before thinking. But it’s precisely because of this reason that I’m now in his and his mother’s life.

So I can’t be mad at him even if I want to.

The drive to the estate is silent except for the hum of the engine and the occasional notification ping from Sabrina’s phone.

She’s watching Jake’s video again. Third time since Jake got in the car.

I glance at her. See the tears on her face.

“You okay?”

“No.” She doesn’t look away from the screen. “I’m terrified. Look at these comments.”

She tilts the phone so I can see while keeping my eyes on the road.

I just called my grandmother for the first time in two years. Thank you, Jake.

Kate Hale, you’re being offered a gift. Don’t waste it.

I’m a 45-year-old man and I’m sobbing in my office. My assistant thinks someone died.

This is what the world needs. More children who see through to the truth.

The comments keep scrolling. Thousands of them. Tens of thousands.

All saying essentially the same thing.

“The news outlets are going crazy,” Sabrina says. “CNN wants to interview him. The Today Show. Even 60 Minutes reached out to Sophia. Your Grandmother is going to kill us when she

hears about that one.”

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Claim

From the backseat, Jake’s voice: “I’d be good on TV. I have experience talking to cameras.”

“You’re not going on TV,” Sabrina and I say simultaneously.

“Why not? I could explain what I meant. Make sure Granny Kate knows I wasn’t trying to be

mean.”

“Baby, this isn’t about TV appearances. This is about-” Sabrina stops. Takes a breath. “Your Granny Kate called us to the estate. That means she’s upset. Really upset. And we need to figure out how to handle this.”

“I’ll handle it,” Jake says simply.

“Jake-

“I posted it. I’ll explain it. That’s what adults do, right? Take responsibility for their actions.”

Sabrina makes a sound. Half laugh, half sob.

We pull through the estate gates. The long driveway stretches ahead.

Sabrina’s hand finds mine. Holds tight.

“Whatever happens,” I tell her, “we’re in it together.”

“What if she makes you choose? Her or us?”

“I already chose. At the gala. Remember?”

“That was before Jake posted a video that’s been viewed by half a million people in six

hours.”

“Doesn’t change my choice.”

We reach the house. Gran is on the front steps.

Waiting.

She’s not in her usual perfect suit. She’s in slacks and a sweater. Hair down. No jewelry except her wedding ring.

I’ve never seen her look so… unarmored.

Jake unbuckles himself before I can even put the car in park. Opens his door. Walks straight up to her.

No fear. No hesitation.

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“Hi, Granny Kate. Did you see my video?”

Oh, yeah. I can never get mad at this kid.

(Jake’s POV)

Granny Kate looks at me for a really long time.

Her face doesn’t tell me anything. Not if she’s happy or sad or mad or anything.

That’s called a poker face. I learned about it from watching Mr. Dunkin on my favorite cartoon show.

“I saw it,” she finally says.

“Did you like it?”

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