The Ending She Read (And the One He Rewrote) novel Chapter 17

The massive nursery was split in two. One side was the sleeping area, and the other, right by the floor-to-ceiling windows, was the playroom.

When Harriet walked in, Archer and Seraphina were sitting on the rug building Legos.

"Mom!"

Seraphina broke into a massive grin the second she saw her.

Archer shot her an indifferent look before lowering his head back to his blocks.

Harriet walked over, crouched by the rug, and poked his cold little cheek. "Let's go, kiddo. I'm taking you to the amusement park!"

???

He had made up his mind to ignore her.

He wanted to observe her secretly, to figure out what kind of tricks she was pulling.

Yet he was still caught off guard.

Recovering his composure, he replied coldly, "Not going."

"Chicken!" She narrowed her eyes at him. "You wouldn't happen to be... scared, would you? Scared the Ferris wheel is too high, the coaster is too fast... or scared I might lose you?"

!!!

"I am not scared!!!" Archer yelled, his anger flaring. "The bodyguards will be there. I'm not falling for your tricks, you evil woman!"

"Then let's go!"

She stood up and jutted her chin at him challenging.

If she was going to act, she had to commit all the way.

She had told Jason she'd take Seraphina first, then Archer, letting them each experience what it was like to be an only child.

Today was Archer's turn.

Realizing he'd been played, Archer was fuming.

But Seraphina had said the Ferris wheel went all the way up to the sky, and you could reach out and touch the clouds.

When the roller coaster shot out of the tunnel, you could see a beautiful rainbow.

And there were his favorite beluga whales...

The nanny led him away to change. Looking in the mirror at himself in a little t-shirt and shorts, his eyes were shining like stars.

He couldn't believe that was him. He quickly pressed his lips together, putting on his usual stony expression.

Walking out of the closet and opening the door, he immediately heard Seraphina giggling.

Harriet was sitting on the couch, her feet hooked under Seraphina, bouncing her up and down.

Like a human seesaw.

Looking around, every single kid was holding an adult's hand.

He reluctantly compromised.

A second later, he blinked.

The evil woman's hand was so cool and soft!

It was his first time holding her hand.

Before, she only ever grabbed him by the shirt, shoved him from behind, or pushed his head to shove him toward the nanny.

But this time...

This had to be one of her tricks!

He pursed his lips tightly.

The roller coaster went from a slow climb to a sudden drop, making his heart feel like it would leap out of his throat.

When the Ferris wheel hit the top, it really felt like he could touch the clouds.

In the aquarium, colorful jellyfish were just a pane of glass away.

With his little face pressed against the glass, he watched them unblinking.

He didn't know how long he stood there, but he suddenly realized both his hands were on the glass. The evil woman had let go of his hand. She was definitely planning to abandon him in the dark.