The Last Time I Cried Your Name novel Chapter 564

Their brief exchange felt less like two old friends catching up and more like distant acquaintances forcing polite conversation.

Franco's gaze deepened, and he offered a low, noncommittal hum.

Abacus, still clinging to Petty's neck, planted a loud, wet kiss on her cheek.

Petty laughed and kissed him back. "Mmm, you smell so good."

The little boy burst into a fit of giggles.

When he smiled, his eyes curved into happy little crescents, revealing a mouthful of baby teeth.

When she had left him, he hadn't had a single tooth.

Franco's eyes stayed locked on Petty's profile as a relieved smile touched her lips.

She had put on some weight.

Her complexion looked radiant.

She looked vibrant and full of life, strong enough to haul that massive sack of gifts—several of which had been quite heavy.

Hans had clearly taken excellent care of her.

The realization left a bitter taste in Franco's mouth. She wasn't his, and he didn't even have the right to be the one taking care of her.

Stepping further into the living room, Petty noticed a towering Christmas tree decorating the corner. It had to be over twelve feet tall.

She assumed it was just a standard decorative tree and was about to carry Abacus in the other direction, but as she turned, she noticed several handwritten cards hanging from the branches.

— *Let's spend next Christmas together, Petty.*

— *Wishing Petty a safe return.*

There were a few others she couldn't quite read from her angle.

But the bold, forceful handwriting was unmistakable. She recognized it as his instantly.

"Mama!" Abacus grabbed Petty's cheeks, forcing her to look away from the tree.

"Hmm?" She looked down at the beautiful, chubby little boy in her arms. "What is it, baby?"

She listened intently to every word, silently committing all their names to memory.

Before long, the little boy—who had skipped his afternoon nap—simply fell asleep resting against her legs mid-play.

After tucking him into bed, Petty sat at his side for a long time. She stroked his tiny hands, kissed his cheeks, stroked his hair, and even picked up his little feet to breathe in his baby scent.

Eventually, realizing she might disturb his sleep, she quietly slipped out of the room.

As she reached the landing of the stairs, she immediately spotted Franco. He was sitting on the sofa closest to the front door.

He hadn't gone upstairs to shower. He was still wearing the same clothes.

It was as if he had been sitting there like a sentinel the entire time she had been upstairs.

Hearing her footsteps, Franco looked up.

Those eyes, deep as the ocean, quietly captured her gaze.

Petty gripped the handrail. "I want to talk to you."