The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 258

Theo’s First Theme Park.

“Sir, I know you said they aren’t tall enough, but they are brave!” Theo insisted to the ride operator.

The kids had about half an hour of free time while the adults were still resting after lunch. Theo and Sebastian had wanted to try a ride on their own, and they had chosen a junior roller coaster. Alisa tagged along with the nanny, watching them.

“Sir, please. Can you let my cousins ride?” Theo begged again. “I’ll protect them!”

The operator raised his brow. He answered, “Kid, you are only a child, and your nanny can’t ride either because this roller coaster can only accommodate kids. I’m sorry, but your two cousins can't meet the height requirement.”

“This is unfair!” Sebastian stomped his feet. “I’ll tell Daddy!”

“Can we just go there?” Alisa pointed to the carousel.

Sebastian made a face. “We have done that like two times already.” He spotted the flying Dumbo ride and said, “Maybe we can go there?”

Alisa shook her head.

Theo sighed. He turned to Sebastian and said, “Bastin, we should go where Ali likes. We should protect her. So we should go with her.”

Alisa nodded eagerly and smiled.

“We should stay together,” Theo firmly said. “We can just hop on the big rides when our parents are done resting.”

Behind the kids, the nanny laughed. Leslie said, “Theo, you are already a very responsible boy. Silas and Noelle would be proud. Come on, let’s go to the merry-go-round.”

Sebastian sighed in surrender. “Okay. Okay.”

The carousel wasn’t an exciting ride, but to Theo, it still made him happy.

He loved the way Alisa enjoyed it, and he liked how Sebastian followed his lead. They didn’t just ride it; they went at it for two more rounds.

After their parents exited the restaurant, they all went on a mini safari boat ride.

“Daddy, look!” Theo kept pointing left and right, eyes widening at the robotic animals that popped out of nowhere.

“Ahh!” Whenever Alisa screamed, Theo would turn to her. Even though his Uncle Nathan was holding Ali tightly, Theo said, “Don’t worry, Ali. I’m here!”

“What about Grandma? Grandma is also scared,” Celine said in her seat, pouting.

Theo happily moved to the second row of the boat and hugged Celine. “I got you, Grandma. Don’t be scared of the hippo.”

Celine kissed his cheek. “Oh, my sweet boy.”

“I’m not afraid,” Sebastian claimed. “You take care of Grandma, Theo. I’ll protect Mommy.”

Laughter erupted during the boat ride, with Theo’s parents giving him a thumbs-up.

Later, they went on a second round of bumper cars, and Theo rode with Silas. Everyone was chasing them, including his other uncle, Xavier.

“Try and escape me, kiddo!” Xavier called.

The Hartleys were also having fun, taking pictures, while Uncle Xavier walked Aunt Alice around.

Perhaps to Theo, the most touching part of that day was when everyone started collecting the prizes from the carnival games.

Grandpa Bernard Hartley had won a basketball, but he offered it to Theo. “I’d like you to have this, Theo.”

Uncle Xavier won three toys, and he made sure to give one to Theo, Ali, and Bastin.

Grandpa Sterling won a “Hero” cap, and he gave it to Theo. Even Uncle Nathan’s prize was given to him—a glow-in-the-dark sword.

At that point, Theo was really worried about why they weren’t giving the other toys to Alisa and Sebastian. He walked towards them and said, “We can share my toys, Bastin, Ali.”

“That’s okay, we have lots of toys. It’s your turn to have lots of toys,” Sebastian said with a smile. Alisa nodded.

“We just want you to be happy, Theo,” Noelle said, giving him a stuffed toy that she had won herself.

Theo felt his chest tighten. His eyes watered as he looked at everyone smiling at him.

“Yes, Theo. We just want you to be happy,” his Aunt Serena echoed. She also gave Theo a bubble gun.

Theo sniffed. He looked at his father, who was nodding at him. When a tear fell down his face, he wiped it carelessly while holding onto the toys he had received with one arm. “I—I am very happy.”

His voice broke, and he cried, rushing into Silas’s arms.

“I’m very happy. I’m very happy, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt!” Theo declared. "Thank you so much!"