At the East Adjacent Estates.
After returning from the autumn picnic, Angela seemed filled with lingering excitement.
"Momma, when can we go out and play with Daddy again?"
Sitting in the bathtub, Angela allowed her mother to bathe her. Her little round belly was the epitome of adorableness.
Roxanne took a small towel and washed Angela's chubby belly, lifting her small hand, washing her plump little arms.
"We'll schedule another outing with Daddy if he's available, okay?"
"Momma, why doesn't Daddy live with us?"
Angela pouted her soft, rosy lips in confusion and slight frustration.
Roxanne gently patted Angela's head, "Didn't Momma tell you? Daddy and Momma are separated, and we can't live together."
Angela, full of envy, said, "Keith told me he sleeps in the same bed with his mom, dad, and little sister. They have so much fun every day."
Angela queried, "Momma, why did you separate from Daddy? Did he mistreat you?"
"Daddy is very kind. He's an excellent businessman and an excellent father."
Roxanne had always built a positive image of Harrison to Angela, never uttering a negative word about him. But Angela was still confused, bombarding Roxanne with endless questions as the latter answered each of them while bathing her.
After the bath, Roxanne carried Angela to bed, dressed her in a pink Peppa Pig pajama, and summarized, "No matter whether momma and daddy are together or not, we both love you the most. You're always our little princess!"
Roxanne lowered her head, her forehead touching Angela's, gently rubbing against it. She then kissed her little darling's cheek, "Momma's gonna get you some milk, okay?"
After finishing her bottle of milk, Angela, clutching the empty bottle, let out a long burp, full and contented.
It was time for bed, but Angela was chatty today, "Momma, do you have money?"
"Why do you ask?" Roxanne frowned.
Angela earnestly said, "Momma, if you have money, let's give some to Grandpa Vincent."
Roxanne was filled with puzzlement. Why gave money to Grandpa? Wasn't Grandpa wealthy enough?
Angela continued, "Grandpa Vincent works so hard every day raising chickens, ducks, cows, and pigs. If we give him some money, he won't have to work that hard."
Roxanne didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She had never told Angela that Grandpa was super wealthy.
So, Angela thought Grandpa was poor because he had to work on his private farm? She touched Angela's head, letting out a long sigh.
She really wanted to tell Angela that her Grandpa was the richest man in Seraphim Haven. The beef, lamb, and organic vegetables he sent them were worth a fortune, for instance, the Wagyu beef cost millions to raise.
Poor, where? But Angela was truly kind-hearted.
Roxanne was pleased. It seemed that her education was effective. She patted Angela's head satisfactorily, "Alright. You're about to have your birthday, right? When Grandpa comes to see you, you can give him all your pocket money, okay?"
She then asked her to lie down and covered Angela with a blanket.
Angela looked at her mom, imploring, "Momma, can you also withdraw some money from your bank card and give it to Grandpa?"
"Sure," Roxanne thought Grandpa must have given his little granddaughter much love. She was so relieved.
Upon getting the approval from her mom, Angela let out a long yawn, "Momma, kiss me."
Roxanne bent down, kissing Angela's rosy cheeks.
Roxanne appeared next to Harrison about fifteen minutes later, freshly bathed and dressed.
He was still standing in front of the photo wall, absorbed in the pictures. He seemed unable to get enough of them.
Roxanne remained silent. She couldn't help but wonder how Harrison might feel seeing those photos. In any case, it made her feel melancholic.
If everything had gone to plan, those pictures on the wall should have been of their happy family.
But now, there were no photos of Harrison.
At times, she felt a pang of sympathy for him. He must be hurting too; they were so much in love. But they couldn't go back.
As Harrison stared at the photo wall, she found herself staring at him. After a few moments, she finally broke the silence, "Did you need something?"
Jolted back to reality, Harrison turned around. He looked at her, his eyes deep and intense, "Can we talk privately?"
Roxanne frowned. In a chivalrous tone, Harrison asked, "Is it convenient?"
Afraid of a refusal, he quickly added, "Don't worry; it won't take long. Just a little walk around the block."
She nodded, and then walked ahead to the door. They ended up in the neighborhood park.
Night had fallen.
There were few pedestrians around. The streetlights were dim, casting long shadows on the ground. The moonlight wavered in the breeze. The scent of fall was becoming more pronounced.
Roxanne slowed her pace, casually saying, "So, what's up? I'd like to get some sleep after this. It's been a long day."
"My things, shouldn't you give them back?" Harrison stopped in his tracks, looking at her feigned nonchalance and distance. His brows furrowed, his eyes growing deeper and more pained.
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