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The door wasn’t fully closed, and faint laughter and chatter drifted in from the next room.
Reuben, you came!” Addison exclaimed.
Dad! Addy’s stories are really fun!” Wes said excitedly.
Nolan asked, “Dad, can we let Addy live here forever?”
Reuben chuckled, “Okay.”
Evelyn lay on the bed, listened to their laughter, and slowly closed her eyes.
The next day, Evelyn heard a string of laughter from the kitchen the moment she went downstairs.
Wearing an apron, Reuben stood by the counter with a spatula in hand.
Addison stood next to him, leaning in to sniff the food from time to time, her eyes shaped like crescent moons.
Wes and Nolan gathered around their legs, looking up with little faces and chatting nonstop.
“Reuben, I didn’t expect you to remember my favorite flavor after all these years,” Addison gushed.
Reuben turned to look at her, gentler than he ever was with Evelyn.
I always remember.”
He placed the omelet on a plate and slid it to Addison.
Try it, and tell me if it tastes like you remembered.”
Addison took a bite, her expression softening.
“It tastes even better.”
Wes immediately raised his hand.
“Addy, whenever dad is busy, I’ll cook for you!”
Nolan sprang up and echoed, “I’ll learn too! I promise I’ll make it even better than dad’s!”
Addison let out a chuckle, rubbing the boys’ heads.
Reuben watched them, and a rare smile framed on his stern face.
Evelyn stood at the top of the stairs and curled her lip self-mockingly.
Reuben was born with a silver spoon and lived a life of luxury.
Their boys were picky and spoiled, so she had put in a lot of effort taking care of this family over these years.
But it turned out…
Reuben never did chores, yet he would cook for the one he loved.
Even kids as spoiled and willful as Wes and Nolan could be this thoughtful.
She meant nothing to them, but they were willing to do anything for Addison.
The one who loved first would lose everything in the end.
Reuben finally noticed her presence when he turned around, holding his breakfast.
You’re up?” he said flatly, “We’re heading out soon. Make your own breakfast.”
Evelyn stayed silent.
She knew Reuben wasn’t in a rush.
Addison was his priority, so he cooked only for her.
The aroma from the kitchen made Evelyn’s stomach churn.
Without saying a word, she walked into the kitchen and fixed herself a bowl of pasta.
After breakfast, Reuben and Addison took the two boys to the amusement park.
Wes suddenly stopped them.
“Wait! We have something to give you!”
He and Nolan ran upstairs and barreled down holding four matching T-shirts.
It was clearly a set of family outfits.
Addison looked a bit torn.
I don’t think this is appropriate.”
Wes raised his chin and said firmly, “But to us, you are always our mom.”
Reuben rubbed Wes’ head and said to Addison, “They’re messing around, so just go along with them this time.”
Addison blushed and nodded.
The four of them put on matching family outfits and stood together.
Reuben and Addison wore navy blue T-shirts, while Wes and Nolan had matching mini versions with a cartoon pattern on the chest that said, “Mommy and Daddy Love Their Baby”.
Addison suddenly looked at Evelyn.
Evelyn, why not come with us?”
Evelyn shook her head.
‘No.”
But you’re their mother. It wouldn’t feel right if you didn’t come.”
Addison walked over and held her hand.
‘Come on. Families should stick together.”
In the next second, Evelyn was dragged into the car.
The amusement park was swarming with people.
The four of them in matching family outfits attracted a lot of attention.
A young girl came over blushing and asking for a photo, and to their surprise, Reuben didn’t refuse.
“Your wife is really pretty!” the girl said, eyes full of admiration, “Your boys are super cute too!”
Reuben said nothing.
Addison was shy and lowered her head, while Wes and Nolan puffed out their chests, swelling with pride.
Evelyn followed behind like an invisible person, watching them get surrounded by admirers, seeing Reuben’s hand resting on Addison’s waist, and hearing her boys keep calling Addison “Mom”.
A numbness spread across Evelyn’s heart.
She couldn’t feel pain anymore.
In the evening, they came to the Ferris wheel.
The staff smiled and said to Reuben and Addison, “You two are perfect together! They say if a couple kisses at the top of the Ferris wheel, they’ll never be apart!”
Wes and Nolan exchanged a look and gave a sly smile.
The carriage slowly went up, and the city lights flowed beneath their feet.
When the Ferris wheel approached its peak, Wes and Nolan suddenly ran behind Reuben and Addison and pushed them playfully.
“Ah!” Addison gasped and fell right into Reuben’s arms.
The moment their lips met, they both froze in surprise.
Addison panicked and tried to back away, but Reuben somehow held the back of her head and deepened the kiss.
Wes and Nolan covered their mouths, snickering as they secretly flashed a victory sign.
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