Chapter 165 A Goal
Gabriel looked at the pair of earrings and asked him, "Do you want to buy them?"
Sam nodded.
"For Aunt Kelly?"
Again, Sam nodded.
"Then let's buy them; your pocket money should be enough to cover it."
Sam used his own pocket money to buy Sophia a pair of ruby earrings.
They had just left when a sales associate took out her phone to send a message to Tiffany.
"Miss Foster, your boyfriend is planning another surprise for you."
This store was the largest jewelry shop in town, and Tiffany was a frequent customer. The staff recognized her and naturally knew that her boyfriend was Gabriel, the CEO of Lancaster Group.
Upon seeing the message, a smug smile played on Tiffany's lips.
It seemed that all her efforts weren't in vain. Gabriel still had her in mind and knew to buy jewelry to appease her.
Tiffany replied with two words: "Thank you."
She didn't ask what kind of jewelry Gabriel had bought. After all, anything he chose would surely be the finest and most expensive. Besides, asking would spoil the surprise, wouldn't it?
Tiffany eagerly awaited Gabriel to come to find her.
Meanwhile, Gabriel arrived with Sam at Flora Garden, where Sophia was already waiting at the entrance.
As the car came to a stop and the doors unlocked, Sophia opened the door and lifted Sam out.
"Oh my, our little Sam has finally gained a bit," she exclaimed.
Sam gestured, "Not fatter, just a little taller."
"Definitely taller, but we still need to bulk you up a bit."
Sophia set a goal for herself. While Sam was staying with her, she wanted to feed him well and ensure he drank plenty, to help him grow as healthy as Ethan and Emma.
A gentle curve formed on Sam's little mouth, and he lightly patted Aunt Kelly's shoulder, signaling her to put him down.
Gabriel got out of the car too and approached Sophia, who pointedly ignored him—a reaction he had grown accustomed to.
"Thanks for the other day," he said, referring to the time he was both drunk and feverish.
Sophia spoke curtly, "You've saved me before; now we're even."
"Right." Gabriel didn't like being indebted to anyone. This suited him just fine. He took out an exquisite gift box and said, "Happy Birthday."
Sophia was momentarily taken aback. How did he know today was her birthday?
Could it be that he had always remembered?
Sophia quickly dismissed that thought. She wasn't vain enough to believe that Gabriel would keep her in his heart and remember her birthday.
Probably just found out from somewhere.
What was he trying to do with this insincere birthday gift?
Sophia didn't accept the gift. As Gabriel's originally warm facial expression gradually became strained under her probing gaze, he felt inexplicably uneasy inside.
"I heard from Sam that today is your birthday, and as I happened to pass by the mall, considering how well you've been taking care of Sam lately, I decided to buy you a birthday present."
At the time of buying the gift, he hadn't thought too much about it and certainly hadn't anticipated Sophia's refusal, so he scrambled for an excuse.
As unconvincing as it sounded to himself, it was the most reasonable one he could muster.
"I don't need your gift. Taking care of Sam is my duty." He's my son, too... She left those words unsaid in front of Sam.
Her eyes flicked to the little boy standing obediently by her side, holding onto her hand. A wisp of his curly hair fluttered in the breeze, adorable.
Gift-giving was not Gabriel's usual modus operandi, and his offerings had never been rejected––until Sophia.
If she wouldn't accept it, then he felt no need to force it on her. Gabriel's face became cold as he tucked the small jewelry box into his coat pocket.
"Let's get in there, Sam." Sophia didn't give Gabriel another glance and, taking Sam's hand, walked away.
Gabriel's expression grew even colder. She never invited him in, not once.
He exhaled a breath, the mist mingling and dissipating in the air. Gabriel got into his car, and as he pulled away, he stole a glance at the receding figures of Sophia and Sam. An overwhelming sense of loneliness seized him, a sensation he had never known before.
With a furrowed brow, this feeling bewildered him. He had a beautiful girlfriend, a smart and adorable child, wealth beyond measure. What was there to feel lonely about? This inexplicable emotion irked him further, prompting him to call his friend Harrison for some company.
Sophia, once certain that Gabriel had finally left, emerged from Flora Garden with Sam and made their way to the neighboring community.
Sam tugged at Sophia's hand, and as she looked down, he hastily gestured, "Why did Aunt Kelly have to lie to Daddy?"
Lie?
Was the little guy referring to the address?
Sophia smiled gently, "I'm sorry, baby. Aunt Kelly doesn't like your daddy, so I don’t want him to know where I live."
Little Sam became very confused. Aunt Kelly didn't like Daddy, Ethan and Emma didn't like Daddy either—why?
After all, Daddy was so good; the people who loved him the most in the whole world were Daddy and Great-Grandma.
He wished Aunt Kelly, Ethan, and Emma would all come to love his dad. It seemed his goal was growing tougher by the minute; not only would he have to change Ethan and Emma's opinions, but he now also had to win over Aunt Kelly.
Pulling out the earrings he'd bought, Sam handed them to Sophia.
Her eyes lit up with surprise. "Is this a birthday present for me?"
She had never mentioned her birthday to Sam, so it must have been Ethan and Emma who told him. She hadn't expected such a thoughtful gift from the sweet boy.
"I bought it with my pocket money," said Sam. "Dad gives me so much each month that I can save it up. He even helped pick out these earrings; he's got great taste."
Sophia's smile froze when she heard it was Gabriel's choice.
At first, she thought they were beautiful, but now ...... well, she supposed she could grudgingly admit that Gabrielle had an eye for such things.
With mixed feelings, Sofia accepted Sam's gift and gave him a kiss on the forehead.
"Thank you, my dear Sam."
Seeing how much Aunt Kelly liked the gift he had chosen, Sam's steps lightened with joy.
At home, Caroline and the two children had gotten up early to clean. Sophia wanted to help, but Ethan and Emma pulled her to the couch and handed her a remote control.
"Mommy, today you just watch TV and play on your phone; you're not allowed to do any housework," Emma said very seriously.
Sophia resignedly accepted their arrangement.
Sam also joined the ranks.
As the young master of the Lancaster family, Sam was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and had never done a single chore at home. Initially clueless and not knowing where to start, he looked around bewildered.
Ethan picked up a cloth and handed it to him.
"Please help me wipe the tables and chairs."
Now that Sam had a goal, he watched how Ethan did it and tried to imitate him—clumsy yet earnest. Sophia couldn't bear to watch. She felt a wave of affection and was tempted to lift Sam into her arms.
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