Chapter 394 The Agreement
Aaron approached the matter with tact, hoping to persuade Nora to consent to marriage. As he did so, all four children made their entrance into the room.
Nora's gaze fell upon the little girl, her appearance reminiscent of a doll. Aaron's words echoed in her mind, and a pang of sympathy flashed in her eyes.
She found it unbearable to think of such an innocent child being harmed. Yet, she was not ready to commit to marrying Aaron so abruptly. Nora fell into a thoughtful silence. She walked up to Millie and knelt before her to begin her examination.
Millie just watched her in silence, not uttering a single word.
Beside them, Billy spoke up, "Millie, this is my Mommy. Isn't she as beautiful and gentle as yours?"
At his words, Millie's lips formed a pout, and tears welled up in her eyes, likely thinking of her own mother.
Nora's examination confirmed her fears. The child had been subjected to chronic poisoning, the toxins infiltrating her organs. If left untreated, she would not live to see adulthood.
The realization filled Nora with disgust for Stov, who had inflicted such suffering on the child to control Millie's mother.
Nora ended her examination, her heart aching as she watched Millie silently shed tears. She pulled the child into a comforting embrace, whispering soothing words, "Don't cry, don't cry. Auntie Nora is here."
With Millie cradled in her arms, Nora took a seat on the sofa. "Your name is Millie, right? It's such a nice name. Who gave it to you?" she asked, her voice gentle.
Millie remained silent without looking at Nora, her sobs choking her words. Nora understood the child's wariness of unfamiliarity. Her first task was to break through this psychological defense.
Having raised three children of her own, Nora was well-versed in comforting children. She turned to Samantha and said, "Samantha, go get the drawing board."
Samantha, understanding her Mommy's intention to engage Millie with the drawing board, nodded and ran upstairs to retrieve it.
Nora took the drawing board from Samantha and asked Millie, "Do you know what this is?"
Millie looked at the drawing board but remained silent. Nora continued, "This is called a drawing board. Would you like Auntie Nora to teach you how to use it?" Millie stared at the board, seemingly lost in thought.
Just as Nora was about to demonstrate with Samantha, Millie slowly raised her hand and began to draw.
A faint smile graced Nora's lips as she watched. "Millie, so you know how to draw, right?" she asked.
Millie continued her silent drawing, prompting Nora to join her, praising her efforts.
After several rounds of drawing, Millie finally spoke, her voice soft, "Mommy named Millie, and Mommy also taught Millie how to draw." Nora's smile widened, realizing the child had begun to open up to her.
"Oh really? Millie, your Mommy must be a very beautiful and gentle girl."
Millie nodded, her thoughts of her Mommy causing her to pout as if she wanted to cry.
"Auntie Nora, I miss Mommy," Millie confessed.
Nora felt a pang of sadness, pausing her actions to cradle Millie on her lap, gently wiping her tears. "Good girl, your Mommy hasn't left you. She said you should be a brave child and grow up happily."
Millie looked up at her, "Auntie Nora, did you hear Mommy talking?" Nora decided to tell a white lie to comfort the child.
"Yes, I heard it. Your Mommy said: Millie, you are a good child. This place will be your home. Listen to Auntie Nora and your older brothers and sister, and grow up happily."
Millie listened attentively as if she could sense her Mommy's presence.
Nora signaled to the three children standing nearby. They understood immediately and began to speak in turn.
Billy said, "Yes, Millie, this place will be your home, and we will all love you."
Samantha added, "Millie, don't cry. Big sister will protect you from now on."
Alex chimed in, "Millie, don't be afraid. Big brother will take care of you."
The three children continued to tease and play with Millie.
Millie remained silent, her mood visibly lightened.
Nora, her heart warmed by the sight, tenderly stroked Millie's head, her gaze lingering on the four children who were playing together with infectious joy.
Nearby, Aaron observed the scene, a soft smile playing on his lips. He leaned towards Nora, his voice barely above a whisper, "Nora, so you agree?"
The question hung in the air, a silent echo. Would she marry him and adopt Millie?
Nora hesitated, her gaze drifting towards the children. A surge of impulsiveness washed over her, the words of affirmation on the tip of her tongue. "I..." she began, but her words were abruptly cut off by the shrill ring of her phone.
Swallowing her unspoken words, Nora glanced at the caller ID - Ebenezer. The news of Billy's kidnapping had spread like wildfire amongst the Hamilton, Woodhouse, and Remington families. Given the timing of the call, Ebenezer was undoubtedly calling to inquire about Billy's situation.
Nora gently placed Millie on the sofa, entrusting her to the company of the other children, before answering the call. "Dad," she greeted.
EKenzer's voice came through the line, tinged with anxiety, "Any news about Billy?"
"Aaron has safely brought him home," Nora replied, her voice steady.
Relief washed over EKenzer, "Really? Thank God. Was he hurt? Was he scared?"
"No, he's okay," Nora reassured him.
"That's good," EKenzer sighed, the tension seeping out of his voice. After a pause, he asked, "Will you still come to Lindwood City today? If you're too tired, you can rest at home for a day. Ryan should be fine skipping a day of treatment."
Nora thought for a moment and said, "No, I can't skip this. The first month of Ryan's treatment is crucial and can't be missed. I'm relieved that Billy is fine, so I will come to Lindwood City this afternoon to continue Ryan's treatment."
EKenzer didn't argue, his voice filled with warmth, "Nora, you're working hard."
"It's okay. Dad, please let them know that Billy is fine so that they won't worry," Nora smiled.
"Alright."
As she ended the call and was about to turn around, Aaron's arms enveloped her from behind. His chin gently grazed her cheek as he asked, "Was that Uncle Hamilton's call?"
"Yes," Nora replied.
Aaron's voice was soft, tender, "So you agree to marry me?" His familiar scent stirred her heart, and for a moment, Nora considered saying yes.
But in the end, she pulled away from his embraceand said firmly, "Thomas, I told you, I'm not ready to get married yet."
She still wasn't prepared to marry him.
Nora looked at Aaron and said, "I am not ready to start a new family yet."
Aaron's smile faded, and his eyes clouded over with disappointment.
"But you just told Millie that she should consider this place her home. Doesn't that mean you want to adopt her? Were you deceiving her?" he asked.
Nora paused for a moment before replying, "When I told Millie that, I meant that I would take care of her. It doesn't necessarily mean I want to adopt her."
Aaron furrowed his brow and asked, "If you're not going to adopt her, does that mean she will have to stay with James and live an unstable life?"
"Of course not. I won't let Millie live with James," Nora stated, her tone resolute.
Aaron's gaze bore into her, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. "Nora, please don't tell me you're sending Millie to an orphanage," he pleaded.
Nora glanced at him, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "How could you think that? Don't worry, I will take care of her." With that, she ended the conversation, turning her attention back to the children.
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