Chapter 513 David's Chip
"Mommy said we should listen to Daddy when she's not here," BoBo's voice cut through the air.
A sudden chill swept through the living room, plunging it into hollow silence. Every face hardened, and all eyes turned to BoBo in stunned disbelief.
Albert stared at the children, his eyes filling with hurt. Despite all his efforts to make amends with Yvette and the children, it seemed that in the end...
David's voice, brimming with joy, shattered Albert's spiraling thoughts. "Yes, I'm taking you home!"
His face lit up with satisfaction and anticipation as he stepped forward to ruffle the children's hair, but both BoBo and CiCi instinctively stepped back.
CiCi wrinkled her little nose in displeasure. "BoBo, you got it wrong. Not that daddy—this one!" She pointed directly at Albert.
BoBo's tender cheeks flushed crimson as he glanced sheepishly at Albert. The word "daddy" still wouldn't come when he looked at Albert. After a moment's hesitation, he took CiCi's hand and ran to Albert's side, grasping his large hand.
The warmth of those two small hands seemed to melt something deep within Albert's chest. His gaze moved between BoBo and CiCi, filled with wonder and emotion, his heart rippling like a stone thrown into still water. He had assumed he could never reach these children's hearts, yet when forced to choose between him and David, they had chosen him.
Albert's body went rigid, afraid to move and shatter this dreamlike moment. His heartbeat quickened, and he barely dared to meet their innocent, clear eyes. His once-cold heart had been melted without him even realizing when it happened.
CiCi looked up at him, tugging on his hand. "Daddy, what's wrong?"
Albert snapped back to reality, his lips curving slightly as his cold demeanor transformed into something warm and bright, like sunlight after fresh snow. "I was thinking about where to take you tomorrow."
"Yay!" the children cheered.
David's smile vanished, his face darkening as storm clouds gathered over a clear sky. His lips pressed into a tight line, like a volcano on the verge of eruption. Sensing Albert's triumph beside him, David's body trembled ever so slightly, as if consumed by invisible flames. He stood silent and motionless, his eyes cold and steely.
Now emboldened, Albert held the children's hands and met David's gaze directly. "Is there anything else you need?" His lips curved in a victor's smile. "If not, I need to put the children to bed. They can't sleep without me tucking them in."
Without waiting for David's response, Albert turned away, leading the children toward their bedroom.
Watching Albert's triumphant retreat and seeing the children follow without a backward glance, David's hands clenched into fists at his sides.
He had believed that after Yvette's disappearance, he would be their anchor. He thought they would willingly come with him the moment he appeared. He had raised them, been with them for years—why were they now choosing Albert's side?
That familiar feeling of betrayal washed over him again, filling his heart to the brim. Was blood really that powerful, that inexplicable?
A shadow settled over David's eyes that wouldn't lift. BoBo and CiCi were Albert's children, yes, but they were also David's leverage. As long as he had the children, Albert would have no choice but to comply.
In the dimly lit bedroom, BoBo and CiCi lay beside Albert, their small faces etched with worry and unease. Albert gently patted and stroked their backs, offering comfort. Though none of them spoke, they seemed to understand each other's thoughts perfectly.
Finally, CiCi tugged at Albert's shirt, her voice thick with unshed tears. "Daddy, is he here because Mommy is never coming back? Does Mommy still want us?"
Albert's brow furrowed, surprised that CiCi viewed David's arrival with such fear. His disapproval of David's reckless approach deepened.
He lifted his hand to stroke CiCi's hair gently. "How could that be? Don't you trust her?"
"We do!" BoBo hugged Albert tighter, looking up at him.
The boy who usually acted so mature now had eyes filled with uncertainty, brimming with longing for Yvette. "But when will Mommy really come home?"
Tears gathered at the corners of BoBo's eyes. Albert looked down, fighting his own emotions as he smiled at the boy, using his finger to gently wipe away the moisture. "Instead of wondering when she'll return, why don't we think about how we'll welcome her when she does?"
Albert's voice was deep and soothing, like a lullaby that actually calmed the children's turbulent emotions. "Can I go pick her up when Mommy comes back?" BoBo asked earnestly.
"Of course! You and CiCi can go together."
"Yes!" CiCi's eyes regained their usual brightness. "Daddy, I miss Mommy so much. When we pick her up, I want to give her the biggest hug!"
"She misses you both too." Albert gazed at the soft glow of the night light, his throat working. "We'll all go pick her up together and give her the biggest hug, okay?"
"Okay!"
Watching the children's faces gradually relax into peaceful sleep, Albert felt his taut nerves finally ease. As he looked at BoBo and CiCi's sleeping faces, his longing for Yvette reached its peak. She must miss them too—at least the children, surely?
Albert carefully rose and left the room, picking up his phone to call someone from the Hayes family.
He had to bring Yvette home soon.
The phone rang endlessly, but no one answered.
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