Chapter 627 Taking the Children Back to The Valdemar Villa
Vincent's tone remained unhurried and measured, yet his words made it crystal clear to Yvette just how swamped Albert truly was.
A wave of guilt washed over Yvette. She knew Albert had been buried under work lately, but instead of finding ways to lighten his load, all she could think about was planning family trips with the kids.
She'd been thinking only of herself—her own needs, her own happiness—without considering Albert's feelings or how exhausted he must be.
She shouldn't be so selfish.
Yvette lowered her gaze, trying to mask the complex emotions flickering in her eyes.
Albert seemed completely oblivious to her inner turmoil. While responding to Vincent, he reached over and took her hand, his warm palm covering hers with natural ease.
The intimate gesture caught Yvette off guard, making her heart skip a beat as warmth crept up her cheeks. She hesitated, then gently tried to pull her hand away.
But Albert didn't seem to notice her subtle resistance, maintaining his hold as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
That simple touch pulled Yvette back from her spiraling thoughts, though her emotions continued to churn beneath the surface.
When Albert ended the call, his grip tightened slightly as he drew Yvette into his arms. His hand settled at the small of her back, fingers tracing gentle circles.
"Why aren't you downstairs with the kids?"
Yvette pressed her lips together. She couldn't very well admit she'd come up to discuss vacation plans with him.
"You've seemed so busy and tired lately. I thought I'd bring you some fruit."
Albert obligingly speared a piece of kiwi with his fork, the sweet-tart flavor drawing a soft chuckle from him. "What about BoBo and CiCi? Have they made any holiday plans?"
Yvette was surprised he still remembered their conversation. After a moment's hesitation, she nodded slowly.
"They have some ideas about places they'd like to visit." Not wanting to burden him, she added softly, "The weather's been awful anyway. I'll take them somewhere nice once it clears up."
"Good." Albert nodded, about to say more when his video call rang again.
His brow furrowed with obvious irritation at the interruption.
Yvette didn't know what he'd been about to say, but she didn't want to keep him from his work.
"Go ahead and take that. I'll go back down to the kids."
Albert looked like he had more to say, but the caller was already ringing again insistently.
He glanced back at Yvette. "Alright."
As Yvette left the study, she couldn't help but look back at the closed door.
She saw how much Albert sacrificed for this family.
Even though she longed to create memories of the four of them traveling together, to make sure the kids didn't miss out on anything, she couldn't ignore Albert's responsibilities.
He had duties to shoulder, work that demanded his attention. She couldn't be selfish about this.
The thought made her head throb.
BoBo and CiCi had already made their family vacation plans, and now she'd have to find a way to let them down gently.
Imagining the disappointment that would cloud their faces made her chest tighten with a heavy sigh.
The gloomy weather passed quickly, and as soon as the sun broke through the clouds, Yvette received an invitation from Cheryl.
Since BoBo and CiCi were on holiday with no classes to attend, Yvette decided to bring them along to the Valdemar Villa.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows across the ancient estate and creating an atmosphere of warmth and tranquility.
Cheryl sat inside, counting the beads on her prayer bracelet. When she saw Yvette enter with BoBo and CiCi, her face immediately lit up with joy.
Yvette smiled as she set down the gifts she'd brought. "Grandma, I brought the children to see you."
No sooner had the words left her mouth than two small heads peeked out from behind her, wide eyes fixed hopefully on Cheryl.
Cheryl's smile froze for a moment, then bloomed even brighter as tears gathered in her eyes.
BoBo and CiCi each carried small gifts of their own. Seeing Cheryl's welcoming expression, they immediately stepped out from behind Yvette.
"Great-grandma!" they called out in unison.
The children presented their gifts to Cheryl, eyes shining with anticipation. "These are presents from us!"
Their faces glowed with innocent joy, eyes sparkling with hope.
Cheryl looked at them in amazement, her heart swelling with surprise and emotion at their beaming faces.
"You brought these for me?"
"Yes, Great-grandma!" BoBo nodded enthusiastically. "Mommy took us shopping today and let us pick out something special for you."
"Really?" Cheryl's cheeks flushed pink with delight. "So you chose these yourselves?"
"Yes!" CiCi said proudly. "And we didn't let Mommy pay for them either. We used our own allowance money because these are our gifts to you!"
Their words touched Cheryl deeply. She bent down to their eye level. "Well then, what wonderful presents did you bring me?"
"I got you flowers!" CiCi pulled a bouquet from her bag. "Mommy said you have lots and lots of flowers in your garden, but I still think the ones I picked are really pretty!"
She beamed as she continued, "I chose all these flowers myself, and then the florist helped me arrange them. Don't you think they look beautiful here?"
The blooms were vibrant and fresh, filling the air with their sweet fragrance.
Cheryl accepted the bouquet with delight, breathing in their scent. "Thank you, CiCi. These flowers are even more beautiful than the ones in our garden. Do you love flowers, sweetheart?"
"Yes!" CiCi nodded vigorously. "I love all beautiful things!"
"Then how about I take you to see the garden later? You can pick any flowers you like!" Cheryl's eyes crinkled with warmth.
"Yay!"
"This is a book I got for you." BoBo pointed to his gift bag. "Daddy told me that when he was little, you used to tell him stories in the afternoon sunshine. He said he learned to love reading because you told him that books were wonderful things."
At BoBo's mention of Albert's childhood, Cheryl visibly paused, a flicker of something crossing her features.
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