Chapter 174 Long Time No See
"Who taught you to draw Daddy like this?" Nora asked, feeling a mix of emotions.
Soren blinked and said, "No one. You said Daddy's dead, so we drew a grave. Isn't that what happens?"
In the drawing, where their "daddy" should be, there was a half-human-tall grave with no name on the tombstone.
"Mommy, what's Daddy's name? We want to write it on the grave!" Soren asked.
Nora had only told them Daddy had passed away, never his name.
Magnus chimed in, "Mommy, you said Daddy was buried in Austoria. Now that we're back, can you show us his grave?"
Soren added, "Can we go see Daddy?"
Magnus continued, "Does Daddy's grave have a picture? I want to see what he looked like!"
The kids bombarded Nora with questions, leaving her dizzy and unsure how to respond.
Soren pressed, "Why aren't you answering? We just want to know Daddy's name and where he's buried. Is that too much?"
The kids looked disappointed.
Nora quickly said, "Of course not. I just got sad thinking about Daddy."
Soren immediately said, "Don't be sad. You still have us!"
Magnus added seriously, "Mommy, when I grow up, I'll protect you. Even without Daddy, I won't let anyone bully you!"
Nora felt a pang of emotion.
The kids were so understanding, but she wouldn't see them grow up.
"Thank you, my darlings."
Nora squatted down and hugged them, feeling deeply moved.
Soren hugged her neck and asked, "Mommy, can you answer our questions now?"
Nora's smile stiffened.
How did they still remember those questions?
She thought for a moment and said, "Your daddy's name was Bubba Porter!"
Magnus and Soren looked at each other.
Daddy's name sounded strange, but it seemed rude to dislike it since he was gone.
Why did it suddenly feel like it wasn't so bad that Daddy was gone?
Magnus and Soren quickly dismissed their thoughts.
Magnus asked, "Mommy, where is Daddy's grave? We want to see him!"
Nora panicked.
Isaac was still alive; there was no grave.
But if she didn't take them to see their "daddy's" grave, they'd get suspicious.
After thinking, Nora said, "The weather's been bad. Once it clears up, I'll take you, okay?"
"Okay!" Magnus and Soren nodded.
Nora sighed in relief.
She played with them for a while, then put them to bed and quietly left the room.
Downstairs, she found Mortimer in the living room.
"Are the kids asleep?" Mortimer asked, looking up at Nora.
Nora nodded, "Just fell asleep. Why aren't you resting?"
Mortimer said, "I was waiting for you."
"Do you have something to tell me?" Nora asked, surprised.
Mortimer replied, "Nothing much, just moved your luggage to the guest room and set up your toiletries."
Nora thanked him, "You could have asked a servant to tell me."
Mortimer smiled, "It's no trouble. I don't sleep this early anyway."
Nora said, "Actually, I need a favor."
"No need to be formal with me. Just tell me what you need," Mortimer replied gently.
Nora awkwardly said, "I need you to help me arrange a grave. The kids asked about their father's grave, and I promised to take them in a few days."
Mortimer paused, then nodded, "Alright, I'll handle it tomorrow."
Nora gratefully said, "Thank you. Just put the name Bubba Porter on the tombstone. I made the name up on the spot."
Mortimer chuckled.
Over the next few days, Steve kept sending meals to Nora's shop at noon and cooking for her in the evenings. But Nora stayed cold towards him, and Mortimer picked her up every night. After eating Steve's meals, she'd get into Mortimer's car right in front of Steve.
Seven days later, Mortimer had the tombstone ready. Nora took Magnus and Soren to see it.
At the cemetery, Magnus and Soren looked curiously at the tombstone with the name "Bubba Porter" on it, then at Nora.
"Mommy, why isn't there a picture of Daddy on the tombstone?"
Nora said, "Your daddy died suddenly and didn't have time for a memorial photo."
Magnus asked, "What about photos he took before he died?"
Nora continued, "He didn't like taking photos, so there aren't any."
Magnus nodded, somewhat understanding.
Nora urged, "Alright, pay your respects so we can go home."
Magnus and Soren placed flowers and paid their respects seriously.
Magnus said, "Daddy, I'll take care of Mommy and Soren. Don't worry about us!"
Soren added, "I'm as big as my brother and can protect Mommy too. I'll make lots of money to support her. Daddy, rest in peace!"
Nora felt both guilty and moved.
After paying respects, Nora planned to take the kids out to play. But she got a call from a customer about a big business deal. Since Sophia hadn't returned from visiting her grandfather, Nora had to handle the shop alone. She arranged for someone to take the kids home and took a cab to the shop.
At the shop's entrance, she saw a man in black with a baseball cap, mask, and sunglasses.
"Did you call me?" Nora asked.
The man nodded.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I'll unlock the door, and we can talk inside."
She opened the door and led him to the reception area. "I'll get you a cup of coffee."
When she returned, the man had taken off his mask and sunglasses.
Nora looked at his face. The cup in her hand fell to the ground. She stared at the man in horror, stepping back instinctively.
"Long time no see," he said.
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